Housing for Pinball Switch

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a mechanical housing configured to secure a switch to a pinball playfield.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mechanical housing configured to secure a switch to a pinball playfield, the mechanical housing comprising:
 a base portion having an upper face and a lower face;   a first extending portion, wherein the first extending portion extends upward from the upper face of the base portion, wherein the first extending portion comprises an oblong slot configured to receive at least a portion of a trigger of the switch, and wherein at least a portion of the first extending portion is configured to be positioned through an oblong through-hole in the pinball playfield; and   a second extending portion, wherein the second extending portion extends downward from the lower face of the base portion, and wherein the second extending portion is configured to receive at least a portion of a body of the switch.   
     
     
         2 . The mechanical housing of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion further comprises an aperture extending from the lower face to the upper face such that the aperture is configured to receive a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The mechanical housing of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture is the only through-hole in the base portion. 
     
     
         4 . The mechanical housing of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the oblong slot has a radius of curvature between 0.005 inches and 0.05 inches, and wherein a second end of the oblong slot has a radius of curvature between 0.005 inches and 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The mechanical housing of  claim 1 , wherein the oblong slot is rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The mechanical housing of  claim 1 , wherein the oblong slot is elliptical in shape. 
     
     
         7 . The mechanical housing of  claim 1 , wherein at least a section of the trigger of the switch extends further upward than an upper end of the oblong slot of the first extending portion. 
     
     
         8 . The mechanical housing of  claim 7 , wherein the oblong slot of the first extending portion centers the trigger of the switch such that a center of the trigger of the switch is aligned with a center of the oblong slot. 
     
     
         9 . The mechanical housing of  claim 1 , wherein the second extending portion is configured to couple with the body of the switch such that the second extending portion holds the body of the switch in place. 
     
     
         10 . The mechanical housing of  claim 9 , wherein the body of the switch is removably coupled to the second extending portion. 
     
     
         11 . The mechanical housing of  claim 9 , wherein the second extending portion further comprises a first flange and a second flange. 
     
     
         12 . The mechanical housing of  claim 11 , wherein the first flange comprises a plurality of support members and a first arm, wherein the first arm comprises an opening configured to receive the body of the switch. 
     
     
         13 . The mechanical housing of  claim 12 , wherein the second flange comprises a plurality of support members and a second arm, wherein the second arm comprises two extended buttons extending from the second arm towards the first arm. 
     
     
         14 . The mechanical housing of  claim 13 , wherein the body of the switch comprises two rounded indents such that each rounded indent is configured to receive an extended button of the two extended buttons of the second arm. 
     
     
         15 . The mechanical housing of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical housing is made out of a transparent or translucent material. 
     
     
         16 . The mechanical housing of  claim 15 , wherein the mechanical housing is non-opaque. 
     
     
         17 . The mechanical housing of  claim 15 , wherein the transparent or translucent material allows light from a light source to illuminate at least a portion of the mechanical housing.