Did You Know...
...that Robert Adler has the dubious distinction of being the Father of the Couch Potato? Back in 1955 Adler was employed by what was then Zenith Radio Corp., where he was charged to invent something that would allow viewers to turn down the TV volume without leaving their chairs. After a series of flops (such as a wired contraption that people tripped over), Adler hit on the idea of using sound waves. Thus the Remote Control was born...
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7094158 | Golf putting practice device A compact, low profile golf putting practice apparatus includes a two-part flipper including a longitudinal flipping member and a coaxially mounted base section supporting the flipper member. A torsion spring pivots the flipper from its retracted position into an ex... | 08/22/2006 |
| 6250634 | Bounce back sports apparatus A sports apparatus for bouncing back a sports object after the sports object strikes the sports apparatus is also disclosed. The sports apparatus includes a frame defining an opening therethrough and an elastomeric sheet stretched about the frame and cove... | 06/26/2001 |
| 6227967 | Prize redemption game apparatus A prize redemption game apparatus includes an elongated runway, an elastic abutment member at the second end of the runway, and a rollable object disposed for rolling travel along the runway between the first end and the second end. The playing is dispose... | 05/08/2001 |
| 5934679 | Bounce back sports apparatus A bounce back hockey net for use with a hockey puck is disclosed. The hockey net includes a three dimensional frame defining a target area and an elastomeric sheet secured to the frame. The elastomeric sheet is perforated with a plurality of perforations ... | 08/10/1999 |
| 5899454 | Ramp with integral ball deflector for pinball games A ramp with an integral ball deflector is positioned upon the playfield of a pinball game with its entrance approximately level with the playfield. A ball deflector having the shape of a triangle is mounted upon the bottom of the ramp with its widest port... | 05/04/1999 |
| 5501457 | Game apparatus A game apparatus includes an animated character figure which is adapted to be received on a supporting surface so that a game ball is receivable in an open mouth thereof. The apparatus further includes a drive mechanism in the character figure which is op... | 03/26/1996 |
| 5431411 | Combination portable sports goal and pitch back assembly Disclosed is a portable sports goal and pitch back assembly of tubular construction including a U-shaped main, generally upright frame with a horizontal top bar and two side posts, and a foot member that extends rearwardly at a right angle from the lower ... | 07/11/1995 |
| 5417423 | Multiple kicker ramp for a pinball game The play feature for a game of the present invention comprises a multiple kicker ramp including a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal dividers which define parallel ball lanes and a plurality of perpendicular paths between the ball lanes. Balls enter t... | 05/23/1995 |
| 5368293 | Pitcher training apparatus A housing is provided having multiple openings in its front wall each opened and closed by a closure positioned by a pneumatic cylinder. Each closure, when retracted from its opening, provides a target for the pitcher. A programmable controller in the hou... | 11/29/1994 |
| 5362045 | Practice device for the game of hockey A practice device for the game of Hockey consisting of a body having at least two support members. The body is secured to an ice surface, such that the two support members are immediately adjacent the ice surface. A resilient rebound member extends betwee... | 11/08/1994 |
| 5322283 | Rotary ball receptacle for a pinball game The play feature of the invention consists of a rotary wheel having a plurality of ball receiving sockets located therein. The wheel is rotated such that an empty socket is disposed in a ball receiving position. During the course of play, the game player ... | 06/21/1994 |
| 5322282 | Variable response ball receiving device A rotatable member is provided for a rolling ball amusement device. The rotatable member defines a ball receiving aperture which is positioned to receive a rolling ball and to cause transfer of kinetic energy from the ball to the rotatable member, to caus... | 06/21/1994 |
| 5226653 | Multilevel play feature for a pinball game The play feature of the invention consists of a three level target assembly where the uppermost level is mounted on a section of the playfield. The two lower levels are mounted to the underside of the playfield section such that upon activation of the pla... | 07/13/1993 |
| 5174574 | Putting target A golf putting device includes a shell which presents a ball receiving chamber open at the front to receive incoming putted golf balls. A row of LED's across the front of the compartment may be selectively energized to vary the target area from cycle to c... | 12/29/1992 |
| 5123647 | Interactive playfield feature for pinball games The present invention is a computer-controlled interactive playfield feature for pinball games. The system microprocessor monitors activity on the playfield and controls the interactive playfield feature, directing the player's attention to specific targe... | 06/23/1992 |
| 5120058 | Multiple path ball ramp for pinball games A dual-path ramp for pinball games is formed of a single plastic member and has a plurality of entrances from the game playfield and exits back onto the playfield. The geometry of sides of the ramp is such that the ball, as it travels adjacent to one of t... | 06/09/1992 |
| 5110128 | Air cushion table game An air cushion table game comprises a playfield which has an air cushion apparatus so that puck may slide on the playfield in the manner of the known air cushion table games. A goal is provided for receiving the puck at one end of the playfield, while a m... | 05/05/1992 |
| 5029863 | Croquet game apparatus Apparatus including a multi-sectioned trough like organization directing impacted croquet balls from a starting position defined by a series of aligned recesses. Guide plates direct a struck croquet ball through a medial section of the apparatus and direc... | 07/09/1991 |
| 4968031 | Pinball machine with ball-launching ramps A pinball machine having a first ramp on a play field. The first ramp is positioned so that pinballs may be propelled up the ramp to fly through space before landing again on the play field. Preferably, a second ramp is positioned on the play field to rec... | 11/06/1990 |
| 4934699 | Pinball machine with gate-ramp In a pinball machine a structure holding a ramp and targets is provided on the playfield to create a gate-like covering for an opening and passage to other targets and areas of the playfield. When a ball travelling on the ramp strikes the targets carried ... | 06/19/1990 |
| 4615528 | Soccer training device A soccer training device for guiding a soccer ball back to the approximate location from where it was kicked or thrown. The device comprises a frame, including an eave, and a net connected to the frame. The frame and net define a partially enclosed pocket... | 10/07/1986 |
| 4611809 | Golf putting practice apparatus A golf putting practice range apparatus includes a shooting area, a putting surface and a golf ball target hole at the down-range end of the putting surface. The golfer stands on the shooting area and hits a ball over the putting surface in an attempt to ... | 09/16/1986 |
| 4595202 | Game apparatus utilizing a ball controlled electrical switch A game apparatus consisting of a housing with a game playing surface. A ball is rolled on the playing surface by a conventional shooting device. The playing surface has openings and the ball, propelled from the front towards the rear end, falls into one o... | 06/17/1986 |
| 4531739 | Bumper for outdoor bumper pool table A bumper for use as part of an outdoor bumper pool table includes a center support hub which is adapted to be attached to the top playing surface of the pool table. The support hub includes an upper cushion of silicone rubber which is compatibly sized and... | 07/30/1985 |
| 4477078 | Game apparatus A game apparatus consisting of a housing with a game playing surface. A ball is rolled on the playing surface by a conventional shooting device. The playing surface has openings and the ball, propelled from the front towards the rear end, falls into one o... | 10/16/1984 |
| 4460176 | Post construction for pinball game A post construction comprises a post body having an externally threaded stud embedded therein and projecting axially from one end thereof for threaded engagement with the playfield board of a pinball game. A hex surface on the post body facilitates drivin... | 07/17/1984 |
| 4429876 | Pinball machine and play feature thereof A pinball machine having a playfield on which at least one drop target is supported for selective actuation relative to the playfield. The drop target includes a post having a conical shaped flange at its upper end, the post being moveable between a posit... | 02/07/1984 |
| 4264070 | Practice apparatus for all types of ball-games A training net device for all types of ball games includes an inextensible net which is spread between a plurality of parallel rigid posts. The rigid posts are detachably attached by elastic binders to rigid elongated stiffeners on each side of the net. T... | 04/28/1981 |
| 4244572 | Board game having movable target A board game is constructed having a playing surface and an object release mechanism coordinating with the playing surface such that an object released from the release mechanism is deposited onto the playing surface. A target mechanism having an object h... | 01/13/1981 |
| 4239222 | Pinball game flipper mechanism A flipper mechanism for use in a pinball game in conjunction with a playing surface to propel an object across that playing surface comprises a flipper member shaped to have a hub section and a finger section. The finger section includes a striking surfac... | 12/16/1980 |
| 4206916 | Tensioned net A frame for simultaneously tensioning a web in two orthagonal directions including two spaced-apart primary members and two spaced-apart secondary members. Each of the members is disposed at right angles to an adjacent member to form a rectangle. They are... | 06/10/1980 |
| 4171133 | Self-propelled target toy A self-propelled wheeled toy includes a housing defining an external body portion and an internal chamber. A spring-type drive motor is mounted in the internal chamber and drivingly connected to the wheels. The motor is cocked by a manually actuatable lev... | 10/16/1979 |
| 4148555 | Target with score indicator A target type scoring device which includes a target formed of a resilient material such as a net supported by elastic members and a frame, there being a trigger positioned behind the target and reciprocally movable toward and away therefrom. A cam and ca... | 04/10/1979 |
| 4148486 | Pinball toy with ball ejector A pinball toy including an inclined playing surface having a plurality of holes through which a ball rolling on the playing surface can fall. Beneath each hole is a ball-ejecting member spring biased upwardly but held down by a latch. As a ball falls thro... | 04/10/1979 |
| 4083561 | Soccer practice net A soccer practice net and goal structure is disclosed which is particularly useful in the training of players for the game of soccer. This soccer practice net can be used as a goal structure for games between teams on a large playing area or readily conve... | 04/11/1978 |
| 3975019 | Pinball type game apparatus A pinball apparatus including a housing having an inclined playing surface over which a ball may be propelled and at least one ball to be propelled on the playing surface. A launcher is provided for propelling the ball onto the playing surface, and target... | 08/17/1976 |
| 3942798 | Disc tossing game An amusement apparatus used in conjunction with projectiles thrown at the apparatus including a plurality of target orifices, projectile receiving containers and tubes connecting the orifices and the containers. Each container is slidably supported in the... | 03/09/1976 |
