Rotating magnetic box play feature for a pinball game
AssigneeWilliams Electronics Games, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Popadiuk, John W. Skalon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The play feature of the invention comprises a planar surface which is rotatable above the playfield of a pinball game between a ball receiving and a ball discharge position. An electromagnet is attached to the planar surface. A ball detector, such as an eddy current sensor, is mounted to the playfield adjacent the housing to detect the approach of a pinball to the electromagnet. The magnet can be energized to suspend a ball from the planar surface which is then rotated to a ball discharge position where the magnet is deenergized to discharge the ball.
Claims6
A play feature for a pinball game having a playfield and at least one ferromagnetic ball comprising:
- a) a vertically disposed planar surface rotatable between ball receiving and ball discharge positions;
- b) an electromagnet mounted to one face of said surface;
- c) means for energizing said electromagnet to attract and suspend a ball on said surface;
- and
- d) means for rotating said surface to said ball discharge position to discharge the ball.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.