Combination tilt switch and playfield incline indicator

• US 5,338,031 A
• Filed: 07/19/1993
• Issued: 08/16/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Planetary Pinball Supply, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Williams Electronics Games Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Glass, James X., Patla, James A. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, Vincent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US08/093,578
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 273/118-125
• US Class Current: 273/118.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/3085 Tilting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/027 electric

Abstract

The tilt switch/incline indicator of the invention consists of a first support member that is connected to the game cabinet in a known orientation. A second member is pivotably supported on the first member and can be fixed relative thereto at angles corresponding to the desired angle of incline of the playfield. The second member supports a pendulum-type tilt switch similar to that used in the prior art. The pendulum acts like a plumb line to give a visual indication to the game operator that the playfield is at the desired angle set at the second member by observing when the pendulum is centered relative to the contact. The mechanism of the invention uses the tilt switch as the level indicator such that the playfield can be positioned at a known angle without requiring a separate level indicator or the recalibration to the tilt switch.

Claims

1. A pinball game comprising:

a cabinet supporting an inclined playfield; and

a combination incline indicator and adjustable tilt switch apparatus including means for detecting undesirable tilting of the playfield during game play and for developing a signal in response thereto, and means for indicating that the game is at a desired angle of incline, said means for indicating being operatively connected to said means for detecting whereby said means for detecting indicates whether the game is at the desired angle of incline.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for detecting includes a member suspended from the cabinet and a contact spaced from said member whereby when the game is tilted during play the member touches the contact to produce said signal.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the member and contact form part of an electrical circuit that is completed when the member touches the contact.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for indicating includes a plate, means for mounting the plate to the cabinet such that it can be moved and secured in a plurality of positions other than vertical, said plate supporting said member and contact.

5. A pinball game, comprising:

a) a cabinet supporting an inclined playfield;

b) a first member supported for pivoting movement relative to the playfield;

c) means for locking said first member at an angle relative to said playfield, said means for locking includes visual markings indicative of the desired angle, said angle corresponding to the desired angle of incline of the playfield;

d) said first member supporting an electrically conductive pendulum and an electrical contact normally spaced therefrom, said pendulum and contact when touching closing an electrical circuit for signalling that the game has been tilted during play;

e) means for altering the incline of the playfield to position it at a desired angle relative to the horizontal, said pendulum being centered relative to the contact at said desired angle.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first member is mounted for pivoting movement about an axis that is oriented parallel to the axis about which the playfield is tilted.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first member is supported on a sidewall of the cabinet.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for locking includes a second member secured to said cabinet, said first member being supported on said second member.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first member can pivot relative to said second member.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further including means for fixing the first member to the second member.

11. A method for setting the angle of inclination of the playfield of a pinball game and for detecting tilting of the game away from said angle comprising the steps of:

a) mounting a first member for pivotable movement relative to said playfield;

b) locking said first member at an angle relative to said playfield, said angle corresponding to the desired angle of incline of the playfield;

c) mounting an electrically conductive pendulum and an electrical contact on said first member such that when the game is tilted during the game the pendulum will touch the contact to complete a circuit for signalling a tilt condition; and

d) altering the inclination of the playfield prior to game play until said pendulum is centered relative to the contact whereby the playfield is at the desired angle of inclination.

12. A pinball game, comprising:

a) a cabinet supporting an inclined playfield;

b) a first member secured to the cabinet at a known angle with respect to vertical;

c) a second member supported for pivoting movement relative to the first member;

d) means for locking the second member at an angle relative to the first member, said angle corresponding to the desired angle of incline of the playfield, and means for indicating said angle;

e) said second member supporting an electrically conductive pendulum and an electrical contact normally spaced therefrom, said pendulum and contact when touching closing an electrical circuit for signalling that the cabinet has been tilted during play;

f) means for altering the incline of the playfield to position it at the desire angle, said pendulum being center relative to the contact at the desired angle.