Patents by Inventor Albert J. Ethier

Albert J. Ethier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6752395
    Abstract: Methods of playing card games include the steps of (a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ANTE wager to participate in the game; (b) affording each player an opportunity to make an optional BONUS BET wager; (c) dealing three cards to each player and to a dealer; (d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards; (e) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ANTE wager, or call by making a BET wager (f) evaluating whether the dealer's hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined point value; and (g) settling wagers by (1) if the dealer's hand does not qualify, paying the ANTE wagers and refunding the BET wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to make the BONUS BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of the player's hand; (2) if the dealer's hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's hand with the dealer's hand using point value as the criteri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel A. Jones, Albert J. Ethier
  • Publication number: 20030168808
    Abstract: Methods of playing card games include the steps of (a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ANTE wager to participate in the game; (b) affording each player an opportunity to make an optional BONUS BET wager; (c) dealing three cards to each player and to a dealer; (d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards; (e) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ANTE wager, or call by making a BET wager (f) evaluating whether the dealer's hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined point value; and (g) settling wagers by (1) if the dealer's hand does not qualify, paying the ANTE wagers and refunding the BET wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to make the BONUS BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of the player's hand; (2) if the dealer's hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's hand with the dealer's hand using point value as the criterion for comparison, (I) wherein
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel A. Jones, Albert J. Ethier
  • Publication number: 20030168807
    Abstract: Methods of playing card games include the steps of (a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ANTE wager to participate in the game; (b) affording each player an opportunity to make an optional BONUS BET wager; (c) dealing three cards to each player and to a dealer; (d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards; (e) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ANTE wager, or call by making a BET wager exactly twice the amount of the ANTE wager; (f) evaluating whether the dealer's hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined point value; and (g) settling wagers by (1) if the dealer's hand does not qualify, paying the ANTE wagers and refunding the BET wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to make the BONUS BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of the player's hand; (2) if the dealer's hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's hand with the dealer's hand using point value
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel A. Jones, Albert J. Ethier
  • Publication number: 20030155713
    Abstract: Methods of playing card games include the steps of (a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ANTE wager to participate in the game, (b) affording each player an opportunity to make an optional EXTRA BET wager; (c) dealing seven cards to each player and to a dealer; (d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards and to divide their cards into a two-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards; (e) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ANTE wager, or call by making a BET wager exactly twice the amount of the ANTE wager; (f) dividing the dealer's hand into a two-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand according to the predetermined rules for dividing cards; (g) evaluating whether the dealer's High Hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined poker rank of a pair of 6s or better; and (h) settling wagers by (1) if the dealer's High Hand does not qualify, refunding the ANTE and BET wagers to each remaining player
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel A. Jones, Albert J. Ethier
  • Patent number: 5480147
    Abstract: An arcade basketball game which has a transparent enclosure (20) with basketball hoops (40) and a miniature basketball (28) inside. A pair of inclined playing surfaces (30) join together in a peak with transparent vertical barrier (34) on top, allowing the ball to roll to the lowest point where a striker bar (36) impedes its travel. An open space between the bar and the playing surface allow a hand held striker (52) to hit the ball upward at an angle toward the opposite players hoop in an attempt to score a goal. A shot blocker (70) and a pair of tip in hands (78) that are electrically controlled by a joystick (76) and hand switches (86) move in order to help or hinder the flight path of the ball. A game time display (60) indicates elapsed time and a pair of scoreboards (68) denote the scores of each player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventors: Albert J. Ethier, Eric Schulz
  • Patent number: 5380012
    Abstract: The disclosed card game variant enables players to compete in the familiar format of a rummy-type game against other players in a live cardroom format. In a preferred seven-card embodiment, players initially ante, then receive two cards face down and one card face up from a non-playing dealer. Players electing to continue play after a forced bet or fold option each receive additional cards, one at a time with each card followed by a betting round, to complete a seven card hand consisting of three face down cards and four face up cards. The point count totals of the hands of each remaining player are then determined and compared, with each Ace counting 1, each deuce counting 2, etc., and with tens and face cards each counting 10. Each spread consisting of three or more suited cards in sequence or three or four of a kind counts zero (0). The object of the game is to have the lowest point count total, and the winning player(s) are awarded the accumulated wagers or pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventors: Daniel A. Jones, Albert J. Ethier