EP0325687A2 - Dispositif de contrôle pour le retour des boules - Google Patents

Dispositif de contrôle pour le retour des boules Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0325687A2
EP0325687A2 EP19880111688 EP88111688A EP0325687A2 EP 0325687 A2 EP0325687 A2 EP 0325687A2 EP 19880111688 EP19880111688 EP 19880111688 EP 88111688 A EP88111688 A EP 88111688A EP 0325687 A2 EP0325687 A2 EP 0325687A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gate
ball
balls
latch means
pathway
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP19880111688
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0325687A3 (en
EP0325687B1 (fr
Inventor
Bruce Dudley Allen
Richard Bruce Shelton
Robert J. Brejcha
Edward Kendal Miguel
Ulrich Kurt Anton Künnecke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NSM AG
Valley Recreation Products Inc
Original Assignee
NSM AG
NSM Apparatebau GmbH and Co KG
Valley Recreation Products Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NSM AG, NSM Apparatebau GmbH and Co KG, Valley Recreation Products Inc filed Critical NSM AG
Priority to AT88111688T priority Critical patent/ATE70726T1/de
Publication of EP0325687A2 publication Critical patent/EP0325687A2/fr
Publication of EP0325687A3 publication Critical patent/EP0325687A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0325687B1 publication Critical patent/EP0325687B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63D—BOWLING GAMES, e.g. SKITTLES, BOCCE OR BOWLS; INSTALLATIONS THEREFOR; BAGATELLE OR SIMILAR GAMES; BILLIARDS
    • A63D15/00—Billiards, e.g. carom billiards or pocket billiards; Billiard tables

Definitions

  • This invention relates to control apparatus for a pool table having a playing surface and ball-­receiving pockets in which balls from the playing surface may be accommodated.
  • the pockets communi­cate with a retrieval compartment to which pocketed balls may be delivered for retrieval under the control of a gate that is movable between two positions in one of which the balls may pass into the compartment and in the other of which movement of the balls into the compartment is blocked.
  • Coin controlled pool tables are in wide usage and each such table conventionally has a playing surface adjacent which are several pockets for the accommodation of a cue ball and a complement of object balls.
  • Each pocket has associated therewith a runway leading to a trough which, in turn, leads to a compartment from which pocketed balls may be retrieved. It is conventional to prevent retrieval of pocketed object balls until such time as one or more coins of predetermined denominations are deposited in a coin controlled actuating mechanism which then is operable to enable access to such balls.
  • a relatively simple ball control mechanism is disclosed in United States patent No. 4,726,583, granted February 23, 1988.
  • Such mechanism utilizes a movable, magnetically permeable gate which normally occupies a ball-blocking position in the path of balls enroute to the ball retrieval compartment but which is movable to an inactive position in response to the actuation of a coin operated actuating assembly. Once the gate has been moved to its inactive position it remains in such position until all balls have passed the gate whereupon the latter returns automatically to its ball-blocking position.
  • this mechanism performs its intended function quite well, it does not have the capability of permitting more than one game to be played without depositing one or more additional coins.
  • the necessity of actuating the ball control mechanism following the completion of each game is satisfactory. In other instances, however, it is preferred to enable players access to the ball retrieval compartment, whenever desired, within a given period of time. In those instances the ball-blocking mechanism must be disabled for the given time period.
  • An object of the invention is to provide ball control apparatus that is operable selectively to prevent the playing of more than one game per operation of the coin actuating mechanism, or to permit access to all balls for a limited period of time, or to permit the playing of a selected number of games.
  • Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is adapted for use in conjunction with a pool table having a playing surface adjacent which ball-accommodating pockets are associated.
  • Each pocket communicates with a downwardly inclined runway which, in turn, communicates with a trap by means of which all pocketed balls are deliverd by gravity to a pathway leading to a ball retrieval compartment.
  • a barrier or gate Interposed between the trap and the retrieval compartment is a barrier or gate which is movable between positions in one of which it blocks passage of pocketed balls to the compartment and in the other of which it permits passage of such balls to the compartment.
  • Movement of the gate to its ball-blocking position is effected by a movable latch which, in response to movement through a selected distance to a latching position, bears against and latches the gate in its ball-blocking position. Movement of the latch from its latching position to an inactive position effects disengage­ment of the latch and the gate, thereby enabling movement of the balls past the gate to the retrieval compartment. Movement of the latch is effected by an electric motor, a solenoid, or other suitable driving device.
  • the force under which the gate normally is held latched in its closed position is such as to maintain the gate closed regardless of the number of balls which may occupy the trap.
  • the latch has been moved to its inactive position, even a single ball in the trap is capable of exerting on the gate a force sufficient to effect opening thereof, thereby enabling each ball in the trap to pass the gate.
  • the time that the latch remains in its inactive position depends upon the latch operating mechanism that is actuated.
  • the gate will be re-latched in its ball-blocking position shortly after the last ball in the trap passes the gate.
  • the latch is maintained in its inactive position for a selected period of time, thereby enabling pocketed balls to be retrieved from the retrival compartment through­out such time period.
  • the latch comprises a rotary cam having a radially projecting rise or lobe operable in one position of the cam to engage and hold the gate in its ball-blocking position.
  • Such cam also has radially recessed surfaces which may be spaced sufficiently far from the gate as to enable the gate to pass balls freely.
  • the apparatus preferably is wholly contained within a drawer-like housing which may be slid as a unit into and out of a space formed at one end of the table.
  • a drawer-like housing which may be slid as a unit into and out of a space formed at one end of the table.
  • Apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention is adapted for use with a pool table 1 comprising a frame 2 supported on legs 3 and having a horizontal, rectangular playing surface 4 bounded by rails 5 on which cushions 6 are supported, as is conventional. At each of the four corners of the playing surface is an opening or pocket 7 and a similar pocket 7 is associated with each of the two opposed, longer side rails 5.
  • a complement of fifteen object balls O and one cue ball C are used in conjunction with the table, and each of such balls preferably is of uniform diameter and capable of being pocketed in any of the openings 7.
  • Each of the openings 7 has associated therewith a downwardly inclined runway 8 which extends from adjacent the associated opening inwardly toward the center of the table and communicates with a common trough 9 which is downwardly inclined toward one end of the table.
  • the drawer comprises a bottom 11 having upstanding, spaced apart side walls 12, a rear wall 13, and a front wall 14. Two side-by-side openings are formed in the front wall 14. One opening leads to a recess 15 adjacent one side wall 12 and the other leads to a ball retrieval compartment 16 accessible via its opening. The recess and the compartment are separated by a partition 17. The purposes of the recess 15 and the compartment 16 will be explained hereinafter.
  • the rear wall 13 is provided with an opening 18 through which the terminal end of the trough 9 may extend.
  • a pair of vertical partitions 19 and 20 which are spanned by a support 21 that is inclined downwardly toward the front wall 14. See Figure 4.
  • a trap 22 comprising a preferably molded, unitary body 23 having an upwardly open groove or pathway 24 formed therein.
  • the pathway has two segments 25 and 26.
  • the pathway segment 25 is inclined downwardly to the right, and the pathway segment 26 is inclined downwardly to the left.
  • transfer means Interposed between the ball delivery trough 9 and the upper or inlet end of the trap pathway 24 is transfer means designated generally by the reference character 28 for diverting the cue ball C from the pathway 24 to another pathway and directing the object balls O to the pathway 24.
  • the transfer device is exactly like that disclosed in the aforementioned patent.
  • Object balls O introduced to the upper end of the pathway 24 roll downwardly along the latter toward an opening 30 formed in the partition 17. See Figures 2 and 4.
  • Fixed to the partition 17 and overlying the opening 30 is a mounting block 31.
  • a gate 32 formed of metal or any other suitable mate­rial lies athwart the path of movement of the balls at the opening 30.
  • the gate is pivoted at its upper end to the mounting block 31 by means of a hinge 33 for swinging movements about a horizontal axis.
  • a second partition 34 Spaced from, but parallel to, the partition 17 is a second partition 34. Spanning the partitions 17 and 34 is a downwardly inclined ramp 35 which, toether with the partitions, forms a channel 36 for the accommodation of balls which pass through the opening 30.
  • the channel 36 is closed at one end by a wall 37.
  • Latch means designated generally by the reference character 38 is provided for controlling the position of the gate 32.
  • the latch means comprises a rotary cam 39 having two parallel flat sides 40 at opposite ends of which are rises or lobes 41.
  • the cam is fixed to the armature shaft 43 of an electric motor 44 that is mounted on the wall 37.
  • the arrangement is such that, when a lobe 41 bears against the gate 32 as is shown in Figure 5, the gate is latched in a position in which it blocks the passage of balls through the opening 30.
  • Coin actuating means 45 ( Figures 1 and 2) is provided to control the operation of the latch means 38 and comprises a reciprocable slide 46 forming part of a coin controlled mechanism 47 of known construction and mounted on a shelf 48 spanning the partition 34 and the adjacent side wall 12. The slide is accessible via the recess 15.
  • a spring 49 constantly biases the slide 46 to the position shown in Figure 2.
  • a normally open switch 50 lies in the path of movement in one direction of the slide 46 so as to be closed thereby, and is connected to a suitable source of electrical energy such as a battery 42 mounted on the shelf 48.
  • the switch 50 also has terminals connected to the terminals of the motor 44 so as to energize the latter upon closing of the switch 50.
  • a game can be commenced by placing the object balls O and the cue ball C on the playing surface 4 of the table 1.
  • the cue ball is used by one or more players to pocket the object balls.
  • each object ball O As each object ball O is pocketed it moves down the associated runway 8 to the trough 9 and enters the drawer unit 10 via the opening 18 in the rear wall 13.
  • the object ball rolls by gravity off the trough 9 onto the transfer device 28 and is guided into the inlet end of the trap segment 25 of the pathway 24 in the manner disclosed in the aforemen­tioned patent.
  • Such object ball will roll downwardly along the pathway 24 until it engages the gate 32 which lies athwart the pathway at the partition 17.
  • the latch cam 39 then is in its gate latching or active position, one of the lobes 41 of the cam will bear against the gate, thereby enabling the latter to block passage of the ball through the opening 30.
  • Object balls O which subsequently are pocketed will follow the same route and come to rest against the first and any additional pocketed object balls as is indicated in Figures 2 and 3.
  • Balls passing the gate 32 enter the channel 36 and are delivered by gravity to the retrieval compartment 16 in the manner described in the aforementioned patent.
  • the transfer device 28 will divert the cue ball from the path taken by the object balls O in the manner described in the aforementioned patent.
  • the drawer unit 10 is a fully integrated assmebly and is interchangeable with any other like unit, thereby enabling a unit requiring repair or maintenance to be replaced by another unit with substantially no loss of playing time. It will be understood that suitable drawer locking means (not shown) will be included as part of the apparatus so as to preclude unauthorized tampering therewith.
  • each pocketed object ball is retained in the trap until the gate latch is actuated in such manner as to enable one complement, or rack, of balls to pass from the trap to the retrieval compartment.
  • a player may preselect one or a plurality of racks to be played.
  • time play the gate latch is maintained in its inactive position for a predetermined period of time, thereby enabling any pocketed ball to reach the retrieval compartment during such time period. Following the passage of such time period the gate is latched in its blocking position from which it cannot be moved until a player deposits additional coins and selects either rack play or time play.
  • a player has the option of selecting either rack play or time play.
  • the rack play routine is illustrated in flow chart form in Figure 7, whereas the time play routine is illustrated in flow chart form in Figure 8.
  • the player selects such routine by actuating a selector switch (not shown) following which the switch 50 is energized and its shaft 43 driven in a direction to rotate the cam 39 to its gate release position.
  • a delay timer of known kind interrupts rotation of the latch for a period of time sufficient to enable all balls in the trap to pass the gate 32, whereupon rotation of the latch recommences and continues for a period of time sufficient to reset the latch and hold the gate in its ball blocking position.
  • This operation subtracts one rack from the preset rack counter. If more than one rack has been preset in the rack counter, it is possible to release the gate latch by operation of a start switch, thereby permitting as many successive racks of balls to be released as have been preset in the rack counter.
  • the start switch is disabled and the gate control cam is reset for operation only in response to the deposit of additional coins.
  • the time play option When the time play option is selected, by closing of a suitable switch, the payment of a predetermined sum of money will energize the gate release latch driving motor 44 and drive the latch to its inactive position, thereby enabling balls in the trap to pass the gate and be received in the ball retrieval compartment.
  • a timer will be energized to interrupt operation of the motor and thereby maintain the latch cam in its inactive position.
  • a signal may be energized to warn the players of the approaching end of the time period.
  • the latch driving motor again will be energized to drive the latch cam to its active position and hold the gate in its ball blocking position. The system then will be in condition to be reactivated in either the rack play or the time play routine.
  • the latch cam drive means constitute an electric motor.
  • a solenoid 52 having a winding 53 connected to a suitable source of energy by wiring 54.
  • the solenoid includes an extensible and retractable armature 55 having a toothed rack 56 in mesh with a pinion 57 fixed to one end of a shaft 58 journalled in the wall 37 and having its other end fixed to the latch cam 39. Extension and retraction of the armature 54 will effect rocking of the cam between its latching and inactive positions in a manner like that referred to earlier.

Landscapes

  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
  • Multiple-Way Valves (AREA)
EP88111688A 1988-01-26 1988-07-20 Dispositif de contrôle pour le retour des boules Expired - Lifetime EP0325687B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88111688T ATE70726T1 (de) 1988-01-26 1988-07-20 Steuerungsvorrichtung fuer das zurueckrollen der spielbaelle.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14876288A 1988-01-26 1988-01-26
US148762 1988-01-26

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0325687A2 true EP0325687A2 (fr) 1989-08-02
EP0325687A3 EP0325687A3 (en) 1990-01-24
EP0325687B1 EP0325687B1 (fr) 1991-12-27

Family

ID=22527253

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88111688A Expired - Lifetime EP0325687B1 (fr) 1988-01-26 1988-07-20 Dispositif de contrôle pour le retour des boules

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0325687B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE70726T1 (fr)
CA (1) CA1305504C (fr)
DE (1) DE3867223D1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2027734T3 (fr)
GB (1) GB2214441B (fr)
GR (1) GR3003931T3 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2388697B (en) * 2002-05-08 2006-12-13 Gary David Drage Fee operated game table

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1227833A (en) * 1914-06-16 1917-05-29 Joseph B Russell Automatic ball-racking device for billiard-tables.
BE395370A (fr) * 1933-03-30 1933-04-29
GB471832A (en) * 1936-10-24 1937-09-13 George Hill New or improved apparatus for playing games of the snooker or billiards type
GB725558A (en) * 1953-01-12 1955-03-09 Tudah Walter Glover Improvements in or relating to coin-freed amusement apparatus
GB1164229A (en) * 1967-11-28 1969-09-17 Davidson Holdings Pty Ltd A Coin Freed Ball Storage System for Pool and Snooker Tables.
US3618943A (en) * 1969-12-31 1971-11-09 All Tech Ind Inc Coin-operated pool table
GB1531252A (en) * 1975-01-25 1978-11-08 Moran M Combined snooker and pool table
GB1494265A (en) * 1975-09-12 1977-12-07 Elliott K Pool tables
IT1182377B (it) * 1985-01-25 1987-10-05 Quercetti Alessandro & Co Apparecchio per comporre meccanicamente un disegno a mosaico di palline
US4726586A (en) * 1985-02-07 1988-02-23 Kidde Recreation Products, Inc. Pool ball return control apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2214441A (en) 1989-09-06
GR3003931T3 (fr) 1993-03-16
CA1305504C (fr) 1992-07-21
ES2027734T3 (es) 1992-06-16
DE3867223D1 (de) 1992-02-06
GB2214441B (en) 1991-05-08
ATE70726T1 (de) 1992-01-15
EP0325687A3 (en) 1990-01-24
EP0325687B1 (fr) 1991-12-27
GB8814099D0 (en) 1988-07-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4979739A (en) Ball return control apparatus
EP0426448A2 (fr) Dispositif pour jeu de dé
EP0325687B1 (fr) Dispositif de contrôle pour le retour des boules
KR20010085495A (ko) 메달 게임기
US4726586A (en) Pool ball return control apparatus
JP2739942B2 (ja) 遊戯機
US6971543B2 (en) Rotating vend mechanism
JPH0220266B2 (fr)
JPH03254773A (ja) 弾球遊技機
JP2560034B2 (ja) 弾球遊技機
JPS6058985B2 (ja) 変換装置
GB2241651A (en) Games table storing balls for two games
JPH0325191B2 (fr)
KR0161513B1 (ko) 파친코기
JPH07275500A (ja) ゲーム機
GB2284358A (en) Ball-racking apparatus
JP2860818B2 (ja) メダル等の払出し口の構造
JPH01155881A (ja) 弾球遊技機
KR910001871Y1 (ko) 동전 교환기
JPS6362232B2 (fr)
JPH0122694Y2 (fr)
CA2313508C (fr) Distributeur automatique de balles de golf
JPS5922537B2 (ja) 封入球式パチンコ機
JPH062178B2 (ja) 図柄式遊技機用の遊技球送出装置
JP2917981B2 (ja) パチンコ機

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GR IT LI LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GR IT LI LU NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19900323

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19901212

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

RAP3 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: NSM APPARATEBAU GMBH & CO KG

Owner name: VALLEY RECREATION PRODUCTS INC.

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GR IT LI LU NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 70726

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19920115

Kind code of ref document: T

BECN Be: change of holder's name

Effective date: 19911227

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3867223

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19920206

ET Fr: translation filed
RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: NSM AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Owner name: VALLEY RECREATION PRODUCTS INC.

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PFA

Free format text: NSM AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2027734

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

NLXE Nl: other communications concerning ep-patents (part 3 heading xe)

Free format text: IN PAT.BUL.11/92,PAGES 1611 AND 1675:CORR.:NSM AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GR

Ref legal event code: FG4A

Free format text: 3003931

26N No opposition filed
EPTA Lu: last paid annual fee
EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 88111688.3

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Payment date: 19951229

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 19970131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GR

Ref legal event code: MM2A

Free format text: 3003931

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 19970703

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 19970718

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 19970728

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19970730

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19970731

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 19970910

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 19980703

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19980720

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19980720

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19980721

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19980731

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19980731

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19980731

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: NSM A.G.

Effective date: 19980731

Owner name: VALLEY RECREATION PRODUCTS INC.

Effective date: 19980731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 88111688.3

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 19990201

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19990629

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990721

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19990922

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010330

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010501

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20000810

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050720