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US 5,358,244 AGranted
Pinball machine with movable ball retrieval target assembly
AssigneeData East Pinball, Inc.
InventorsJoseph E. Kaminkow, Edwin Cebula
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pinball machine in which a movable target assembly is provided. The movable target assembly retrieves and seemingly devours the pinball sending the ball to another part of the playfield where it is either put back into play or is removed from action and placed in the ball reservoir. In playing the pinball game, the player attempts to place the ball in a target within reach of the movable target assembly. The assembly then pivots towards and picks up the ball. The ball is then seemingly swallowed by the movable target assembly, and is sent, through the assembly and under the playfield, back out to a second location on the playfield.
Claims26
A pinball machine which comprises:
- a housing which carries a playfield;
- a motor assembly within said housing;
- a ball detecting sensor;
- at least one ball retrieval location;
- a movable ball retrieval assembly, within said playfield housing, said ball retrieval assembly being movably connected to said motor assembly;
- said motor assembly being responsive to said ball detecting sensor to move said ball retrieval assembly from a first position to said ball retrieval location to retrieve a stationary ball, and being operable to return said ball retrieval assembly to said first position.
3 more elements
A pinball machine which comprises:
- a housing which carries a playfield;
- a motor assembly within said housing;
- a second motor assembly within said housing;
- a ball detecting sensor;
- at least one ball retrieval location;
- a movable ball retrieval assembly, within said playfield housing, said ball retrieval assembly being movably connected to said motor assembly;
- said motor assembly being responsive to said ball detecting sensor to move said ball retrieval assembly from a first position to said ball retrieval location to retrieve a ball, and being operable to return said ball retrieval assembly to said first position;
- and
- said ball retrieval assembly comprising a vertical axis and said second motor assembly being movably connected to rotate said ball retrieval assembly about said vertical axis.
6 more elements
A pinball machine which comprises:
- a housing carrying a playfield;
- a motor assembly within said housing;
- a ball detecting sensor;
- a ball retrieval assembly, comprising a cover resembling at least a portion of an animal, having a moveable lower jaw for retrieving balls within said playfield housing, said ball retrieval assembly being pivotally connected through said playfield to said motor assembly;
- said motor assembly being responsive to said ball detecting sensor to pivot said ball retrieval assembly from an upright position to a non-upright position proximal to a ball on said playfield and to return said ball retrieval assembly to said upright position;
- said ball retrieval assembly being operable to open and close said moveable lower jaw to retrieve said ball from said playfield as said ball retrieval assembly is pivoted to said non-upright position.
3 more elements
A pinball machine which comprises:
- a housing carrying a playfield;
- a motor assembly within said housing;
- a second motor assembly within said housing;
- a ball detecting sensor;
- a ball retrieval assembly, comprising a cover resembling at least a portion of an animal, having a moveable lower jaw for retrieving balls within said playfield housing, said ball retrieval assembly being pivotally connected through said playfield to said motor assembly;
- said motor assembly being responsive to said ball detecting sensor to pivot said ball retrieval assembly from an upright position to a non-upright position proximal to a ball on said playfield and to return said ball retrieval assembly to said upright position;
- said ball retrieval assembly being operable to open and close said moveable lower jaw to retrieve said ball from said playfield as said ball retrieval assembly is pivoted to said non-upright position;
- and
- said ball retrieval assembly comprising a vertical axis and said second motor assembly being movably connected to rotate said ball retrieval assembly about said vertical axis.
6 more elements
A pinball machine which comprises:
- a housing carrying a playfield;
- a ball detecting sensor;
- a first motor assembly within said housing;
- a second motor assembly within said housing;
- an electromagnet assembly within said housing;
- a ball retrieval assembly, comprising a cover resembling at least a portion of an animal, having a pivoting lower jaw adapted for retrieving balls, within said playfield housing, said ball retrieval assembly being rotationally connected to said first motor assembly and pivotally connected to said second motor assembly;
- said first motor assembly being responsive to said ball detecting sensor to rotate said ball retrieval assembly on said playfield;
- said second motor assembly being operable to pivot said ball retrieval assembly from an upright position to a non-upright position proximal to a ball on said playfield and to return said ball retrieval assembly to said upright position;
- said electromagnet assembly being operable to open and close said moveable lower jaw to retrieve said ball from said playfield upon said ball retrieval assembly being first pivoted.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.