Multi-Axis Spinning Target For An Amusement Game Device

Abstract

A playfield accessory for an amusement game device, such as a pinball machine, includes a turntable rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to an inclined playfield, upright support posts on the turntable, and a spinning target rotatably supported by the posts about a second axis. Weights bias the turntable to a reset orientation and a lowered center of gravity returns the spinning target to a starting orientation. A detection system with switches and cams senses rotational directions of the turntable and spinning target, distinguishing front and back contacts via a guidepath switch. Game logic registers multiple unique shots based on combinations of rotations and contact locations. An electrical slip ring maintains sensor connections during rotation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A playfield accessory for an amusement game device having an inclined playfield, the accessory comprising:
 a turntable configured to rotate freely about a first axis perpendicular to the playfield;   at least one upright support post mounted on the turntable;   a spinning target supported by the at least one upright support post and configured to rotate about a second axis different from the first axis;   a turntable detection system configured to detect the rotational direction of the turntable and to register a plurality of unique interactions based on rotation of the turntable; and   a spinning target detection system configured to detect the rotational direction of the spinning target and to register a plurality of unique interactions based on contact with the spinning target and rotation of the spinning target.   
     
     
         2 . The playfield accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising weights disposed on the turntable to bias the turntable toward a reset orientation after rotation. 
     
     
         3 . The playfield accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one upright support post comprises a pair of upright support posts, and the spinning target is supported between the pair of upright support posts via bearings. 
     
     
         4 . The playfield accessory of  claim 3 , wherein the spinning target has a center of gravity positioned below a centerline of the spinning target to facilitate return to a starting position. 
     
     
         5 . The playfield accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the turntable detection system includes at least one switch positioned beneath the playfield and a cam on an underside of the turntable configured to activate the at least one switch to determine a rotational direction of the turntable. 
     
     
         6 . The playfield accessory of  claim 5 , wherein activation of the at least one switch in a first sequence indicates clockwise rotation of the turntable, and activation in a second sequence indicates counterclockwise rotation. 
     
     
         7 . The playfield accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising a turntable support housing ball bearings to facilitate smooth rotation of the turntable. 
     
     
         8 . An amusement game device comprising:
 a cabinet;   an inclined playfield supported within the cabinet;   at least one flipper configured to propel a ball across the playfield; and   a turntable rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to the playfield;   upright support posts on the turntable;   a spinning target rotatably supported by the upright support posts about a second axis;   sensors configured to detect rotations of the turntable and the spinning target; and   game logic configured to register a plurality of unique shots based on detected combinations of rotational directions and contact locations.   
     
     
         9 . The amusement game device of  claim 8 , wherein the sensors include at least one switch beneath the playfield for detecting rotational direction of the turntable and a microswitch for detecting contact to the spinning target. 
     
     
         10 . The amusement game device of  claim 8 , wherein the playfield accessory further includes weights disposed on the turntable to bias the turntable toward a reset orientation after rotation. 
     
     
         11 . The amusement game device of  claim 8 , wherein the spinning target has a center of gravity positioned below a centerline of the spinning target to facilitate return to a starting position. 
     
     
         12 . The amusement game device of  claim 8 , further comprising a guidepath configured to allow a ball to contact a back side of the spinning target. 
     
     
         13 . The amusement game device of  claim 12 , wherein the sensors include a switch on the guidepath configured to detect a ball path prior to contact on the spinning target, the combination of the switch and another sensor indicating a back contact on the spinning target. 
     
     
         14 . The amusement game device of  claim 8 , further comprising a turntable support housing ball bearings to facilitate smooth rotation of the turntable. 
     
     
         15 . A method of detecting interactions in a playfield accessory of an amusement game device, the accessory having a rotatable turntable and a spinning target thereon, the method comprising:
 detecting a rotational direction of the turntable using a sequence of switch activations beneath a playfield;   detecting rotation of the spinning target using a switch triggered by a cam during revolutions of the spinning target;   detecting a back contact on the spinning target using a combination of a guidepath switch and the switch for the spinning target; and   registering unique shot combinations based on the detected rotational directions of the turntable and contact locations on the spinning target while the turntable is rotating.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising resetting the turntable to a starting position using weights after rotation ceases. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising maintaining an electrical connection for the switch of the spinning target during rotation of the turntable via a slip ring. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein registering unique shot combinations includes distinguishing between front and back contacts on the spinning target in combination with clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the turntable. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein detecting rotation of the spinning target includes using a cam attached to a support beam of the spinning target to trigger the switch during each revolution. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein wiring for the switch triggered by the cam extends through upright support posts and the turntable to connect to an electrical slip ring.