US 6,164,644 A · Method of modifying electronics contained in a controller box of a pinball machine

Abstract

A pinball machine has been designed with several novel mechanical and electrical features such that it is easily retrofittable or convertible between a first pinball game and a second pinball game. The pinball machine includes a cabinet, a playfield mounted to the cabinet, and a backbox extending upwardly from a rear portion of the cabinet. To facilitate modification of electronics controlling the operation of the pinball machine, a controller box assembly is installed in the backbox. The controller box assembly comprises a rail structure mounted within the backbox and a controller box movably mounted relative to the rail structure to open and close the controller box. The controller box containing the electronics may be pivoted downwardly while remaining in engagement with the rail structure to provide easy access into the controller box. To limit the movement of the controller box during shipping, a locking mechanism mounted to the backbox includes a locking arm rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking arm maintains the controller box in the closed position when the locking arm is disposed in the locked position.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A method of modifying electronics of a pinball machine, said pinball machine including a cabinet, a playfield, and a backbox, said playfield being mounted to said cabinet and capable of supporting a rolling ball thereon, said backbox extending upwardly from said cabinet and containing a controller box therein, said controller box being movably mounted to said backbox and containing said electronics therein, said backbox including a removable access panel permitting access to said controller box, said method comprising:

removing said access panel from said backbox;
moving said controller box relative to said backbox to open said controller box and thereby expose said electronics;
modifying said electronics in said controller box;
moving said controller box relative to said backbox to close said controller box and thereby inhibit access to said electronics;
and
installing said access panel on said backbox.

3 more elements

A backbox assembly for a pinball machine, said pinball machine including a cabinet and a playfield removably mounted to said cabinet, said backbox assembly comprising:

a backbox to be extending upwardly from said cabinet;
a controller box contained within said backbox and being movably mounted to said backbox between a closed position and an open position, said controller box containing electronics for controlling operation of said pinball machine;
and
a locking mechanism mounted to said backbox and including a locking arm rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, said locking arm maintaining said controller box in said closed position when said locking arm is disposed in said locked position, said locking arm allowing said controller box to be moved to said open position when said locking arm is disposed in said unlocked position.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of modifying electronics contained in a controller box of a pinball machine

Life of this patent

Method of modifying electronics contained in a controller box of a pinball machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32