US4037842A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Target device for pinball games
Assignee: Glass Marvin and Associates
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Filing: 1975-05-08
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Granted: 1977-07-26
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Expires: 1995-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A target device for a pinball game, including a plurality of independently pivotal score or target indicators mounted on the playing surface for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis. The indicators each are movable between a first generally horizontal position on one side of the axis to a second generally horizontal position on the other side of the axis. A U-shaped yoke is mounted for generally vertical reciprocal movement by a solenoid armature mounted below each of the indicators so that one arm of the U-shaped yoke will contact the indicator in its first position and the other arm of the U-shaped yoke will contact the indicator in its second position. In one form of the invention, energization of a solenoid will cause its U-shaped yoke to move upwardly to contact the respective indicator to move it from its first position to its second position or from its second position to its first position, depending on the position of the indicator. In another form of the invention, a lockout switch is mounted adjacent each indicator and operated by the indicator when in its second position to prevent operation of that solenoid until all of the indicators have been moved to the same position on the same side of the axis. A lockout override circuit is provided to prevent operation of the lockout switches and can be operated either manually or automatically when all of said indicators have moved to the lockout position.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey D. Breslow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:07
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/02; A63F7/025; A63F7/22; A63F7/30; A63F7/305; A63F7/3065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; an indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivotal movement over the playing surface about an axis generally parallel and adjacent to the playing surface between first and second limit positions; and actuating means operatively associated with said movable indicator and actuatable in response to engagement thereof by a pinball rolling on said playing surface for moving the indicator from either of said limit positions to the opposite limit position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; an indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivotal movement over the playing surface about an axis generally parallel and adjacent to the playing surface between first and second limit positions; and actuating means operatively associated with said movable indicator and actuatable in response to engagement thereof by a pinball rolling on said playing surface for moving the indicator from either of said limit positions to the opposite limit position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes switch means engageable by said pinball for actuation thereof in response to closure thereof by engagement with said pinball rolling on said playing surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said indicator member is pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis generally parallel to said playing surface for movement upwardly thereabout over the playing surface approximately 180° between said limit positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 3 including a plurality of said indicators pivotally mounted on a common horizontal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
191 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; at least one indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting movement of approximately 180° over the playing surface about an axis adjacent to the playing surface between first and second limit positions; actuating means including a solenoid having a vertically reciprocating armature and an upstanding U-shaped yoke mounted for generally vertical reciprocal movement on the armature of the solenoid, one leg of the yoke being engageable with the indicator member when in said beginning position and the other leg of the yoke being engageable with the indicator member when in said lockout position to move the indicator member between the beginning position and lockout positions upon energization of said solenoid; switch means, including engaging means, connected to said solenoid for energization thereof in response to closure of said switch means by engagement of the engaging means by a pinball rolling on said playing surface; and selectively operable lockout means operatively associated with said solenoid to prevent energization thereof when said indicator member is in said lockout position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
191 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; at least one indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting movement of approximately 180° over the playing surface about an axis adjacent to the playing surface between first and second limit positions; actuating means including a solenoid having a vertically reciprocating armature and an upstanding U-shaped yoke mounted for generally vertical reciprocal movement on the armature of the solenoid, one leg of the yoke being engageable with the indicator member when in said beginning position and the other leg of the yoke being engageable with the indicator member when in said lockout position to move the indicator member between the beginning position and lockout positions upon energization of said solenoid; switch means, including engaging means, connected to said solenoid for energization thereof in response to closure of said switch means by engagement of the engaging means by a pinball rolling on said playing surface; and selectively operable lockout means operatively associated with said solenoid to prevent energization thereof when said indicator member is in said lockout position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said lockout means includes a pair of alternately engageable contacts associated with a first and second switch means whereby said solenoid can be energized when said indicator member is in its beginning position only by closure of said first switch means, and whereby said solenoid can be energized when the indicator member is in said lockout position only by closure of said second switch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 6 including a lockout override means to override said lockout means to thereby permit continuous pivotal movement of said indicator in response to continuous, intermittent energization of said solenoid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; an indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting movement over the playing surface about an axis adjacent the playing surface between a first and second limit position; and actuating means operatively associated with said movable indicator and actuatable in response to engagement thereof by a pinball rolling on said playing surface for moving the indicator between the respective limit positions, said actuating means including a yoke having a pair of upstanding legs, one leg of the yoke being engageable with the indicator member when in said first position and the other leg of the yoke being engageable with the indicator member when in said second position, said yoke being mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to said indicator member to contact the indicator member when in the first or second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; an indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting movement over the playing surface about an axis adjacent the playing surface between a first and second limit position; and actuating means operatively associated with said movable indicator and actuatable in response to engagement thereof by a pinball rolling on said playing surface for moving the indicator between the respective limit positions, said actuating means including a yoke having a pair of upstanding legs, one leg of the yoke being engageable with the indicator member when in said first position and the other leg of the yoke being engageable with the indicator member when in said second position, said yoke being mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to said indicator member to contact the indicator member when in the first or second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said actuating means includes a solenoid connected to said U-shaped yoke for moving the yoke into engagement with said indicator member upon energization of said solenoid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 9 including switch means connected with said solenoid for energization thereof in response to closure of said switch means by a pinball.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
107 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; an indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting movement over the playing surface about an axis adjacent the playing surface between a first and a second limit position; actuating means operatively associated with said movable indicator and actuatable in response to engagement thereof by a pinball rolling on said playing surface for moving the indicator between the respective limit positions; and lockout means associated with said actuating means to prevent actuation thereof when the indicator member is in one of said limit positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
107 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; an indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting movement over the playing surface about an axis adjacent the playing surface between a first and a second limit position; actuating means operatively associated with said movable indicator and actuatable in response to engagement thereof by a pinball rolling on said playing surface for moving the indicator between the respective limit positions; and lockout means associated with said actuating means to prevent actuation thereof when the indicator member is in one of said limit positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said lockout means includes a lockout switch operatively associated with said indicator member, said lockout switch being operable in said one position of said indicator member whereby operation of said lockout switch prevents subsequent actuation of the actuating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 12 including a lockout override means to override said lockout means to thereby permit the return of said indicator member from said one position by actuation of said actuating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; an indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting movement over the playing surface about an axis adjacent the playing surface between a first and a second limit position; and actuating means operatively associated with said movable indicator and actuatable in response to engagement thereof by a pinball rolling on said playing surface for moving the indicator between the respective limit positions, said actuating means including a first and a second switch means engageable by a pinball for actuation thereof in response to closure of either said first or said second switch means by engagement with a pinball rolling on said playing surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
126 words
A target device for a pinball game, comprising: a frame having means defining a playing surface over which pinballs are rollingly supportable; an indicator member pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting movement over the playing surface about an axis adjacent the playing surface between a first and a second limit position; and actuating means operatively associated with said movable indicator and actuatable in response to engagement thereof by a pinball rolling on said playing surface for moving the indicator between the respective limit positions, said actuating means including a first and a second switch means engageable by a pinball for actuation thereof in response to closure of either said first or said second switch means by engagement with a pinball rolling on said playing surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
107 words
The device of claim 14 including lockout means associated with said indicator member and said first and second switch means, to prevent actuation of the actuating means upon closure of said second switch means by a pinball while permitting actuation of the actuating means by closure of said first switch means by a pinball when the indicator member is in said first position, and to prevent actuation of said actuating means upon closure of said first switch means by a pinball while permitting actuation of said actuating means by closure of said second switch means by a pinball when the indicator member is in said second position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
94 words
The device of claim 15 wherein said lockout means includes a lockout switch operatively associated with said indicator member, said lockout switch comprising a pair of contact sets, said pair of contact sets being movable so that the opening of a first set by movement of the indicator member effects a closing of the second set, said pair of contact sets being connected to said first and second switch means, respectively, so as to permit operation of the actuating means only upon closure of the respective first or second switch means by a pinball.
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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) | 1980-07-25 | 1981-01-24 | 1981-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-25 | 1985-01-24 | 1985-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-25 | 1989-01-24 | 1989-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |