Patent ID: 7000922
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: A63D,A63F

Abstract:
1. A mechanical projector for moving a projectile along a surface of a lane extending upwards from a player's position toward a target zone, the projector having an input side proximal the player's position and an output side distal therefrom, the projector comprising: a roller rotatable by an electrically powered drive mechanism about an axis that is transverse to the lane and that is a selected vertical spacing above the lane when the projector is operating, the vertical spacing selected so that a lowest portion of the roller is separated from a selected portion of the playing surface by no more than a thickness of the projectile when the projector is operating; and an electrically powered projectile-clearing mechanism disposed between the roller and the output side of the projector, the projectile-clearing mechanism operable to move a projectile incident on the output side of the projector transversely beyond the selected portion of the playing surface.