Ball Save System For An Amusement Game Device

Abstract

A ball save system for a pinball machine having an inclined playfield, a pair of flipper assemblies, and an outlane leading to a drain includes a ball sensor positioned in the outlane, an actuator responsive to the sensor, and a reconfigurable guide structure coupled to the actuator. The guide structure is selectively positionable between a stowed position allowing the ball to follow a default drain path and a deployed position establishing an upward guide path from the outlane between the flippers to redirect the ball onto an upper playfield portion. A timing circuit returns the guide structure to the stowed position after a predefined duration. The deployed position may require manual actuation of the flippers for ball passage, while the stowed position prevents ball trapping. A corresponding method senses ball entry, energizes the actuator to transition the guide structure, and channels the ball upward between the flippers to resume play.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pinball machine comprising:
 an inclined playfield configured to support rolling ball gameplay;   a pair of flipper assemblies positioned proximate a lower portion of the playfield;   an outlane disposed adjacent to at least one of the flipper assemblies, the outlane defining a default path for a ball to exit the playfield into a drain;   a ball sensor for sensing the ball near the outlane;   an actuator responsive to the ball sensor; and   a reconfigurable guide structure operatively coupled to the actuator, the guide structure selectively positionable between a stowed position permitting the ball to follow the default path into the drain and a deployed position establishing an alternative upward guide path from the outlane, between the pair of flipper assemblies, to redirect the ball back onto an upper portion of the playfield for continued play.   
     
     
         2 . The pinball machine of  claim 1 , wherein the reconfigurable guide structure comprises a ramp that pivots about an axis when actuated. 
     
     
         3 . The pinball machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a timing circuit operatively connected to the actuator, the timing circuit configured to return the reconfigurable guide structure to the stowed position after a predefined duration following activation. 
     
     
         4 . The pinball machine of  claim 1 , wherein the deployed position of the reconfigurable guide structure is arranged such that passage of the ball between the flipper assemblies requires manual actuation of at least one flipper assembly to an upward orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The pinball machine of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one flipper assembly is a left-side flipper assembly relative to a player-facing orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The pinball machine of  claim 1 , wherein the stowed position of the reconfigurable guide structure eliminates a low-point depression that could trap the ball. 
     
     
         7 . The pinball machine of  claim 1 , wherein the ball sensor comprises a mechanical switch that activates upon contact with the ball, and the actuator comprises a solenoid that extends to position the reconfigurable guide structure. 
     
     
         8 . A ball save system for a pinball machine having an inclined playfield, a pair of flippers, and an outlane leading to a ball drain, the ball save system comprising:
 a ball sensor positioned to sense entry of a ball into the outlane;   an activation device coupled to the ball sensor; and   a reconfigurable guide structure driven by the activation device, the reconfigurable guide structure shiftable from a stowed position allowing ball drainage to a deployed position creating a redirecting channel that routes the ball upwardly from the outlane and through a space between the pair of flippers to reintroduce the ball to the playfield.   
     
     
         9 . The ball save system of  claim 8 , wherein the ball sensor is a proximity switch disposed within the outlane. 
     
     
         10 . The ball save system of  claim 8 , wherein the activation device includes a solenoid assembly that mechanically deploys the reconfigurable guide structure upon triggering. 
     
     
         11 . The ball save system of  claim 8 , further comprising a reset timer operably coupled to the activation device, the reset timer operable to revert the reconfigurable guide structure to the stowed position after a set interval. 
     
     
         12 . The ball save system of  claim 8 , wherein the deployed position permits ball passage between the flippers independent of flipper position. 
     
     
         13 . The ball save system of  claim 8 , wherein the deployed position requires elevation of a right-side flipper to facilitate ball transit between the flippers. 
     
     
         14 . The ball save system of  claim 8 , wherein the reconfigurable guide structure is a pivotally mounted ramp that rotates into the deployed position to form the redirecting channel. 
     
     
         15 . A method for implementing a ball save in a pinball machine with an inclined playfield, flippers, and an outlane terminating in a drain, the method comprising:
 sensing presence of a ball in the outlane via a ball sensor;   energizing an actuator based on the sensing;   transitioning a reconfigurable guide structure from a stowed position, in which the ball proceeds to the drain, to a deployed position via the actuator; and   channeling the ball along the reconfigurable guide structure in the deployed position upward from the outlane, passing between the flippers, to resume gameplay on the playfield.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising automatically reverting the reconfigurable guide structure to the stowed position upon expiration of a timed period. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein channeling the ball includes requiring user input to position at least one flipper upwardly to open a pathway between the flippers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the user input positions both flippers upwardly in coordination. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein transitioning the reconfigurable guide structure involves pivoting the reconfigurable guide structure around an axis to affect the deployed position. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising designing the reconfigurable guide structure such that the stowed position avoids formation of a ball-trapping recess.