Title: Ball bumper

Abstract: A ball bumper for a pinball machine or the like having an inclined playing surface over which a metal ball travels for scoring purposes, the ball bumper including a plurality of post members secured to the playing surface, the post members having suspended therebetween an at least partially conductive resilient bumper member yieldable under impact by a rolling ball. Disposed rearwardly of the bumper member and in proximity to the bumper member is a solenoid actuated kicker arm. On the playing surface in proximity to the resilient bumper member is a conductive strip, the strip and the bumper member being connected to an electrical circuit which is completed by contact of the metal ball with the strip and bumper member to actuate the solenoid to drive the bumper member outwardly to thereby redirect the ball. The resilient bumper member may take the form of a rubber ring made of conductive rubber.

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Inventors: Kral, Fred G. (Lake Villa, IL, US)

Application Number: 820908
Filing Date: 1977-08-01
Publication_date: 1980-05-20
Assignee: Mattel, Inc. (Hawthorne, CA)
Primary Class(es): 273/121A 273/129V
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2109678	Mar, 1938	Nelson	200/52.
2184866	Dec, 1939	Radtke	273/119.
2191209	Feb, 1940	Hooker	273/121.
2209589	Jul, 1940	Williams et al.	200/61.
2219898	Oct, 1940	Hooker	273/129.
2248596	Jul, 1941	Wilsey	273/119.
2275005	Mar, 1942	Bevington	273/118.
2501021	Mar, 1950	Benak	273/118.
2727743	Dec, 1955	Von Stoeser	273/118.
3348844	Oct, 1967	Lemelson	273/121.
3784203	Jan, 1974	Nathanson	273/128.

Other Refs: 1382662585246

Nov, 1964	FR
Nov, 1958	IT

Primary Examiner: Pinkham, Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Brown, T.
Attorney: Mesaros; John G., Shirk; Max E., Goldman; Ronald M.