Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a game device for playing a game in which a moving body is levitated above a play field board by air emitted from a number of holes formed in the play field board. A moving body feeding device automatically feeds the moving body onto the play field board. After use, the moving body is recovered, lifted above the play field board, and dropped into guides which guide the moving body onto the play field board.

Abstract: A pinball machine comprises a frame which carries a playfield, a chute and a driver for launching balls onto the playfield through the chute. A spent ball-receiving aperture in the playfield communicates with a sloped trough positioned under the playfield. The trough is of a length to hold a plurality of balls, preferably more than three balls. An upper end of the trough communicates with the aperture, while the lower end of the trough is positioned adjacent to and below the chute and the ball driver for launching. A solenoid or the like is positioned to vertically elevate the ball occupying the trough lower end, typically by striking it to cause the ball to fly to a new position in the chute for launching. Sensors are present to determine the number of balls in the trough. A microprocessor and other electronic means are present for actuating the solenoid or the like for vertically elevating the ball to the chute for launching.

Abstract: A game play media dispenser comprises a ball passage 10 for allowing game play media (pachinko balls) 90 to flow, a gear 20 formed with a plurality of recesses 21 engaging with the pachinko balls 90 on an outer peripheral surface and rotating while causing the recesses 21 to engage with pachinko balls 90 flowing through the ball passage 10 in sequence, detection means 70 for detecting the pachinko balls 90 discharged through a discharge port 11, a first stopper 30 that can move to a first engagement position where it can engage with the gear 20 and a first saving position where it does not engage with the gear 20, a second stopper 40 that can move to a second engagement position where it can engage with the gear 20 and a second saving position where it does not engage with the gear 20, first drive means for moving the first stopper 30, second drive means for moving the second stopper 40, and control means for controlling the first drive means and the second drive means for causing the first stopper 30 and the

Abstract: The improved player feature of the invention comprises an arm mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. An electromagnet is attached to the arm's outer end which is capable of suspending a ferromagnetic ball. Located below and along the path traveled by the magnet are a plurality of play features such as ramps, chutes, outholes and the like. A ball elevator is provided to bring the pinball to the electromagnet. The electromagnet is rotated over the play features. When the magnet is aligned with a desired play feature, the player presses a button to deactivate the electromagnet thereby dropping the ball onto the desired feature.

Abstract: A pinball machine comprises a frame which carries a playfield, a chute and a driver for launching balls onto the playfield through the chute. A spent ball-receiving aperture in the playfield communicates with a sloped trough positioned under the playfield. The trough is of a length to hold a plurality of balls, preferably more than three balls. An upper end of the trough communicates with the aperture, while the lower end of the trough is positioned adjacent to and below the chute and the ball driver for launching. A solenoid or the like is positioned to vertically elevate the ball occupying the trough lower end, typically by striking it to cause the ball to fly to a new position in the chute for launching. Sensors are present to determine the number of balls in the trough. A microprocessor and other electronics are present for actuating the solenoid or the like for vertically elevating the ball to the chute for launching.

Abstract: The ball trough is of a unitary construction such that it is mounted directly to the underside of the playfield as a single piece. The ball trough consists of a generally U-shaped channel that is mounted to the underside of the playfield and extends between the drain hole and the shooter lane. The bottom surface of the channel is inclined relative to the horizontal such that a ball entering at the drain hole will roll under the force of gravity toward the shooter lane. When activated, the solenoid plunger will kick the ball located adjacent the shooter lane up through an aperture in the playfield and into the shooter lane. A series of optical switches are mounted on the channel and arranged such that each switch will detect the presence or absence of the ball in the queue.

Abstract: In a ball conveying gutter system, a gutter (21), (26) for carrying pachinko balls in order to supply them to the individual pachinko machines and for storing the pachinko balls is supported by successive gutter supports mounted respectively between successive pairs of confronting posts. Each gutter support has at opposite ends a pair of hooks, and the confronting posts of each pair have a pair of holes for detachably catching the opposite hooks respectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to a play feature for a pinball game. It comprises a runway or ball path with a plurality of holes disposed along the side of the runway. The holes are associated with varying scores. The skill of the player striking the plunger determines the hole through which the ball passes, thus registering a score when a wireform below the hole is depressed, signaling a score. If the ball is struck too hard, then it travels the length of the entire runway and no points are registered. One-way wire gates prevent the ball from rolling back toward the plunger.

Abstract: A pinball type game includes a play surface having at least one target thereon adapted to be engaged by either of two game balls which can be propelled onto the play surface so as to traverses the play surface and return to a return end thereof. The two game balls are distinguished from each other by color or other indicia and each has a corresponding return and ejector mechanism controlled by a control circuit which enables only one ball to be on the play surface at any given time. The control circuit is operatively connected to the targets so as to receive a signal when a target is engaged by a game ball, and is operative to increase the normal game score so as to provide a bonus score when the targets are engaged by a selected one of the balls when on the play surface, thus providing an increase in scoring opportunity should the selected one of the balls being placed in play during a player's turn.

Abstract: In a pinball-type game having a playing surface over which an object is propelled and an object feed and propulsion apparatus for propelling the object across the playing surface includes: a housing associated with said surface and an actuator member mounted on the housing. The actuator is capable of moving from a rest position to an actuated position and back again. When an object is located next to an object contact surface on the end of the actuator and the actuator moves from the actuated position back to the rest position the object is propelled across the playing surface.Mounted in the housing associated with the actuator is an object feed mechanism which is capable of simultaneously moving the object from a first position adjacent to the feed mechanism to a second position locating the object in an abutting relationship with the contact surface on the actuator as the actuator moves to its actuated position. To accomplish this the actuator is operatively connected to the feed mechanism.

Abstract: A pinball game is provided having two pairs of flippers, each pair being coordinately actuated by the pulling of a spring-biased lever toward the user. A spring-loaded ball projecting mechanism is provided operatively coupled by a ratchet to a ball counting device. The ball projecting mechanism is released by displacement of a lever to project the ball and index the ball counting device.

Abstract: A pinball type game in which a ball is propelled by a plunger over an inclined playing surface among pins, targets and the like. The game is designed on a "haunted house" scheme and flippers are provided for keeping a ball in play, the flippers being shaped in the form of bat wings. The flippers actuate a sound device each time a flipper is actuated. The flippers are positioned on each side of the playing surface and are manually operated by the participants. Actuation of a flipper by a participant causes a sound to be emitted by a sounding device. The sounding device includes a bellows portion.