Patent US3578802A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3578802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertically adjustable bumper for ball rolling games
Assignee: Bank of America Illinois
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Filing: 1969-02-25
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1989-02-25
Abstract
Abstract In order to provide for random or controlled variations in ballrolling games, which include a ballfield and means for causing balls to enter upon the field and engage elements permitting scoring depending upon the skill of the player, this application discloses a bumper which is normally flush with the surface of the field, but which may be moved by that surface in order to impede the passage of balls used in the game. The bumper may be arranged to have its movement controlled in a random fashion or may be arranged to be subject to the ability of a game player to direct the passage of the ball. A solenoid is used to retract the bumper to its flush position in which it is held by a latch which may be released by energizing a coil.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank T Murphy
- 👤 Normal R Clark
- 👤 William E Casey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:35
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/22; A63F7/30; A63F7/305; A63F7/3065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
The combination of a ball-rolling game of a ballfield; a plunger mounted beneath said ballfield and movable substantially vertically therein; means mounted beneath said ballfield and engaging said plunger to retract it from said ballfield; means on said plunger urging it upwardly into said ballfield against the action of said first mentioned means; a bumper carried by said plunger at its upper end; said plunger and bumper dimensioned so that when retracted by said first mentioned means the top of said bumper is flush with said ballfield so as not to impede passage of the balls and when urged upwardly by said second mentioned means said bumper assumes a position above said ballfield and impedes passage of the balls; and a releasable latching means engageable with said plunger to maintain it in a retracted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
The combination of a ball-rolling game of a ballfield; a plunger mounted beneath said ballfield and movable substantially vertically therein; means mounted beneath said ballfield and engaging said plunger to retract it from said ballfield; means on said plunger urging it upwardly into said ballfield against the action of said first mentioned means; a bumper carried by said plunger at its upper end; said plunger and bumper dimensioned so that when retracted by said first mentioned means the top of said bumper is flush with said ballfield so as not to impede passage of the balls and when urged upwardly by said second mentioned means said bumper assumes a position above said ballfield and impedes passage of the balls; and a releasable latching means engageable with said plunger to maintain it in a retracted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said latching means comprises a latch member on said plunger having a latching surface thereon, a latch plate engageable with said latching surface, means urging said latch plate into engagement with said latch surface and means for selectively disengaging said latch plate from said latch surface whereby said second mentioned may be effected to urge said plunger upwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said first mentioned means comprises a solenoid having an armature connected to said plunger to retract it when energized so that said latch plate may engage said latching surface to maintain said plunger in a retracted position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2110902A
Cited
US2830819A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |