US5330183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact conveying flipper button
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-03-03
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Granted: 1994-07-19
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Expires: 2012-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A pinball machine which includes a ball engaging mechanism is provided such that when a pinball makes contact with a ball engaging mechanism, which propels the pinball, a player feels an impulse from the button that activates the ball engaging mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Alvin J. Gottlieb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:21
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/02; A63F7/025; A63F7/027; A63F2250/00; A63F2250/02; A63F2250/025; A63F7/0017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism; and an impact transferral mechanism to impart an accentuated physical stimulus of touch to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the magnitude of the accentuated physical stimulus of touch is greater than any natural vibrations produced solely by the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism; and an impact transferral mechanism to impart an accentuated physical stimulus of touch to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the magnitude of the accentuated physical stimulus of touch is greater than any natural vibrations produced solely by the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The pinball machine of claim 1, further comprising an arm to move in response to the projectile making contact with the projectile sensing mechanism and to activate the impact transferral mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The pinball machine of claim 2, further comprising an electromagnet which is energized upon the projectile making contact with the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the energized electromagnet moves the arm to activate the impact transferral mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pinball machine of claim 1, wherein the projectile sensing mechanism further includes a projectile propelling mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pinball machine of claim 1, wherein the projectile sensing mechanism includes a projectile target element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pinball machine of claim 1, wherein said impact transferral mechanism comprises a button.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism; and an impact transferral mechanism to impart a physical stimulus to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the impact transferral mechanism comprises a movement apparatus which moves towards the player and provides the physical stimulus of touch to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism; and an impact transferral mechanism to impart a physical stimulus to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the impact transferral mechanism comprises a movement apparatus which moves towards the player and provides the physical stimulus of touch to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pinball machine of claim 7, wherein the movement apparatus comprises a button which provides the physical stimulus of touch to the player.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pinball machine of claim 7, wherein the projectile sensing mechanism includes a projectile target element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism comprising a projectile propelling mechanism; and an impact transferral mechanism to impart a physical stimulus to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the impact transferral mechanism comprises a movement apparatus which moves towards the player and provides the physical stimulus of touch to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
79 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism comprising a projectile propelling mechanism; and an impact transferral mechanism to impart a physical stimulus to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the impact transferral mechanism comprises a movement apparatus which moves towards the player and provides the physical stimulus of touch to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The pinball machine of claim 10, wherein the impact transferral mechanism comprises a button which provides the physical stimulus of touch to the player.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The pinball machine of claim 11, wherein the button when pressed by the player controls the projectile propelling mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The pinball machine of claim 12, wherein the projectile propelling mechanism comprises a flipper element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism; an impact transferral mechanism comprising a button to impart a physical stimulus to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism; an arm to move in response to the projectile making contact with the projectile sensing mechanism and to activate the impact transferral mechanism; and an electromagnet which is energized upon the projectile making contact with the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the energized electromagnet moves the arm to activate the impact transferral mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism; an impact transferral mechanism comprising a button to impart a physical stimulus to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism; an arm to move in response to the projectile making contact with the projectile sensing mechanism and to activate the impact transferral mechanism; and an electromagnet which is energized upon the projectile making contact with the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the energized electromagnet moves the arm to activate the impact transferral mechanism.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism having a projectile propelling mechanism which comprises a flipper element; an impact transferral mechanism to impart a physical stimulus to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
A pinball machine to be played by a player having a projectile, comprising: a projectile sensing mechanism having a projectile propelling mechanism which comprises a flipper element; an impact transferral mechanism to impart a physical stimulus to the player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
98 words
The method of playing a pinball game which comprises a projectile, a projectile engaging mechanism, and an activation apparatus to have the projectile engaging mechanism strike the projectile wherein the method of playing comprises the steps: a. the projectile making contact with the projectile engaging mechanism; and b. the projectile engaging mechanism imparting an accentuated physical stimulus of touch to a player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the magnitude of the accentuated physical stimulus of touch is greater than any natural vibrations produced solely by the projectile contacting the projectile engaging mechanism.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
98 words
The method of playing a pinball game which comprises a projectile, a projectile engaging mechanism, and an activation apparatus to have the projectile engaging mechanism strike the projectile wherein the method of playing comprises the steps: a. the projectile making contact with the projectile engaging mechanism; and b. the projectile engaging mechanism imparting an accentuated physical stimulus of touch to a player in response to the projectile contacting the projectile sensing mechanism, wherein the magnitude of the accentuated physical stimulus of touch is greater than any natural vibrations produced solely by the projectile contacting the projectile engaging mechanism.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of playing a pinball game of claim 16, wherein the projectile mechanism comprises a button to impart said stimulus to a player.
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) | 1997-07-18 | 1998-01-17 | 1998-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-18 | 2002-01-17 | 2002-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-18 | 2006-01-17 | 2006-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |