Patent Listing
Below is a listing of patent numbers that were posted in Bally machines. Geert in Belgium has pointed out (and provided the info for the patent search) that some of these may contain good information on theory of operation.
You can look up the patent at the US patent office website, or more usefully at https://patents.google.com/, which is where the links below go.
The Rel number is the relevance to bingo machines. 1 is highest relevance, 5 is lowest.
| Patent | Rel | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2109410 | 5 | improvements in a ball rolling/trapping type game |
| 2138243 | 1 | timing mechanism |
| 2177066 | 5 | amusement game |
| 2196710 | 4 | game apparatus : recording/controlling free games |
| 2197491 | 5 | game apparatus : balls used to keep count of free games |
| 2198389 | 5 | avoiding cheating by people using drills and wires |
| 2201446 | 5 | ball eject hole (saucer) on playfield |
| 2203889 | 3 | rotary spinner switch used for randomization |
| 2216935 | 1 | step-up mechanism |
| 2216957 | 4 | game apparatus : free game and payout handling |
| 2219898 | 5 | pop bumper operation |
| 2222403 | 5 | win metering/counting using a hidden ball track |
| 2227169 | 5 | alternator mechanism in check dispensing (payout) |
| 2233612 | 2 | extra balls and release mechanism. don hooker appears! |
| 2242971 | 1 | switch stack assembly : keeping them from falling apart |
| 2251009 | 4 | mechanism to randomly select paired holes as the win objective |
| 2253695 | 5 | illuminated bumpers |
| 2258329 | 5 | using magnetism to influence ball motion |
| 2277443 | 2 | spring tensioning plate in switch stacks |
| 2291749 | 3 | score motor illuminating score lights |
| 2318394 | 5 | improved pop bumper |
| 2321834 | 1 | relay assembly |
| 2328667 | 5 | bumper switch for ball rolling games |
| 2410708 | 3 | variable stroke mechanism on stepper unit (good diagram!) |
| 2418598 | 5 | full stroke latch : coin slide opening shutter panel |
| 2442158 | 2 | a soldering lug |
| 2442174 | 1 | gravity operated coin switch |
| 2501021 | 5 | pop bumper using a coil spring to repel ball |
| 2551656 | 1 | reversible counter/indicator (the replay register) |
| 2551692 | 5 | register device with spiral number display |
| 2551698 | 5 | oscillating ball bumper |
| 2601524 | 1 | probability and proportioning switch (score extra step mechanism!) |
| 2627945 | 3 | indexing mechanism |
| 2627961 | 3 | coin control : coin lockout |
| 2629475 | 1 | scrambling switch (irregular cams and timing) |
| 2642290 | 5 | angularly adjustable ball bumper |
| 2658755 | 3 | shiftable ball board (Hi-Fi bump feature) |
| 2668261 | 2 | follower and homing switch control : stepper unit |
| 2689281 | 3 | self-cycling ratchet stepper switch |
| 2698884 | 1 | rotary switch contact assembly (search/spotting discs) |
| 2709593 | 1 | governor : similar to reflex unit |
| 2710756 | 1 | selective ball return (hold feature) |
| 2722382 | 5 | decade counter/tens transfer mechanism |
| 2722422 | 5 | pinsetting and tripping mechanism for bowling game |
| 2727433 | 5 | shiftable optical score projector |
| 2751461 | 4 | dual motion advancing and resetting relays |
| 2777907 | 1 | rotary switch with spiral overtravel (replay counter) |
| 2800212 | 5 | shock and vibration resistant switch |
| 2800637 | 5 | soldering lug that holds wire |
| 2800650 | 5 | bowling pin mechanism |
| 2805368 | 4 | step switch with memory contactor |
| 2818481 | 1 | offset switch plate |
| 2825565 | 5 | color selective ball game register |
| 2853303 | 2 | selective shutter mechanism (never used in bingos) |
| 2853304 | 1 | preview score control (hold feature) |
| 2855203 | 1 | ball gate |
| 2862079 | 2 | govenor switch (reflex function) |
| 2864260 | 4 | ratchet mechanism with inertia brake |
| 2864619 | 1 | ball game searching and scoring circuit (search relays) |
| 2864620 | 1 | ball transfer mechanism (magic pockets) |
| 2882056 | 2 | value control and multiplying circuit |
| 2882057 | 1 | selective multi-section ball shutter (hold feature) |
| 2895340 | 3 | stepper with built-in latch |
| 2896047 | 3 | gang switch |
| 2908180 | 1 | gear mechanism (motor gearbox) |
| 2931656 | 5 | velocity controlled game circuit (bowlers) |
| 2932374 | 5 | coin chute anti-fraud |
| 2932517 | 1 | changeable score control/display (magic lines) |
| 2932705 | 1 | convertible locking relay |
| 2940756 | 5 | multi-pivot bowling pin |
| 2943512 | 1 | switch ratchet structure (steppers) |
| 2945624 | 4 | counting number register (pingames) |
| 2954979 | 5 | selectively operable ball gate (bowlers) |
| 2958??3 | x | ? |
| 3004357 | 1 | selective score display (magic screen) |
| 3010055 | 1 | solenoid plunger with localized bearing (stepper) |
| 3034790 | 1 | selectively changeable scores (magic squares) |
| 3063715 | 5 | simulated bowling pin |
| 3063719 | 5 | velocity score control (shuffle game) |
| 3064098 | 1 | electrical switch mech (high replay counter) |
| 3064891 | 5 | stepping switch mech (pin score reels) |
| 3119905 | 5 | step switch with extended contact (slot machine replays) |
| 3120657 | 1 | selectively shiftable contacts (horizontal magic lines) |
| 3180645 | 5 | linear action ball bumper |
| 3180646 | 5 | rocking action ball bumper |
| 3242746 | 3 | latch means for step-up mechanism |
| 3273571 | 5 | pre-selective coin counter (slot hopper) |
| 3279574 | 2 | coin chute guard means |
| 3298691 | 5 | reprojecting ball bumper (a flipper!) |
| 3303709 | 3 | step multiplying ratchet wheel drive |
| 3339425 | 5 | self-varying governor (slot clock) |
| 3340486 | 2 | gang trip relay |
| 3340488 | 5 | separable gang relay coil and stator |
| 3371762 | 4 | coin chute wire lockout |
| 3372783 | 5 | coin chute structure (pingame coin door) |
| 3390834 | 3 | reversible counter |
| 3391937 | 5 | cantilever type ball bumper (a flipper!) |
| 3401992 | 4 | subpanel elevating means for cabinets |
| 3404888 | 5 | ball gating and reprojecting |
| 3441279 | 5 | ball delivery and control (pin ball trough) |
| 3452988 | 5 | ball gate (pingame) |
