Abstract: This invention comprises a games apparatus on which a game involving strength, skill and agility is playable by two or more opposing players who, in playing the game, must struggle against one another as they attempt to score points by directing a playing piece on a playing field into a designated scoring zone or zones.

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 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: An amusement/gaming device which provides means for the selective release of game pieces, such as balls, for replay. The amusement/gaming device comprises an array of positions, each position representing a score in a game such as draw poker. Each position includes a hole to hold a ball in that position and an optical detector to identify residence of the ball in the hole. An array of rotatable rods having fingers are mounted below the holes. Solenoids are mounted at the ends of the rods for selectively rotating two intersecting rods to release the ball allowing return of one or more balls for replay. A microprocessor control and a video display interact with the player.

Abstract: In a ball shooting game machine, such as a pachinko game machine having winning holes, controls for permitting the player to obtain winning balls regardless of his skill, wherein the controls effect a first state disadvantageous to the player and then a second state advantageous to the player, the controls including means for detecting shot balls reaching the game board, a random number generator for generating a random number when a preselected number of balls are shot, and means for driving or controlling the winning holes to effect the advantageous state in response to the generation of a preset specific number by the random number generator, and means for maintaining or reversing the advantageous state in response to whether or how many winning balls are achieved.

Abstract: A pool table having a playing surface with which ball accomodating pockets are associated. Pocketed balls are conveyed by a runway system via a trap toward a compartment at one end of the table that is accessible to a player. The trap has a gate operable to prevent passage of the object balls into the compartment. The operation of the gate is controlled by a latch which is movable between a first position in which it latches the gate in ball-blocking position and a second position in which it enables balls to pass the gate. The position of the latch is responsive to operation of a latch driving motor.

Abstract: A roulette apparatus has a table, a roulette wheel mounted to spin about a vertical axis with respect to the table, the wheel having a plurality of ball receptor cups at the periphery thereof and having a hub portion and a rim portion. The hub and rim portions are displaceable axially with respect to each other between a "play" position and a "return" position, for forming a gap between the hub portion and the rim portion when the hub and rim portions are in the "return" position. A return channel is provided beneath the wheel, whereby when a ball has been projected onto the spinning wheel and has fallen into one of the cups, and the hub and rim portions have been displaced to the "return" position, the ball rolls from the cup into which it has fallen, rolls through the gap, and then falls to the return channel.

Abstract: A pool table having a playing surface with which ball accommodating pockets are associated. Pocketed balls are conveyed by a runway system via a trap toward a compartment at one end of the table that is accessible to a player. The trap has a gate magnetically latched in closed position so as to prevent passage of the object balls into the compartment until such time as a coin control mechanism is operated to effect unlatching and opening of the gate. The gate is maintained in its open position for a sufficient period of time to permit the passage of all the object balls from the trap to the compartment. Following movement of the last object ball past the gate the latter returns automatically to its closed, latched position.

Abstract: A billiard table having a playing surface, a plurality of pockets associated with the playing surface, ball collecting mechanism below the playing surface for transferring balls entering the pockets into a common channel, circuitry including an electrical power source, ball contacting switch mechanism disposed along the common channel, a first pulse counter responsive to pulses from the switch, an oscillator, a second pulse counter responsive to pulses from the oscillator, a latch associated with and responsive to the second pulse counter, a digital comparator receiving signals from the first pulse counter and from the latch of the second pulse counter, a decoder transmitting a pulse from the comparator and display mechanism capable of receiving the pulses from the decoder; whereby rapid periodic pulses transmitted from the oscillator to the second pulse counter cause signals to be sent to the latch at the same rate, so that when a ball passes the switch mechanism, a pulse is transmitted from the switch mecha

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 game apparatus consisting of a housing with a generally triangular game playing surface. A ball is rolled on the playing surface either manually or by a conventional shooting device. The playing surface has openings and the ball, propelled from the front towards the rear end, falls into one of the openings, enters in the interior of the housing and rolls back towards the front end. One center rectangular opening in the rear end wall is designated as a "functional" opening and the interior of the housing has electrical wiring and a switching device for starting and stopping a motor which rotates an ornamental disc whenever the ball falls into the "functional" opening.

Abstract: A device for playing a game, such as a simulated golf game, wherein the object is to place a ball in a series of holes in the least number of shots. Playing balls equal in number to a preselected number of players and having electrically conductive surfaces, complete an electrical circuit after they all have been successfully played through an open hole to automatically close that hole, open the next hole, and return the played balls for replay at the next hole.

Abstract: A golf game is disclosed in which each player uses a standard golf putter for striking a golf ball towards a designated one of three scoring holes provided near one end of a playing surface simulating part of a golf course. Hazard holes which are non-scoring are also provided. Switch contacts are provided in each hole to detect reception of a golf ball. A ball issuing device re-issues the ball when it is detected in one of the holes and the number of balls issued is counted. The designated hole is changed as soon as a player sinks a ball in it or after a predetermined number of balls have been used. A number is assigned to each designated hole and this number is incremented for each player when the player has sunk the ball in the designated hole or when the predetermined number of balls have been used. Scoring is provided for each player which decrements an initial score by predetermined values which vary inversely according to the number of issued balls counted for an assigned hole.

Abstract: A coin operated golf type game in which the player strikes a golf ball with a golf club and drives the ball up a ramp to a target area having scoring holes through which the ball may drop. The ball returns along a track system to a ball collection point and during the course of its travel actuates the various scoring devices which illuminate the scoring board, and sounds bells or horns in accordance with which scoring hole the ball has entered. Both positive and negative scoring increments are used. When a predetermined number of balls have been played, the game scoring is automatically terminated and an indicator lights showing the scoring proficiency of the player. If a sufficiently high score is achieved, the player is awarded a free game.