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in the playfield board between a playing condition projecting above the playfield board and a retracted condition withdrawn beneath the playfield board, each target member being spring biased to its retracted condition and solenoid-actuated to its playing condition where it is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: The drop target apparatus includes a frame for attachment to the underside of the playfield board of a pinball game. A frame carries a target member which is vertically movable between a raised position above the playfield board and a retracted position. Bias means urges the target member to its retracted position. Latch means hold the target member in its raised position despite the action of the bias means. A recess in the target member receives the pinball. An abutment at the back of the recess when struck by the pinball causes the target member to become unlatched and moved, along with the pinball carried thereby, to its retracted position.