Abstract: An automatic propelling feature for a pinball game having a playfield supporting a rolling ball and a plurality of targets thereon, comprises a propelling member, mounted to the playfield, for propelling the ball toward the target; a ball guide for guiding the ball to the propelling member; one or more sensors for detecting the ball along the ball guide; and processor circuitry, responsive to the sensors, for recording initial timing samples in a memory in response to the ball passing through the ball guide and being accurately propelled by the ball propelling member, operated by a player, toward one of the targets. In response to a predetermined number of the timing samples being recorded in the memory for at least one of the targets, the processor circuitry operates the propelling member based at least partially on the recorded timing samples and attempts to propel the ball toward the "qualifying" target in response to the ball passing through the ball guide.

Abstract: In a baseball, softball tennis practice ball throwing machine having a spring actuated pivot arm having a ball impact element at a free end thereof and biasing spring elements at its pivot end. A hand crank is attached to a pivot shaft for rotating the arm against the bias of the spring elements. A ball support station is provided to support a ball in the path of the ball impact element to be impacted and projected a distance by the arm as it rapidly rotate about the pivot shaft when under the influence of the biasing spring elements.

Abstract: A game apparatus offers a game played by a plurality of players. The game apparatus uses an object having means for determining a result of the game, the result of the game being dependent on a movement of the object, a moving process of the object being observed by the players. Magnitude information indicative of a magnitude determined by one of the players is generated and detected in the game apparatus. A driving force is applied to the object so that the object is thrown toward a field defined by the game apparatus. A magnitude of the driving force is controlled in accordance with the magnitude of the hitting force. The object is collected by a collecting member moving on the field from a rear side to a front side. A pair of attracting members are provided on the front side of the field and move in opposite directions. The object is sandwiched between the attracting members and, thus, the object is placed on a throwing plate positioned in the center of the front side of the field.

Abstract: An amusement game having a solenoid operated rotating play feature. The solenoid comprises a bobbin having a bore around which is disposed electrical windings for use in creating an electromagnetic force and a plunger disposed within the bore. The plunger is linked to the rotating play feature and is movable in response to the electromagnetic force. The bore and the plunger are sized and arranged to allow the plunger to move laterally within the bore to accomodate the rotational movement of the play feature as the plunger moves in response to the electromagnetic force. An unhanded bracket is supplied to mount the play feature to the playing surface of the amusement game which is adaptable to carry a variety of end-of-stroke sensing switches.

Abstract: A game apparatus offers a game played by a plurality of players. The game apparatus uses an object having means for determining a result of the game, the result of the game being dependent on a movement of the object, a moving process of the object being observed by the players. Magnitude information indicative of a magnitude determined by one of the players is generated and detected in the game apparatus. A driving force is applied to the object so that the object is thrown toward a field defined by the game apparatus. A magnitude of the driving force is controlled in accordance with the magnitude of the hitting force. The object is collected by a collecting member moving on the field from a rear side to a front side. A pair of attracting members are provided on the front side of the field and move in opposite directions. The object is sandwiched between the attracting members and, thus, the object is placed on a throwing plate positioned in the center of the front side of the field.

Abstract: A pinball machine is provided and includes one or more solenoids for activating one or more play feature mechanisms and a microprocessor for controlling game play activities. The microprocessor has associated therewith a clock for providing timed signals thereto, a memory device having stored therein a plurality of power setting patterns, and a driver. Each of the power setting patterns generally comprises a series of states (ON and OFF) over a predetermined number of counts of the timed signal. One of these patterns is used for each solenoid desired to be controlled. The driver is responsive to the microprocessor for controlling the flow of current to the desired solenoid wherein the driver utilizes the selected pattern to supply pulse width modulated current to the solenoid as a function of the states in the pattern. Preferably, the pattern selected can be changed as desired.

Abstract: A pinball machine comprises a playfield, a shooter for propelling balls on the playfield, and a figure having at least one movable limb. The limb is movable between a first position where the limb is capable of receiving and holding a ball, and a second position where the ball is propelled from the limb onto the playfield. A motor/solenoid and shaft are provided for moving the limb between the first and second positions to propel the ball from the limb, and then to retract the limb back to the first position. A ball delivery trough is positioned to deliver balls to the limb in the first position.

Abstract: A rotating pinball bridge and drop is provided which comprises a rotatable cylinder with a hole sufficiently sized to allow a pinball to pass through. The cylinder is rotated by a drive member so that a ball may either pass through or be dropped from the ramp.

Abstract: Projectile launching toys include a surface suitably configured to support and guide a projectile, a lever pivotally mounted so as to traverse a portion of the surface in the direction the projectile is being guided, a manual actuator coupled to the lever to manually move the lever from an initial position to a second, pivoted position to launch the projectile and a return member coupled with the lever to automatically return the lever to its original position after being manually moved and released.

Abstract: A pinball machine in which a movable ball transfer assembly is provided on the playfield. When a player positions a ball in a selected location on the playfield, the ball transfer assembly is actuated to retrieve the ball, move on the playfield and deposit the ball at different locations on the playfield. The ball deposit location is on a different level of the playfield from the ball deposit location.

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 rotatable member is provided for a rolling ball amusement device. The rotatable member defines a ball receiving aperture which is positioned to receive a rolling ball and to cause transfer of kinetic energy from the ball to the rotatable member, to cause the member to rotate to one of a plurality of discrete, temporarily locked rotating positions, with the selection of the particular rotating position depending on the amount of kinetic energy so transferred. Preferably, switches are provided for identifying to the electronic controls of the amusement device the discrete rotating position occupied by the rotatable member. Upon command, the temporary lock of the rotating positions may be released. A spring or the like then rotates the member back to an original, ball-receiving position upon such release, which propels the ball back onto the playfield with a velocity that depends on the particular discrete rotating position achieved.

Abstract: A flipper control circuit is disclosed in which at least one flipper is controlled by the game microprocessor which attempts to hit a desired target. The processor activates the flipper in response to playfield sensors which detect the ball in proximity to the flipper. Playfield switches provide feedback to the processor on the accuracy of the shot allowing the processor to correct its "aim" for subsequent shots.

Abstract: A flipper in a pinball machine is rotated by a motor, permitting control of the angular position or velocity of the flipper by the pinball machine in response to player input, ball position or game sequences. The flipper is controlled internally through software of the microcomputer that keeps track of game sequences and the player's score, or externally via a switch or control manipulated by the player. Preferably the angular position of the flipper is sensed, and the motor can rotate the flipper in both a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction. In one embodiment, the flipper is rotated by more than 360 degrees to intermittently permit a timing shot when passage of the ball is synchronized to the rotation of the flipper. For example, the flipper may intermittently open a path for a ball to a target, or may intermittently permit the ball to be deflected by the flipper to a target.

Abstract: The play feature of the invention consists of a ball projecting mechanism mounted for rotary motion about an axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the playfield. When a ball enters the projecting mechanism, a motor is activated which rotates the projecting mechanism about the axis. The player, by pressing a button, can control when the projecting means is fired thereby to control the direction of travel of the ball. A series of play features can be located at a position on the playfield spaced from the projecting mechanism to provide targets for the player.

Abstract: A multi-surface pinball machine, which may be played by one or more players. The surfaces connect at an apex, and one or more players stand at the outer ends of each surface. An automatic flipper actuator is provided for play of the game with the number of players less than the number of surfaces. The machine can operatively be switched from the multi-player mode to as little as a single player mode. In such a mode, software controls the flippers of the missing players. Thus, the multi-surface table allows for either simultaneous competitive play by two or more players, or play by as little as one player competing against the machine.

Abstract: A solid-state flipper control circuit for controlling the operation of a pinball machine includes a flipper, a flipper switch, and a solenoid coil for controlling the movement of the flipper. The flipper switch is formed as a microswitch having a common terminal connected to a ground potential and normally-open contact terminal. A solid-state driver circuit is provided which is responsive to the activation of the microswitch for generating momentarily a first voltage on its output terminal so as to move the flipper to the actuated position. The solid-state driver circuit includes a timer for automatically disconnecting the first voltage after a predetermined time and for generating subsequently a second voltage so as to hold the flipper in the actuated position until the microswitch is deactivated.

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: A baseball home run contest game is provided and consists of a pitching mechanism mounted to one end of an elongated platform, while a batting mechanism is mounted to other opposite end of the platform. The pitching mechanism is electrically operated at various speeds by a first player to propel a miniature baseball therefrom. The batting mechanism is electrically operated at various speeds by a second player to hit the baseball towards a miniature wall structure positioned remotely behind the pitching mechanism. The object of the game is to determine how many pitched baseballs can be hit over the miniature wall structure for home runs, out of ten pitched baseballs.

Abstract: A variable position flipper mechanism is disclosed for use with pinball or rolling ball games. The flippers, actuated by solenoid mechanisms, are spaced a selectable distance apart thereby to permit adjustment in the skill level of the game. Spacing of the flipper mechanisms is accomplished by rotating a cam plate which is ratcheted into various positions by a pair of solenoid operators and appropriate linkages. Rotation of the cam plate in a first direction spaces the flippers at their maximum distance, while rotation in the opposite direction moves the flippers to successively closer positions. Optical detection means can be associated with the cam plate to provide position information to a controller associated with the pinall machine.

Abstract: A pinball machine which includes apparatus attached to a game element which, when contacted by the ball during play of the game, will detect the contact of the ball. Movement of the apparatus toward the ball is controlled by a player. Preferably, the present invention also provides a scoring mechanism such that the player corresponding to the game element which last struck the ball is credited with all subsequent points scored. Another embodiment provides a dual-surface table which may be used by at least two players to play the game.

Abstract: In the tennis game board, each of the racket-supporting bodies that are reciprocally movable along each end of the base board is provided with a ball delivery member, which directly feeds the ball onto the board surface as if the ball was served by one of the racket-supporting bodies. After this, the ball on the board surface of the base board is hit alternately by the opposedly disposed racket-supporting bodies, thus enabling the game like tennis to be performed.

Abstract: A tabletop baseball game including a replica of a baseball field and a diamond which is constructed with plastic tubing and bases joined by connectors. A ball-hitting mechanism and a ball-positioning and supporting wall are provided as part of home plate. The ball-hitting mechanism includes an arm which is pivotally mounted for rotation in an arc relative to home plate. A replica of a baseball bat is pivotally mounted on the arm for swinging motion in a path that intersects the ball when it is positioned on the home plate. A spring mechanism is provided which can be tensioned by reverse rotation of the bat replica, stored by a ratchet and pawl mechanism and released by a push button to swing the bat.

Abstract: A flipper control circuit is provided for a pinball machine having a flippper, a flipper switch for activating the flipper, means for holding the flipper in an actuated position until the flipper switch is deactivated, and a solenoid coil for controlling the movement of the flipper in response to the voltage applied to the solenoid coil. A first voltage is applied to the solenoid coil when the flipper switch is activated. A second holding voltage is applied to the solenoid coil when the flipper is in the actuated position, to hold the flipper in the actuated position until the flipper switch is deactivated. A switch electrically disconnects the first voltage from the solenoid coil when the flipper is in the actuated position.

Abstract: A pinball machine construction having a horizontally hinged security door which includes a top control panel which also clamps the glass cover over the playing field. A variable ball delivery system is remotely actuated and variable to deliver the balls to the playing field. Side wall flippers and half bumpers can be included which are mounted adjacent any wall on the playing field. The controls for the pinball machine can be mounted on top of the top control panel for easy access.

Abstract: A dual-coil solenoid for actuating pin ball game flippers having a high actuation and ball propelling force and a lower flipper and ball holding force. The solenoid includes low and high resistance coils placed in electrically parallel relationship across a source of electrical energy upon actuation of a flipper switch by a game player. Upon full deflection of the flipper and solenoid, an end of stroke switch automatically removes electrical energy from the low resistance coil thereby leaving only the high resistance coil energized to hold the flipper and game ball in position. A capacitance is positioned across the end of stroke switch to absorb electrical energy from the low resistance coil and to protect the switch. Diodes further protect both switch and the capacitor from excessive voltage transients.

Abstract: A ball game apparatus having a playing surface in the shape of an inverted cone surrounded by an upstanding cylindrical wall. An air blower circulates game balls continuously along the circular periphery of the playing surface at the inside of this wall. A ball striker is selectively adjustable along this wall and it has a pivoted striker arm which can be actuated from a retracted position on the outside of the wall to a ball-deflecting position on the inside in the path of game balls along the periphery of the playing surface. Pivoted targets are located in front of the air blower on the opposite of the apex of the playing surface from the striker.

Abstract: Apparatus for conducting sports and games on a slippery solid playing area surface comprises one or more doughnut-shaped streamlined discs which include a self-contained propulsion device. Each disc optionally carries an operator and includes around the perimeter thereof a resilient collision bumper. The surface of the playing area comprises a slippery upper layer and a solid underlayer. Each disc, while being supported on the surface upper layer in sliding relationship, is slidingly moved over the surface upper layer by propulsion devices acting relative to the underlayer. Such propulsion can be generated, for example, by electromagnets, motors, jets and the like. Various playing area surface compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A toy car collision set (10) in which children attempt to crash nonsteerable unpowered cars (28, 30) at an intersection (12) when travelling in either the forward or reverse directions. The set includes at least two sets of tracks (14, 16, 22, 24) connected together at the intersection (12). A launcher (18, 20) is connected at one end of each of the tracks, and includes a piston assembly (34, 38) having a 5 to 1 compression ratio to be easily operated by a child hitting or pushing the top of the launcher. At the other end of each of the tracks, an elastic return means (26, 27) returns the launched cars along their respective tracks, if the car has not crashed at the intersection. The return means includes an elastic strip (52) stretched across the track to rebound a car striking the strip back along the direction in which it came to either strike another vehicle, at the intersection, or to be returned to the launcher for another launch.

Abstract: A kicker apparatus for a pin ball game including a playfield board on which a ball rolls for engagement with an actuator member in a kicking region, comprises a frame which mounts a kicker member in a track for sliding reciprocating movement in response to actuation of a drive means by engagement of the ball with the actuator member, for driving a kicking surface on the kicker member into engagement with the ball to propel it from the kicking region. The kicking surface is a substantially flat, planar surface elongated in a direction transverse to the kicker member path.

Abstract: A rotatable kicker apparatus includes a frame adapted to be mounted in an aperture in the playfield board of a pinball game for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the playfield board. The frame carries a drive solenoid which connects through crank arm linkage to a kicker member which is disposed for sliding reciprocating movement in a track in the frame parallel to the playfield board. Spaced-apart metal contact plates in the solenoid circuit are disposed on the frame to be bridged by a rolling pinball for actuating the kicker solenoid. The frame is mounted on a rotating shaft which is rotatably driven by an associated electric motor to vary the kicking direction. A control circuit includes control switches for respectively rotating the frame in opposite directions from a neutral rest position, the frame automatically returning to the rest position upon release of the switch.

Abstract: A pinball game includes plural parallel columns of kickers, each kicker being responsive to ball impact thereon for propelling the ball therefrom in a predetermined direction. Each kicker is rotatable for varying the predetermined direction and the kickers in each column are ganged together for manual simultaneous rotation thereof. Different types of kickers may be provided in different columns.

Abstract: A pin ball game includes a ball receptacle which has associated therewith a rotary oscillating shooter for propelling the ball from the receptacle and along the playfield board in the direction of a predetermined axis which oscillates with the shooter. When the ball drops into the receptacle it actuates a drive motor for oscillating the shooter and enables a manually-operated trigger switch. When the shooter axis is pointing in the desired direction, the user manually operates the trigger switch to actuate the shooter, which in turn operates to stop the shooter oscillation and disable the trigger switch.

Abstract: The flipper assembly has a transparent flipper carried by a rotatable flipper shaft. A light shaft extends through the flipper shaft and is fixed to the pinball game. A bulb is located in the flipper and is carried by the bulb shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a spectator-controlled game including a playfield and an object (e.g. a ball) which is movable over the playfield under the control of an audience of spectators. The playfield described includes selectively controllable means for impelling a ball and means for obstructing the ball, and various non-controllable forms of ball obstructing devices. The spectators have control devices having push-buttons for selecting one of a plurality of output `vote` signals, for obstructing the ball, or impelling it in any one of four specific directions. A programmable controller embodying a decision-making logic system provides control signals for activating the respective impelling and obstructing devices in response to predetermined majorities of vote signals provided by the spectators' control devices, so that the ball is impelled and obstructed in accordance with the majority wishes of the spectators.

Abstract: An electronic control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of pinball machine flippers. Each flipper is operated in response to the energization of a single solenoid coil in which the same winding is energized to place the flipper in an actuated position and to hold the flipper in the actuated position. When a flipper switch is activated, a full wave rectified voltage is applied to the solenoid coil to place the flipper in an actuated position. When the flipper has been sensed to be in the actuated position, only a partial phase controlled voltage is applied to the solenoid coil to hold the flipper in the actuated position until the flipper switch is deactivated.

Abstract: A pinball type game including an oval-shaped playing field having two or more flipper-equipped, player-goal positions disposed on opposite sides of the field and having score accumulating switches disposed around the perimeter of the field such that as a ball is caused to roll around the perimeter, the game monitoring electronics will accumulate score until one player or the other causes the ball to pass into the goal of his opponent. At that time the accumulated score is awarded to the scoring player. The playing field is generally dome-shaped so as to slope from the middle toward the goal positions and is decorated to resemble a roulette wheel.

Abstract: A game in which a club is provided having a handle and a head for striking a ball toward a target. The club head has a pivoted striker plate which is spring biased and latched to snap open and strike a ball placed adjacent the face. The latch in the head locks the striker plate closed and a plunger is provided for releasing the striker plate to strike a ball toward a target. The handle includes means for adjusting the bias on the spring operating the striker plate to vary the striking force.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a steel ball traveling along the playing surface of a pinball machine may selectively drop through apertures into one of several aligned cups resulting in movement of the cups by gravity, the closing of a circuit for scoring and the operation of a mechanical linkage for causing rapid arcuate movement of the cups to "throw" the ball back into play.

Abstract: Kicker apparatus for a pinball machine having an inclined playing surface, comprises a kicker and mechanism for triggering the kicker to strike a ball and drive the ball up the inclined playing surface. The kicker is disposed in a triangular aperture in the playing surface, two of whose sides converge in the direction in which the ball is projected by the kicker, thereby to direct the ball without the need for upstanding guide members. The triangular aperture is closed from beneath by a plate that is mounted for downward movement under the weight of the ball as the ball rolls down into the triangular aperture by gravity, the plate actuating the triggering mechanism for the kicker.

Abstract: This invention relates to a game board whereby a mimic tennis game can be played. Two animated racket-supporting bodies disposed opposedly to each other across a play board are moved alternately so as to catch a ball which comes rolling on the board surface toward either side of the board where said racket-supporting body is disposed, and when the racket carried by the racket-supporting body on one side catches the ball and the racket is accordingly displaced, the racket driving mechanism provided in the racket-supporting body is operated to drive the racket so that it will automatically hit the ball. After hitting of the ball by the racket, the racket driving mechanism is inactivated. As the animated bodies are moved across the play board, a pinion gear meshes with a rack gear and ultimately a spring is wound up to accumulate power for driving the simulated tennis ball. Each time a ball is hit, a bell rings.

Abstract: A mechanical, pin-ball type game apparatus comprises an enclosure for holding one or more balls including a sloping bottom wall or game board with a peripheral side wall for containing the balls as they roll downwardly on the sloped game board towards a lower end portion thereof on a scoring pass. A manually operated ball firing device is provided for shooting or propelling the balls upwardly from the lower end portion of the board towards an upper end and the balls then roll downwardly on the board and engage target devices thereon. The game apparatus includes rows of ball actuated target devices including ball engaging paddles mounted on rotatable shafts. The targets include a spring motor which is released when hit to forceably propel the ball coming in contact therewith in an opposite direction. Each time the target device is activated by ball contact, a scoring device is advanced and a bell is sounded. The release mechanism is a downwardly deflectable pad mounted on the bottom wall.

Abstract: A pinball game in which several rear re-projectors are actuatable by a single solenoid which is acted upon by a single switch for re-directing the ball toward the back of a playing surface. Each movable element includes a lost motion connection, whereby when a ball contacts a given re-projector, only that re-projector will be actuated by the single solenoid.

Abstract: An improved flipper bar used with a pinball game apparatus allowing increased challenges for skilled players and increased unpredictability in ball trajectory for unskilled players, comprising a cantilevered arm having a series of undulations on one side and disposed perpendicular to the playing field.