Abstract: A motion sensing switch and circuit associated therewith, the switch including a cylindrical non-conductive sleeve housing having circumferentially spaced parallel rib contacts etched on the interior thereof, all the rib contacts being electrically connected together for providing a first switch member with a conductive ball shaped member resiliently suspended in spaced proximate relation to the contact, the conductive member being electrically connected for providing a second switch contact with the electrical circuit providing a pulsed output proportional to the number of rib contacts wiped by the conductive ball during movement of the sensor.
Abstract: A hand held electronic game for baseball or the like having a playing field with illuminatable segments thereon at positions generally corresponding to potential player positions. One group of segments defines the path of a player object such as a ball which when "impacted" in response to a correctly timed manual input illuminates one of another group of segments. The "player" is advanced in response to another manual input a distance determined by the segment so illuminated. Game control and game status is under control of a processor using probabilities to determine game events. In the embodiment illustrated, the game is in the form of a baseball game with the segment depicted on a baseball diamond.
Abstract: An electronic game having a display field of illuminatable segments arranged in a matrix or array of rows and columns, with a plurality of manually operable switches equal in number to the number of columns, the switches having different functions determined by the rules of one of a plurality of games playable on the electronic game. At least one segment is illuminated in a predetermined column and upon initiation of the game segments in that column are successively illuminated, one at a time. Depending on the function assigned to the switches manual operation of one of the switches causes one of three displayed results, the reversal of the direction of successive illumination, the varying of the speed of successive illumination, or the ceasing of the sequence of illumination displaying the then illuminated segment in a static condition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 18, 1980
Date of Patent:
March 30, 1982
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
David F. James, Peter A. Oliphant, Timothy A. Effler
Abstract: An electronic amusement apparatus having control electronics selectively energizing one or more of the segments of an array of illuminatable segments, with a unitary light control member having an array of portions in overlying relation with each of the segments. Each portion may be identically configured with the exit ends of all portions being in generally planar relation adjacent a transparent or diffused viewing surface. Each portion includes a peripheral wall defining a tapered aperture with the exit end of the aperture configured to provide the visual appearance of a desired object on the viewing surface. Light rays from the illuminated segment pass through the entrance end of the aperture and are internally reflected by the tapered walls toward the exit end while simultaneously light from the segment passes through the peripheral wall to provide a sharply defined edge for the viewed object.
Abstract: A top and spinning mechanism, the top having an enlarged body portion and a stub base portion with an irregular configuration for coacting with a sleeve member of a top spinning mechanism, the sleeve member being configured for releasably receiving therein the stub base portion, rotation of the sleeve member rotating the top with a release lever on the top spinning mechanism manually operable for axially sliding the sleeve out of engagement with the base portion with the release lever having an arm member contacting the body of the top for directing the top onto a playing surface.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 19, 1980
Date of Patent:
September 1, 1981
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
Larry A. Sims, Gerald L. Lambert, Raymond J. Gross, Harold B. Collins