Pinball machine with an interactive three-dimensional figure

Abstract

A pinball machine comprising a housing having provisions for translating a ball in play throughout a plurality of locations therein, including at least one rotary spinner and active bar bumper, said housing further including flippers, inactive bumpers and ball traps and channels disposed at strategic locations on a playing field, the rotary spinners and bar bumpers being operably connected to a drive system which is operated off a single drive motor and which includes an integral scoring relay which generates a scoring signal in response to a drag torque imparted on the drive system every time a ball makes contact with a rotary spinner or bar bumper, the housing further having a three dimensional figure attached to one end thereof, adapted to move at least a part thereof relative to the housing, the figure including an internal mechanism adapted to move one arm thereof in a generally up and down motion such that it randomly and periodically impacts a trigger within the housing which engages a mechanism for raising part of the housing relative to a support surface to increase the difficulty of play, the figure further including provisions for illuminating part thereof and for displaying the player's score, and an audio speaker for providing a 'speaking' effect in response to different play conditions as well as generating various sound effects.