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US 4,981,298 AGranted
Ball diverter playfield feature for pinball machines
AssigneeWilliams Electronics Games, Inc.
InventorsPat Lawlor, John R. Krutsch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ball diverting playfield feature for pinball games employs a pair of abutting surfaces disposed on or above the playfield, which can be separated to create an alternate ball path. A solenoid mechanism controls the positions of the surfaces.
Claims14
A playfield feature for pinball games, comprising:
- (a) a pair of substantially horizontal surfaces positioned in abutting relationship above said playfield;
- (b) means for separating said surfaces to create a channel therebetween in which a pinball can travel;
- and,
- (c) means for conveying a pinball onto said surfaces for movement thereon.
1 more element
A ball diverting playfield feature for pinball games, comprising:
- (a) a pair of substantially horizontal surfaces positioned in abutting relationship above said playfield, said pair of surfaces defining a first ball path when in said abutting relationship;
- (b) means for separating said surfaces to create a channel therebetween in which a pinball can travel, said channel constituting a second ball path when said surfaces are separated;
- and,
- (c) means for conveying a pinball onto said surfaces for movement thereon.
1 more element
A ball diverting playfield feature for pinball games, comprising:
- (a) a pair of surfaces positioned in an abutting relationship above said playfield, said pair of surfaces defining a first ball path when in an abutting relationship, said first ball path residing entirely on one of said surfaces;
- (b) means for separating said surfaces to create a channel therebetween in which a pinball can travel, said channel constituting a second ball path when said surfaces are separated;
- and,
- (c) means for conveying a pinball onto said surfaces for movement thereon.
1 more element
A ball diverting playfield feature for pinball games, comprising:
- (a) a pair of substantially horizontal surfaces positioned in an abutting relationship on a playfield;
- and,
- (b) means for separating said surfaces to create a channel therebetween in which a pinball can travel.
A playfield feature for pinball games, comprising:
- (a) a pair of surfaces positioned in abutting relationship;
- (b) at least one playfield feature selected from the group consisting of targets, bumpers and ramps positioned on at least one of said surfaces;
- and
- (c) means for separating said surfaces.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.