Drop target with cam means

Claim 1

In a drop target assembly for a pinball game which includes a frame, a target member vertically movable with respect to the frame between a raised position projecting above an associated playfield board and a retracted position, the target member in its raised position being movable between a latched condition engaging the frame for preventing vertical movement and a released condition permitting vertical movement, and bias means urging the target member to its retracted position and to its latched condition, the target member when latched in its raised position being engageable by a rolling pinball on the playfield board for movement to its released condition, the improvement comprising: a cam follower edge on the frame, a cam surface associated with the target member and so positioned that when the target member is disposed in the latched condition thereof said cam surface is intersected by a plane passing through said cam follower edge parallel to the playfield board, said cam surface being responsive to movement of the target member from the latched condition to the released condition for camming engagement with said cam follower edge positively to drive the target member downwardly from its raised position, thereby to prevent rebound of the target member to its latched condition.