Rotary ball storage and discharge device for a pinball game
AssigneeWilliams Electronics Games, Inc.
InventorsDennis P. Nordman, Winston H. Schilling, Edward F. Hicks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A play feature for a pinball game permits the storage of a number of game balls and release of the balls at high speed and in quick succession back onto the playfield for multiple ball play. A rotor element having a plurality of vertical vanes is disposed within a circular housing having a conical lip. The base and vanes of the rotor, together with the conical lip, define receptacles for receiving game balls. When a predetermined rotor speed is reached, the balls travel upwards on the conical lip and outward against an outer wall of the housing. The stored balls are conveyed successively to a discharge channel where they return to the play field at high speed.
Claims17
A play feature for a pinball game having an inclined playfield supporting a plurality of game balls thereon, said play feature comprising:
- (a) a circular housing comprising:
- (i) an idling surface for receiving and supporting game balls for movement in a circular path at an idling speed;
- (ii) a discharge surface disposed above said idling surface for receiving and supporting game balls for movement out of said housing at a discharge speed greater than the idling speed;
- (b) means for accelerating game balls from said idling speed to said discharge speed;
- and
- (c) means for delivering game balls to said housing;
- whereby balls delivered to said housing remain therein until accelerated to said discharge speed.
A play feature for a pinball game having an inclined playfield supporting a plurality of game balls thereon, said play feature comprising:
- (a) a cup-shaped housing including a circular ball support surface, a conical lip extending downwardly and inwardly from said circular support surface, and a wall extending partially about the circumference of the ball support surface;
- (b) a ball input chute communicating with said housing;
- (c) a ball output chute communicating with said housing;
- and
- (d) a rotor mounted to said housing and having at least one radial vane element for pushing game balls in a circular path within said housing;
- wherein acceleration of said rotor from a first predetermined speed to a second predetermined speed causes said game balls to travel over said conical lip, outward against said outer wall and through said ball output chute.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.