Abstract: An automatic propelling feature for a pinball game having a playfield supporting a rolling ball and a plurality of targets thereon, comprises a propelling member, mounted to the playfield, for propelling the ball toward the target; a ball guide for guiding the ball to the propelling member; one or more sensors for detecting the ball along the ball guide; and processor circuitry, responsive to the sensors, for recording initial timing samples in a memory in response to the ball passing through the ball guide and being accurately propelled by the ball propelling member, operated by a player, toward one of the targets. In response to a predetermined number of the timing samples being recorded in the memory for at least one of the targets, the processor circuitry operates the propelling member based at least partially on the recorded timing samples and attempts to propel the ball toward the "qualifying" target in response to the ball passing through the ball guide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic shooter with a flexible shaft for propelling a magnetic game piece within a game board. The magnetic shooter contains a base piece, a magnetic piece attached to the base, and a flexible shaft connected to the base. The connection of the flexible swiveling shaft to the base piece can allow a 180 degree rotation of the flexible shaft about a horizontal axis. In addition, the base piece has at least one pointed end to allow a game player to point the shooter and aim the game pieces before striking them.

Abstract: A table game apparatus includes a playing field assembly which includes a ground portion and walls which project upward from edges of the ground portion. Width-extending walls and length-extending walls are arranged on the top side of the ground portion in a four-cornered rectangular array. A first ball launching assembly is located at a first corner of the four-cornered rectangular array. A second ball launching assembly located at a second corner of the four-cornered rectangular array. First and second pairs of flippers are located on the ground portion. First and second pairs of flipper control assemblies are provided for controlling the first and second pairs of flippers. The first and second pairs of flipper control assemblies are supported by the ground portion. A first goal area is located on the ground portion behind and between the first pair of flippers. A first ball retention region is located behind the first goal area.

Abstract: A table game including a housing, a playing surface received within the housing, and a paddle member resiliently affixed to the playing surface and supported by the housing. The paddle member serves to move the playing surface upwardly and downwardly relative to a vertical force applied to the paddle member. The paddle member is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to an actuation of a handle member connected thereto. The paddle member is slidable across a width dimension of the playing surface. The playing surface includes a first surface which is pivotally connected to a second surface. The first surface is independently movable relative to the second surface. A second paddle member is affixed to the second surface at an end of the first surface.

Abstract: A projectile launching mechanism for use in a table top game such as soccer in which an impeller is mounted on a central core for coaxial movement relative thereto against a spring bias. The central core has a striker thereon operable, in use, to move downwardly when the top of the impeller is engaged to hit a ball attached to the core at a point offset from its vertical center line and launch it radially outwardly from the core. Preferably, the ball (25) is magnetized and attaches itself to a metal attractor ring on the core, but the core can be magnetized and the ball attracted thereto. A ball (6) located in the central core (1) provides mobility for the launching mechanism.

Abstract: A sports board game played on a substantially flat surface includes a rotatable platform and a plurality of interchangeable game boards, the game boards having a plurality of regions colorfully identified thereon. The board game also includes game pieces, and may include goals around the perimeter of the game board and/or targets fixed above the game board surface. Use of the board game includes sliding movements and/or airborne movements of game pieces along and/or above the game board, in a controlled and precise manner. To accomplish the airborne movement, portable slotted ramps are provided to enable players to accurately aim the path of the game piece, and guide the game piece towards the target. A "Finger-Flick.TM." movement involves a player placing one finger on the game board, and using a second finger to contact the game piece for movement along and/or above the game board.

Abstract: A play feature for a pinball game permits the storage of a number of game balls and release of the balls at high speed and in quick succession back onto the playfield for multiple ball play. A rotor element having a plurality of vertical vanes is disposed within a circular housing having a conical lip. The base and vanes of the rotor, together with the conical lip, define receptacles for receiving game balls. When a predetermined rotor speed is reached, the balls travel upwards on the conical lip and outward against an outer wall of the housing. The stored balls are conveyed successively to a discharge channel where they return to the play field at high speed.

Abstract: A pinball machine comprises a playfield, a shooter for propelling balls on the playfield, and a figure having at least one movable limb. The limb is movable between a first position where the limb is capable of receiving and holding a ball, and a second position where the ball is propelled from the limb onto the playfield. A motor/solenoid and shaft are provided for moving the limb between the first and second positions to propel the ball from the limb, and then to retract the limb back to the first position. A ball delivery trough is positioned to deliver balls to the limb in the first position.

Abstract: A pinball machine is provided and includes an inclined playfield for supporting a rolling ball. The inclined playfield has associated therewith at least one flipper, an exit lane, and a drain hole. A door mechanism having a retractable door is positioned adjacent to the exit lane and a holding area is positioned behind the door for allowing a ball to be stored therein whereby the ball is prevented from continuing down the exit lane and into the drain hole. A kicker mechanism is also associated with the holding area for launching the ball from the holding area back through the exit lane and into the play area of the playfield. A first switch is positioned upon the playfield and is operable through contact with the ball for causing the door to move from a first position wherein the ball is prevented from accessing the holding area to a second position wherein the ball is allowed to access the holding area.

Abstract: A miniaturized game for simulating the playing of soccer comprising a game board having a generally planar upper surface and a lower surface adapted to be placed on a horizontal support whereat the game is to be played, the upper support surface being provided with an upwardly extending wall around the majority of a central extent of the game board, the wall having long parallel side edges and short end edges, each of the end edges being provided with an aperture extending therethrough and with miniaturized goals positioned to cover the apertures and facing each other, the playing surface having indicia thereon indicative of marking lines of a conventional soccer field.

Abstract: The play feature of the invention comprises a ball well and electromagnetic coil. A ball sensor is located near the well entrance to signal when a ball is detected. The electromagnet, disposed at the well entrance, attracts the ball from the playfield into the well where it is retained. To eject the ball, the magnet is reenergized and the ball is ejected form the well onto the playfield.

Abstract: A movable body rebounding mechanism has a rocking plate, a plurality of projecting members and a rocking mechanism. The movable body rebounding mechanism is for use in amusement devices in which a movable body moves on an upper side of a game board having upper and lower sides. The projecting members project from the rocking plate to the lower side of the game board, through holes formed in the game board and out of the upper side of the game board. A clearance exists between the holes in the game board and the projecting members. The rocking mechanism reciprocates the rocking plate parallel to the game board in at least first and second directions. The rocking mechanism includes a drive mechanism for eccentrically rotating a first pin which projects through a hole in the rocking plate. There is little clearance between the first pin and the hole in the rocking plate. The drive mechanism further includes a second pin positioned stationary with respect to the game board.

Abstract: A system for projecting a hockey puck is provided which includes a hockey puck projector and an associated control system. The hockey puck projector includes a plurality of rollers for supporting the bottom surface of a hockey puck, a wheel for engaging the top surface of the hockey puck, a motor for rotating the wheel, and a ram for moving the hockey puck between the rollers and the rotating wheel. The control system includes servos for rotating the hockey puck projector in three dimensions and a computer control for driving the servos and providing set points which determine the projectory of a projected hockey puck. A hockey puck is projected by the projector when the wheel is rotated and the hockey puck is moved into engagement by the rotating wheel which imparts motion to the hockey puck. The rotating wheel engages the hockey puck above a plurality of rollers which support the puck.

Abstract: The player controlled play feature consists of an area on or associated with the playfield which is partially confined by a plurality of bumpers. At least one target is provided in this area and an entrance is provided such that a pinball can enter the area defined by the bumpers. Located in the defined area and supported below the surface thereof are a plurality of electromagnets energized by activation of player controlled buttons mounted on the game's cabinet. The game player can selectively activate the electromagnets to redirect the pinball and propel it toward the provided targets.

Abstract: In a pinball machine, a ball spinner comprising a cup adapted for rotation relative to a playing field, the cup having a curved inner surface which terminates in a peripheral flange, and a centrally disposed hub extending downwardly along the axis of rotation, the hub having a compression spring disposed thereof for maintaining the cup in a non-rotating, unweighted position, the cup being operably associated with a drive motor for rotation thereof, and being adapted to engage a switch upon sensing the weight of the pinball therein, the switch enabling the drive motor and remaining in a closed position until the pinball is ejected from the cup during rotation.

Abstract: An amusement device has a movable body, a game board and a jumping mechanism. The game board has a surface large enough to accommodate movement of the moveable body in a plane of movement, which surface has first and second play areas. The jumping mechanism moves the movable body out of the plane of movement and also moves the movable body from the first play area to the second play area. The jumping mechanism includes a conical member, a sloped movable body passage and a movement mechanism. The conical member extends out of the game board and has upper and lower portions. The conical member is positioned within the first play area with the lower portion being closer to the game board than the upper portion. The conical member has a movable body outlet in the upper portion and a movable body inlet in the lower portion.

Abstract: A game having a magnetically permeable game board areas, each of the areas having a magnet associated therewith and a plurality of magnetic game pieces to be propelled by a player by a repeller toward the game board in an effort to position the magnetic game piece over an area having the highest scoring value associated therewith.

Abstract: A flipper control circuit is disclosed in which at least one flipper is controlled by the game microprocessor which attempts to hit a desired target. The processor activates the flipper in response to playfield sensors which detect the ball in proximity to the flipper. Playfield switches provide feedback to the processor on the accuracy of the shot allowing the processor to correct its "aim" for subsequent shots.

Abstract: A system for projecting a hockey puck is provided which includes a hockey puck projector and an associated control system. The hockey puck projector includes a plurality of rollers for supporting the bottom surface of a hockey puck, a wheel for engaging the top surface of the hockey puck, a motor for rotating the wheel, and a ram for moving the hockey puck between the rollers and the rotating wheel. The control system includes servos for rotating the hockey puck projector in three dimensions and a computer control for driving the servos and providing set points which determine the projectory of a projected hockey puck. A hockey puck is projected by the projector when the wheel is rotated and the hockey puck is moved into engagement by the rotating wheel which imparts motion to the hockey puck. The rotating wheel engages the hockey puck above a plurality of rollers which support the puck.

Abstract: A tabletop hockey game includes a scoring member configured for affixation to a player's hand. The scoring member includes a transversely curved shooting portion which enables the player to lift the puck above the playing surface for top shelf scoring.

Abstract: A game having a magnetically permeable game board areas, each of the areas having a magnet positioned thereunder below the game board and a plurality of magnetic game pieces to be propelled by a player by a repeller toward the game board in an effort to position the magnetic game piece on an area having the highest scoring value associated therewith.

Abstract: A collapsible game (10) is disclosed having the rear face (20) of a first panel (14) secured to the back of a box (12) or like product. A second panel (16) is integrally formed and pivotal about the bottom edge (18) of the first panel (14) between a first, abutting position and a second, angular position. The panels (14, 16) are formed of paper stock with the box (12) and the support surface upon which the box (12) is placed providing external support for the panels (14, 16). A goal (48) is simultaneously pivotal with the panels (14, 16) between a first, flat condition intermediate the panels (14, 16) in the first position and a second condition with the goal (48) three dimensionally spaced from the panels (14, 16) in the second position. The goal (48) is integrally formed from a single blank and is planar in the flat condition.

Abstract: A solid-state flipper control circuit for controlling the operation of a pinball machine includes a flipper, a flipper switch, and a solenoid coil for controlling the movement of the flipper. The flipper switch is formed as a microswitch having a common terminal connected to a ground potential and normally-open contact terminal. A solid-state driver circuit is provided which is responsive to the activation of the microswitch for generating momentarily a first voltage on its output terminal so as to move the flipper to the actuated position. The solid-state driver circuit includes a timer for automatically disconnecting the first voltage after a predetermined time and for generating subsequently a second voltage so as to hold the flipper in the actuated position until the microswitch is deactivated.

Abstract: A miniaturized pinball machine serving as a funny toy is provided. The pinball machine includes a machine body, a ball-feeding device mounted between a ball-storing room and a ball path for feeding from the room to the path a ball to be propelled by a propelling medium through the path to an inclined board, a striking device striking the ball on the board to delay and/or prevent the ball from falling into the room, and a plurality of springing devices back springing on the board the ball bumping thereagainst.

Abstract: A table game is similar to ice hockey, and includes a deflector element located in the slot area in front of each goal. The deflector element is diamond shaped and is sized to be wider than the slot area, and extends from the blue line defining the offensive zone in which the deflector element is located to near the crease area of the goal of that offensive zone. The game is played using shots and penalty shots, and the game includes a minimum number of small loose parts.

Abstract: A rolling ball game such as pinball comprises a playfield plus means for launching rolling balls onto the playfield. By this invention, the launching means comprises a station where a ball at rest is positioned for said launching, spring-operated manual plunger means for launching the ball from the station, and an electrically operated arm for launching the ball from the same station. Thus, the same ball can be launched by two alternative means, one of which is manually controlled, but the other of which can be automatically controlled in response to events of the game.

Abstract: A removable player piece actuator for a slotted table game comprising a carriage for sliding along a slot of a slotted table game, the carriage having player piece supporting means, a neck for reception by a slot of the slotted table game; a wing supported by the neck and extending transversely of the neck having a transverse length greater than the width of the slot and having a transverse width less than the width of the slot; and a clamp for releasably retaining a player piece actuating rod; and a player piece actuating rod having a first and second end for reception by the clamp of the carriage proximate the first end and for reception in a side panel of a slotted table game, wherein the clamp comprises a resilient gapped tube sized to receive the player piece actuating rod whereby the player piece actuating rod may be snapped into the tube through the gap, wherein the tube of the carriage has an external radially extending ridge and wherein the player piece actuating rod carries a snap ring which is actu

Abstract: A variable position flipper mechanism is disclosed for use with pinball or rolling ball games. The flippers, actuated by solenoid mechanisms, are spaced a selectable distance apart thereby to permit adjustment in the skill level of the game. Spacing of the flipper mechanisms is accomplished by rotating a cam plate which is ratcheted into various positions by a pair of solenoid operators and appropriate linkages. Rotation of the cam plate in a first direction spaces the flippers at their maximum distance, while rotation in the opposite direction moves the flippers to successively closer positions. Optical detection means can be associated with the cam plate to provide position information to a controller associated with the pinall machine.

Abstract: A combination dumbell, hand-grip exerciser and handgoal device having two open cavity chambers each having a rim, and two projecting guidelanes inside each chamber, for directing a ball; and two cover lids to seal contents put within the chambers for weighting the device. The device includes actuators consisting of two arms, hinge structures, a removeable pivot rod and a plurality of single-loop coil springs, placeable into the inner arm's spring slots, for grip pressure of the device. All are secured together with a wing nut fixed to the extending end of the pivot rod. The device includes a ball, safety strap and rubber strap.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing billiards and pool including glove means that utilizes positionally arrayed cue adapters that have a cue inserting element that, in turn, gives a player a means for striking a cueball in the game of billiards and pool.

Abstract: A flipper for use in pinball-type games has a plurality of grooves disposed on its top surface to permit the player to predetermine and control the path of the ball. When the ball is aligned with one of the grooves and the flipper is activated, the ball is propelled along the path indicated by the groove. The flipper is at least 31/8 inches in length and its impact surface is 1-1/16 inches high. The impact surface is substantially perpendicular to the playfield.

Abstract: Apparatus for conducting sports and games on a slippery solid playing area surface comprises one or more doughnut-shaped streamlined discs which include a self-contained propulsion device. Each disc optionally carries an operator and includes around the perimeter thereof a resilient collision bumper. The surface of the playing area comprises a slippery upper layer and a solid underlayer. Each disc, while being supported on the surface upper layer in sliding relationship, is slidingly moved over the surface upper layer by propulsion devices acting relative to the underlayer. Such propulsion can be generated, for example, by electromagnets, motors, jets and the like. Various playing area surface compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pinball-type game utilizing a spinning top actuated by a high speed spinning mechanism, release of the top onto a playing surface having a number of obstacles propelling the top against a scoring mechanism having a rocker arm which, upon impact, through a pawl device rotates a scoring indicator. The scoring indicator is provided with a spring clutch to enable the indicator to return to zero. "Flippers" are provided to redirect the spinning top along the playing surface.

Abstract: A shooter board game includes a board member having an upper planar surface, a pair of upright sides, and one upright end, wherein a target area is disposed on the upper surface adjacent the one upright end thereof. A shooter assembly is positioned off of the board member at the other end thereof, wherein one of a plurality of playing pieces is shot from the shooter assembly at the target area. The shooter assembly is allignable with the marginal edge of the board adjacent the other end to increase the accuracy of aiming the playing pieces. A pair of scoring tracks are included for monitoring the progress of the game by each player.

Abstract: A ball bumper for a pinball machine or the like having an inclined playing surface over which a metal ball travels for scoring purposes, the ball bumper including a plurality of post members secured to the playing surface, the post members having suspended therebetween an at least partially conductive resilient bumper member yieldable under impact by a rolling ball. Disposed rearwardly of the bumper member and in proximity to the bumper member is a solenoid actuated kicker arm. On the playing surface in proximity to the resilient bumper member is a conductive strip, the strip and the bumper member being connected to an electrical circuit which is completed by contact of the metal ball with the strip and bumper member to actuate the solenoid to drive the bumper member outwardly to thereby redirect the ball. The resilient bumper member may take the form of a rubber ring made of conductive rubber.

Abstract: A game board construction for a simulated baseball game wherein the pitching is controlled by one player and the batting is controlled by another player. The bat is elastically biased and is disposed adjacent home plate, the baseball is in the form of a disc having a flat surface adapted to slide on the playing surface of the board, and the pitching unit is in center field and is arranged to drive the disc on the playing surface toward the bat. A plurality of fielder units are distributed over the playing field to be struck by batted discs, and there are designated areas at various locations on the playing field, each setting forth a play that occurred when a batted baseball comes to rest within its boundary.

Abstract: Game board structure, comprising a support frame constructed in a single piece, a playing surface supported by the frame, a device for propelling a ball on to the playing surface, a pair of repelling arms disposed close to one end of the playing surface, and pushbuttons for operating the repelling arms. It comprises also a plurality of obstacles having shaped feet of resilient material for being irremovably insertable by pressure into holes provided in the playing surface.It is of extremely simplified construction, in fact; for example, by using a lever provided with two spaced holes, the use of different shapes of levers for the left and right pushbutton is avoided. In addition, the overall dimensions of the game board structure are reduced for package purposes to just the dimensions of the support frame because those normally projecting parts are in this invention completely housed in the body of the game board structure.

Abstract: A pinball type game in which a ball is propelled by a plunger over an inclined playing surface among pins, targets and the like. The game is designed on a "haunted house" scheme and flippers are provided for keeping a ball in play, the flippers being shaped in the form of bat wings. The flippers actuate a sound device each time a flipper is actuated. The flippers are positioned on each side of the playing surface and are manually operated by the participants. Actuation of a flipper by a participant causes a sound to be emitted by a sounding device. The sounding device includes a bellows portion.