Abstract: A ball detector senses and signals the presence of a metal containing ball near preselected points on a game playfield. The ball detector is positioned to avoid contact with the ball and includes an electromagnet for generating a magnetic flux near the preselected points on the game playfield and a sensor for measuring the time rate of change of the magnetic flux induced by passage of the ball through the magnetic flux.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to vary the initial rotational speed of the reels in direct proportion to the speed in which an associated operating handle is pulled. A supplemental drive mechanism is included for increasing the speed of the reels if the player fails to pull the operating handle with sufficient force to rotate the reels at a predetermined minimum speed. The device also includes an improved indexing means for stopping the reels in accordance with the operation of the game device. The game device also includes means for absorbing excessing energy that may be provided by a player pulling the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to vary the initial rotational speed of the reels in direct proportion to the speed in which an associated operating handle is pulled. A supplemental drive mechanism is included for increasing the speed of the reels if the player fails to pull the operating handle with sufficient force to rotate the reels at a predetermined minimum speed. The device also includes an improved indexing means for stopping the reels in accordance with the operation of the game device. The game device also includes means for absorbing excessive energy that may be provided by a player pulling the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a game device of the type that has a number of rotatable reels having symbols or other indicia on the outer surface thereof, which reels are rotated and subsequently preferably sequentially stopped during each play. The game device has an operating handle that is pulled through its operating stroke by a player and the reels are rotating at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed with which the handle is pulled. Electrical circuitry detects the speed of movement of the handle and varies the strength of an electrical signal that is applied to a drive mechanism which accordingly drivingly rotates the reels at a speed that is proportional to the strength of the signal.

Abstract: A ball striking mechanism for use in an amusement game machine of the type which has an inclined playfield and at least one ball that moves on the playfield. The striking mechanism is mounted for lateral movement relative to the inclined playfield and is adapted to strike the ball and propel it along the playfield when properly laterally positioned to intercept the ball. In the preferred embodiment, the striking mechanism is activated by the ball. The mechanism is laterally positioned by operator manipulation and the mechanism includes a shock absorbing mechanism which prevents excessive energy applied to the handle from being transmitted to the internal mechanism to thereby protect the same from damage.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to vary the initial rotational speed of the reels in direct proportion to the speed in which an associated operating handle is pulled. A supplemental drive mechanism is included for increasing the speed of the reels if the player fails to pull the operating handle with sufficient force to rotate the reels at a predetermined minimum speed. The device also includes an improved indexing means for stopping the reels in accordance with the operation of the game device. The game device also includes means for absorbing excessive energy that may be provided by a player pulling the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to vary the initial rotational speed of the reels in direct proportion to the speed in which an associated operating handle is pulled. A supplemental drive mechanism is included for increasing the speed of the reels if the player fails to pull the operating handle with sufficient force to rotate the reels at a predetermined minimum speed. The device also includes an improved indexing mechanism having shock absorbing capability for stopping the reels in accordance with the operation of the game device. The game device also includes mechanism for absorbing excessive energy that may be provided by a player pulling the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device is disclosed which is of the type that has a number of rotatable reels having symbols or other indicia on the outer surface thereof, which reels are rotated and subsequently preferably sequentially stopped during each play. The game device has an operating handle that is pulled through its operating stroke by a player and the reels are rotating at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed with which the handle is pulled. Electrical circuitry detects the speed of movement of the handle and varies the strength of an electrical signal that is applied to a drive mechanism which accordingly drivingly rotates the reels at a speed that is proportional to the strength of the signal. The circuitry is also adapted to vary the time duration of rotation of the reels as a function of the detected speed.

Abstract: A coin acceptor apparatus has circuitry for energizing a first coil so as to induce a signal in a second coil while a coin to be tested is passed between the coils. Circuitry is further provided for cancelling the signal induced in the second coil when a genuine coin passes between the coils, so that the resultant signal is reduced below a predetermined level. Also, the apparatus accepts the coin when the resultant signal is below the predetermined level, and rejects it when the signal is above the predetermined level.

Abstract: A slot machine type amusement apparatus having random control means for possibly advancing one or more drums bearing symbols a fractional turn following a playing cycle in which no winning combination of symbols was displayed and in which the control means was randomly actuated, so as to cause to be displayed a different combination of symbols, thereby according the player an additional opportunity to win a prize.

Abstract: A game machine which incorporates apparatus for holding or advancing the reels such that the player may have the option, before spinning the reels, of designating whether a particular reel will spin, or remain stationary, or advance a specified number of index positions.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus including a plurality of coaxially mounted rotatable drums, each bearing on its periphery a variety of symbols. A motor is provided for rotating the drums during a playing cycle and solenoid operated panels are provided for arresting rotation of the drums whereby each drum displays a symbol in a viewing area. An electrical circuit is provided, which in advance of the playing cycle, permits the player to select a specific symbol at which a drum will stop. Also, an electrical circuit may be provided to prevent rotation of a drum during the next playing cycle thereby holding the drum at a selected symbol.

Abstract: A mechanism for limiting the rebound of a rapidly moving game ball of a pin ball-type machine amusement apparatus in which the game ball during its initial traverse along a game board surface engages a movable ball rebound arm having operatively associated therewith a rebound spring adapted to be deflected by the rebound arm and temporarily store in the form of potential energy a limited portion of the initial kinetic energy of a rapidly moving game ball. When the rebound spring has stored as much of the initial kinetic energy of the ball as possible, the rebound arm is adapted to continue to move rearwardly and engage a movable weighted arm which is adapted to be moved rearwardly to dissipate the remaining excess kinetic energy of the ball when the weighted arm is moved rearwardly while the rebound arm is being moved forwardly by the potential energy stored in the rebound spring to affect a rebounding of the ball.

Abstract: A game device comprising a plurality of reels which are rotated and stopped at random and in which each reel has different symbols arranged on its circumference and wherein the reel is made of magnetic material and is formed with openings such that one or more magnets mounted ajacent the reel will detect and produce an output that can be supplied to a counter so as to indicate the position where the reels stop and thus energize an output circuit. A second magnet mounted adjacent each reel can detect and produce an indexing output so as to reset the counter for each rotation of the reel. Additionally, a magnetic operated locking device for the reels are provided.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus having a plurality of symbol displaying elements, such as rotatable reels, with some of said symbols on the display elements being "Win" symbols having potential score values and others being "Hold" symbols without score values and said display elements adapted to randomly index in a viewing area during a play cycle a combination of said symbols with or without other symbols or "Blanks" having no value, and control elements associated with the changeable symbol display elements which are adapted to modify the random indexing of the symbols by holding automatically in indexed position in the viewing area any "Win" symbols during the play cycle immediately following a play cycle in which the "Win" symbol and a "Hold" symbol have been simultaneously indexed in the viewing area of the apparatus so that a winning combination of symbols may be automatically built-up in a series of play cycles before all of the symbol display elements are again changed and randomly indexed.