Illuminated support rails for pinball machines
US12246262B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2021 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21Y2115/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Support rails are provided for pinball machine playfields that provide mechanical support as well as light-emitting elements, such as LEDs, that generate additional light for illuminating the playfield and/or decorative features affixed to the rails. At least a portion of the support rail is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material to facilitate transmission of light from lighting elements below or enclosed by the rail. The support rails can be provided with various grooves, channels, and holes to facilitate mounting of the rails to a playfield or an existing support rail, using nuts and bolts, screws, brackets, and the like. The lighted support rails provide both mechanical stability to the playfield, as well as additional illumination and optional mounting locations for decorative features and/or game mechanisms. These functions of the support rail can be achieved without taking up room on the ‘active’ area of the playfield itself or obstructing visibility of the playfield and its components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.