Abstract: The present invention is a game machine comprising a playing field having an upper interior edge and a lower interior edge with at least one drop zone deflector located adjacent to the upper interior edge of the playing field. The present invention also has a number of exit positions located along the lower interior edge of the playing field. A payline display and a payline symbol selector display are also part of the present invention. Balls passing through the exit positions select symbols for display in the payline display determined in part upon the movement of a ball on said playing field. The game also has a ball ejector capable of propelling a ball in a path that intersects the drop zone deflector.

Abstract: A metal object detection system comprising a matrix sensor having sensing units arranged like a matrix and a signal processing system for driving the matrix sensor for detecting a metal object. The signal processing system comprises circuitry for driving the matrix sensor and inputting a reception signal from the sensor, a plurality of peripheral detection points surrounding a main detection point, and circuitry which, when a metal object detection response is made at the main detection point by a sensing unit contained in the monitor frame, compares the response with a response of each of other peripheral detection points in the frame. When, the response of the main detection point is the largest, the circuitry determines that a metal object exists at the main detection point.

Abstract: The present invention includes a ball shooting mechanism for shooting a PACHINKO ball into a play field, a variable display apparatus capable of variably displaying a plural kinds of identification information, and a starting condition determining means for determining satisfaction of game starting conditions satisfied under such conditions that a coin is deposited and the like in accordance with manipulation of a start button by a player. In response to a determination output of the starting condition determining means, the ball shooting mechanism is driven and controlled to automatically shoot a ball, and the variable display apparatus is, after variation of display thereof is started, is controlled to be stopped so as to draw and display a display result thereof.

Abstract: A game machine of the present invention comprising a panel (11) including a game zone for movement of metal bodies of game media, a cover element (10a) covering the above-mentioned panel (11) so as to keep a space for movement of the metal bodies on the above-mentioned panel (11), and a mounting frame (38) on which the panel and cover element are mounted. This game machine further comprises a sensing matrix (20) comprised of matrix-arranged sensing units for metal body objects, and a signal processing portion which drives the sensing matrix (20) so as to detect positions of metal bodies on the panel (11). The signal processing portion having, at least in part thereof, a portion connected to the above-mentioned sensing matrix (20) arranged outside said game zone within a space defined by the mounting frame (38).

Abstract: The present invention consists of an apparatus comprising a signal sending line which has a folded-back shape, and which serves to send a current for generating a magnetic field; and a signal receiving line which has a folded-back shape, which is arranged at a position permitting it to be electromagnetically coupled with the signal sending line, and which serves to detect a magnetic flux change caused by the approach of metal. The plurality of signal sending lines are arranged coplanarly, while the plurality of signal receiving lines are arranged coplanarly. The signal sending lines and the signal receiving lines are arranged with their planes held in parallel and in directions intersecting to each other, thereby constructing a sensing matrix. The sensing matrix is arranged in opposition to a panel along which a metal body to be detected moves, while holding therebetween a space which is, at least, large enough to pass the metal body.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an apparatus comprising signal sending lines, each of which has a folded-back shape and serves to send a current for generating a magnetic field, and signal receiving lines, each of which has a folded-back shape, and which are arranged at a position permitting them to be electromagnetically coupled with the signal sending lines thus serving to detect a magnetic flux change caused by the approach of metal. The plurality of signal sending lines are arranged coplanarly, while the plurality of signal receiving lines are arranged coplanarly. The signal sending lines and the signal receiving lines are arranged with their planes held in parallel and in directions intersecting to each other, thereby constructing a sensing matrix. This sensing matrix is arranged in opposition to a panel along which a metal body to be detected moves, while holding there-between a space which is, at least, large enough to pass the metal body.

Abstract: The ball delivery system of the invention consists of a ramp located beneath the playfield where the ramp leads from an inlet accessible by the ball in play to at least one play feature to be loaded. At least one ball is stored in the ramp at each play feature such that the stored ball can be loaded into the play feature. A sensor located adjacent the inlet detects the entrance of the ball in play into the ramp and sends a signal to the game microprocessor indicating that a ball has entered the ramp. The microprocessor, upon receiving this signal, immediately loads the desired play feature with the stored ball such that the play feature can be immediately activated. The ball that entered the ramp inlet is then directed to the just activated play feature and becomes the stored ball for that play feature. Thus, the dead time associated with existing ball delivery system is eliminated.

Abstract: A pinball machine has a plurality of ball-deflecting components mounted to a playfield section. The playfield section is selectively translated in response to player input, so that the ball is deflected by the ball-deflecting components to locations selected by the player. The translation of the playfield section, for example, is responsive to the conventional push-button switches that are operated by the player for activating flippers, and in this case the push-buttons activate respective solenoids for translating the playfield section in two different directions. The playfield section, however, could be translated in different directions along two or three orthogonal axes in response to a more complex player-input device such as a joy-stick.

Abstract: The play feature of the invention consists of a rotary wheel having a plurality of ball receiving sockets located therein. The wheel is rotated such that an empty socket is disposed in a ball receiving position. During the course of play, the game player can direct a ball into the socket where it is retained. The wheel is then rotated to expose another empty socket into which a player can direct a second ball. Once all of the sockets are filled with balls, the game's microprocessor will rotate the wheel to return the balls to the playfield for multiple ball play. The wheel is rotated by an electric motor that is controlled by optical sensors.

Abstract: A flipper ball game apparatus includes: a ball shooting mechanism for shooting a ball into a playfield; starting condition determiner for determining satisfaction of game starting conditions satisfied by operation of a start button by a player under such conditions, for example, that coins are deposited into the apparatus; and a shooting mechanism automatically controller responsive to a determination output of the starting condition determiner for driving the ball shooting mechanism to automatically flip and shoot the ball. This structure enables the pinball to be automatically flipped into the playfield without any shooting operation conducted by the player.

Abstract: A play feature for a pinball game having a plurality of wheels rotatable about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of ball receiving sockets formed therein. Each wheel can pick up a pinball from a first position on the playfield and after rotating through approximately 180 degrees discharge the pinball at a second position on the playfield. The wheels are arranged in a series whereby the discharge position of the upstream wheel corresponds to the pick up position of the downstream wheel. In this manner the pinball can be conveyed across the playfield in a stepped fashion as it is transferred from the upstream wheel to the downstream wheel. The rotation of the wheels is coordinated by using a single drive motor operatively connected to each of the wheels by a transmission member.

Abstract: A coin is inserted into a coin slot and another coin is dropped from the top center of a playing field into a pachinko-type maze. The pachinko-type maze includes animated diverter pins and a series of capture gates. Each capture gate has associated therewith a pair of upper scoring lights and a pair of lower scoring lights that blink on and off. When the coin passes through a particular capture gate, if both pairs of scoring lights associated with that capture gate are illuminated, an indicator select light associated with the capture gate is illuminated and the player wins. Beneath the capture gates are a plurality of bin doors mounted to be pivotally openable by a bin door cam mechanism. If an indicator select light is illuminated, the player selects one of the bin doors to be opened and any coins lying on the bin door fall through the opening and into the payout hopper.

Abstract: A simulated football game having a magnetic disc rollable out of a chute onto a scrimmage field on which defense players having a piece of iron embedded therein are movably situated, a huddle being releasably retained to retain the disc in the chute. The disc is used for determining running play yardage, the disc being rollable into a defense player. A calculator wheel is rotated in only one direction by dual gears regardless of the direction of rotation of the gears and simultaneously moves a marker over a marker field to indicate the position of a football relative to the marker field. The wheel is used to ascertain yardage resulting from passing, and other type plays. A marble carrier is rotated a fraction of a complete revolution each time a plunger is depressed for indicating a play and releasing the huddle to allow a disc to roll out of the chute. The carrier in being rotated, at times, discharges a marble to roll onto the scrimmage field for indicating whether there is a penalty or a fumble.

Abstract: A rolling ball game such as pinball comprises a playfield plus means for launching rolling balls onto the playfield. By this invention, the launching means comprises a station where a ball at rest is positioned for said launching, spring-operated manual plunger means for launching the ball from the station, and an electrically operated arm for launching the ball from the same station. Thus, the same ball can be launched by two alternative means, one of which is manually controlled, but the other of which can be automatically controlled in response to events of the game.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus comprises a pair of spaced elongate members defining a track and a rolling member for rolling along the track under the control of an operator. The elongate members are spaced a fixed distance apart at their first ends, this end comprising the normal home position of the rolling member. The opposite, second ends of the elongate members are movable relative to one another to adjust their spacing and to control movement of the ball along the track. The second ends are preferably mounted on a transversely extending track and are moveable towards and away from one another along the track. A drive assembly drives the second ends and a control device, which is at least partially controllable by the operator, controls operation of the drive assembly. The operator must control separation of the elongate members so that the rolling member can roll from its home position to the opposite end of the track without falling through the opening between the elongate members.

Abstract: A box supports two playing fields which slope downwardly from opposite sides thereof toward a switch bar along the exposed inner side of each field for energizing a "spill" display light at the end of each field when a player fails to score with a ball rolling between two gently sloping cues from dwell notches thereon, upon skillfully opening the handles of the cues that rest on a support, and are connected at their outer ends, which are bent down to rest on the playing field, by one of three dropping the ball into triangularly arranged sockets that are assigned different score values ranging from a minimum to a maximum as the distance from the back of the field increases, with three balls per turn per player, two, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the playing of a parlor game version of baseball. A playing field of nonferrous material has baseball markings delineated. A pitching mechanism is provided whereby a ferrous metal ball is positioned on the upper surface of the playing field. A first cart, positioned beneath the playing field and out of sight, carries a magnet for the guiding of the ball and is positioned on a first ramp device. A second cart is provided with a relatively heavy weight and positioned on a second ramp, the angle of which is determined by the defensive player of the game. The second cart is attached to the first cart by a string whereby movement of the second cart will affect movement of the first cart. Pitching of the ball is carried out by releasing the second cart and allowing it to roll down the second ramp and pull the first cart along the first ramp.

Abstract: There is disclosed a board game. The board itself has three tracks with a plurality of interconnecting segments therebetween. A group of switches is provided, each adapted to be placed on the board in the region of one of the interconnecting segments. The switches serve to define an operative path from a start point to a finish point which includes selected segments of the tracks. Each player has a set of value pieces and the players take turns and alternately place their value pieces on random ones of a set of identifiable positions on the tracks. Thereafter, the players take turns and alternately place the switches on the board on a random basis until a complete operative path is defined. A marble is then rolled down the path to expose the values of the player pieces which it passes, and the players add up their respective scores.

Abstract: A gravity-type racing game is provided which includes start and finish positions connected by an inclined trackway. Playing objects, such as balls, are assignable to each of the players, and a plurality of such balls are released from the start position to traverse the inclined trackway toward the finish position. Rotatable and flipper-type deflectors are disposed on the inclined trackway for deflecting the balls as they approach the finish position. A plurality of playing stations are provided for the players, and each player's station includes a control button. The control buttons are all connected in parallel to the same deflectors and are operable by each player for actuating the same deflectors. In this manner, each player may actuate the same deflectors to deflect the ball of another player away from the finish position.

Abstract: A disc bowling game employing a rotatably mounted turntable provided with a playing surface, a multi-faced deflection member rotatably mounted on top of the turntable, and adjustable bowling chutes for directing disc-shaped game pieces onto the playing surface of the turntable. The turntable rotates in one direction while the deflection member rotates in the opposite direction with an eccentric motion sweeping the playing surface of the turntable. The playing pieces are bowled down the chutes at angles selected by the players to strike the faces of the deflection member and/or to be deposited directly on the playing surface of the turntable. The object of the game is for each player to deposit as many of his playing pieces as possible in selected target compartments adjacent the rotating turntable.

Abstract: At one end of a playing surface a portion of the playing surface which has a plurality of cylindrical openings therein is connected to pivot downwardly from its normal position in substantial alignment with the playing surface, and a lower plate having pins movably registered in the cylindrical openings and the free ends of which are flush with the playing surface and are adapted to hold game balls in position on the playing surface in the normal position is connected to first be moved by guide members and an operating mechanism away from the playing surface portion to partly retract the pins from the cylindrical openings, next the separated lower plate and playing surface portion are pivoted as a unit about the pivot connection of the latter in a downward direction so balls may rush on the surface portion and fill the openings, and finally the lower plate is returned to its normal position and then the surface portion is returned to its normal position in alignment with the playing surface whereby balls can