US4398718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated flipper assembly
Assignee: Wico Distribution Corp
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Filing: 1981-06-25
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Granted: 1983-08-16
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Expires: 2001-06-25
Abstract
Abstract The flipper assembly has a transparent flipper carried by a rotatable flipper shaft. A light shaft extends through the flipper shaft and is fixed to the pinball game. A bulb is located in the flipper and is carried by the bulb shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Wiczer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:09
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/22; A63F7/24; A63F7/26; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/0613; A63F2009/0615; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2448; A63F2009/245; A63F2009/2451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An illuminated flipper assembly for a pinball game having a playfield board, a pivoting mechanism and a source of voltage, said assembly comprising: a transparent flipper, a flipper shaft carrying said flipper and coupled to the flipper pivoting mechanism for rotation thereby with respect to the playfield board, said flipper shaft having a bore extending therethrough, a light shaft loosely extending through the bore in said flipper shaft and nonrotatably carried by the playfield board, said light shaft having a bore extending therethrough, a bulb carried by said light shaft, and wires extending through the bore in said light shaft for attachment to the source of voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An illuminated flipper assembly for a pinball game having a playfield board, a pivoting mechanism and a source of voltage, said assembly comprising: a transparent flipper, a flipper shaft carrying said flipper and coupled to the flipper pivoting mechanism for rotation thereby with respect to the playfield board, said flipper shaft having a bore extending therethrough, a light shaft loosely extending through the bore in said flipper shaft and nonrotatably carried by the playfield board, said light shaft having a bore extending therethrough, a bulb carried by said light shaft, and wires extending through the bore in said light shaft for attachment to the source of voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The illuminated flipper assembly of claim 1, and further comprising means adjacent said bulb for directing light therefrom toward the free end and sides of said flipper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illuminated flipper assembly of claim 1, wherein said flipper is molded to said flipper shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The illuminated flipper assembly of claim 1, and further comprising means on said flipper shaft and integral therewith for directing light from said bulb toward the free end and the sides of said flipper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flipper assembly of claim 4, wherein said light directing means is generally U-shaped in transverse cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The flipper assembly of claim 1, wherein said flipper has a hole aligned with said light shaft and of a diameter greater than the diameter of said light shaft, during assembly said light shaft being insertable through said hole and into said flipper shaft bore, and further comprising a cap for said hole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a pinball game having a playfield board, a flipper pivoting mechanism, and a source of voltage, the improvement comprising: a mounting plate, a transparent flipper, a flipper shaft carrying said flipper and being attached to the flipper pivoting mechanism for rotation thereby with respect to the playfield board, said flipper shaft having a bore extending therethrough, a light shaft extending through the bore in said flipper shaft and being nonrotatably attached to said mounting plate, said light shaft having a bore extending therethrough, a bulb carried by said light shaft, and wires extending through the bore in said light shaft for interconnecting said bulb and the source of voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a pinball game having a playfield board, a flipper pivoting mechanism, and a source of voltage, the improvement comprising: a mounting plate, a transparent flipper, a flipper shaft carrying said flipper and being attached to the flipper pivoting mechanism for rotation thereby with respect to the playfield board, said flipper shaft having a bore extending therethrough, a light shaft extending through the bore in said flipper shaft and being nonrotatably attached to said mounting plate, said light shaft having a bore extending therethrough, a bulb carried by said light shaft, and wires extending through the bore in said light shaft for interconnecting said bulb and the source of voltage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-02-14 | 1987-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-15 | 1991-02-14 | 1991-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-15 | 1995-02-14 | 1995-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |