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US 5,064,196 AGranted
Pinball machine having pivoted double-inclined playing surface
OwnerAlvin J. Gottliebinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pinball machine which includes a multisurface table which may be used by at least two players to play the game. Multiple surfaces are provided that connect at an apex, which can be lowered to form a flat or inverted playing surface. A scoring mechanism is provided such that the player corresponding to the game element that last struck the ball is credited with all subsequent points. Thus, the dual-surface table allows for simultaneous, truly competitive play by two or more players.
Claims20
A pinball game, comprising:
- a projectile;
- at least two surfaces on which the projectile travels, the surfaces having a first position wherein each surface is disposed at a first angle with respect to the horizontal, and each surface having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge meeting to form an apex that the projectile may travel over to move from one surface to another in the first position;
- a drive mechanism to move the apex to and from a second position wherein each surface is disposed at a second angle with respect to the horizontal;
- and
- at least one projectile engaging mechanism operable by a player to project the projectile across the surfaces.
2 more elements
A pinball game, comprising:
- a projectile;
- at least two surfaces on which the projectile travels, the surfaces having a first position wherein each surface is disposed at a first angle with respect to the horizontal, and each surface having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edges meeting to form an apex that the projectile may travel over to move from one surface to another in the first position;
- means for moving the apex to and from a second position wherein each surface is disposed at a second angle with respect to the horizontal;
- and
- at least one projectile engaging mechanism operable by a player to project the projectile across the surfaces.
2 more elements
A pinball game, comprising:
- a projectile;
- at least two surfaces on which the projectile travels, the surfaces having a first position wherein each surface is disposed at a first angle with respect to the horizontal, and each surface having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edges meeting to form an apex that the projectile may travel over to move from one surface to another in the first position;
- a target element disposed on at least one of the surfaces;
- and
- an actuator, the actuator generating a trigger signal upon engagement of the projectile with the target element, the actuator operatively connected to a drive mechanism such that the drive mechanism receives the trigger signal to engage the drive mechanism to move the apex to and from a second position wherein each surface is disposed at a second angle with respect to the horizontal.
2 more elements
A pinball game, comprising:
- a ball;
- a first surface initially inclined with respect to the horizontal having an upper edge, and a second surface initially inclined with respect to the horizontal having an upper edge, the upper edge of the first surface meeting the upper edge of the second surface to form a ridge that the ball may roll over to get from one surface to the other;
- a drive mechanism for lowering and raising the ridge to and from a substantially horizontal position;
- a kick-out hole disposed on at least one of said first and second surfaces operatively connected to the drive mechanism to generate a trigger signal upon engagement of the ball;
- a scoring mechanism configured to keep score for at least two players;
- and
- a first flipper element disposed on the first surface and a second flipper element disposed on the second surface, the first and second flipper elements configured to detect engagement of the ball and to communicate the engagement to the scoring mechanism.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.