US 4,548,408 A · Bonus ball pinball game

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. The control circuit includes a processor system operative to position the selected bonus ball for play and condition the targets for a bonus scoring routine.

Claims16

Dependent claims

In a pinball type game, the combination comprising;

a play surface,
a pair of distinct game balls,
a first ball return and ejector means defining a first path of ball travel and distinct from said play surface and adapted to receive a selected one of said game balls and move it along the first path to a shooting position in response to a first predetermined signal,
second ball return and ejector means defining a second path of ball travel distinct from the first path and distinct from said play surface and adapted to receive the other of said balls and move it along the second path of ball travel to a shooting position in response to a predetermined second signal,
gate means for directing a returning ball to said first ball return means and first path and alternatively directing the returning ball to said second ball return means and second path,
and control circuit means cooperative with said first and second ball return and ejector means and said gate means and being operative to apply said first and second predetermined signals thereto in a manner to move said game balls to their corresponding shooting positions in selective sequence along the selected defined and distinct paths.

3 more elements

In a pinball type game, the combination comprising:

a play surface,
a pair of distinct game balls,
at least one target on said play surface adapted to establish a scoring signal when engaged by either of said game balls traversing said play surface,
first ball feeder means operatively associated with said play surface and adapted to receive a selected one of said game balls and move it to a shooting position in response to a first predetermined signal so as to enable said selected game ball to be propelled onto the play surface,
second ball feeder means separated from the plane of the play surface but operatively associated with said play surface and adapted to receive the other of said game balls and move it to a shooting position in response to a predetermined second signal so as to enable said other game ball to be propelled onto the play surface,
control circuit means cooperative with said first and second ball feeder means and operative to apply said first and second predetermined signals thereto in a manner to move said game balls to their corresponding shooting positions in selective sequence, said control circuit being cooperative with said target so as to receive scoring signals therefrom and being adapted to establish a score level indication in response to receipt of said scoring signals which is different for each of said distinct game balls,
a shooter mechanism defining said shooting position, each of said first and second ball feeder means being adapted to move its corresponding game ball to said shooting position through a substantially different path, each of said ball feeder means defining a separate ready position for its corresponding game ball and an at least one ejector assembly operative to move the corresponding game ball from its ready position to said shooting position in response to the corresponding predetermined signal from said control circuit means.

4 more elements

In a pinball type game device, the combination comprising;

a play surface,
a pair of distinct game balls,
target means on said play surface adapted to be engaged by a game ball traversing said play surface, said target means being operative to establish a scoring signal upon being engaged by a game ball,
first ball return and ejector means operatively associated with said play surface, defining a first ball ready position and adapted to receive a selected one of said game balls and move it from the first ball ready position to a shooting position in response to a first predetermined signal,
second ball return and ejector means operatively associated with said play surface, defining a second ball ready position distinct from the first ball ready position, and adapted to receive the other of said balls and move it to a shooting position from the second ball ready position in response to a second predetermined signal,
gate means operatively associated with at least one of said first and second ball return and ejector means so as to enable the corresponding game ball to be received thereby while simultaneously preventing the corresponding game ball from being received by the other of said first and second ball return and ejector means,
and control circuit means cooperative with said first and second ball return and ejector means and operative to apply said first and second predetermined signals thereto in a manner to move said game balls to their corresponding shooting positions in selective sequence.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bonus ball pinball game

Life of this patent

Bonus ball pinball game

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16