Multi-directional ball popper for a pinball game
AssigneeWilliams Electronics Games, Inc.
InventorsJohn Trudeau, Edward F. Hicks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-directional ball popper for a pinball game provides an unpredictable path for the game ball as it emerges from the popper. A pair of solenoid plungers are provided on the underside of the game playfield and aligned with respect to the ball position when it rests in a recess on the playfield. A centering plate is provided to ensure precise alignment of the ball with both of the plungers. A switch is provided in the ball popper to detect the presence of the game ball. An optional guide element is provided above the playfield in order to guide the ball to one of two elevated surfaces after the ball emerges from the popper.
Claims9
A multi-directional ball popper for a pinball game having an inclined playfield for supporting at least one game ball thereon, the ball popper comprising:
- a) means for ejecting the game ball in at least two directions onto the playfield;
- b) means for securing the ejecting means to the playfield proximate an opening in said playfield;
- c) means for retaining a game ball disposed in said opening in a fixed position with respect to the ejecting means
- whereby selective operation of the ejecting means propels the game ball back to the playfield in a selected direction.
A multi-directional ball popper for a pinball game comprising:
- (a) a game playfield with a circular recess disposed therein for retaining a game ball, the recess having a central axis;
- (b) at least two ball plungers mounted beneath the playfield and arranged to eject a game ball from the recess at an angle to the central axis;
- whereby a game ball may be ejected from the recess in a selected direction by selective actuation of one of the ball plungers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.