Abstract
With the introduction of multi-level playfields all playfields being of a significant area within the gaming cabinet there is an as yet unrealised opportunity to develop scoring devices that each serve all or at least more than one playfield. These scoring devices can be specifically designed to only obstruct the view of and the playing on of a minimal proportion of playable area. That they serve more than one level also provides the chance to construct elaborate game rules involving scoring in sequence on various parts of the devices. The scoring device embodied here is specifically a new bumper device.
Claims
1. A scoring device in the form of a single physical bumper assembly for a pinball game including; scoringly interactive aspects that register scoring interaction with a pinball on that single physical bumper assembly on at least 2 different playfields spaced vertically within a pinball game; each scoringly interactive aspect including a sensing element that moves when interacted with by a moving pinball; each sensing element including an aspect that allows the sensing element to interact with an electrical or electronic sensing and signalling element; and where the electrical or electronic sensing and signalling element needs no physical contact with the aspect it is sensing during its sensing operation.
2. A scoring device as claimed in claim 1, where each scoringly interactive aspect includes an impulse providing element that can contact a pinball in a driven way and cause movement of it.
3. A scoring device as claimed in claim 2, wherein that electrical or electronic sensing and signalling element and that sensing element aspect and that impulse providing element together are so compact as to be housed completely within the outer boundaries of the single bumper assembly and do not impinge on the view of or play on any of the playfields associated with the single bumper assembly.
4. A scoring device as claimed in claim 3, wherein any one of the scoringly interactive aspects of that single physical bumper assembly can register interaction with a pinball and each interaction can result in a score without the other scoringly interactive aspect or aspects of that single physical bumper assembly having registered any interaction with a pinball.
5. A scoring device as claimed in claim 4, wherein interactions of a pinball may be required by gameplay rules at any time during an active game to be made with specific scoringly interactive aspects of that single physical bumper assembly in sequence to maximise a players' score.
6. A scoring device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the scoringly interactive aspects of that single physical bumper assembly that allow interaction with a pinball are on more than 2 different playfields.
7. A scoring device as claimed in claim 6, wherein interactions of a pinball may be required by gameplay rules at any time during an active game to be made with specific scoringly interactive aspects of that single physical bumper assembly in sequence to maximise a players' score.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a typical pinball machine as known in the current art.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a view looking down from above of the playfield area of the pinball machine in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the pinball machine in FIG. 1 with a side panel removed allowing a view of the inner workings.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a known art bumper assembly in a rest position and mounted within a playfield.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 4 with an associated pinball active during playing of a pinball game.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a side section view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 5.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a detail of part of the bumper section view shown in FIG. 6.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a side section view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 5 with the associated pinball interacting with the bumper.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a detail of part of the bumper section view shown in FIG. 8.
[0030] FIG. 10 is an alternate bumper sensing detail from existing patent known art.
[0031] FIG. 11 is a further alternate bumper sensing detail from existing patent known art.
[0032] FIG. 12 is a possible 2 playfield arrangement of the bumper sensing detail from FIG. 11.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a pictorial view of an embodiment to describe the switching component of the current invention with all items at rest.
[0034] FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12.
[0035] FIG. 15 is a side section view of the embodiment in FIG. 13 showing an associated pinball.
[0036] FIG. 16 is a side section view of the embodiment in FIG. 13 with the associated pinball interacting with the bumper.
[0037] FIG. 17 is a side section view of an alternative arrangement of the embodiment in FIG. 13 with all items at rest.
[0038] FIG. 18 is a side section view of an alternative arrangement of the embodiment in FIG. 13 showing internal component movement as if interacted with by a pinball.
[0039] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a pinball machine associated with an embodiment of the current invention.
[0040] FIG. 20 is a view looking down from above of the playfield area of the pinball machine in FIG. 18.
[0041] FIG. 21 is a left side view of the pinball machine in FIG. 18 with a side panel removed allowing a view of the inner workings.
[0042] FIG. 22 is a pictorial view of the embodiment of the present invention bumper assembly in a rest position and mounted within 2 playfield surfaces in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 23 is a front view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 21 showing associated pinballs during playing of a pinball game but with all items at rest.
[0044] FIG. 24 is a front section view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 22.
[0045] FIG. 25 is a front view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 21 with the lower associated pinball interacting with the bumper assembly.
[0046] FIG. 26 is a front section view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 24.
[0047] FIG. 27 is a front view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 21 with the lower associated pinball interacting with the bumper assembly and the bumper assembly being activated to impulse the pinball away from the bumper assembly.
[0048] FIG. 28 is a front section view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 26.
[0049] FIG. 29 is a front view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 21 with the lower associated pinball having been impulsed away from the bumper assembly.
[0050] FIG. 30 is a front section view of the bumper assembly in FIG. 28.
[0051] FIG. 31 is a front section view of a non-described 3 playfield level bumper assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0052] The following description is not intended to limit the invention to being in the embodiment as depicted and described here but as those with only ordinary skill in the art are able to appreciate the form size and shape may be adapted to fit many assembled situations.
[0053] To allow for a multi-level bumper assembly to be constructed a compact reliable pinball contact sensing and switching device is needed. Skirt interaction with a pinball gives reliable movement of that skirt. Turning to FIG. 13,14 a new layout for a bumper using improved sensing is shown. It can be seen that there are no switch components extending past the boundary 377z of the bumper 377. FIGS. 15,16 show bumper 377 with no contact with pinball 305 and then having contact with pinball 305 respectively. FIG. 15 shows Skirt 328 sitting on base 322 and is so mounted that it can pivot around a central point but when not acted upon by any outside influences it is urged to sit level and horizontal by a skirt spring not shown. Skirt 328 has an associated pin sensor activator 328′ which sits straight up and down perpendicular to the skirt and further its associated tip 328″ when in an uninfluenced state lies central over but clear of associated tip position sensor 327 which signals this close proximity. Tip position sensor 327 may be a glass reed switch or a hall effect transistor or some such device that reacts and gives an appropriate signal in response to the proximity of a magnet that may be mounted to or be a part of associated tip 328″. Alternately tip position sensor 327 may be an optical sensor that responds in one way to associated tip 328″ being directly over it and then giving a different response and hence different signal when associated tip 328″ has moved aside. The exact sensing particulars are not critical and a number of sensing methods are known. Importantly a frictionless, reliable sensing method can be implemented that is compact and not subject to dust or dirt. FIGS. 17,18 outline an alternate arrangement for placement of a tip position sensor 427 after the inversion of the pin sensor activator 428′ and its associated tip 428″ with respect to its associated skirt 428. In some instances this may be a preferred arrangement of components with all sensing and switching items here being immediately adjacent their respective scoringly interactive aspect. The exact construction and part arrangement of a suitably performing switch mechanism is not limited to that just described but these embodiments serve to show preferred construction arrangements that provide the required functionality for use within a multi-level bumper assembly.
[0054] Now to continue progressing conception of a multi-level bumper. Re-confirming FIG. 19 shows a new pinball machine 11 that has a main cabinet 42 and backbox 44. This machine 11 has a second playfield 12 with a surface 12′ of a significantly large area with respect to main playfield 13 and spaced at a distance “a” above the main playfield 13 and its associated surface 13′. Both second playfield 12 and its surface 12′ are transparent and can be seen through so viewing of playfield 13 below is not obstructed. Although depicted here in the size chosen for FIG. 19 it can be seen that second clear playfield 12 and its area 12′ could indeed be of any size extending up to and including over all of the main playfield 13 and its surface area 13′ or alternately covering very little of main playfield 13. Similarly there is no limiting factor that prevents more than one extra playfield from being provided and multiple extra levels each of any size are equally possible. As depicted in FIG. 19 Ramp 14 allows a pinball to travel to this second level and the pinball so may return to the main playfield level by rolling down ramp 14 or by passing between flippers 15 and falling over the edge 16 of second playfield area 12. If indeed some higher level playfield 12 covered all of some lower level playfield 13 the top end of some ramp 14 could offer the pinball so through a hole in the higher level playfield to that playfield and as a method of proceeding from the higher level playfield to the lower playfield after the pinball passed between some flippers 15 that pinball could drop through a hole in the higher playfield to the lower playfield.
[0055] And also re-confirming FIG. 20 shows a closer view of the 2 playfields and although the layout and spacing of playfield devices in FIG. 20 is very similar to the known art pinball machine 1. The playfield devices in FIG. 20 are arranged to provide both the main playfield 13 and the second playfield 12 with scoring devices and flippers. The main playfield 13 includes scoring targets 18, scoring bumpers 17, scoring kickers 58 and pinball motivating flippers 59 and pinball motivating flipper 60. Second clear playfield 12 raised above main playfield 13 includes scoring targets 19, scoring bumpers 17 and pinball motivating flippers 15. It can be seen that the embodiment of the invention bumpers 17 are of a double height construction and so can provide both scoringly interactive aspects 17″ and 17′″ that can be interacted with by a pinball on both or either playfield levels. It should also be noted that although the bumpers shown in this example of FIG. 20 have only two scoringly interactive aspects there is no physical limit preventing the construction of multiple additional scoringly interactive aspects to serve any number of multiple playfield levels that may be constructed. FIG. 31 is included as a non-described variant of a 3 scoringly interactive aspect bumper assembly 117 and as will be clear to those versed in the art construction and function are an extension of the embodiments otherwise thoroughly described here.
[0056] The bumper devices 17 however each have only the same electromechanical mechanisms 17′ by physical size as shown in FIG. 21 as the electromechanical mechanisms 7′ in earlier known bumpers 7. Additionally the electrical sensing and switching aspects of the electromechanical mechanisms no longer sit outwards of the bumper assembly as did switching items 7a in FIG. 3 and now reside in a much more compact arrangement. The visible and scoringly interactive aspects 17″ and 17′″ on each playfield level of each bumper 17 are also each only as large as the visible scoringly interactive items 7″ of the earlier bumpers. So it can be seen that the new embodiment of the invention bumpers 17 provide ways of scoring interactively with different levels of the pinball machine within the one single compact assembly without removing or obscuring from view any significant playing area as would happen when using known art devices. This allows a pinball machine designer to increase the number of scoringly interactive aspects that can be made available for a player to strive to hit while still having easy viewing access to undiminished playfield areas. In addition it provides the possibility to increase complexity by constructing game rules that require a player to proceed to and score on the bumpers on all different playfield levels during the game and interact with the different scoringly interactive aspects in order to maximise their score. This game rules strategy could ultimately extend to one level of scoring aspect being made non-scoring on a bumper or bumpers until that or those bumpers sense a scoring hit on their other scoringly interactive aspect or aspects or some other scoring strategy.
[0057] The exact construction and part arrangement of a suitably performing bumper is not limited to that described in the following but this one embodiment of the invention bumper 17 serves to show one preferred construction arrangement that provides the required functionality for increased player interest.
[0058] FIGS. 22,23,24 will describe the construction of a preferred embodiment of the invention bumper 17 and then FIGS. 25-30 further describe the operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention bumper 17 as described here.
[0059] FIGS. 22,23 show the bumper 17 fitted so that its electromechanical mechanism 17′ is positioned below main playfield 13 and playfield 13 is shown here in cutout form. The first scoringly interactive aspect 17″ of bumper 17 where scoring can occur through interaction with a pinball is then above main playfield 13 where a pinball 50 can roll over playfield surface 13′ and contact this scoringly interactive aspect of the bumper identified here as 17″. Above this again is second playfield 12 which is transparent also shown here in cutout form and with its associated surface 12′. And yet further above surface 12′ is positioned the second level of bumper 17 where scoring can occur through interaction with a pinball where pinball 50′ can roll over playfield surface 12′ and interact with this second scoringly interactive aspect of the bumper identified here as 17′″.
[0060] FIG. 24 shows a sectioned view of bumper 17 as last depicted in FIG. 23 with all its elements in a rest or non-interacted with position. The frame of bumper 17 holding all parts in place is the set of joined parts including mounting frame 21, base 22, body 23, base 24 and body 25. Mounting frame 21 enables the bumper to be fastened to the underside of main playfield 13. Mounting frame 21 also holds solenoid coil 26 and tip position sensor 27. Base 22 provides a pivot for skirt 28. Body 23 provides a mount for tip position sensor 29 and also supports light ring 30 and light cap 31. Light ring 30 could be an RGB LED colour changing display or some other simple light source well known in the art. Base 24 provides a pivot for skirt 32. Body 25 supports light ring 33 and light cap 34. Light ring 33 could be an RGB LED colour changing display or some other simple light source well known in the art and could also extend to additionally cover or be re-positioned instead under the centre of light cap 34. Within solenoid coil 26 is its associated plunger 26′ and this plunger 26′ is urged in an upwardly direction out of the solenoid coil 26 by a plunger spring not shown. The plunger 26′ remains in this upwardly urged position when the solenoid coil 26 is not energised. Plunger 26′ is further connected to yoke 35 which in turn connects through pull rods 36 to impulse cone 37 and then in turn also within the one assembly connects with pull rods 38 through to impulse cone 39. All of these parts move directly together along with any movement imparted to plunger 26′ and so also rest in an upwardly position held upwardly by the plunger spring when no force is generated by solenoid coil 26. When solenoid coil 26 is energised however and its downwards pulling force overcomes the upwardly urging force from the plunger spring then plunger 26′ is drawn downwards and further into solenoid coil 26. Plunger 26′ then in turn acts on parts 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and all move downwards together and they stay in this downwards position until the solenoid coil is no longer energised at which time plunger 26′ along with all associated parts 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 return to their upwardly position under the influence of the plunger spring. Skirts 28 and 32 sit respectively on their bases 22 and 24 and are so mounted that they can pivot around a central point but when not acted upon by any outside influences they are urged to sit level and horizontal by a skirt spring not shown. The skirts each have an associated pin sensor activator 28′ and 32′ which sit straight up and down perpendicular to their respective skirt and further the respective associated tips 28″ and 32″ of each associated pin activator when in an uninfluenced state lie directly above while not contacting their further respectively associated tip position sensor 27 and 29. Tip position sensors 27 and 29 are of such configuration that they can sense the proximity of their respectively associated tips 28″ and 32″ and produce an electronic signal reflective of the level of respective tip proximity to that sensor the signal then being used to trigger some electronic action or event recording controlled by the electronics of an associated game controller which is also associated with a software program. The exact nature of the sensing method is not important to the generic function of generating an electronic signal but that sensing may be simply that the tips 28″ and 32″ are magnetic and position sensors 27 and 29 can sense differing magnetic strength as the tips 28″ and 32″ move over and then away from position sensors 27 and 29. Or sensing may be done by the sensors optically seeing the tips over the sensors or by some other sensing means. That this sensing arrangement is available for use contributes greatly to the feasibility of making this embodiment of the invention bumper 17 as particularly for the combination of tip position sensor 29 and its associated sensed moving item 32″ must in total be compact enough to fit within body 23 in keeping with the compact profile of the bumper 17 assembly. Many traditional skirt movement sensors as known in the art are not of a sufficiently small size to be used in this new invention bumper.
[0061] FIG. 25 shows a pinball 50 moving on playfield surface 13′ in direction B and it has so moved close enough to the bumper 17 assembly to contact and deflect the edge of skirt 28 so that skirt 28 no longer lies horizontal. Movement of skirt 28 can also be seen in sectioned view in FIG. 26. As the skirt 28 lies completely around bumper 17 the pinball can make the same influential contact on the skirt from all sides of bumper 17. This movement of skirt 28 has in turn encouraged pin sensor activator 28′ to leave the vertical so that its tip 28″ is no longer immediately above tip position sensor 27. Tip position sensor 27 senses this change in proximity of the tip 28″ and signals to the game operating computer that the pinball has made contact with skirt 28 and so a score can be awarded to the player. Simultaneously that same signal from tip position sensor 27 can be used to cause solenoid 26 to be energised so drawing downwards solenoid plunger 26′ and its associated assembly so that impulse cone 37 also moves downwards and impacts on the top of pinball 50 as shown in FIG. 27. A sectioned view of bumper 17 in this same activated state is shown in FIG. 28. By the nature of the conical shape of impulse cone 37 pinball 50 is then driven outwards and away from bumper 17 in direction C as can be seen in FIG. 29 and this movement of bumper 17 components can also be seen in sectioned view in FIG. 30. As the impulse cone 37 lies completely around bumper 17 it can make that same influential contact on the pinball 50 from all sides of bumper 17. FIGS. 29,30 show that after contacting pinball 50 and urging pinball 50 away from bumper 17 impulse cone 37 has continued it's downwards travel still drawn by plunger 26′ or moved downwards under its own continuing momentum until it is at its lowest position. FIGS. 29,30 also show that simultaneously as pinball 50 moves away from bumper 17 pinball 50 no longer contacts skirt 28 which then returns to its at rest horizontal position and so its associated pin sensor activator 28′ returns to the vertical and in turn its further associated tip 28″ returns to a position directly over tip position sensor 27. Position sensor 27 then senses this new level of tip proximity and so signals to the electronics of an associated game controller which is also associated with a software program that skirt 28 is now at rest and so the energising of solenoid coil 26 can be discontinued so allowing solenoid plunger 26′ to return to its upwards rest position urged by the plunger spring and also further returning impulse cone 37 to its upwards rest position as shown in FIGS. 23,24.
[0062] It can be seen that exactly the same interaction between a pinball 50′ on playfield surface 12′ and invention bumper 17 would occur should pinball 50′ contact skirt 32. Skirt 32 would interact with tip position sensor 29 through movement of tip 32″ signalling the game computer to energise solenoid coil 26 so retracting plunger 26′ and drawing down impulse cone 39 as impulse cone 39 is also directly associated with solenoid plunger 26′. Impulse cone 39 would contact pinball 50′ and drive it outwards and away from invention bumper 17 as has been previously described when impulse cone 37 contacted pinball 50. And so embodiment of the invention bumper 17 as a single physical assembly allows scoring interaction with a pinball on more than 1 playfield level, only uses one operating electromechanical mechanism, employs a reliable frictionless compact sensing and signalling system, has a physical size on each playing level that occupies and obscures only a minimal amount of area of the playfield below, and also opens the game software to including strategy requiring scoring by the player on interactively scoring aspects on more than one playfield and also further possibly in some required sequence on those different playfields to maximise a players score.
CITATION LIST
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