Rollover switch for pinball game
AssigneeD. Gottlieb & Co.
InventorRoman F. Garbark
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rollover switch for pinball game includes a yieldable, and preferably elastic surface deformable between a position substantially level with the playfield surface and a position above the playfield surface. In one embodiment, the elastic surface is defined by a plurality of members connected by a hinge to support structure. The support structure defines a periphery, and the members extend inwardly from the hinged periphery. A plunger is provided to engage switch contacts as the members are advanced about the hinged connection. In another embodiment, the elastic surface is defined by a stretchable membrane which is deformable between a position substantially flush with the surface of the playfield and a position above the playfield.
Claims43
A ball actuated rollover switch for a shaped opening in a playfield of a pinball game, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of yieldable surface-defining members which define the yieldable surface to be deformable between first and second shapes upon ball engagement with said surface, thereby to provide a surface region which travels in a direction substantially normal to the playfield a detectable distance upon ball engagement with said surface;
- (b) structure configured to fit into said shaped opening for firmly supporting the periphery of said members at the level of the playfield ;
- and
- (c) a detector disposed with respect to said surface for detecting said surface region travelling said detectable distance.
A ball actuable rollover switch for a shaped opening in a playfield of a pinball game, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of yieldable surface-defining members which define the yieldable surface to have a surface region movable in a direction substantially normal to the playfield between a first non-ball engaged position to a second ball engaged position, said second ball engaged position being substantially level with the playfield surface to thereby minimize ball deflection upon such engagement;
- (b) structure configured to fit into said shaped opening for firmly supporting the periphery of said members at the level of the playfield;
- and
- (c) a detector disposed with respect to said surface for detecting said surface region moving to said second position.
A ball actuable rollover switch for a shaped opening in a playfield of a pinball game, comprising:
- (a) means, including a plurality of members, adapted to be supported with respect to the surface of the pinball game playfield for defining a yieldable surface deformable to provide a surface region movable in a direction substantially normal to the playfield between a position not substantially level with the playfield surface and a position substantially level with the playfield surface;
- (b) structure configured to fit into said shaped opening for firmly supporting the periphery of said yieldable surface at the level of said playfield;
- and
- (c) a set of switch contacts disposed with respect to said surface-defining means to be actuated thereby when the region moves between said positions due to ball engagement with the yieldable surface.
A ball rollover device for pinball game machine comprising:
- (a) support structure adapted to be supported by the pinball game playfield;
- (b) a plurality of surface-defining members extending outwardly from a central region to respective peripheral areas;
- and
- (c) means movably connecting the respective surface-defining members to said support structure at the peripheral areas, whereby the plurality of surface-defining members are movable with respect to each other to define an overall elastic surface which is deformable to provide substantially flat and substantially pyramidal shapes;
- said connecting means being configured to allow said surface defining members to move in response to ball engagement therewith.
A rollover switch for actuating a detector which includes at least one contact of a set of electrical contacts for a pinball game machine, comprising:
- (a) support structure adapted to be supported by the pinball game playfield;
- (b) means, including a plurality of movably supported members, defining an elastic surface deformable between first and second positions;
- (c) means connecting the surface-defining means to the support structure;
- and
- (d) means disposed between the elastic surface-defining means and the detector to effect actuation of the electrical contacts in response to the elastic surface deforming between the first and second positions.
A ball actuated rollover switch for a playfield of a pinball game, comprising a yieldable surface-defining member which is adapted to be supported with respect to the surface of the pinball game playfield and which defines the yieldable surface to be deformable between first and second shapes upon ball engagement with said member, thereby to provide a surface region which travels a detectable distance upon ball engagement with said member;
- said member including a plurality of hingedly-connected, relatively flat elements.
A ball actuable rollover switch for a playfield of a pinball game, comprising a yieldable surface-defining member which is adapted to be supported with respect to the surface of the pinball game playfield and which defines the yieldable surface to have a surface region movable between a first non-ball engaged position and a second ball engaged position, said second ball engaged position being substantially level with the playfield surface to thereby minimize ball deflection upon such engagement;
- said member including a plurality of hingedly-connected, relatively flat elements.
A ball actuated rollover switch for a playfield of a pinball game, comprising a yieldable surface-defining member which is adapted to be supported with respect to the surface of the pinball game playfield and which defines the yieldable surface to be deformable between first and second shapes upon ball engagement with said member, thereby to provide a surface region which travels a detectable distance upon ball engagement with said member;
- said yieldable surface-defining means including a support and a plurality of members connected to the support to define said yieldable surface to taper towards the playfield surface.
A ball actuable rollover switch for a playfield of a pinball game, comprising a yieldable surface-defining member which is adapted to be supported with respect to the surface of the pinball game playfield and which defines the yieldable surface to have a surface region movable between a first non-ball engaged position to a second ball engaged position, said second ball engaged position being substantially level with the playfield surface to thereby minimize ball deflection upon such engagement;
- said yieldable surface-defining means including a support and a plurality of members connected to the support such that the first position defines said yieldable surface to taper towards the playfield surface.
A ball actuable rollover switch for a playfield of a pinball game comprising means adapted to be supported with respect to the surface of the pinball game playfield for defining a yieldable surface deformable to provide a surface region movable between a position not substantially level with the playfield surface and a position substantially level with the playfield surface;
- said yieldable surface-defining means comprising a support and a plurality of members connected to the support such that the non-level playfield position defines an overall surface which tapers therefrom toward the playfield surface.
A ball rollover device for pinball game machine comprising:
- (a) support structure adapted to be supported by the pinball game playfield;
- (b) a plurality of surface-defining members extending outwardly from a central region to respective peripheral areas;
- and
- (c) means movably connecting the respective surface-defining members to said support structure at the peripheral areas;
- wherein said support structure, said surface-defining members, and said connecting means is unitary, whereby the plurality of surface-defining members are movable with respect to each other to define an overall elastic surface which is deformable to provide substantially flat and substantially pyramidal shapes.
A ball actuable rollover switch for a playfield of a pinball game comprising a plurality of members adapted to be supported with respect to the surface of the pinball game playfield for defining in combination a yieldable surface deformable to provide a surface region movable between a position not substantially level with the playfield surface and a position substantially level with the playfield surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.