Ball storage device for pinball games
US5358242A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 1993 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2007/341
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A planetary ball storage device for a pinball game according to the present invention consists of a horizontally disposed rotating wheel having a plurality of pinball receiving pockets arrayed on the periphery of the wheel. The game player, using the flippers, can direct a ball into an empty pocket when a pocket is in a ball receiving position after a predetermined game objective has been met. Balls are returned to the playfield by the utilization of a magnetic lifter arm controlled by the game microprocessor. The wheel is rotated by an electric motor and its position is detected by an optical switch assembly. A second optical switch assembly generates a signal to energize the magnetic lifter arm.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.