Multiple path ball ramp for pinball games
AssigneeWilliams Electronics Games, Inc.
InventorsJohn Trudeau, Zofia Bil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual-path ramp for pinball games is formed of a single plastic member and has a plurality of entrances from the game playfield and exits back onto the playfield. The geometry of sides of the ramp is such that the ball, as it travels adjacent to one of the sides, is directed into a plurality of patterned grooves in the bottom surface of the ramp, which, in turn, direct the path of the ball back to the sides in a criss-cross pattern. In a second embodiment, ball guides, rather than grooves, are used to cause the ball to follow one side or the other of the ramp instead of criss-crossing back and forth.
Claims8
In a pinball game having an inclined playfield and means for propelling a ball on said playfield, the improvement comprising a multiple path ball ramp mounted on said playfield in a downwardly sloping orientation, said ramp having a first side and a second side and being dimensioned so that said ball can contact only one of said sides at a time and having means for directing the path of said ball from said first side to said second and vice-versa at predetermined intervals.
In a pinball game having an inclined playfield and means for propelling a ball on said playfield, the improvement comprising a multiple path ball ramp mounted on said playfield having a first side and a second side, said first side and said second side comprising a series of connected curvilinear portions, said ramp being dimensioned so that the ball can contact only one of said sides at a time, said ramp having means for directing the path of said ball along said first side or said second side.
In a pinball game having an inclined playfield and means for propelling a ball on said playfield, the improvement comprising a multiple path ball ramp mounted on said playfield in a downwardly sloping orientation, said ramp having a plurality of entrances thereto and exits therefrom, said ramp including means for causing the ball to travel in a serpentine path, the exit taken by the ball being determined by the entrance through which the ball enters the ramp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.