US4199143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pinball flipper
Assignee: Midway Amusement Games LLC
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Filing: 1978-01-27
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Granted: 1980-04-22
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Expires: 1998-01-27
Abstract
Abstract An improved flipper bar used with a pinball game apparatus allowing increased challenges for skilled players and increased unpredictability in ball trajectory for unskilled players, comprising a cantilevered arm having a series of undulations on one side and disposed perpendicular to the playing field.
Inventors
- 👤 Joachim G. Dieckhaus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:11
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/22; A63F7/24; A63F7/2409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A pinball apparatus having a pinball, a playing surface and a flipper bar for the controlled rebound of said pinball into play on the playing surface of the pinball apparatus, said flipper bar comprising a cantilever arm pivotal about an axis on an end portion of said arm and responsive to a force for generating pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane about said axis, said arm having an impact side, at least two crests and at least one trough formed on said impact side in a plane perpendicular to said playing surface, said impact side thereby pivoting about said axis for rebounding said pinball in different forward directions onto said playing surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A pinball apparatus having a pinball, a playing surface and a flipper bar for the controlled rebound of said pinball into play on the playing surface of the pinball apparatus, said flipper bar comprising a cantilever arm pivotal about an axis on an end portion of said arm and responsive to a force for generating pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane about said axis, said arm having an impact side, at least two crests and at least one trough formed on said impact side in a plane perpendicular to said playing surface, said impact side thereby pivoting about said axis for rebounding said pinball in different forward directions onto said playing surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flipper bar of cliam 1 wherein said cantilever arm has a back side opposite said impact side, said back side being substantially straight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flipper bar of cliam 1 wherein said cantilever arm has a back side opposite said impact side, said back side being substantially straight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flipper bar of claim 1 wherein said cantilever arm is symmetrical about a line drawn through its midsection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flipper bar of claim 1 wherein said crests and troughs are of uniform size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
A pinball apparatus having a pinball, a playing surface and a flipper bar for the controlled rebound of said pinball into play on the playing surface of the pinball apparatus, said flipper bar comprising a cantilever arm having opposing end portions and a pivotal attachment means formed in each end portion, said cantilever arm being selectively attached at either of said end portions for pivotal movement about an axis in said end portion, said arm having an impact side, said impact side having at least two crests and at least one trough longitudinally disposed in a plane perpendicular to said playing surface permitting said pinball to be hit in different directions by said flipper bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
A pinball apparatus having a pinball, a playing surface and a flipper bar for the controlled rebound of said pinball into play on the playing surface of the pinball apparatus, said flipper bar comprising a cantilever arm having opposing end portions and a pivotal attachment means formed in each end portion, said cantilever arm being selectively attached at either of said end portions for pivotal movement about an axis in said end portion, said arm having an impact side, said impact side having at least two crests and at least one trough longitudinally disposed in a plane perpendicular to said playing surface permitting said pinball to be hit in different directions by said flipper bar.
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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) | 1983-04-22 | 1983-10-22 | 1984-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-10-22 | 1988-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-22 | 1991-10-22 | 1992-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |