Patent US3582074A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3582074A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface ball game with oppositely inclined playing surfaces
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-07-30
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1988-07-30
Abstract
Abstract An electromechanical game consisting of two play fields, sloped in opposite directions, in which are provided holes, doors and bumper elements, in addition to electrical devices; on each field a ball is moved around by gravity or by mechanical impacts, conferred to it by the player, with said bumper elements, in order to hit determined targets for marking points. The players play one at a time, and each of them has the possibility of capturing the ball being played by the opponent, increasing the number of the balls at his disposal. The scores computed by a differential adder are indicated by toy cars which run on circular paths in a simulated race.
Inventors
- 👤 Vincenzo Menotti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:43
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/02; A63F7/025; A63F7/027; A63F7/0058; A63F7/22; A63F7/36; A63F2007/3633; A63F2007/3644; A63F7/0017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An electromechanical game with two fields sloping in opposite directions, targets arranged in each field, at least one impacting device operable by a player for propelling a ball toward the targets in each field, and an outlet for the ball at the lower end of each field, wherein the improvement comprises at least one escape port for each field, having a closure which normally is in a position to close the escape port, and mechanism operable by an opposing player located at one end of one field for opening the closure of the escape port in the other field in order to capture the ball, each field being separately enclosed to prevent the ball from escaping from the field except through the outlet and the escape port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electromechanical game with two fields sloping in opposite directions, targets arranged in each field, at least one impacting device operable by a player for propelling a ball toward the targets in each field, and an outlet for the ball at the lower end of each field, wherein the improvement comprises at least one escape port for each field, having a closure which normally is in a position to close the escape port, and mechanism operable by an opposing player located at one end of one field for opening the closure of the escape port in the other field in order to capture the ball, each field being separately enclosed to prevent the ball from escaping from the field except through the outlet and the escape port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 1 wherein each field is provided with a manually controlled mechanism which has two alternative modes of operation, and which in one mode acts to operate an impacting device for propelling a ball toward the targets in that field, and in the other mode operates to open the closure of an escape port to allow a ball to escape from the other field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 1 wherein the escape port for each field is in the form of a hole having a closure which normally is in a position to close the hole, and which when opened allows the ball to fall into the hole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 3 wherein a contact is arranged in each field adjacent to the escape port hole, on the high side thereof, and the closure of such escape port hole is opened when the mechanism operable by an opposing player is operated in synchronism with the passage of the ball over such contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 3 wherein a contact is arranged in each field, spaced from the escape porthole on the high side thereof, which upon passage of the ball over the contact operates a device which disables the mechanism for opening the closure of such escape port hole, and a further contact is arranged in each field adjacent to such escape porthole on the low side thereof, which upon passage of the ball over the contact reenables the mechanism for opening the closure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 5 wherein a signal lamp is provided for each field, for illumination when the mechanism for opening the closure of the escape porthole is disabled, and a furtHer signal lamp is provided for each field, for illumination when the mechanism for opening the closure is enabled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 3 wherein a network of conduits is provided beneath the surfaces of the fields, for conducting the ball from one field to the other whenever the ball enters an outlet and whenever the ball enters an escape porthole, and the conduits are provided with contacts adjacent to the outlets which are connected to a ball counter, and a contact adjacent to each escape porthole which effects the reclosing of the closure of the adjacent escape porthole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 1 wherein the escape port for each field is in the form of a door between the fields which is normally closed, and which when opened allows the ball to escape from one field into the other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 8 wherein timing apparatus is provided for maintaining the door between the fields open for a predetermined time after the mechanism operable by an opposing player is operated to open the door.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 1 wherein a differential adder is provided, which controls two indicators mounted on two coaxially rotatable spindles for indicating the score reached instant by instant by the two players.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 10 wherein a motor is provided, having gear transmissions which drive the two indicators at identical angular speeds in the absence of a score.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 10, wherein a differential mechanism connected to one of the spindles is provided for converting the score into increments of rotation of one of the spindles relative to the other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 12 wherein apparatus is provided for driving the two indicators continuously at identical angular speeds, with their relative positions adjusted by the increments of relative rotation produced by the differential mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 10 wherein a lamp is provided for each field, for illumination as soon as a leading score has been attained in that field, and a plurality of additional lamps are provided for each field for illumination in succession to indicate successive increments of the score.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electromechanical game according to claim 14 wherein contacts are mounted on the two coaxially rotatable spindles for controlling the illumination of the lamps in accordance with the relative positions of the indicators mounted on the spindles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |