US3910580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Table ball game with moveable circular bumper portions
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-07-30
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1994-07-30
Abstract
Abstract The playing field of a table ball game slopes downwardly from the center toward opposite ends and the balls are put in play transverse to the playing field and substantially at the center thereof by a projector assembly. At opposite ends of the playing field electromagnet operated bumper elements are manually selectively moved on guides laterally of the playing field and interruption of light beams across the ends of the field in front of the bumper elements actuate the electromagnets to repel the ball in play toward side bumper rails or the center of the field. The bumper elements are circular and are arranged in closely adjacent pairs to provide for the repelling of the ball in play therefrom in various directions on the playing surface within a rebound angle of at least 180*.
Inventors
- 👤 Xaver Leonhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:18
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/0058; A63F7/0088; A63F2007/0094; A63F9/00; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2401; A63F2009/2436; A63F2009/2442; A63F2009/2444; A63F7/22; A63F7/24; A63F7/2409; A63F7/2427
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
331 words
A table ball game comprising a playing surface having opposite ends, guide means connected substantially parallel with and adjacent to at least one of said opposite ends of said playing surface, a pair of resilient elements, a circular bumper portion connected to the lower end of each of said resilient elements, common means connected for back and forth movement on said guide means, the circular bumper portions which are connected to the lower ends of said pair of resilient elements being connected through said pair of resilient elements so as to be adjacent each other in side by side relation on said common means and positioned Inwardly of the end of the playing surface and presenting a ball rebound surface of greater than 180*, control means connected to said common means to move said pair of resilient elements and circular bumper portions back and forth on said guide means, photocell circuit means connected to said table ball game and adapted to direct a light beam transversely across at least one of the opposite ends of said playing surface parallel with said guide means and positioned in front of the pair of circular bumper portions, and an electromagnet connected to the pair of circular bumper portions and with said photocell circuit means, said electromagnet providing means for moving said circular bumper portions forwardly when the light beam is momentarily interrupted, at least one game ball to be projected by said circular bumper portions, said circular bumper portions being spaced sufficiently close together to project said ball when positioned between the pair of circular bumper portions longitudinally of said playing surface when said circular bumper portions are moved forwardly by the action of said photocell circuit means and said electromagnet, and said circular bumper portions when so moved further being so shaped and positioned as to project said ball when contacting the circular bumper portions off center thereof to various directions on the playing surface within a rebound angle of at least 180*.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
331 words
A table ball game comprising a playing surface having opposite ends, guide means connected substantially parallel with and adjacent to at least one of said opposite ends of said playing surface, a pair of resilient elements, a circular bumper portion connected to the lower end of each of said resilient elements, common means connected for back and forth movement on said guide means, the circular bumper portions which are connected to the lower ends of said pair of resilient elements being connected through said pair of resilient elements so as to be adjacent each other in side by side relation on said common means and positioned Inwardly of the end of the playing surface and presenting a ball rebound surface of greater than 180*, control means connected to said common means to move said pair of resilient elements and circular bumper portions back and forth on said guide means, photocell circuit means connected to said table ball game and adapted to direct a light beam transversely across at least one of the opposite ends of said playing surface parallel with said guide means and positioned in front of the pair of circular bumper portions, and an electromagnet connected to the pair of circular bumper portions and with said photocell circuit means, said electromagnet providing means for moving said circular bumper portions forwardly when the light beam is momentarily interrupted, at least one game ball to be projected by said circular bumper portions, said circular bumper portions being spaced sufficiently close together to project said ball when positioned between the pair of circular bumper portions longitudinally of said playing surface when said circular bumper portions are moved forwardly by the action of said photocell circuit means and said electromagnet, and said circular bumper portions when so moved further being so shaped and positioned as to project said ball when contacting the circular bumper portions off center thereof to various directions on the playing surface within a rebound angle of at least 180*.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
A table ball game as set forth in claim 1, in which said control means includes at least a pair of pulleys connected on respective shafts, an endless flexible element connected around said pair of pulleys and having a portion disposed parallel with said guide means, a handle connected to the shaft of one of said pulleys to move said endless flexible element, and said electromagnet, pair of resilient elements, said circular bumper portions and common means connected to said endless flexible element and adapted to be moved back and forth above the playing surface on said guide means by said handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A table ball game as set forth in claim 1, in which said playing surface slopes downwardly toward said opposite ends from the center portion thereof, said opposite ends of the playing surface extending behind said resilient elements and circular bumper portions, and a laterally extending raised stop element connected across each of said opposite ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
A table ball game as set forth in claim 3, including a support table having side walls, said playing surface positioned between said side walls and having side edges spaced a substantial distance from said side walls forming open ball receiving strips between said side walls and the edges of the playing surface, longitudinally extending side strips connected between said side walls and playing surface and overlying the latter and covering the medial portion of said open strips and terminating at opposite ends inwardly of the photocell circuit means directing said light beams providing open side ball receiving strips between the terminating ends of said side strips and the ends of the playing surface, and said side strips having inner resilient edges spaced further from each other toward the center of said playing surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |