Abstract: An electronic game having a field of play arranged in an array as a key board of individually operable key pad switches defining array positions on which one or more players attempt to discover a hidden maze path from a designated starting point. A player wins or completes the game when the maze path is traversed from start to finish. The device utilizes a microprocessor to control the progress of the game, generate different maze paths for each play of the game, monitor the entry of key board information, and control the output of indications to the players as to the progress of the game. The microprocessor also controls the generation of distinct aural tones and/or tone sequences representing each players' turn, incorrect moves, not responding within the time period for a move, the duration of each player's turn, and a game completion message. In an alternative scheme of play, two players start at opposite ends of a common maze path and attempt to reach other others' starting point.

Abstract: A round-about game apparatus for use by a plurality of players requires timely actuation of the playing pieces to circumvent score reduction. The game apparatus generally includes a housing having a platform, a rotatably mounted striking element and a drive mechanism for moving the striking element in a circular path. A plurality of playing pieces are arranged around the circular path of travel of the striking element such that the playing pieces will be struck by the rotating element unless timely actuated by the associated player of the game. The playing pieces are selectively actuated so as to move out of the path of travel of the striking element to avoid a score reduction. After a predetermined number of hits, a particular player is eliminated from the play of the game and the game continues until all but one of the players remains, that player being declared the winner.

Abstract: A skill type game having a playing area and two goal areas at opposite ends of the playing area includes a sound actuated flipper at each goal area for selectively blocking and propelling a playing object. The game players control the operation of each of the flippers by shouting or emitting other sounds in an attempt to project the playing object into the other players goal area and prevent the playing object from entering his own goal area. The sound actuated flipper arrangement includes control circuitry to provide an automatic lock-out feature to prevent sustained sounds from continually and/or continuously activating the flippers. The control circuitry of the sound actuated flipper arrangement provides a first predetermined time interval during which the flipper is operated and a second predetermined time interval within which operation of the flippers is inhibited. The playing area is defined by two relatively open areas each inclined upwardly from one of the goal areas to a center line.

Abstract: A sequence association game in which a participant may play one or more games against the machine and/or other participants utilizes a microprocessor for controlling the play of the games and also for generating a random sequence for each play of the game. The machine generates a random sequence correspondence between a plurality of participant actuated controls and a plurality of machine actuated indicators. The participant attempts to actuate the indicators by correctly establishing the random-generated correspondence between the controls and the indicators in an attempt to actuate all the indicators in sequence such as from left to right. The participant attempts to actuate the indicators with the least number of attempts by attempting to remember the association between respective controls and indicators from previous attempts.

Abstract: A target game includes a platform mounted in spaced apart relationship to a base and a plurality of targets with target portions thereon, and a plurality of targets positionable on the platform. A drive mechanism mounted on the base rotatably drives generally vertically a shaft which extends through an opening in the platform and which has a striking element slidably mounted thereon and constrained to rotate with the shaft. A control lever pivotally mounted on the platform controls the vertical movement of the striking element along the shaft so that as the striking element rotates, the striking element may be elevated with respect to the platform to strike various ones of the target portions. A stop member projects from the platform to be selectively engaged with the striking element to prohibit the rotation of the striking element until the game is initiated.

Abstract: A game apparatus for use with play pieces and playable by one or more players, generally two, and including a playing area movable in a cyclical path during play by a suitable driving mechanism. The playing area has structure defining spaced play piece receiving and retention positions, which may be arranged in distinct sub-areas each having a plurality of the positions to receive and removably retain play pieces directed thereto for possible retention from one or more play piece launching stations adjacent the playing area. Selectively operable controls at the launching stations are operable by the players for directing their play pieces onto the area in an effort to score as by placing most pieces into the retention positions or in all the positions in one or more sub-areas. A stop is provided to stop movement of the playing area to permit removal of the play pieces for the starting of another game.

Abstract: A board game designed arounda "monster" theme wherein the object of the game is to proceed from a starting area to a weapons pickup area while avoiding capture by the monster and after pick up of a weapon to be the first to hunt down and destroy the monster. The board game apparatus includes a game board having a playing surface and a travel path defined by a plurality of spaced apart play stations extending between a starting area and the pickup area for weapons. A plurality of playing pieces are adapted to be moved along the travel path between the play stations and a chance device is utilized for directing the movement of the playing pieces along the travel path. The game board playing surface also includes a plurality of spaced apart foot spaces arranged in pairs to straddle the travel path. A toy figure in the form of a monster having spaced apart feet is adapted to stand on pairs of the foot spaces and straddle the travel path when the monster is in a standing position.

Abstract: A competitive game device employing propulsion means suitable for propelling table tennis balls toward a target suitable for receiving such balls. The target is located in a field having sloping contours for guiding balls which have missed the target to return to a launching position from which such balls may again be propelled toward the target. This invention provides pneumatic podially operated ball propulsion means having actuators spaced from the field in which the target is located and which are movable with respect to each other and the field. Competing players or teams may be allocated sets of colored or otherwise coded balls to be launched and relaunched toward the target. The stations from which a competitor propels the allocated balls at the start of the game may be randomly selected.

Abstract: An amusement device for use by opposing players includes an upstanding enclosure having spaced apart transparent side walls permitting the interior to be viewed by players on opposite sides. The enclosure includes a bottom wall with a pair of spaced apart parallel openings and a plurality of projectiles, such as table tennis balls, are contained within the enclosure and are adapted to be fired upwardly from the bottom wall. Each player is provided with a movable firing unit or "cannon" which he positions beneath the opening in the bottom wall on his side and the firing unit is then manually operated to propel or fire a selected ball upwardly towards a target. Each player is provided with a target device having an open upper end for receiving the balls and holding a selected number of balls in a vertical stack.

Abstract: A competitive game device wherein opposed projectile launching stations are interconnected by a bridge containing a plurality of linearly spaced target receptacles, each suitable for receiving a plurality of projectiles. The launching stations are provided with launching platforms for positioning a projectile preparatory to launching. Manually operable propulsion devices are provided at each launching station for allowing each opposing player to launch projectiles in the direction of the target receptacles. Sets of projectiles for each player are differentiated by distinctive colors or symbols. The players may establish the rules of the game with respect to the number of projectiles to be launched and concurrent or sequential operation of their respective propulsion devices. Victory may be awarded to the player who first lands a specified number of his projectiles in one or more of the target receptacles.

Abstract: A chance device for randomly selecting one of a plurality of radial directions on a game board. The device includes a housing defining an internal cavity and a plurality of light transmitting apertures defined generally around the periphery of the housing. An illuminator is rotatably mounted within the housing by an indexing mechanism causing the illuminator to stop adjacent one of the apertures. The chance device further includes a switch for alternately energizing the illuminating device at the termination of rotation to direct a flashing beam through the selected aperture. The game board includes a position for mounting the chance device and radial indicia extending away from the chance device in directions aligned with the apertures defined in the housing.

Abstract: A rolling toy comprises a pair of wheels mounted on a common axle with inside faces of the wheels in spacedapart relation. A body is mounted for free rotation on the axle between the inside faces of the wheels and includes a head portion projecting upwardly of the wheels and a lower portion below the axle. Balance weight means is provided in the lower portion for maintaining the head portion in an upright position as the wheels rotate. The head portion may be fashioned in a variety of different ways to represent clowns, elfs and other characters, and the rolling toys are adapted to be coaxially aligned and engaged with one another in a side by side cluster to roll in unison as a group.In addition, the toys are especially adapted for use with a variety of different types of play apparatus such as wheeled vehicles, rolling rings, swings, ramps, cages and the like.

Abstract: A vibratory game apparatus for use with a plurality of game pieces movable over a playing surface in response to vibration thereof comprises an open top enclosure or arena for containing a group of said game pieces during play. The enclosure includes a floor which comprises a vibratory playing surface and an upstanding sidewall or fence formed around the outer periphery of the playing surface which is vibrated by means of one or more elongated elements having teeth along one edge adapted to be manipulated longitudinally back and forth with the teeth in engagement with an upper edge portion of the sidewall thereby imparting vibratory action to the playing surface via the vibrating sidewall structure.

Abstract: An action game apparatus for testing manual skill and dexterity comprises a housing having a thin transparent sheet forming a playing surface and a magnet is manually movable over one face of the playing surface to attract and move a magnetic playing piece on the opposite face of the playing surface towards a goal. The playing surface is provided with walls defining a tortuous path leading to the goal and as the playing piece is moved along the tortuous path, it is subjected to bombardment from projectiles which are randomly propelled in the general vicinity of the playing piece. If a projectile strikes the playing piece with enough force, the magnetic attraction between the manually movable magnet and the attracted playing piece is broken and the player must start again and reestablish magnetic contact before movement toward the goal can again proceed.

Abstract: An amusement device for children and the like useful for spelling education includes a toy with a support structure comprising an elongated horizontal shaft extending between opposite end portions which are adapted to rest on a supporting surface and which are fashioned to resemble the head and tail portions of a "bee-like" insect. A plurality of spinner elements are mounted on the shaft between opposite end portions and are adapted for manual spinning on the shaft. Each of the spinning elements is formed with a polygonal shaped centrally disposed opening for accommodating the shaft and a corresponding generally polygonal outer surface having a plurality of outer surface segments, each of which is provided with a selected alpha-numeric character.

Abstract: A pool-type game apparatus which includes a base structure having a playing surface over which play balls or the like may be propelled. Bumper rails substantially surround the playing surface and at least one ball receiving pocket is disposed at a playing position on the playing surface. A cue ball and a cue ball propelling device is provided for rolling the cue ball over the playing surface away from the ball propelling device into contact with other play balls or the rails. Position indicating indicia is provided on the playing surface for selective positioning of the play balls. A set of play cards are provided having indicating indicia thereon correlated to the position indicating indicia for dictating a particular shot of the cue ball from the propelling device in an attempt to strike other balls, rails, or the like, in order to propel a play ball into said pocket in accordance with the dictations of a particular play card.

Abstract: A board-type game apparatus designed around the theme of a mythical man-animal known as "Big Foot" includes, in combination, a game board having a relatively large playing surface with a plurality of spaced apart playing piece stations or spaces thereon positioned at intervals along a travel path. One of the play spaces is designated as "Big Foot Home". A plurality of relatively small playing pieces are adapted for movement over the playing surface between the spaces along the travel path. One of the playing pieces is formed to resemble the mythical character "Big Foot" and includes a hollow base for containing a plurality of disks adapted to be removably contained in vertically stacked relation therein. Some of the disks have distinguishing indicia on one face, such as a foot print of "Big Foot" and some are plain. The disks are loaded in the hollow base in random order.

Abstract: An amusement game device includes a rotatable playing surface which is provided with a number of target points and corresponding numerical indicia. A target aiming tower is provided for each game player through which playing objects are dropped by each game player. A set of playing cards bearing numerical indicia correspond to and identify the various target points on the rotatable playing surface. The target points are formed by openings in the surface of the rotatable playing surface which are aligned with respective underlying biased target arm members. When a target arm member is contacted by a playing object, a symbol indicating a hit or score is aligned with a respective opening so as to be visible to the game players.

Abstract: A physical activity game for opposing teams of two or more players comprises a plurality of adjustable, flexible straps adapted to be looped around the arms and/or legs of the players of each team. An elongated flexible element is provided for each team and is adapted to be passed through the looped straps on the players in a selected order. A chance selector comprising an enlarged mixing area and a restricted display area for a plurality of chance elements is provided for randomly determining the order that the flexible element must be passed through the looped straps on the players' wrists and ankles. The straps and chance elements have corresponding indicia such as color coding whereby the order randomly determined by the chance means directs the order of passage of the flexible elements through the particular color coded straps positioned on the players' arms and legs.

Abstract: An amusement device for several players useful in art education comprises a game board having a playing surface decorated with a plurality of identified, spaced apart, dots arranged in a grid system and a plurality of pictorial symbols which are adapted to be roughly represented by straight lines drawn between selected pairs of said dots in accordance with instructions on program cards corresponding to each of the pictorial symbols represented. A transparent acetate sheet is covered over the playing surface of the game board so that the lines drawn thereon with marker means such as a grease pencil may be erased when a drawing is completed and a new drawing is to be started. Chance means is provided for selecting the starting sequence that the lines are to be drawn in accordance with the program cards, each of which represents one of the symbols on the game board.