Method of replacing a playfield of a pinball machine
US6113097A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2009/0623
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A pinball machine has been designed with several novel mechanical and electrical features such that it is easily retrofittable or convertible between a first pinball game and a second pinball game. The pinball machine includes a playfield mounted to a cabinet. Unlike previous pinball machines, electrical wires and their associated "playfield-side" connectors extending from input/output elements mounted to the playfield are limited in movement to a region generally beneath and in close proximity to the playfield. This allows the playfield to be more easily handled than prior playfields, which had long dangling electrical wires and connectors which could be easily tripped over or severed. Additionally, the plurality of playfield-side connectors are configured for easy installation and integration with corresponding "cabinet-side" connectors. The cabinet-side connectors are electrically connected to a driver electronics board mounted within the cabinet and carry all input/output functions of the driver electronics board.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.