BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to pinball machines, and more particularly to a protector for rollover slot for pinball rollover switches.
A pinball machine typically includes a playfield upon which the ball rolls. While rolling, the ball contacts various structures triggering various effects. One such structure is known as a rollover switch. In a rollover switch, an elongated rollover slot is formed through the playfield. A switch trigger, typically a wire, extends through the rollover slot so that a portion of the trigger is above the playfield. The trigger is also connected to a switch body under the playfield. When a ball rolls over the trigger, the trigger is pushed into the rollover slot, triggering the switch body.
Over time, repeated contact of the ball with the rollover slot can cause wear, such as wearing away of the playfield at and adjacent the rollover slot.
SUMMARY
The present specification discloses aspects of a rollover slot protector that can be applied to a pinball rollover slot so as to prevent or cover wear to the playfield adjacent the rollover slot while still enabling operation of the rollover switch.
The present specification provides a pinball rollover slot protector, comprising an elongated plate extending from a plate first end to a plate second end, an insert portion depending from the plate, and a curving transition wall extending between the insert side walls and defining the insert second end. The insert portion can be defined by a pair of spaced apart elongated insert side walls defining a protector slot therebetween. The insert portion extends from an insert first end to an insert second end. The protector slot extends from a slot first end to a slot second end. A thickness of the curving transition wall at the insert second end is less than a thickness of the insert side walls. An insert portion width is defined between outer surfaces of the spaced apart insert side walls. The insert portion width is less than a plate width.
In some variations a thickness of the curving transition wall decreases moving toward the second end. The thickness of the curving transition wall at the insert second end can be 40-60% of the thickness of the insert side walls.
An outer surface of the curving transition wall can have a first arcuate shape and an inner surface of the curving transition wall can have a second arcuate shape, and the first arcuate shape can diverge from the second arcuate shape. The curving transition wall can be contiguous with each of the opposing insert walls.
A bridge can extend between the opposing insert side walls at the slot first end. The insert can extend in a direction transverse to the insert side walls. Some such variations additionally comprise an aperture formed through the plate on a side of the bridge opposite the protective slot. A thickness of the bridge can be less than the thickness of the insert side walls. The thickness of the bridge can be about 40-60% the thickness of the insert side walls.
In some variations, the insert first end can be distal of the insert second end, and the plate can comprise a first apron extending distally of the insert second end, and a portion of the aperture can be formed through the first apron.
In additional variations, the insert first end is distal of the insert second end, and the bridge is proximal of the insert first end.
In yet further variations, the insert portion comprises a tapered portion extending from a transition point to the insert first end, and a depth of the insert side walls decreases moving from the transition point to the insert first end in the tapered portion. In some such variations, a bridge extends between the opposing insert side walls at the slot first end, and an aperture is formed through the plate on a side of the bridge opposite the protective slot. The bridge can be in the tapered portion.
In accordance with another embodiment, the present specification provides a method of installing a pinball rollover slot protector into a pinball rollover slot. The rollover slot protector to be installed has a plate from which an insert portion depends. The method comprises inserting a second end of the insert portion at least partially into the pinball rollover slot so that opposing insert side walls are at least partially urged toward one another, urging a first end of the insert portion into the pinball rollover slot so that the plate rests on a playfield adjacent the pinball rollover slot, and deforming a bridge while urging the first end of the insert portion into the pinball rollover slot. The bridge extends between the opposing insert side walls at a first end of the protector slot. A width of the insert portion is measured between outer surfaces of the insert side walls and is greater than a width of the pinball rollover slot. A protector slot is defined between the insert side walls and is aligned with the pinball rollover slot.
In some variations, urging a first end of the insert portion into the pinball rollover slot comprises applying a force to the plate urging a tapered portion of the insert portion against a first end of the pinball rollover slot so that the first end of the pinball rollover slot urges the insert portion toward the second end of the pinball rollover slot.
In additional variations, inserting the second end of the insert portion at least partially into the pinball rollover slot comprises compressing a curving transition wall of the insert portion at the insert portion second end.
Some such variations comprise engaging a plate second end with a playfield adjacent the pinball rollover slot while urging the second end of the insert portion at least partially into the pinball rollover slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example pinball machine;
FIG. 2 is an expanded view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a roller switch protector as discussed in this specification;
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the roller switch protector of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the roller switch protector of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a top view of the roller switch protector of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the roller switch protector of FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is an expanded view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view depicting the roller switch protector of FIG. 4 being inserted into the roller switch slot of FIG. 3;
FIG. 12 shows the roller switch protector and roller switch slot of FIG. 11 with the roller switch protector fully installed in the roller switch slot;
FIG. 13 shows a top view of a variation of a roller switch protector; and
FIG. 14 shows a top view of another variation of a roller switch protector.
DESCRIPTION
The present specification discloses an improved rollover slot protector 90 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) having an elongated plate 92 and an insert portion 98 depending from the plate. An elongated protector slot 100 extends through the plate 92 and insert portion 98. As will be discussed in more detail below, the rollover slot protector 90 is configured to be applied to a rollover slot 70 so that the plate 92 rests upon the playfield 30 while the insert portion 98 extends into the rollover slot 70. In this manner, the ball 36 will roll over the plate 92, protecting the playfield 30 at the rollover slot 70 from further wear (see FIG. 12).
The insert portion 98 is friction fit into the rollover slot 70. Opposing insert side walls 106 are deflected inwardly by slot walls 84 when inserted into the rollover slot 70. Such deflection creates tension in the deflected side walls 106. In response, the side walls 106 exert a substantial holding force against the slot wall 84 so as to help hold the slot protector 90 in place. A bridge 112 extends between the side walls 106 between the protector slot 100 and an aperture 116 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The bridge 112 supports the insert side walls 106 to prevent them from failing under the tension. Also, the bridge 112 is flexible so that it can deflect so as to facilitate and even contribute the holding force exerted by the side walls 106 onto the slot walls 84.
At the other end of the insert, the insert side walls 106 can be connected to one another via a curving transition wall 114. A thickness of the curving transition wall 114 is the least at an end of the insert portion 98 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), facilitating bending of the side walls 106 toward one another, creating tension in the deflected side walls 106 as discussed above, and also providing support to such side walls 106 to prevent them from failing under the tension and to contribute to the holding force exerted by the side walls on the slot walls 84.
The insert portion 98 can include a tapered portion 110 that facilitates insertion and appropriate positioning of the slot protector 90 into the rollover slot 70 (See FIGS. 11 and 12).
With reference now to FIG. 1, a pinball machine 20 can include a cabinet 22 supported by legs 24. A backbox 26 can extend from one end of the cabinet 22. The cabinet 22 supports a board 28 upon which a playfield 30 is defined. The playfield 30 is typically inclined at an angle between about 3-7° toward a front 32 of the cabinet 22. As shown, a spring-loaded plunger 34 is configured to propel a ball 36 along an entry lane 38 so that the ball 36 enters the playfield 30. The playfield 30 defines a plurality of features that the ball 36 may encounter, and which may affect the ball's path, as it rolls with gravity toward the front 32 of the cabinet 22. For example, a plurality of lanes 40 are defined, through which the ball 36 may traverse. Active bumpers, such as pop bumpers 42, slingshot bumpers 44 and other types of active bumpers 46, are powered structures configured to impart momentum to the ball 36, sending the ball 36 in various directions across the playfield 30. The ball 36 may also bounce off and be redirected by one or more passive bumpers 48.
A pair of flippers 50 are configured to rotate upon actuation of flipper buttons 52 by a user in order to flick the ball 36 in a direction along the playfield 30. Structures such as targets 54 can be configured to award points and or trigger effects, such as flashing lights 56, when contacted by the ball 36.
As discussed above, and with reference next to FIG. 2, a plurality of lanes 40 are defined between lane guides 60. A rollover switch assembly 66 can be disposed within one or more of the lanes 40. A typical rollover switch assembly 66 typically includes an elongated rollover slot 70 formed through the board 28. A switch body 72 can be attached to a bottom side of the board 28 opposite the playfield 30. A switch trigger 74, which in the illustrated embodiment is a wire, can extend from the switch body 72 and through the rollover slot 70 so as to extend vertically above the playfield 30. In this manner, as a ball 36 traverses the lane 40, it will contact the switch trigger 74, pushing it downward and into the rollover slot 70 so that the trigger 74 rotates relative to the switch body 72. Such rotation of the trigger 74 relative to the switch body 72 actuates the switch body 74, and thus signals traversal of the lane 40 by the ball 36, which can lead to an award of points and/or actuation of one or more effects.
With additional reference to FIG. 3, the elongated slot 70 can extend from a slot first end 80 to a slot second end 82, defining a native slot length 83. Opposing slot side walls 84 extend between the slot first end 80 and slot second end 82. The slot side walls 84 can be parallel to one another, defining a rollover slot width 85. The slot first end 80 and slot second end 82 can each be arcuate about a radius of curvature between the opposing slot side walls 84. In some contexts, the slot first end 80 can be considered a distal end and the slot second end 82 can be considered a proximal end. Further, the direction from the slot first end 80 to the slot second end 82 can be considered a proximal direction, and the opposite direction can be considered a distal direction.
The configuration of the lane 40, rollover switch assembly 66 and rollover slot 70 is such that when a ball 36 rolls through the lane 40, the ball 36 actuates the rollover switch assembly 66. However, over time and use, edges of the rollover slot 70 can be expected to begin wearing away.
With reference next to FIGS. 4 and 5, a rollover slot protector 90 can comprise an elongated plate 92 having a plate first end 94 and a plate second end 96. An insert portion 98 depends from the plate 92 a distance defined as an insert depth 99. (see FIG. 6) An elongated protector slot 100 extends through the plate 92 and insert portion 98. As will be discussed in more detail below, the rollover slot protector 90 is configured to be applied to a rollover slot 70 so that the plate 92 rests upon the playfield 30 while the insert portion 98 extends into the rollover slot 70 (see also FIG. 12). In this manner, the ball 36 will roll over the plate 92, protecting the playfield 30 at the rollover slot 70 from further wear.
With continued reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, and with additional reference to FIGS. 6-10, the insert portion 98 is elongated, and extends from an insert first end 102 to an insert second end 104. Opposing insert side walls 106 extend between the first and second ends 102, 104 and are generally parallel to one another. A tapered portion 110 of the insert 98 is defined at and adjacent the insert first end 102. In the tapered portion 110 the insert side walls 106 progressively reduce in height relative to the plate 92 moving toward the insert first end 102.
As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 8-10, the insert side walls 106 are connected to one another near, but spaced from, the insert first end 102, by a bridge 112, or support wall, that extends therebetween. A curving transition wall 114 connects the opposing insert side walls 106 at and adjacent the insert second end 104. In the illustrated variations the bridge 112 is disposed within the tapered portion 110. Also, the illustrated bridge 112 is substantially straight, or planar. An aperture 116 is formed through the plate 92 on a side of the bridge 112 opposite the protector slot 100. The aperture 116 can be flat on the portion of its circumference that is defined by the bridge 112 and can be arcuate about the rest of its circumference.
Continuing with reference to FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, the insert walls 106 each have an inner surface 120 and an outer surface 122. The protector slot 100 is defined between the inner surfaces 120 of opposing side walls 106, and preferably has a slot width 101 wide enough to accommodate a switch trigger 74 without interfering with up and down movement of the switch trigger 74. An insert width 103 is defined between the outer surfaces 120 of the opposing side walls 106, and preferably is slightly greater than the rollover slot 70 into which the protector 90 is to be placed.
A side thickness 124 of each insert side wall 106 is defined between the inner surface 120 and outer surface 122. A bridge thickness 126 (see FIG. 7) is defined between opposing surfaces of the bridge 112. The transition wall 114 decreases in thickness moving toward the second end 104, decreasing from the side thickness to a point thickness 130 defined between the inner and outer surfaces 120, 122 at the insert second end 104. An inner arcuate surface 132 within the transition wall 114 is arcuate, and symmetrical about a longitudinal axis. As shown, however, the inner arcuate surface 132 is not arcuate about a simple radius of curvature. An outer arcuate surface 134 within the transition wall 114 is also arcuate and symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. The outer arcuate surface 134 is also not arcuate about a simple radius of curvature. Further, the inner arcuate surface 132 and outer arcuate surface 134 follow different arcuate shapes. As such, and as shown in FIG. 9, the thickness of the transition wall 114 progressively decreases moving toward the point thickness 130.
With particular reference next to FIG. 6, the plate 92 has a plate length 140 defined between the plate first and second ends 94, 96, and has a plate width 141 (see FIG. 9) in a direction perpendicular to the plate length 140. The insert portion 98 has an insert length 144 defined between the insert first and second ends 102, 104. The insert portion 98 can be divided between the tapered portion 110 and a main portion 142. A transition point 145 divides the tapered portion 110 from the main portion 142. A tapered portion length 146 combined with a main portion length 148 makes up the insert length 144.
With reference to FIGS. 6, 710, the protector slot 100 has a protector slot length 150 defined between a first protective slot end 152 and a second protective slot end 154. A first apron 156 is defined between the insert first end 102 and the plate first end 94 and has a first apron length 158. A second apron 160 is defined between the insert second end 104 and the plate second end 96 and has a second apron length 162.
The illustrated rollover slot protector 90 is unitarily formed of a durable material such as one of many plastics. The structure of the illustrated rollover slot protector 90 can be manufactured by forming techniques such as injection molding or 3D printing.
With reference next to FIGS. 11 and 12, in order to install a rollover slot protector 90 into a rollover slot 70 in a playfield 30, preferably the insert second end 104 is first pushed into the rollover slot 70 adjacent, but spaced from, the slot second end 82 as depicted in FIG. 11. During this procedure, the user will ensure the switch trigger 74 is aligned with the protective slot 100 so as not to interfere with or potentially damage the switch trigger 74. As noted above, the insert width 103 is slightly wider than the rollover slot width 85. For example, in some variations the insert width 103 is about 2-6% greater than—or in other variations about 3-5% greater than—the rollover slot width 85. Some pinball machines 20 have rollover slots 70 with a standard width 85 of about 5.0 mm. The insert width 103, for example, can be about 5.2 mm.
When the insert second end 82 is inserted into the rollover slot 70, the insert portion 98 will slightly compress, which is to say that the insert side walls 106 will be forced inwardly by the rollover slot side walls 84, and will thus bend slightly toward one another. Also, the insert second end 104 will flex preferably where the point width 130 is less than the adjacent side wall thicknesses 124. Such flexing may require a user to apply substantial force to push the insert 98 into the rollover slot 70. With continued reference to FIG. 11, preferably the insert second end 104 is inserted into the rollover slot 70 at a location selected so that the transition point 145 is at or distal of the rollover slot first end 80. Also, in the illustrated variation, the plate second end 96 can be placed into engagement with the playfield 30 adjacent the slot second end 82.
After the insert portion 98 has been initially inserted as shown in FIG. 11, the user can then apply further downwardly- and forwardly-directed force to the plate 92 at and adjacent the first end 94. The tapered portion 110 of the insert 98 will contact and slide over the first end 80 of the rollover slot 70, thus directing the rollover slot protector 90 toward the second end 82 and into an appropriate position within the rollover slot 70. Preferably, the protective slot length 150 is sufficient so as to not interfere with operation of the switch trigger 74 when installed. For example, the protective slot length 150 in some variations can be about 40.4 mm.
During installation, the insert side walls 106 will be deflected by the slot side walls 84 along substantially the entire length of the insert 98. It is anticipated that the bridge 112 will also be compressed somewhat, and possibly will deform, such as to bend or flex slightly into the aperture 116 or protective slot 100. As such, the insert portion 98 will be held in place within the rollover slot 70 by a friction fit in which friction forces are provided by the tension resulting from deflection of the insert side walls 106 combined with tension from deflection at the curving transition wall 114 near the second end 104 and the tension from the bending deflection of the bridge 112 at the first end 102. Over time and use, the support provided to the side walls 106 by the flexible bridge 112 and transition wall 114 will help prevent the side walls 106 from failing under the deflection while supplying a holding force to hold the rollover slot protector 90 secure within the rollover slot 70.
The embodiment of the rollover slot protector 90 discussed above shows an example device that is shaped and dimensioned to protect the playfield 30 surrounding a native pinball rollover slot 70. In this illustrated variation, the plate length 140 is configured to be greater than a length 83 of the slot 70 (see FIG. 3) so as to protect the playfield 30 around the entire circumference of the slot 70. The plate width 141 can be more than twice the width 85 (see FIG. 2) of the native rollover slot 70, and can be up to 3 times or more the protector slot width 101. For example, for a rollover slot width 85 of about 5.0 mm can have a plate width 141 of about 11.0 mm and a protector slot width 101 of about 3.0 mm. The insert depth 99 can be greater than a thickness of the board 28 (see FIGS. 11-12), but isn't necessarily so, and can be about the same as the width 85 of the native rollover slot 70, such as, for example, about 5.0 mm.
With reference again to FIG. 6, in order to aid insertion of the rollover slot protector 90, the tapered portion 110 of the insert portion 98 can be angled between about 30-60° relative to the plate 92, and is illustrated about 40-50° relative to the plate 92. The tapered portion 110 is along only a portion of the insert portion 98. For example, the tapered length 146 can be between about 15-20° of the insert portion length 144.
As discussed above, and with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the insert portion 98 is configured to preferentially bend at the second end 104 and the bridge 112, and the point thickness 130 at the second end 104 and bridge thickness 126 are both substantially less than the side wall thickness 124. For example, the point thickness 130 and bridge thickness 126 can each be about 30-60% of the side wall thickness 124. And in some variations the point thickness 130 is less than the bridge thickness 126. For example, in some variations, the side wall thickness 124 can be about 1.1 mm, the point thickness 130 can be about 0.47 mm and the bridge thickness 126 can be about 0.645 mm.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4-12, the first end 94 of the plate 92 is shaped as a combination of straight angled portions terminating in a curved end, while the second end 96 is shaped as a contiguous arc about a single radius of curvature. With reference next to FIG. 13, another variation is shown in which both ends are shaped as a contiguous arc about a single radius of curvature. With reference next to FIG. 14, another variation is shown in which both ends are shaped as a combination of straight angled portions terminating in a curved end. Still further variations may dispense with one or both of the aprons 156, 160.
In the variation discussed above and shown in the drawings, the bridge 112 is planar. In variations, the bridge may be arcuate. Also in variations the transition wall 114 can be arcuate about a radius of curvature along the entire length between the side walls 106. In additional such variations the inner surface and outer surface of the transition wall 114 can each be arcuate about a different radius of curvature.
The embodiments discussed above have disclosed structures with substantial specificity. This has provided a good context for disclosing and discussing inventive subject matter. However, it is to be understood that other embodiments may employ different specific structural shapes and interactions.
Although inventive subject matter has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred or illustrated embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the disclosed embodiments have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the inventive subject matter, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventive subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the inventive subject matter herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.
Patent Application
20250065219
