Patents by Inventor John T. Trudeau

John T. Trudeau has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Ball storage device for pinball games
    Patent number: 5358242
    Abstract: A planetary ball storage device for a pinball game according to the present invention consists of a horizontally disposed rotating wheel having a plurality of pinball receiving pockets arrayed on the periphery of the wheel. The game player, using the flippers, can direct a ball into an empty pocket when a pocket is in a ball receiving position after a predetermined game objective has been met. Balls are returned to the playfield by the utilization of a magnetic lifter arm controlled by the game microprocessor. The wheel is rotated by an electric motor and its position is detected by an optical switch assembly. A second optical switch assembly generates a signal to energize the magnetic lifter arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Trudeau, Ernie Pizzarro
  • Holographic display for pinball games
    Patent number: 5316303
    Abstract: The visual display of the invention consists of a holographic display projected through the playfield. The display projects an image that is related to the playfield and is mounted on a flexible plate that is flexed by a rotating cam wheel. As the cam wheel flexes the plate mounted image appears to the player to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Trudeau, Ernie S. Pizairo