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US3642284A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rotating scoring target for a game amusement machine

Assignee: Bank of America Illinois
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Filing: 1970-10-05
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Granted: 1972-02-15
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Expires: 1990-10-05
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Abstract

Abstract A scoring device for a game amusement machine such as a pinball machine, having a rotating element located on the playfield of the machine. Score-initiating devices (pinballs) are actuated by a player to subsequently drive the rotating element. The rotating element bears score-actuating devices to cause registration of a score dependent upon the amount of rotation thereof.

Inventors

  • 👤 Steven F Kordek

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 01:37
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/22; A63F7/30; A63F7/305; A63F7/3065

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 146 words
In a game amusement machine having a playfield, scoreinitiating projectiles adapted to individually traverse the playfield, and registering means for receiving, interpreting and totaling score signals received from the playfield, a rotating scoring device comprising: rotating means positioned within a comating opening in the playfield; contact means on said rotating means for rotating said rotating means when contacted by one of the projectiles traversing the playfield; score-actuating means attached to said rotating means for providing score impulses in response to rotation of said rotating means, the number of said impulses depending upon the degree of rotation of said rotating means; and score-generating means for activating the registering means in response to the score impulses provided by said score-actuating means, whereby a multiplicity of total score signals may be generated by a projectile traversing the playfield, contacting said contact means, anD causing said rotating means to rotate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 146 words
In a game amusement machine having a playfield, scoreinitiating projectiles adapted to individually traverse the playfield, and registering means for receiving, interpreting and totaling score signals received from the playfield, a rotating scoring device comprising: rotating means positioned within a comating opening in the playfield; contact means on said rotating means for rotating said rotating means when contacted by one of the projectiles traversing the playfield; score-actuating means attached to said rotating means for providing score impulses in response to rotation of said rotating means, the number of said impulses depending upon the degree of rotation of said rotating means; and score-generating means for activating the registering means in response to the score impulses provided by said score-actuating means, whereby a multiplicity of total score signals may be generated by a projectile traversing the playfield, contacting said contact means, anD causing said rotating means to rotate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
A rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said rotating means comprises a circular plate positioned flush with the surface of the playfield in a comating concentric circular opening in the playfield.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
A rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said contact means comprises: at least one cylindrically shaped member attached to the upper surface of said circular plate and extending vertically above the surface of the playfield.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
A rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said score-actuating means comprises: a shaft attached at the center of the lower surface of said circular plate and extending downwardly therefrom; impulse-producing means attached to said shaft and extending outwardly therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 67 words
A rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said score-generating means comprises: at least one switch in electrical continuity with the registering means having an actuating member extending outwardly therefrom, said switch positioned adjacent to said impulse-producing means so that said impulse-producing means engages said actuating member when said circular plate is rotated, thereby actuating said switch and conducting scoring signals to the registering means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 26 words
A rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said impulse means actuates said switch at least twice for each revolution of said circular plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 32 words
A rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said contact means comprises: two cylindrically shaped members positioned on a common diameter equal distance from the center of the circular plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 21 words
A rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said cylindrically shaped members are rotatably mounted to said circular plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 47 words
A rotating scoring device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said actuating member of said switch is made of a resilient material, and said impulse-producing means comprises a member having two arms extending in opposite directions from said shaft, said member made of a flexible resilient material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 178 words
In a game amusement machine having a playfield, score initiating projectiles adapted to individually traverse the playfield, and registering means for receiving, interpreting and totaling score signals received from the playfield, a rotating scoring device comprising: a rotatable circular plate positioned flush with the surface of the playfield in a comating concentric circular opening in the playfield; two cylindrically shaped members rotatably mounted to the upper surface of said circular plate on a common diameter equal distance from the center of the circular plate; a shaft rigidly attached at the center of the lower surface of said circular plate and extending downwardly therefrom; an impulse-producing member attached to said shaft having two flexible arms extending in opposite directions outwardly from the shaft; and a switch in electrical continuity with the registering means having an actuating member made of a resilient material extending outwardly therefrom, said switch positioned adjacent to said impulse-producing means so that said arms engage said actuating member when said circular plate is rotated, thereby actuating said switch and conducting scoring signals to the registering means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 178 words
In a game amusement machine having a playfield, score initiating projectiles adapted to individually traverse the playfield, and registering means for receiving, interpreting and totaling score signals received from the playfield, a rotating scoring device comprising: a rotatable circular plate positioned flush with the surface of the playfield in a comating concentric circular opening in the playfield; two cylindrically shaped members rotatably mounted to the upper surface of said circular plate on a common diameter equal distance from the center of the circular plate; a shaft rigidly attached at the center of the lower surface of said circular plate and extending downwardly therefrom; an impulse-producing member attached to said shaft having two flexible arms extending in opposite directions outwardly from the shaft; and a switch in electrical continuity with the registering means having an actuating member made of a resilient material extending outwardly therefrom, said switch positioned adjacent to said impulse-producing means so that said arms engage said actuating member when said circular plate is rotated, thereby actuating said switch and conducting scoring signals to the registering means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2501021A Cited
US3452988A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-02-14 1975-08-16 1976-02-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-02-14 1979-08-16 1980-02-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-02-14 1983-08-16 1984-02-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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