Illuminated Pinball Machine Legs

Abstract

The subject matter of this application pertains to illuminated legs for pinball machines. The legs have cut outs such as text and graphics. Lights on the inner surface of the leg illuminate the cut out sections. Lights may be housed within a payload which is inserted into the leg. The lights are connected to a power source and a controller and may be synced to other lights on the pinball machine.

Claims

1. An illuminated leg for a pinball machine as described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 Is an illustration of a three-sided pinball machine leg from the third side.

[0007] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the leg of FIG. 1 from a different side.

[0008] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a lighting package for a leg.

[0009] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the disclosed legs on a pinball machine.

[0010] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures and described herein are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. Accordingly, the present application is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims. The order or sequence of any processes or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.

[0012] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application.

[0013] The subject matter of this application involves cutting out text or graphics in a pinball machine leg and illuminating the leg by its own power source or interactively from the voltage supplied directly from the pinball machine itself.

[0014] First we designed a closed three sided pinball machine leg (FIGS. 1 and 2) that is superior in strength to the traditional two sided leg. The first (e.g., 101) and second sides of each leg intersect at approximately 90. The third side (102) is attached to the first and second sides at approximately 45. Other embodiments may comprise four or more sides. Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises two-sided pinball machine legs. All such should be considered within the scope of claims. The legs may be powder coated or otherwise treated before attachment to a pinball machine.

[0015] Then by means of laser jet or water jet we cut the steel pinball machine leg to display custom fonts or graphics (e.g., 103) on at least one side of a leg.

[0016] After the cutting process is complete we insert light tubes (301) and reflective white backgrounds into each cut leg.

[0017] Each color light tube houses a lighting system (302) comprised of at least one light source of at least one color. The light source may be of any kind suitable such as light emitting diodes, fluorescent bulbs, or incandescent sources.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the lighting system may be installed on the inside face of a leg without the use of a light tube.

[0019] In a mostly highly preferred embodiment these lighting systems are wired to a control board in the pinball machine itself such that, i.e., lights on the head of the machine and the lighting system within a light tube is triggered by the same control board. In another embodiment, the lighting system within a light tube is controlled by a separate circuit. In either embodiment, the illuminated pinball machine legs may be powered via a jumper from the power supply of the pinball machine itself or have a separate power supply independent of the machine.

[0020] Although the disclosed illuminated pinball machine legs may be installed during assembly, the legs and light tubes may be added to existing machines by a hobbyist or collector and connected to the pinball machine via clip-on or solder connections or controlled independently of the machine.