Pinball game including elevated ball pathway
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pinball machine comprising:
- a downwardly inclined playfield;
a ball;
means for propelling the ball onto the playfield;
one or more pivotally mounted flippers disposed near the playfield for affecting motion of the ball; and
a play feature comprising a ball carrying member defining a path along which the ball rolls, the ball carrying member being constructed so that a ball rolling along the path must travel generally along a predetermined line, the ball carrying member having an entrance and an exit and being disposed so that the path is located above the playfield, the play feature being disposed so that a ball rolling along the playfield can pass under a portion of the path without coming in contact with the play feature, means for transferring a ball in play from the playfield to the entrance of the ball carrying member, and means for moving a ball from the entrance of the ball carrying member, along the path and out the exit of the ball carrying member back onto the playfield.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pinball machine having a novel play feature is disclosed. The play feature comprises a tubular member having an entrance and an exit and being downwardly inclined from the entrance to the exit so that gravitational forces will cause a ball entering the tubular member by the entrance to roll to the exit. The play feature further comprises an entrance ramp extending from the playfield to the entrance of the tubular member to allow a ball from the playfield to roll up into the tubular member. If desired, a plurality of lights may be located along the bottom of the tubular member and, in order to actuate the lights, a switching member may be provided at the entrance of the tubular member.
26 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A pinball machine comprising:
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a downwardly inclined playfield; a ball; means for propelling the ball onto the playfield; one or more pivotally mounted flippers disposed near the playfield for affecting motion of the ball; and a play feature comprising a ball carrying member defining a path along which the ball rolls, the ball carrying member being constructed so that a ball rolling along the path must travel generally along a predetermined line, the ball carrying member having an entrance and an exit and being disposed so that the path is located above the playfield, the play feature being disposed so that a ball rolling along the playfield can pass under a portion of the path without coming in contact with the play feature, means for transferring a ball in play from the playfield to the entrance of the ball carrying member, and means for moving a ball from the entrance of the ball carrying member, along the path and out the exit of the ball carrying member back onto the playfield. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A play feature for use with a pinball machine having a playfield comprising:
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a ball carrying member defining a path over which a ball rolls, the ball carrying member being constructed so that a ball rolling along the path must travel generally along a predetermined line, the ball carrying member having an entrance and an exit, and being disposed above the playfield, the playfeature being disposed so that a ball rolling along the playfield can pass under a portion of the path without coming in contact with the playfeature; means for transferring a ball in play from the playfield to the entrance of the ball carrying member; and means for moving a ball from the entrance of the ball carrying member, along the path and out the exit of the ball carrying member back onto the playfield. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification