Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing an acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA) resin, which comprises the steps of: (a) polymerizing a mixture comprising at least one acrylate monomer and at least one polyethylenically unsaturated monomer to form a rubber substrate, followed by (b) polymerizing a mixture of monomers in the presence of the rubber substrate, at least one of which monomers is selected from the group consisting of vinyl aromatic monomers and at least one of which monomers is selected from the group consisting of monoethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomers, and optionally followed by (c) polymerizing one or more monomers in at least one subsequent stage in the presence of the rubber substrate from (b), wherein the one or more monomers comprise at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of (C1-C12)alkyl- and aryl-(meth)acrylate monomers; wherein the amount of unreacted polyethylenically unsaturated monomer remaining in the rubber substrate before step (b) is less than 5.

Abstract: A core-shell particle is formed by a method that includes forming a crosslinked polyorganosiloxane core, reacting a graftlinking agent with the crosslinked polyorganosiloxane core, and polymerizing a poly(alkenyl aromatic) shell around the graftlinking agent-functionalized polyorganosiloxane core. The method produces a core-shell particle with improved adhesion between shell and core. The core-shell particle is useful as an impact modifier in thermoplastic compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber modified thermoplastic resin composition comprising a discontinuous elastomeric phase dispersed in a rigid thermoplastic phase, wherein at least a portion of the rigid thermoplastic phase is grafted to the elastomeric phase, which is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) polymerizing a mixture of monomers in a first stage in the presence of the elastomeric phase, at least one of which monomers is selected from the group consisting of vinyl aromatic monomers and at least one of which monomers is selected from the group consisting of monoethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomers, followed by (b) polymerizing one or more monomers in at least one subsequent stage in the presence of the elastomeric phase from (a), wherein the one or more monomers comprise at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of (C1-C12)alkyl- and aryl-(meth)acrylate monomers. The method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber modified thermoplastic resin composition comprising a discontinuous elastomeric phase dispersed in a rigid thermoplastic phase, wherein at least a portion of the rigid thermoplastic phase is grafted to the elastomeric phase, which is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) polymerizing a mixture of monomers in a first stage in the presence of the elastomeric phase, at least one of which monomers is selected from the group consisting of vinyl aromatic monomers and at least one of which monomers is selected from the group consisting of monoethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomers, followed by (b) polymerizing one or more monomers in at least one subsequent stage in the presence of the elastomeric phase from (a), wherein the one or more monomers comprise at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of (C1-C12)alkyl- and aryl-(meth)acrylate monomers. The method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber modified thermoplastic resin composition comprising a discontinuous elastomeric phase dispersed in a rigid thermoplastic phase, wherein at least a portion of the rigid thermoplastic phase is grafted to the elastomeric phase, which is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) polymerizing a mixture of monomers in a first stage in the presence of the elastomeric phase, at least one of which monomers is selected from the group consisting of vinyl aromatic monomers and at least one of which monomers is selected from the group consisting of monoethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomers, followed by (b) polymerizing one or more monomers in at least one subsequent stage in the presence of the elastomeric phase from (a), wherein the one or more monomers comprise at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of (C1-C12)alkyl- and aryl-(meth)acrylate monomers. The method is also provided.

Abstract: In one of its aspects the invention is directed to rubber modified thermoplastic resin compositions comprising a discontinuous elastomeric phase dispersed in a rigid thermoplastic phase, wherein at least a portion of the rigid thermoplastic phase is grafted to the elastomeric phase, and wherein said thermoplastic phase comprises structural units derived from at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, at least one monoethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer and at least one (C1-C12)alkyl- or aryl-(meth)acrylate monomer.

Abstract: A pinball machine construction having a horizontally hinged security door which includes a top control panel which also clamps the glass cover over the playing field. A variable ball delivery system is remotely actuated and variable to deliver the balls to the playing field. Side wall flippers and half bumpers can be included which are mounted adjacent any wall on the playing field. The controls for the pinball machine can be mounted on top of the top control panel for easy access.

Abstract: A mechanically-operated object-engaging member for a game is pivotally mounted on a shaft to which is fixedly secured a drive cam disposed in camming engagement with one end of a third-class lever. A spring on the cam biases it and the lever to a normal rest condition, the lever having a magnetic portion which is attracted to a permanent magnet for magnetically holding the lever in the rest condition. A manually-operated actuator linkage applies a force to the lever to break the magnetic attraction and drive the lever away from the magnet to operate the cam and object-engaging member. A separate bias element may urge the actuator linkage to a normal rest condition. The object-engaging member can be mounted on a playfield board and confined to a predetermined oscillating movement relative to the playfield board.

Abstract: A pinball game includes a playfield board on which is mounted a plurality of drop target assemblies, each including a target member movable through an opening in the playfield board between a playing condition projecting above the playfield board and a retracted condition withdrawn beneath the playfield board, each target member being spring biased to its retracted condition and solenoid-actuated to its playing condition where it is latched in place. A programmable computer controls the sequence in which the target members are moved to their playing conditions. A manually controllable rotating shooter mechanism can be aimed to propel pinballs toward the raised target members. A display indicates the status of each target assembly.

Abstract: A kicker apparatus for a pin ball game including a playfield board on which a ball rolls for engagement with an actuator member in a kicking region, comprises a frame which mounts a kicker member in a track for sliding reciprocating movement in response to actuation of a drive means by engagement of the ball with the actuator member, for driving a kicking surface on the kicker member into engagement with the ball to propel it from the kicking region. The kicking surface is a substantially flat, planar surface elongated in a direction transverse to the kicker member path.

Abstract: A kicker apparatus for a slingshot bumper assembly in a pin ball game including a playfield board on which a ball rolls for engagement with a resilient impact band to actuate a drive solenoid, includes a frame which mounts the solenoid with its plunger axis perpendicular to the playfield board and which pivotally supports a drive crank having one end connected to the solenoid plunger and the other end projecting above the playfield board. A kicker member is loosely fitted over the upper end of the crank and has guide feet respectively slidably received in a pair of track channels in the frame for reciprocating movement along a path parallel to the playfield board in response to the pivotal movement of the crank for engagement with the impact band to impart a propelling force to the ball in a direction substantially parallel to the playfield board.

Abstract: A rotatable kicker apparatus includes a frame adapted to be mounted in an aperture in the playfield board of a pinball game for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the playfield board. The frame carries a drive solenoid which connects through crank arm linkage to a kicker member which is disposed for sliding reciprocating movement in a track in the frame parallel to the playfield board. Spaced-apart metal contact plates in the solenoid circuit are disposed on the frame to be bridged by a rolling pinball for actuating the kicker solenoid. The frame is mounted on a rotating shaft which is rotatably driven by an associated electric motor to vary the kicking direction. A control circuit includes control switches for respectively rotating the frame in opposite directions from a neutral rest position, the frame automatically returning to the rest position upon release of the switch.

Abstract: A post construction comprises a post body having an externally threaded stud embedded therein and projecting axially from one end thereof for threaded engagement with the playfield board of a pinball game. A hex surface on the post body facilitates driving the stud into the playfield board. In one embodiment an annular guard flange protects the playfield board during the mounting operation and in another the hex surface is offset a slight distance from the post body end to prevent engagement with the playfield board. In one embodiment an annular recess is provided in the post body around the stud to accommodate whiskers of playfield board material ejected during the threaded mounting to accommodate flush seating on the playfield board. Two circumferential grooves in the outer surface of the post body respectively receive rubber bands for interconnecting a plurality of the post constructions, the grooves being so positioned that the two bands are spaced apart a distance less than the diameters thereof.

Abstract: The rollover switch apparatus includes a one-piece plastic base, a switch attached thereto and a one-piece plastic actuator having an arm pivotally attached to the base and means engaged by the rolling pinball to move the actuator from its rest position to an actuating position.

Abstract: A target member in a drop target assembly of a pinball game has a cam surface formed on the rear surface thereof and adapted for camming engagement with the assembly frame when the target member is deflected by a pinball and unlatched from its raised condition for positively driving the target member downwardly to prevent its rebound to its latched condition.

Abstract: A pin ball game includes a ball receptacle which has associated therewith a rotary oscillating shooter for propelling the ball from the receptacle and along the playfield board in the direction of a predetermined axis which oscillates with the shooter. When the ball drops into the receptacle it actuates a drive motor for oscillating the shooter and enables a manually-operated trigger switch. When the shooter axis is pointing in the desired direction, the user manually operates the trigger switch to actuate the shooter, which in turn operates to stop the shooter oscillation and disable the trigger switch.

Abstract: A spinning target assembly for a pinball game includes a molded one-piece frame having a base adapted to be secured to the underside of the playfield board and two spaced-apart upright posts which project through complementary openings in the playfield board and extend a predetermined distance thereabove. A spinner is rotatably mounted between the posts and includes a shaft having an offset central portion which is encapsulated in a molded plastic target. One end of the shaft has secured thereto a cam received in a recess in the top of one post for camming engagement with a connecting rod which extends downwardly through a longitudinal bore in the one post for actuation of the contacts of a switch mounted on the base, and the other end of the shaft is rotatably received in a radial bore in the other post. A cap is removably latched to the top of the one post to retain in place the cam and the associated end of the shaft.