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:
Jul. 09, 1996
Filed:
May. 20, 1994
Dennis P Nordman, Des Plaines, IL (US);
Winston H Schilling, Park Ridge, IL (US);
Williams Electronics Games, Inc., Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
The improved player feature of the invention comprises an arm mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. An electromagnet is attached to the arm's outer end which is capable of suspending a ferromagnetic ball. Located below and along the path traveled by the magnet are a plurality of play features such as ramps, chutes, outholes and the like. A ball elevator is provided to bring the pinball to the electromagnet. The electromagnet is rotated over the play features. When the magnet is aligned with a desired play feature, the player presses a button to deactivate the electromagnet thereby dropping the ball onto the desired feature.