Abstract: A gaming machine is approximately half the depth of and weighs substantially less than standard gaming machines, thus greatly reducing the floor space needed to house the gaming machine and allowing it to be hung from a wall to increase the versatility of its location and improve the comfort of a game player due to greater leg room beneath the machine. An onboard camera is in communication with onboard video screens, remote video screens and other accessories to provide methods of increased security surveillance, methods of expediting service of the machine when it malfunctions, and methods of promoting the use of the gaming machine and the establishment housing the machine.

Abstract: A solenoid having a controlled rate of motion is provided. The solenoid includes a housing having a channel disposed therein, a coil disposed around the channel for providing an electromagnetic force in response to a current being supplied therethrough, and a plunger disposed within the channel and movable between a first position and a second position in response to the presence or absence of the electromagnetic force. A dampener is linked to the plunger which creates an atmospheric pressure differential as the plunger moves to one or both of the first position or the second position which pressure differential acts to slow the rate of movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A play feature for use in conjunction with a pinball game having an inclined playfield over which a ball may roll is provided. The play feature includes a ball directing member defining an entrance pathway, a first exit pathway, and a second exit pathway. The entrance pathway is provided to direct the ball along a first predetermined line, the first exit pathway is provided to direct the ball along a second predetermined line, and the second exit pathway provided to direct the ball along a third predetermined line. At least one electromagnet is operatively associated with the ball directing member for causing the ball, upon activation thereof, to alter its course of travel along the first predetermined line to a course of travel along the second predetermined line. Optionally, a second electromagnet may be used for causing the ball, upon activation thereof, to alter its course of travel along the first predetermined line to a course of travel along the third predetermined line.

Abstract: In a pinball machine a ball trough is provided for moving the ball between the drain hole and the shooter lane. The ball trough comprises a channel fixed to the playfield and has a first end adjacent the drain hole and a second end proximate to the shooter lane. A rotatable carrier is movable between a first position and a second position for carrying the ball from the channel to the shooter lane and has a load opening, an exit opening, and a passage therebetwen. The load opening is positioned adjacent to the second end when the carrier is disposed in the first position and the exit opening is disposed adjacent to the shooter lane when the carrier is disposed in the second position. The passage may have an arcuate surface on which the ball will ride as the carrier approaches the second position for urging the ball out the exit opening.

Abstract: A pinball machine is provided and includes a game cabinet having disposed therein a playfield movable between open, intermediate, and closed positions. A support assembly is used for maintaining the playfield within the cabinet. The support assembly includes a pair of cabinet brackets mounted one to each side of the cabinet where each of the brackets has a riding surface. A pair of wheels are mounted to the playfield and are provided to ride along the riding surface of a corresponding one of the cabinet brackets. A pair of support arms is further provided each having one end thereof pivotally attached to the cabinet and the other end thereof pivotally attached to the playfield wherein at least one of the support arms has pivotally attached thereto a prop arm which is engageable with the playfield when the playfield is disposed in the intermediate position.

Abstract: A ball diverter mechanism for use in directing a ball in a pinball game having an entry path and first and second exit paths. The ball diverter mechanism comprises a solenoid having a plunger movable between a first position wherein the plunger is extended and a second position wherein the plunger is retracted, a first ball contacting surface linked to the plunger, and a second ball contacting surface also linked to the plunger. When the plunger is in the first position, the ball will engage the first ball contacting surface and travel under the second ball contacting surface to cause the ball to be diverted from the entry path to the first exit path. When the plunger is in the second position, the ball will engage the second ball contacting surface and travel over the first ball contacting surface to cause the ball to be diverted from the entry path into the second exit path.

Abstract: The magnetic ball-walker of the invention comprises an L-shaped arm which rotates in a plane perpendicular to the playfield for transporting a pinball between first and second playfield surfaces. The arm carries an electromagnet on one end and a counterweight on the other, the counterweight maintaining the arm in a ball receiving position. In this position, a ferromagnetic ball received from the first surface can be captured by the electromagnet if energized. The momentum of the rolling ball causes the arm to rotate to a ball discharge position so that the ball can be discharged onto the second surface by deenergizing the electromagnet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a video game in which a player controllable video player image positions video dominos at predetermined positions along a continuous line while one or more machine controlled video intruder images attempt to interfere. Manual player controls move the player image to place the domino images and to protect against interference by the intruder images which could result in a chain reaction of falling dominos. The player manually selects either a place mode allowing the player image to place additional dominos or a protect mode for protecting itself or the dominos from an intruder. In an alternative embodiment, the player image also knocks over dominos while in the place mode. Duration of play is timed by a machine controlled image proceeding in a peripheral path to knock over the initial domino. Difficulty is increased by the complexity of the domino pattern, the timed duration, and the intruder images.

Abstract: A game includes the player's successive selection of matching images within a short time interval initiated by the first selection. Failure to select the proper matching image within the interval results in a mixing of the images. In an electronic video game version of the target shooting type a plurality of sets of matching targets are initially displayed. Each target has mating components. If the targets hit within the time interval do not match, components of each of the hit targets are exchanged to form a mixed target. The successively hit matched targets are removed but are replaced by another form of targets after the first rack. All of the prior form targets must be removed before the succeeding form can be removed from the screen. In still later racks, the initially displayed targets include ones with mixed components to increase the challenge. The player controls the movement of a shooter among the targets and directs the firing of projectiles at the targets.

Abstract: Reinforced plastic (FRP) panels of substantial width are manufactured continuously in a machine utilizing two stainless steel belts, with an inner belt trained about a driven rotating heating drum and an idler sheave. An outer belt is trained about the inner belt as it passes around the drum and also about three idler sheaves, two being employed to direct the outer belt about the inner belt and the third being employed for tensioning and tracking purposes. An additional idler roll is employed as a nip roll where the two belts join substantially tangent to the heating drum. Both belts may have substantially horizontally flights for application of heat curable resin. A fiberglass or other reinforcement mat is fed into the nip. The resin such as unsaturated polyester may be fed in controlled doctored amounts of liquid form to provide a bead or puddle at the nip into and through which the mat is drawn. The heat of the drum initiates the cure to form a wide controlled thickness reinforced sheet.