Pinball machine having magnetic ball control
AssigneeWilliams Electronics, Inc.
InventorSteven S. Ritchie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Magnetic control of a ball on a pinball playfield is provided by an electromagnet located on the playfield and a mechanism manually operable by a player for energizing the electromagnet. The energizing mechanism includes a first switch external on the playfield operable by player and a second switch on the playfield which is activated by a ball hitting a target thereon. The first and second switch are connected in series with the electromagnet to control the latter. A timing mechanism is provided to limit the energization of the electromagnet to a predetermined time period.
Claims11
An improved pinball machine including an inclined playfield having targets, balls susceptible to magnetic attraction, and a means for propelling said balls into play upon said playfield, the improvement comprising:
- (a) an electromagnet operatively associated with said playfield;
- (b) a first switch external of said playfield which can be activated by a player;
- (c) a second switch which is actuated by a ball operating one or more targets on said playfield;
- and
- (d) said electromagnet, said first switch, and said second switch connected in circuit so that a ball which hits said target thereby activating said second switch may thereafter be selectively attracted by said electromagnet upon activation of said first switch by the player thereby to alter or stop the motion of such ball.
An improved pinball machine including an inclined playfield having targets, balls susceptible to magnetic attraction, and a means for propelling said balls into play upon said playfield, the improvement comprising:
- (a) an electromagnet operatively associated with said playfield;
- (b) a first switch external of said playfield which can be activated by a player to energize said electromagnet;
- and
- (c) a timing means connected in circuit with said electromagnet and said first switch for limiting the time during which the electromagnet can be energized to a predetermined time period thereby preventing a player from continuously energizing said electromagnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.