The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 11, 2025
Filed:
Oct. 05, 2021
Eric M. Meunier, Oak Park, IL (US);
Daniel E. Molter, Elmhurst, IL (US);
Keith P. Johnson, South Elgin, IL (US);
Duncan F. Brown, Mundelein, IL (US);
Eric M. Meunier, Oak Park, IL (US);
Daniel E. Molter, Elmhurst, IL (US);
Keith P. Johnson, South Elgin, IL (US);
Duncan F. Brown, Mundelein, IL (US);
Abstract
Support rails are provided for pinball machine playfields that provide mechanical support as well as light-emitting elements, such as LEDs, that generate additional light for illuminating the playfield and/or decorative features affixed to the rails. At least a portion of the support rail is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material to facilitate transmission of light from lighting elements below or enclosed by the rail. The support rails can be provided with various grooves, channels, and holes to facilitate mounting of the rails to a playfield or an existing support rail, using nuts and bolts, screws, brackets, and the like. The lighted support rails provide both mechanical stability to the playfield, as well as additional illumination and optional mounting locations for decorative features and/or game mechanisms. These functions of the support rail can be achieved without taking up room on the 'active' area of the playfield itself or obstructing visibility of the playfield and its components.