Abstract: A rolling ball amusement device such as a pinball game comprises a frame carrying a playfield, and a ball-actuated switch carried with the playfield. The switch comprises a switch body which is movably and typically pivotably connected with a variable-position actuator wire to operate the switch in a manner which is dependent upon the position of the wire. A slot is defined in the playfield, with the actuator wire defining an arc section which is free of angled corners projecting upwardly through the slot. A rolling ball can depress the arc section to actuate the switch with essentially no "hang-up", whether or not the rolling ball approaches the actuator wire from a longitudinal or a lateral direction. Also, a spring urges the actuator wire upwardly out of the depressed position so that the actuator wire only occupies its depressed position when pressed into it by a rolling ball.

Abstract: A pinball machine comprises a frame which carries a playfield, a chute and a driver for launching balls onto the playfield through the chute. A spent ball-receiving aperture in the playfield communicates with a sloped trough positioned under the playfield. The trough is of a length to hold a plurality of balls, preferably more than three balls. An upper end of the trough communicates with the aperture, while the lower end of the trough is positioned adjacent to and below the chute and the ball driver for launching. A solenoid or the like is positioned to vertically elevate the ball occupying the trough lower end, typically by striking it to cause the ball to fly to a new position in the chute for launching. Sensors are present to determine the number of balls in the trough. A microprocessor and other electronics are present for actuating the solenoid or the like for vertically elevating the ball to the chute for launching.

Abstract: A rolling ball entertainment device such as a pinball machine comprises a frame which carries a playfield, plus a shooter for rolling a ball onto the playfield. By this invention the device also includes signalling device, an auxiliary control, and electronics for activating the signalling device. Also, a timer is provided for defining a period of time beginning with the activating of the signalling device. The electronics, connected to a feature of the device, permit the auxiliary control to activate the feature during the period of time. This provides an added dimension to rolling ball entertainment games in which an alert player can improve the score by use of the auxiliary control in those periods as indicated by the signalling device.

Abstract: A pinball machine which comprises a housing, a playfield, a motor assembly and a movable assembly is provided. The motor assembly is electronically adapted to respond to the actuation of the targets and is movably connected to the movable assembly. Mechanisms are provided to move the movable assembly from a first position to a second position. The moving mechanisms are operable to return the movable assembly to the first position in response to the actuation of one or more of the targets. In the illustrative embodiment the movable assembly resembles a woman tied to a log on a lumber mill saw table. The first position is the beginning of the saw table and the second position is near a saw blade. The player of the game is prompted to hit specific targets which will save the woman by returning the log to the first position away from the saw blade.

Abstract: A pinball machine in which a movable target assembly is provided. The movable target assembly retrieves and seemingly devours the pinball sending the ball to another part of the playfield where it is either put back into play or is removed from action and placed in the ball reservoir. In playing the pinball game, the player attempts to place the ball in a target within reach of the movable target assembly. The assembly then pivots towards and picks up the ball. The ball is then seemingly swallowed by the movable target assembly, and is sent, through the assembly and under the playfield, back out to a second location on the playfield.

Abstract: A pinball machine in which a movable ball transfer assembly is provided on the playfield. When a player positions a ball in a selected location on the playfield, the ball transfer assembly is actuated to retrieve the ball, move on the playfield and deposit the ball at different locations on the playfield. The ball deposit location is on a different level of the playfield from the ball deposit location.

Abstract: An amusement device has a playfield and a backboard display. The display comprises a display wall having a first image carried thereon, plus a transparent display wall portion. A rotatable arm is positioned behind the transparent display wall portion. The arm is decorated to form an integral part of the first image. For example, the first image may be a cartoon character or other entertainment figure, with the arm depicting an actual arm or leg of the figure and pivotally connected at the shoulder or hip of the first image. Thus, an illusion of image movement can be provided as the arm rotates, typically in response to a predetermined event taking place on the playfield. One or more second images may be carried on one or more panels. The panels are moved between a first position behind the first image and a second position behind the transparent display wall portion. This movement may be coordinated with the motion of the arm.

Abstract: In an amusement device, for example a pinball game, a rotatable turntable may be provided. A cover has a position for enclosing and retaining a ball rolling on the turntable. A shaft is also provided for raising the cover from that position, to permit the ball to roll outwardly across the periphery of the turntable to another portion of the device. This provides significant variation in the play of the amusement device in that the ball can leave the turntable in any horizontal direction to provide great variation in play of the ball.

Abstract: A rotatable member is provided for a rolling ball amusement device. The rotatable member defines a ball receiving aperture which is positioned to receive a rolling ball and to cause transfer of kinetic energy from the ball to the rotatable member, to cause the member to rotate to one of a plurality of discrete, temporarily locked rotating positions, with the selection of the particular rotating position depending on the amount of kinetic energy so transferred. Preferably, switches are provided for identifying to the electronic controls of the amusement device the discrete rotating position occupied by the rotatable member. Upon command, the temporary lock of the rotating positions may be released. A spring or the like then rotates the member back to an original, ball-receiving position upon such release, which propels the ball back onto the playfield with a velocity that depends on the particular discrete rotating position achieved.

Abstract: A method of applying a multicolor finish to an elongated channel member, particularly a ball channel for a pinball machine. A first fusible color coating is applied to a first portion of the channel member. A second fusible color coating is applied to a second portion of the channel member, while also applying the second color coating to a part of the first portion. The part of the first portion is adjacent the second portion, and the first and second color coatings are of different colors. Upon fusion of the color coatings the part of the first portion of the channel member assumes a third color that is a blend of the first and second colors, to provide a pleasing ball channel of at least three colors.

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 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 "pop bumper" for a pinball game which carries a depressible flange for contact with a rolling ball. By this invention a vertically moveable pin engaging the flange is provided. The pin is positioned to move in linear manner between a first vertical position when the flange is depressed and a second vertical position when the flange is not depressed. A spring is provided to urge the vertically movable pin toward one of the vertical positions, typically the second vertical position. A switch is actuated between open and closed positions as the pin moves between the first and second vertical positions. Various functions may be actuated by the switch. For example a ball thruster may be provided to thrust the ball away from the bumper when the vertically moveable pin is moved to typically the first vertical position in which the flange is depressed.

Abstract: A pinball machine defines a play field to receive a rolling ball for pinball play. By this invention, a ball-aperture carries a first ball, a second ball rolling on the play field toward the aperture is prevented from entering the aperture and is deflected away from the aperture in a first direction by collision with the first ball in the aperture. Means are provided for displacing balls from the aperture and causing them to roll on the play field in a direction other than the first direction. Thus, by the improvement of this invention, balls directed at the aperture are sent away therefrom in two different directions, for different play patterns on the play field.

Abstract: A pinball machine having a first ramp on a play field. The first ramp is positioned so that pinballs may be propelled up the ramp to fly through space before landing again on the play field. Preferably, a second ramp is positioned on the play field to receive at least some of the flying balls launched up the first ramp.

Abstract: A pinball machine defines a play field pivotally carried by a housing to permit pivoting of the play field upwardly to a repair position from a lower, operating position. The housing carries on its lower side a metal bracket defining a downwardly facing base. A retaining aperture is defined in the base of the metal bracket. The support arm is carried by the housing and is pivotable whereby an outer end of the support arm can engage the retaining aperture when the play field is in its repair position, to reliably hold the play field in the repair position. The support arm preferably defines a longitudinally projecting tab of narrower width than the rest of the support arm, the aperture being proportioned to receive the tab while the outer end of the rest of the support arm bears against the base of the bracket when the play field is in the repair position.

Abstract: In a pinball machine a structure holding a ramp and targets is provided on the playfield to create a gate-like covering for an opening and passage to other targets and areas of the playfield. When a ball travelling on the ramp strikes the targets carried by the ramp, the ramp is pivoted to its open position revealing an opening and passage to other targets and areas of the game.

Abstract: A flipper control circuit is provided for a pinball machine having a flippper, a flipper switch for activating the flipper, means for holding the flipper in an actuated position until the flipper switch is deactivated, and a solenoid coil for controlling the movement of the flipper in response to the voltage applied to the solenoid coil. A first voltage is applied to the solenoid coil when the flipper switch is activated. A second holding voltage is applied to the solenoid coil when the flipper is in the actuated position, to hold the flipper in the actuated position until the flipper switch is deactivated. A switch electrically disconnects the first voltage from the solenoid coil when the flipper is in the actuated position.