Williams Electronics Games, Inc.

Ernest Pizzarro

John W Skalon

John A Popadiuk

A ball locking device includes a plurality of posts arranged to retract into or extendabove apertures in the game playfield. In the extended position, the posts form a cage which confines a game ball therein. The posts are arranged, for example, in a circular pattern and spaced from one another at a distance less than the diameter of the game ball. A solenoid, in conjunction with sensing devices, controls the movement of the posts to capture the ball in play or to release the captured ball at an appropriate time during game play. The locking device is hidden from the players view when in its retracted position.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Ernest Pizzarro