Drop target for a pinball game
US5924690A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F7/3065
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A drop target for a pinball game includes a movable target element operably connected to a target driver. The target driver is controllably movable in response to energizing pulses from a game controller. A releasable latching mechanism moves in cooperation with the target driver and, when attached to the target element, communicates movement from the target driver to the target element so as to move the latter between a raised and lowered position. The target driver in one embodiment comprises a single solenoid including a coil and a plunger concentric with the coil. The plunger and target element move to a raised position in response to the game controller applying an initial energizing pulse to the coil. Thereafter, the game controller maintains the target in its raised position by applying a variable pattern of energizing pulses to the coil. The target is moved back to its lowered position when struck by a pinball or, in a controlled drop, when the game controller terminates the pattern of energizing pulses.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.