United States Patent [191
`Segan et al.
`
`[54] GAME APPARATUS INCLUDING
`BASKETBALL, PINBALL, AND TARGET
`BOWLING
`
`[75] Inventors: Marc H. Segan, New York; Gary
`Strauss, Mamaroneck, both of N.Y.;
`Gerald W. Cummings, Marlton, N].
`[73] Ass1gnee: M. H. Segan Limited Partnership,
`Great Barrington, Mass.
`
`_
`
`[21] APlDl- N°~= 273,426
`
`.
`
`_
`
`_
`
`l|||||llllllllIllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIllllllll
`Us005443259A
`[11]
`5,443,259
`Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Aug. 22, 1995
`
`4,291,885 9/ 1981 Cohen ............................... .. 273/ 347
`4,354,680 10/1982
`4,647,043 3/1987
`4,735,392 4/1988
`4,786,371 11/1988
`4,805,917 2/ 1989
`4338549 6/1989
`4,852,837 8/1989
`5,016,875 5/1991
`.
`5,129,648 7/1992
`5,133,546 7/1992 Matherne et a1. ............. .. 273/1.5 A
`
`4,840,375 6/1989
`
`Related U_S_ Application Data
`_
`,
`_
`[63] g?égiigon'm'pm of Ser‘ No‘ 194’443 ’ Feb‘ 10’ 1994’
`'
`[51] Int. Cl.6 ....................... .. A63B 63/08; A63F 7/02
`[52] US. Cl. .......................... .. 273/1.5 R; 273/123 A;
`
`Back To Basics Toys, Games and Hobbies, Holiday
`1994—Spring 1995, “6—In—1 Game Table”p. 54.
`Regent, The Name Is Games, Basketballs and Accesso
`ries, p. 39 No Date.
`SKEE-BALL, Inc., SKEE-BALL, The Game They
`Keep Coming Back To, 1991 brochure.
`
`273/352; 273/401
`
`_
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`[56]
`
`[58] Field of Search ............... .. 273/1.5 R, 1.5 A, 352, PM”? Ex”’"’”e’—w‘11‘am H‘ Gneb .
`273/401, 119 R’ 119 A’ 119 B, 120 A’ 121 A’
`Attorney, Agent, or 1f'zrm-—Howrey & S1mon; C. Scott
`122 A, 123 A, 124 A, 125 A, 118 A Talbm; Le° J‘ Jenmngs
`References Cited
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`U S PATENT DOCUMENTS
`A game apparatus combines pinball, target bowling and
`'
`'
`basketball games in a single combined assembly, with a
`2,010,213 8/ 1935 Bergoffen ............... ..
`common scorekeeping and control System‘ The game
`273/352
`{Sims """ "
`apparatus includes a basketball rim and backboard sup
`235;
`3,362,712 l/1968 wag: I: . . . .
`. . . . . .. 273/374 Pm Post that mates between an upright’ Play Position
`4,013,292 3/1977 Cohen et a1.
`273/1.5 R
`and an Inverted’ stowed P°$m°n
`4,054,287 10/1977 Goldfarb et a1.
`273/ 119 R
`4,223,889 9/1980 Konta ............................ .. 273/ 127 R
`
`33 Claims, 36 Drawing Sheets
`
`Intermix Media LLC Ex. 1004
`Intermix Media LLC v. RLT Acquisition, Inc.
`Case CBM2015-00154
`
`Page 1 of 44
`
`

`
`US. Patent ‘
`
`Aug. 22, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 36
`
`5,443,259
`
`FIG.1
`
`Page 2 of 44
`
`

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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 22, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 36
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`
`Page 3 of 44
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 22, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 36
`
`5,443,259
`
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`
`Page 4 of 44
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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 22, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 36
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`Page 5 of 44
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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Sheet 5 of 36
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`Page 6 of 44
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Sheet 12 of 36
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`
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`
`Page 13 of 44
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Page 15 of 44
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 22, 1995
`
`Sheet 15 0f 36
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`5,443,259
`
`FIG. 13F
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`Page 16 of 44
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Page 20 of 44
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Sheet 20 of 36
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Sheet 23 of 36
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`Page 24 of 44
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Sheet 25 of 36
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`Page 26 of 44
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Sheet 26 of 36
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`Page 27 of 44
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`Page 27 of 44
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Sheet 30 of 36
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Sheet 31 of 36
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`Aug. 22, 1995
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`

`
`1
`
`5,443,259
`
`GAME APPARATUS INCLUDING BASKETBALL,
`PINBALL, AND TARGET BOWLING
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. pa-
`tent application Ser. No. 08/194,443, filed Feb. 10, 1994,
`now abandoned.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates generally to games and specifi-
`cally to a game apparatus that combines two or more of
`a pinball, target bowling and basketball game. More
`specifically, theinvention relates to a game apparatus in
`which the pinball, target bowling and basketball games
`are interconnected in a single combined apparatus.
`There are a variety of types of conventional game
`apparatuses known,
`including pinball games,
`target
`bowling games, and basketball games. For example,
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,680 to Kmiec describes a pinball
`game including a generally horizontal cabinet having a
`slanted playfield on which a ball rolls. A glass top over-
`lies the playfield. Flippers are actuated by the player,
`using flipper actuators on the left and right sides of the
`cabinet, to attempt to prevent the pinball from rolling
`out of the playfield. A scoring display is provided on
`the front face of a generally vertical back cabinet ex-
`tending above the back end of the horizontal cabinet.
`Various pinball scoring features are also known. For
`example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,889 to Konta discloses a
`pinball bumper with a mechanical drive system.
`Target bowling games are also known. These games
`are exemplified by the games sold under the trade mark
`“SKEB-BALL”. As used herein, the term target bowl-
`ing is intended to refer to any of the games similar to the
`known “SKEE—BALL” games, and to other target
`bowling games having characteristics similar to those
`described below. Examples of target bowling games are
`shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,010,213 to Bergoffen and U.S.
`Pat. No. 2,926,915 to Johns. These target bowling
`games include an alley or platform with an upwardly
`curving portion at the back end thereof. When the
`player rolls a ball down the alley, it is projected by the
`upward curve towards a scoring area having a plurality
`of circular scoring areas separated by upstanding wall
`members. The ball falls into a scoring hole correspond-
`ing to the area in which the ball lands. A scoring mecha-
`nism registers the score according to what hole the ball
`falls into and the score is displayed in a score window
`above the back end of the scoring area.
`Basketball games employing a return net to return a
`thrown basketball to the user and/or which count suc-
`cessfully thrown baskets are also known. For example,
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,371 to Postol shows a basketball
`retriever apparatus including a net-carrying frame hav-
`ing its upper end hooked onto a lower portion of a
`basketball backboard and a lower end supported by legs
`located below and in front of the backboard.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,917 to Cochran, et al. discloses a
`basketball game having rigid upper and lower return
`boards located below and in front of the basket for
`
`returning the ball to the player after a basket. Side net-
`ting is supported by a framework to prevent the ball
`from bouncing out the side.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,546 to Matheme, et al. discloses a
`foldable basketball game apparatus including a frame-
`work that supports one or two basketball goals and a
`ball return. The ball return has side netting and an in-
`clined flexible bottom. A scoring mechanism having an
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
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`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Page 38 of 44
`
`2
`is completed,
`is depressed when a basket
`arm that
`counts completed baskets and also includes a timer for
`timing the game.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,712 to Wagner discloses a basket-
`ball game having an inclined ball return, and top and
`side netting. A ball-retaining ring holds the ball after
`each completed basket until released by the player.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,287 to Goldfarb, et al. discloses a
`toy amusement arcade that includes a pinball game, a
`target bowling game and a gun range game. Each game
`is provided in a completely enclosed housing separate
`from the other games.
`However, in the prior art there are no known games
`that successfully combine two or three of pinball, target
`bowling and basketball games in a single apparatus.
`Although it is often desired to have the capability of
`playing more than one game for a greater range of play
`options, the prior art requires the use of two or three
`separate and independent game apparatuses—that is, a
`separate and independent apparatus for each game.
`The use of two or more separate and independent
`apparatuses has several disadvantages. The total ship-
`ping and manufacturing costs are higher for several
`separate and independent game apparatuses than for a
`single, combined apparatus, since many structural parts,
`such as the support legs and main bodies of each, are
`duplicated. Electronic parts such as the main power
`supplies, the power and volume controls, and the scor-
`ing displays may also be duplicated. The use of two or
`more separate and independent apparatuses also takes
`up additional floor space as compared to a single com-
`bined apparatus.
`The prior art basketball games having a return net
`suffer from the additional disadvantage that they are
`somewhat bulky when not in use. For example, al-
`though the game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,546 to
`Matheme, et al. is foldable, the folding process is cum-
`bersome and the total height of the apparatus is not
`reduced, because the supports for the rim and back-
`board do not fold or collapse vertically.
`Accordingly, there is a need for an arcade game that
`combines play features of at least two of pinball, target
`bowling, and/or basketball games. There is also a need
`for an assembly that supports a basketball backboard
`and rim assembly and re-configures conveniently into a
`compact storage or stowed position having a reduced
`height.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention overcomes the need in the
`prior art for a game that combines play features of at
`least two of pinball, target bowling and/or basketball
`games, by providing a game apparatus which combines
`pinball, target bowling and basketball games in a single
`assembly. The game apparatus includes a housing hav-
`ing a generally horizontal coffin portion and a back case
`portion, with a pinball playfield disposed in the coffin
`portion and a target bowling target disposed in the back
`case portion. A basketball rim and backboard assembly
`is coupled to the housing by a backboard support post.
`The invention further provides a common scorekeep-
`ing and control system for the pinball, target bowling
`and basketball games, which includes a scoring display,
`and which communicates with a pinball scoring appara-
`tus, a target bowling scoring apparatus and a basketball
`scoring apparatus.
`:further provides a basketball
`The invention still
`game having a rim and backboard support post coupled
`
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`3
`to the housing that re-configures conveniently into a
`compact storage or stowed position having a reduced
`height, by rotating from an upright, play position to an
`inverted, stowed position. A projection on the housing
`extends through an aperture in the support post so that
`the support post is rotatable about the projection.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`4
`FIG. 22 is a rear view of the target bowling target
`component.
`FIG. 23 including FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E
`and 23F, is a schematic diagram of the circuits associ-
`ated with the scoring and control module.
`FIG. 24 including FIGS. 24A, and 24B is a schematic
`diagram of the circuits associated with the pinball game
`apparatus.
`
`FIG. 1 is a right side elevation of a combination ar-
`cade game apparatus embodying the principles of the
`invention with a backboard support post disposed in a
`play position and a basketball return net deployed.
`FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in
`FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the apparatus shown in
`FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 4 is a top plan View of the apparatus shown in
`FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 5 is a right side elevation of a combination ar-
`cade game apparatus embodying the principles of the
`invention with a backboard support post disposed in a
`stowed position.
`FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in
`FIG. 5.
`
`FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the apparatus shown in
`FIG. 5.
`
`FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in
`FIG. 5.
`
`FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus shown
`in FIG. 5.
`FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the combination
`arcade game apparatus with the backboard support post
`in the stowed position and the target bowling target
`exposed.
`FIG. 11 is a top plan View of the apparatus shown in
`FIG. 10.
`
`FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the game in the con-
`figuration shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.
`FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13F are top plan, bottom
`plan, side elevation, and partial rear elevation views of
`the game housing.
`FIGS. 13D, 13E, 13G and 13H are cross sectional
`views of the game housing taken along the lines 13D in
`FIG. 13B, 13B in FIG. 13B, 13G in FIG. 13C, and 13H
`in FIG. 13B, respectively.
`FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views showing
`the game in a target bowling mode and a pinball mode,
`respectively.
`FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D show the process by
`which the basketball return net is mounted to the back-
`board with upper net supports and on the housing by
`front net supports.
`FIGS. 16A and 16B show the arrangements of large
`and small covers placed on the housing to transition
`between the pinball and target bowling modes.
`FIGS. 17A and 17B show the rotation of the back-
`board support post between the stowed position and the
`play position, respectively.
`FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D are partial rear eleva-
`tion views showing the connection of the backboard
`support post to the game housing.
`FIG. 19A is an elevation view of a rear plate.
`FIG. 19B is a cross sectional View of the rear plate
`taken along the line 19B in FIG. 19A.
`FIG. 20 is an elevation view of the backboard support
`post.
`FIG. 21 shows a scoring and control module.
`
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`A combination arcade game apparatus 10 embodying
`the principles of the present invention is illustrated in
`FIGS. 1 through 12. The game has two main structural
`assemblies: a main body 100 and a basketball backboard
`support assembly 300. As described in more detail be-
`low, these structural assemblies contain a pinball appa-
`ratus 400, a target bowling apparatus 500 including a
`target 510, and a scoring and control system 600. The
`pinball and target bowling apparatuses are generally
`disposed within the main body 100. The scoring and
`control system 600 is generally disposed in the main
`body 100 but communicates with a sensor disposed in
`the backboard support assembly 300, with circuits pro-
`vided in the pinball apparatus 400, and with sensors
`disposed in the target bowling apparatus 500.
`The body 100 is defined primarily by a housing 1110
`supported by front supporting legs 210, 211 and rear
`supporting legs 212, 213. The housing 110 also includes
`a coffin portion 120 and a back case portion 150. Coffin
`portion 120 includes a back end 121 where the coffin
`meets the back case portion 150 and a player end 122 at
`which the player stands. The back case portion 150 is
`angled with respect to the coffin portion 120 so that it
`extends upwardly at an angle greater than the angle of
`inclination of the coffin portion 120 (approximately 45
`degrees from the horizontal plane defined by, for exam-
`ple, the floor or other supporting surface on which the
`legs 210, 211, 212, 213 rest). The back case 150 has a
`back end 151 away from the player.
`The housing 110 is shown in more detail in FIGS.
`13A through 13H. In the illustrated embodiment, the
`housing 110 is integrally molded of polypropylene
`structural foam. It is generally defined by a peripheral
`rail structure 180 that has an inverted U-shape in cross
`section, as best seen in FIG. 13G. The housing 110
`includes a pinball cavity 130 in which to mount the
`pinball apparatus 400, a target bowling cavity 140 in
`which to mount the target 510, a target bowling return
`channel 550, and a projection 155 on which the basket-
`ball backboard support assembly 300 is mounted.
`It will be appreciated that pinball and target bowling
`games are especially well suited for combination utiliz-
`ing a common housing, since both game apparatuses
`each conventionally include a generally horizontal por-
`tion (to provide the playfield in a pinball game or to
`provide the alley in a target bowling game) and also
`each conventionally include either a generally upright
`or an angled back case portion (to provide a scoring
`display in pinball or to provide a target in target bowl-
`ing). The present invention utilizes the coffin portion
`120 for both the pinball playfield 410 and supporting the
`target bowling alley defined by large and small panels
`710, 720 overlying the playfield 410. The present inven-
`tion also utilizes the back case 150 for both the scoring
`and display module 610 and the target bowling target
`510. A basketball game with a return net is also well
`suited for combination with pinball and/or target bowl-
`ing games, since the housing 110 provides a horizontal
`
`Page 39 of 44
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`5
`distance between the player and the basketball support
`post 310.
`Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12, the supporting legs
`210, 211, 212, 213 support the housing 110 so that the
`coffin portion 120 is approximately horizontal but is
`angled slightly upwardly from the player end 122 to its
`back end 121. Although the rear supporting legs 212,
`213 are shown being longer than the front supporting
`legs 210, 211, all four legs may be substantially identical.
`The legs 210, 211, 212, 213 are independently height-
`adjustable by means of two-piece, screw-type foot as-
`semblies 230 located at the base of each leg. The feet
`230 may be height-adjusted to change the overall angle
`of the apparatus and to compensate for uneven floor
`surfaces.
`
`Each supporting leg 210, 211, 212, 213 is attached to
`the housing 110 by a respective retainer 220, 221, 222,
`223 that fits into a respective socket 170, 171, 172, 173
`provided in the lower surface of the housing 110, and
`the retainers 220, 221, 222, 223 are anchored in their
`respective sockets 170, 171, 172, 173 by means of a
`screw or other suitable fastener. The supporting legs are
`secured in the retainers as follows: the supporting legs
`are tubular and each have a small hole (not visible) near
`one end that is engaged by a resilient tab (not visible) on
`the retainer, and when the retainer is inserted into the
`socket, the tab is held engaged with the supporting leg
`by contact with the side of the socket, thereby securing
`the supporting leg in the retainer. This retainer and
`socket connection is similar to the connection of the
`removable leg assembly described in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,852,837 to Merten, et al., which patent is incorporated
`herein by reference.
`As seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, a pair of front net
`supports 940, 941 are used together with a pair of rear
`net supports 920, 921 to support a basketball return net
`900 as discussed in more detail later.
`
`Basketball Assembly
`
`As shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 through 12, and
`FIG. 20, the backboard support assembly 300 includes a
`support post 310 pivotally mounted to the back end 151
`of the back case 150 of the housing 110. A backboard
`assembly 350 is mounted on the upper end of the sup-
`port post 310, and includes a backboard 360, a rim 370
`and a conventional basketball net 375 mounted on rim
`370.
`
`A basketball score paddle 390 is pivotally attached to
`the backboard 360 and is disposed just below the center
`of the rim 370. The score paddle 390 is deflected down-
`wardly by the ball as it passes through the rim 370 after
`a completed basket. When deflected, the score paddle
`390 activates a contact-type sensor switch (not visible
`but disposed in the backboard 360 adjacent the score
`paddle 390) that communicates with the scoring and
`control module 600 via a cable 340 that connects be-
`
`tween the basketball assembly 300 and the housing 110.
`The support post 3 10 is pivotally mounted on the
`housing 110 for rotation about a horizontal post pivot
`axis 311. The support post 310 rotates between two
`opposite vertical positions: the upright, play position
`illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1 through 4, and the
`inverted, stowed position illustrated, for example,
`in
`FIGS. 6 through 11.
`A projection 155, best shown in FIG. 13F, protrudes
`from the rear of the back case 150. The projection 155
`is generally circular in cross section with a downward
`vertically-extending slot 157 provided at its top center.
`
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`The support post 3 10, as shown in FIG. 20, includes an
`aperture 320 through which the projection 155 passes.
`The aperture 320 in the support post 310 is generally
`oval with a pair of opposing upper and lower keys 321,
`322 that are each capable of engaging the slot 157 to
`hold the support post 310 securely in one of the play or
`stowed positions.
`A rear plate 315, illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, is
`attached to the end.of projection 155 and has a flange
`316 located adjacent the side of the support post 310
`opposite the housing 110 to retain the support post 310
`on the projection 155. The rear plate 315 is generally
`disc-shaped with a central mounting portion 317 that
`fits snugly into the interior portion of the projection
`155, and is attached to projection 155 by screws 318.
`The movement of the support post 310 between the
`positions depicted in FIGS. 17A and 17B will now be
`explained in more detail making reference to FIGS.
`18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D. In FIG. 18A, the support post
`310 is in the upright, play position with upper key 321
`held by the slot 157. In FIG. 18B, the support post 310
`is lifted to disengage the key 321 from the slot 157. FIG.
`18C shows the support post 310 in an intermediate posi-
`tion as it is being rotated in the direction indicated by
`arrow A. FIG. 18D shows the support post 310 in the
`inverted, stowed position with the lower key 322 held
`by the slot 157.
`The method of moving the support post 310 is as
`follows. To release the support post 310 from one verti-
`cal position, the support post 310 is first lifted so that the
`key 321 or 322 clears the slot 157 into which it was
`engaged. The support post 310 is able to be lifted in this
`manner due to the vertical clearance C provided be-
`tween the lower portion of projection 155 and the re-
`spective key 321 or 322 at the lower portion of aperture
`320. Once the key 321 or 322 clears slot 157, the post is
`free to be rotated about the post pivot axis 311 until the
`support post 310 reaches its other vertical position. At
`the other vertical position, the other key 321 or 322 will
`engage the slot 157 to hold the post 310 in that position.
`In the preferred embodiment, the upper key 321 has a
`square shape, and provides a relatively tight fit in slot
`127 to reduce wobbling of the support post 310 when in
`the upright, play position, and the lower key 322 is
`tapered as shown to facilitate lifting and rotating sup-
`port post 310 from the inverted, stowed position.
`Referring to FIGS. 13F and 20, a tab 158 may be
`provided on back end 151 adjacent projection 155, that
`fits within a radial groove 323 provided in support post
`310. The engagement of the tab 158 in the groove 323
`limits rotation of the support post 310 so that it can only
`be rotated in a slightly greater than 180 degree arc,
`rather than 360 degrees. This prevents the twisting and
`tangling of cable 340 that may be caused by several
`rotations in only one direction.
`Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, 12, 15A, 15B,
`15C and 15D, when the support post 310 is in the play
`position, the basketball return net 900 can be strung so
`that it is supported above the main body 100 extending
`between front net supports 910, 911 and rear net sup-
`ports 920, 921. The return net 900 has a player end 901
`and a back end 902 extending under the rim 370, and is
`shaped to catch both completed baskets and thrown
`balls that miss the basket and to return each thrown ball
`and hold it at the player end 901. The player end 901 of
`the net 900 is wide enough to hold two or more balls for
`convenient access by the player.
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`The from net supports 910, 911 are detachably
`mountable into sockets 123, 124 located near the player
`end 122, and the rear net supports 921, 922 are detach-
`ably mountable to the backboard assembly 350 by hooks
`that are inserted into slots 361, 362 provided in the
`backboard 360. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 15A, a strap
`930 held by hook-and-loop fastener is wrapped around
`the support post 310 to further secure the back end 902
`of the net 900 in place. This arrangement allows the net
`supports 910, 911, 920, 921 and return net 900 to be
`easily removed before the support post 310 is rotated to
`the stowed position.
`
`Pinball Assembly
`
`The pinball apparatus 400, best shown in FIGS. 8 and
`14B is housed in pinball cavity 130 of coffin 120, and
`includes conventional pinball game structures such as a
`slanted pinball playfield 410 down which a pinball rolls
`under the influence of gravity and a transparent plastic
`top panel 415 overlying the playfield 410. A pinball is
`projected to the top of the playfield by operating a
`spring-loaded ball launcher 411 having a launcher han-
`dle 412 that extends from the player end 122 of coffin
`120. As the pinball rolls down towards one or more
`exits 420, it contacts various scoring features such as
`bumpers 430 and other scoring elements, while the
`player attempts to keep the pinball in play by projecting
`it back up the playfield 410 using flippers 440 by press-
`ing on flipper actuators 441, 442 mounted on each side
`of the coffin 120 near the corners at the player end 122.
`Flipper actuators 441, 442 operate the flippers 440 via a
`direct mechanical linkage. The bumpers 430 may be
`driven by a motorized mechanical drive system such as
`that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,889 to Konta,
`which patent is incorporated herein by reference. Other
`mechanically powered scoring features such as saucers,
`ramps, or tubes with motorized ball kickers may be
`provided. Lights, such as LED’s or other visual ele-
`ments may also be provided on the playfield 410 to
`display visual patterns based on scoring activity.
`When the ball rolls into one of the exits 420, it enters
`a pinball return structure 421, which returns the ball to
`a start location for launching by the ball launcher 411 to
`start play again.
`Various pinball game functions such as providing
`power to the bumpers and other game features and
`conventional electronic scoring are controlled as
`needed by the scoring and control system 600, discussed
`in more detail below.
`When the apparatus is in the pinball configuration,
`the target 510 of the target bowling apparatus 500 may
`be covered by a large cover panel 710, placed over a
`small cover panel 720 as shown in FIGS. 8, 14B and
`16A. The large cover panel 710 may bear a colorful
`graphic on the exposed side, as is traditional for arcade
`pinball machines.
`
`Target Bowling Assembly
`
`To play target bowling, as shown in FIG. 10, 11, 14A
`and 16B, a conventional target 510 mounted in the back
`case 120 is exposed for play by removal of the cover
`panels 710, 720. The large cover panel 710 and small
`cover panel 720 are placed end to end atop the top panel
`415 of the pinball apparatus 400 to define an alley along
`which a ball can be rolled. The cover panels 710 and
`720‘ may each have a graphic on one side to simulate a
`wood alley or other suitable target bowling alley sur-
`face.
`
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`8
`The target 510 includes multiple concentric scoring
`rings towards which a ball is projected by being rolled
`down the alley. A ramp 570 is formed at the lower edge
`of the target 510, located at the end of the alley away
`from the player, so that the ball is projected by the ramp
`570 towards the target 510.
`Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, 16B and 22, the
`target 510 includes scoring areas 501, 502, and 503 each
`divided by upstanding rings. Each scoring area includes
`a hole 521, 522, 523 passing through the target 5110
`through which the ball falls to exit the scoring area. As
`shown in FIG. 22, a curved guide wall 516 on the back
`side of the target 510 guides the ball into one of three
`lanes 511, 512, 513 provided at the wide upper end of
`ball return channel 550 (see FIG. 13A) according to
`which of the holes 521, 522, 523 the ball exits through.
`Contact-type scoring sensor switches 531, 532, 533
`located behind the scoring ring in each lane 511, 512,
`513, respectively, identify which ring the target bowl-
`ing has landed in by sensing the passage of the ball
`through one of the lanes 511, 512, 513. FIG. 13A shows
`the positioning of the lanes 511, 512, 513 and sensor
`switches 531, 532, 533. The lanes and switches may be
`provided on a mounting me