US3642284A - Rotating scoring target for a game amusement machine - Google Patents

Rotating scoring target for a game amusement machine Download PDF

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Publication number
US3642284A
US3642284A US78044A US3642284DA US3642284A US 3642284 A US3642284 A US 3642284A US 78044 A US78044 A US 78044A US 3642284D A US3642284D A US 3642284DA US 3642284 A US3642284 A US 3642284A
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United States
Prior art keywords
rotating
playfield
score
circular plate
switch
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Expired - Lifetime
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US78044A
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English (en)
Inventor
Steven F Kordek
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Bank of America Illinois
Seeburg Corp
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Seeburg Corp
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Assigned to CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION reassignment CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION CONDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC.
Assigned to WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC., A CORP. reassignment WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC., A CORP. RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
    • A63F7/30—Details of the playing surface, e.g. obstacles; Goal posts; Targets; Scoring or pocketing devices; Playing-body-actuated sensors, e.g. switches; Tilt indicators; Means for detecting misuse or errors
    • A63F7/305—Goal posts; Winning posts for rolling-balls
    • A63F7/3065—Electric

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A scoring device for a game amusement machine such as a pinball machine, having a rotating element located on the playfield of the machine. Score-initiating devices (pinballs) are actuated by a player to subsequently drive the rotating element. The rotating element bears score-actuating devices to cause registration of a score dependent upon' the amount of rotation thereof.
  • Scoring devices for pinball machines heretofore known to the art generally comprise stationary bumpers or switches positioned on the playfield of the pinball machine. As the pinball rolls down the playfield, it contacts the various bumper or scoring switches on the playfield, thus generating a variety of scoring opportunities which are recorded to determine the total score for each game.
  • the pinball machine In addition to the normally stationary bumper and scoring switches positioned on the playfield of the pinball machine, typically the pinball machine has various flippers or balldeflecting devices which may be actuated by the player to propel the ball back up the inclined playfield so that additional scoring may be achieved.
  • the pinball machine has various flippers or balldeflecting devices which may be actuated by the player to propel the ball back up the inclined playfield so that additional scoring may be achieved.
  • US. Pat. No. 2,507,716-Hughes discloses a ball-deflecting device for propelling the pinball back up the playfield.
  • turnstile Another type of rotating device utilized in conjunction with a pinball machine is the turnstile" type of switching arrangement as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,308,297-Moxey et al.
  • the "turnstile" switch of Moxey is for controlling a plurality of separate electrical circuits utilized in conjunction with the particular game played on the pinball machine.
  • the Moxey et al. device is actuated only when the pinball rolls between two bumpers and causes a turnstile member to rotate a quarter of a revolution. In Moxey et al. the rotation of the turnstile switch causes certain bumpers to be activated, thereby permit ting a score if the pinball thereafter contacts that particular activated bumper.
  • Moxey et al. does not provide a means of generating a multiplicity of score possibilities but merely controls the internal' circuitry of the pinball machine as disclosed therein. Further, in Moxey et al. each engagement by a pinball produces a fixed 90 rotation of the turnstile, thus removing any element of chance associated with the degree of turnstile rotation.
  • a rotating means in the form of a freely rotating flat circular plate positioned flush with the surface of the playfield within a comating concentric opening of the playfield.
  • contact means in the form of two cylindrically shaped rotating bumpers positioned away from the center of the first circular disk opposite one another on the same diameter.
  • Attached to the bottom of the fiat circular plate at the center thereof is a shaft extending downwardly therefrom.
  • an impulse-producing means in the form of two protruding arms extending in opposite directions from the shaft.
  • a score-generating means in the form of an electric switch having an actuating member thereon for engaging with the impulse-producing means when the plate and shaft are rotated.
  • the impulse-producing arms are formed of a suitable lightweight, flexible plastic material.
  • the actuating member for the switch which is a movable contact arm,'is formed of a resilient material.
  • Scoring is achieved by the present invention when a pinball (score-initiating device) rolling down the playfield of the pinball machine contacts one of the contact means, causing the circular plate, shaft and impulse-producing means to rotate. Rotation causes the impulse-producing means to contact the actuating member of the switch thereby closing the switch and generating a score signal.
  • a multiplicity of score signals may be generated depending on the number of times that the shaft rotates. The amount of rotation of the device is dependent upon the force and angle with which the ball contacts the ball contact means. Thus, a purely random possibility of scores may be generated by the present invention, thereby increasing the interest and excitement by the player when playing this game.
  • the pinball approach the device from any specific angle, since the circular plate rotates freely in either direction.
  • the number of score signals per revolution of the circular plate is dependent on the number of arms of the impulse-producing means.
  • additional arms or additional switches may be added to the impulse-producing means to increase the total score per revolution of the circular plate.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a rotating scoring device for a pinball machine wherein the pinball may actuate the device by striking the device from any angle.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novelty scoring device for game amusement machines that does not utilize complex electrical scoring signals.
  • FIG. 1 is a front-elevated perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plane view of a preferred embodiment of the 7
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
  • a rotating scoring device comprises a flat circular plate 12 positioned within a concentric circular opening 14 in the playfleld 16 of the pinball machine (not shown). Attached to the flat circular plate 12 are vertically positioned studs 18 and 20. Positioned around studs 18 and 20 are elastic cylindrical bumpers 22 and 24. Rotatable elastic cylindrical bumpers 22 and 24 are held on studs 18 and 20 by pal nuts 26 and 28 respectively.
  • a shaft 30 Attached to the bottom center of flat circular plate 12 is a shaft 30.
  • Shaft 30 extends through a hollow cylindrical bearing guide 32.
  • a cylindrical restricted extension 33 of bearing guide 32 extends through an opening in support member 34 and is expanded to hold bearing guide 32 in place.
  • Support member 34 is attached by screws 36 to the bottom of playfleld 16.
  • the lower end of shaft 30 is formed into a conical point 38 which rides against an adjustable support 40.
  • Adjustable support 40 is supported by a support member 42 which is affixed to support member 34 by screws '44.
  • Adjustable support member 40 comprises a nylon bolt 46 extending through a hole in support member 42; and a machine nut 48 and wingnut 50 which secure nylon bolt 46 in place.
  • the upper end of nylon bolt 46 provides free-riding bearing surface for conical point 38.
  • switch 54 comprises a flexibleactuator arm 56 and stationary contact arms 58 and 60 positioned on each side of and separated from actuator arm 56 by electrical insulating wafers 62 and 64 (See FIG. 4). Positioned on the outside of contact arms 58 and 60 to provide electrical insulation from the chassis of the pinball machine are insulating wafers 66 and 68 respectively. Switch 54 is attached to support flange 52 by screws 70. To provide electrical continuity to contact arms 58 and 60, contact lugs 72 and 74 are respectively provided on contact arms 58 and 60.
  • Doublearm member 76 Attached to shaft 30 immediately opposite switch 54 is a double-arm member 76 formed of a flexible material. Doublearm member 76 is positioned to engage actuator arm 56 of switch 54 and deflect actuator arm 56 until it contacts either contact arm 58 or 60 (depending on the direction of rotation) when the shaft 30 is rotated.
  • Rotation of flat circular plate 12 rotates shaft 30 within bearing guide 32, causing the ends of double-arm member 76 to travel in a circular path, thus, engaging actuator arm 56 of switch 54.
  • Rotation of flat circular plate 12 in a clockwise direction causes double-arm member 76 to engage actuator arm 56 deflecting it until it contacts stationary contact arm 60, thereby completing an electrical circuit for scoring purposes.
  • rotation of flat circular plate 12 in a counterclockwise direction causes double-arm member 76 to engage actuator arm 56 deflecting it until it contacts stationary contact arm 58, thereby completing an electrical circuit for scoring purposes.
  • Double-actuator arm 76 deflects actuator arm 56 for each 180 revolution of flat circular plate 12.
  • flat circular plate 12 One complete revolution of flat circular plate 12 causes actuator arm 56 to be deflected twice, thus causing two scoring signals to be generated.
  • the number of rotations of flat circular plate 12 is dependent upon the angle of impact and force of impact of the pinball upon elastic cylindrical bumpers 22 and 24.
  • the present invention may be varied by attaching more than one doublearm member 76 to shaft 30 thereby increasing the total number of scoring signals for each revolution of flat circular plate 12.
  • any number of double-arm members may be attached to shaft 30 to provide a multiplicity of score signals for each revolution of flat circular plate 12.
  • double-arm member 76 could provide a multiplicity of scores by the use of plurality of switches located in the same radius as switch support bracket 52.
  • Adjustable support 40 is provided in the present embodiment to permit the raising and lowering of flat circular plate 12 until it is perfectlyflush with the surface of the inclined playfleld 16. when flat circular plate 12 is flush with the inclined playfleld 16, the pinball can freely roll across the slight gap of circular opening 14 between flat circular plate 12 and playfleld 16.
  • a rotating scoring device comprising:
  • rotating means positioned within a comating opening in the contact means on said rotating means for rotating said rotating .means when contacted by one of the projectiles traversing the playfleld; score-actuating means attached to said rotating means for providing score impulses in response to rotation of said rotating means, the number of said impulses depending upon the degree of rotation of said rotating means; and
  • score-generating means for activating the registering means in response to the score impulses provided by said scoreactuating means
  • a multiplicity of total score signals may be generated by a projectile traversing the playfleld, contacting said contact means, and causing said rotating means to rotate.
  • said rotating means comprises a circular plate positioned flush with the surface of the playfleld in a comating concentric circular opening in the playfleld.
  • a rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said contact means comprises:
  • At least one cylindrically shaped member attached to the upper surface of said circular plate and extending vertically above the surface of the playfleld.
  • a rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said score-actuating means comprises:
  • a rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said score-generating means comprises:
  • At least one switch in electrical continuity with the registering means having an actuating member extending out- I wardly therefrom, said switch positioned adjacent to said impulse-producing means so that said impulse-producing means engages said actuating member when said circular plate is rotated, thereby actuating said switch and conducting scoring signals to the registering means.
  • a rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said contact means comprises:
  • a rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said cylindrically shaped members are rotatably mounted to said circular plate.
  • said impulse-producing means comprises a member having two arms extending in opposite directions from said shaft, said member made of a flexible resilient material.
  • a rotating scoring device comprising:
  • a rotatable circular plate positioned flush with the surface of the playfield in a comating concentric circular opening in the playfield;
  • an impulse-producing member attached to said shaft having two flexible arms extending in opposite directions outwardly from the shaft;
  • a switch in electrical continuity with the registering means having an actuating member made of a resilient material extending outwardly therefrom, said switch positioned adjacent to said impulse-producing means so that said arms engage said actuating member when said circular plate is rotated, thereby actuating said switch and conducting scoring signals to the registering means.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
US78044A 1970-10-05 1970-10-05 Rotating scoring target for a game amusement machine Expired - Lifetime US3642284A (en)

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US7804470A 1970-10-05 1970-10-05

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0015344A1 (fr) * 1979-03-08 1980-09-17 Atari Inc. Cible rotative
DE3311589A1 (de) * 1982-04-05 1983-10-13 Bally Manufacturing Corp., 60618 Chicago, Ill. Ziel fuer ein flipper-spielgeraet
US4822046A (en) * 1987-02-25 1989-04-18 Williams Electronics Two and four position target assembly
US4892309A (en) * 1987-02-25 1990-01-09 Williams Electronics Games, Inc. Two and four position target assembly
US4903255A (en) * 1987-03-31 1990-02-20 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Optical recording disc
US5181722A (en) * 1992-03-06 1993-01-26 William Electronics Games, Inc. Movable optical target bank for a rolling ball game
US5322282A (en) * 1993-07-07 1994-06-21 Data East Pinball, Inc. Variable response ball receiving device
US10828555B2 (en) * 2019-01-31 2020-11-10 Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. Portable game with rotating containers

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2501021A (en) * 1948-08-05 1950-03-21 Raymond T Moloney Ball bumper
US3452988A (en) * 1965-10-23 1969-07-01 Bally Mfg Corp Ball gate

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2501021A (en) * 1948-08-05 1950-03-21 Raymond T Moloney Ball bumper
US3452988A (en) * 1965-10-23 1969-07-01 Bally Mfg Corp Ball gate

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0015344A1 (fr) * 1979-03-08 1980-09-17 Atari Inc. Cible rotative
DE3311589A1 (de) * 1982-04-05 1983-10-13 Bally Manufacturing Corp., 60618 Chicago, Ill. Ziel fuer ein flipper-spielgeraet
US4822046A (en) * 1987-02-25 1989-04-18 Williams Electronics Two and four position target assembly
US4892309A (en) * 1987-02-25 1990-01-09 Williams Electronics Games, Inc. Two and four position target assembly
US4903255A (en) * 1987-03-31 1990-02-20 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Optical recording disc
US5181722A (en) * 1992-03-06 1993-01-26 William Electronics Games, Inc. Movable optical target bank for a rolling ball game
DE4306682A1 (fr) * 1992-03-06 1993-09-09 Williams Electronics Games Inc
FR2688706A1 (fr) * 1992-03-06 1993-09-24 Williams Electronics Games Inc Dispositif de plan de jeu, notamment pour billard electrique commande par ordinateur.
DE4306682C2 (de) * 1992-03-06 1998-01-29 Williams Electronics Games Inc Rollkugelspiel mit beweglicher optischer Zielbank
US5322282A (en) * 1993-07-07 1994-06-21 Data East Pinball, Inc. Variable response ball receiving device
US10828555B2 (en) * 2019-01-31 2020-11-10 Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. Portable game with rotating containers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE806225Q (fr) 1974-02-15

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AS Assignment

Owner name: CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPA

Free format text: CONDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:003944/0027

Effective date: 19810305

AS Assignment

Owner name: WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC., A CORP., DELAWARE

Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:004079/0677

Effective date: 19820507

Owner name: WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC., A DE CORP.

Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:004079/0677

Effective date: 19820507