Patents Examined by Edward M. Coven
  • Patent number: 5108099
    Abstract: A slot machine is provided in which the symbols or indicia to be displayed are selected by using a random number generating technique to generate a random number for each display position, the random number being selected from a range of numbers corresponding to the number of display possibilities for that position. A two step random number selection technique is used wherein the first step comprises selecting a random number from the range of numbers corresponding to the number of display possibilities for that display position, and the second step, which is only invoked in the event that a predetermined one of the range of numbers is selected in the first selection, comprises discarding the number first selected and making a further selection from the range of numbers. Accordingly, the probability of occurrence for at least one of the possible results for the display position is significantly less than that for the remainder of the possible results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Ainsworth Nominees Pty Limited
    Inventor: Richard E. Smyth
  • Patent number: 5108114
    Abstract: A collapsible sports racket comprising, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a shaft having a mounting member extending from one end and a grip handle extending from the other end; a head having a neck with a receptacle for receiving the mounting member; a threaded member slidably disposed along the mounting member for rotational engagement with a threaded collar on the neck so as to releasably secure the head to the shaft; radially disposed projections mounted to the member for restricting rotation of the shaft with respect to the neck along its longitudinal axis upon engagement with the receptacle; and guideways in the receptacle for receiving the projections upon engagement of the mounting member with the receptacle so as to limit longitudinal rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Alvin J. Marx
  • Patent number: 5108100
    Abstract: The invention provides a puzzle embodied in a 3-sided regularly shaped pyramid comprising eleven smaller 3-sided pyramids and four small octaeder shaped bodies, which smaller pieces are connected to a string forming an endless chain. The complexity of the puzzle is achieved by coloring the side planes of the smaller parts in various colors and connecting the smaller pieces in a certain sequence to a string. The solution of the puzzle is obtained by placing the smaller parts of puzzle in such a way that the large pyramid is formed and the side planes of the large pyramid are uniformly colored by the smaller pieces. A preferred embodiment is given in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprising the 15 smaller pieces of FIGS. 3 and 4 placed in a continuous string as shown in FIG. 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventors: Jan Essebaggers, Jaap Koops
  • Patent number: 5108365
    Abstract: Provided is an improved method of percutaneous transluminal balloon coronary angioplasty for dilating a narrowed portion of an artery. According to the method a multi-lumen inflatable balloon catheter having a predetermined balloon size and shape when inflated is introduced into the lumen of an artery in the patient and advanced until it is in the region of arterial narrowing. The balloon is then inflated for a pre-determined amount of time. According to a preferred embodiment the balloon is inflated for from about 1 to about 5 minutes. The inflated balloon deforms the adjacent narrowed portion of the artery and, in doing so, also blocks the blood flow through the artery. Into the lumen of the artery, immediately past the blockage created by the inflated balloon, an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable magnesium preparation is then injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Walter T. Woods, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5108110
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for playing a multi-participant game related to a team sport. The apparatus includes a set of player cards, each identifying a player, a team and the player's position. A set of position cards identifying the various player positions on a team is also provided. The game is played on a game board with a track marked up in playing areas. As a participant advances a token along the track under the direction of a chance device, the token will land on playing areas representing the player cards, allowing the player to accumulate a set of players. Other playing areas will allow the player to move cards from a practice roster to an active roster and to trade player cards with other players. When a token lands at the end of the track, the participant draws a card from the position deck and, if he has an active player with that position, he may complete that player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Donald E. Nerbas
  • Patent number: 5108115
    Abstract: By providing an interactive communication system whereby individuals are able to electronically select at least one possible outcome of a plurality of outcomes of a future event, individuals are able to participate in the outcome of that event and possibly share in a prize award associated with the event. In the preferred embodiment, individuals forming the home audience of a televized game show are able to electronically communicate a series of random numbers using their telephone to participate in possibly winning the prize awards of the show. In addition, both on-camera game participants and the studio audience also participate and have the ability to win prizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventors: Robert Berman, Carmen Berman
  • Patent number: 5106087
    Abstract: The grips in a set of golf clubs (both woods and irons) are made progressively greater in diameter in going from the number one iron to the sand wedge and the driver through the fairway woods, the grip diameter for each club being designed for maximum control and accuracy for that club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Tiger Shark Golf, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel P. Simmons, Brian R. Jarrett
  • Patent number: 5106368
    Abstract: A dual lumen catheter is disclosed for providing extracorporeal treatment such as hemodialysis, which is percutaneously inserted for either short-term or long-term vascular access. The catheter includes a main body having proximal and distal segments connected to a pair of clamping limbs via a manifold. The distal segment includes two tubular members laterally attached to each other, one of which is thinner than the other and collapsible for inserting the catheter through a much smaller diameter peel-away sheath. Contrary to existing practices, the lengths of the arterial and venous tubular members are reversed such as to provide a longer negative pressure intake lumen. A hydrophilic slip coating covers the distal segment to further ease the insertion of the distal segment into the peel-away sheath. The cross-sectional area of the proximal segment is generally elliptical shaped for providing a leak proof fit through the vascular access site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Cook Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter R. Uldall, Michael P. DeBruyne
  • Patent number: 5106093
    Abstract: A puzzle is comprised of cubically shaped pieces having 5 square holes centered on 5 of the cube faces and 1 square protrusion on the center of the sixth face. The protrusion is fitted with a spring loaded cog or catch so that the protrusion may be inserted into a square hole of another piece and will lock in place. The locked piece may be released only by inserting another piece in the correct orientation in another square hole in the same piece the first piece was inserted in. The release is effected by pressing the secondly inserted piece in all the way thereby releasing the catch of the first inserted piece but not allowing the release of the catch of the secondly inserted piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: Douglas A. Engel
  • Patent number: 5106100
    Abstract: A card game for play by a plurality of players in which players play groups of cards that include one or more cards. The card game includes a set of first cards, in which each card has first designating indicia on one face for designating a hierarchical ranking of the cards in each set relative to the other sets of cards and second designating indicia on the one face for designating, as between groups of cards having the same first designating indicia, the higher ranking played group. The deck of cards also includes four additional cards, each of which has first designating indicia on one face for designating the hierarchal rank of those cards relative to the sets of first cards. According to the method of play, the cards are dealt to the players and the first player plays one or more cards within certain defined categories of cards. Each subsequent player must then play a card or cards of higher rank within the category that was led.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: The Game Dealers, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lee F. Yih
  • Patent number: 5104127
    Abstract: A board game having a variety of spaces therearound provides an imitation of the variety and spice of life. The game includes direction cards which vary from game to game, with a few of the direction cards being required for each game. Most spaces are divided into three parts to further enhance the variety of the game. The center of board includes a space to indicate a player's success.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: Yvetta E. Whitney
  • Patent number: 5104125
    Abstract: A multi-set assembly puzzle (100) whose flat pieces correspond to the panels of a soccer ball. A 32 piece complement comprises 20 hexagons (102) and 12 pentagons (104). Grooves (112) in all polygon sides (110) must have a cylinder (114) attached in it's right (R) else left (L) portions. Sides (110) adjoin only RR else LL. Adjoining pieces may be coupled by inserting a single connecting pin (120) through their aligned cylinder's centers (118). The Rs and Ls of the polygons' sides (110) may be configured to produce 22 different subspecies. The sides (110) are grouped in 90 adjoining pairs which are randomly assigned R else L. The polygon subspecies are then found by examining the Rs and Ls of their sides, and their quantities become the specification for the complement. Successive specifications are compared to all previous specifications. Identical specifications are eliminated, but the former set has another solution, and is rated less difficult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: John Wilson
  • Patent number: 5104123
    Abstract: A metal bat for use in baseball is disclosed which includes a tubular metal body having an impact portion for hitting a ball, and a layer of a resin foam provided on and bonded to the inside wall of the impact portion and having a density of 0.05-0.5 g/cm.sup.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Somar Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoyo Okitsu, Katsuji Kitagawa, Masao Kubo, Toshiyuki Arisato
  • Patent number: 5104607
    Abstract: In an air cushion table game, such as air hockey, the air bed, which has an upper surface defining a playing surface, comprises a top layer of material having a multiplicity of air jets exhausting upwardly therethrough and arrayed in a substantially uniform pattern over the playing surface of the top layer to form an air cushion and a bottom layer of material disposed below and connected to the top layer. The top and bottom layers define a single plenum extending therebetween and communicating with each of the air jets, the plenum being of unitary one-piece integral blow molded construction. Preferably, the air bed includes a bumper strip defining a boundary of the playing surface upon the air bed, and the air bed, including the bumper strip, is of unitary one-piece integral blow molded construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Azrak-Hamway International, Inc.
    Inventor: John I. Driska
  • Patent number: 5102144
    Abstract: The game of the invention including a multi-tiered board of a plurality of perhipheral and parallel paths, each arranged in an ascending organization. The paths are defined by contrasting colored spaces, with directional cards utilized at the culmination of each player's turn to effect directing of individuals in attaining and losing various denominations of simulated money. Termination of play by each player directed to a finish space terminates the game, wherein the players compare money attained to ascertain a winner. A modification of the board includes the board defined with an internal cavity to receive illumination members therewithin, with the board formed of translucent material. Modified tokens utilized include an upper conical member formed of a light polarizing material mounted on a base, wherein the upper member is rotatable relative to the lower member to indicate various positioning of each token relative to each path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Rodney W. Dickerman
  • Patent number: 5102134
    Abstract: A slot machine is provided in which the symbols or indicia to be displayed are selected by using a random number generating technique to generate a random number for each display position, the random number being selected from a first range of numbers corresponding to the number of display possiblilities for that position. A two step random number selection technique is used wherein the first step comprises selecting a random number from a second range of numbers corresponding to the number of display possibilities for that display position less one, and the second step, which is only invoked in the event that a predetermined one of the numbers in the second range is selected, comprises selecting between that predetermined number and the number in the first range which is excluded from the second range. Accordingly, the probability of occurrence for two of the possible results for the display position is different to that for the remainder of the possible results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Ainsworth Nominees Pty., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard E. Smyth
  • Patent number: 5102141
    Abstract: A golf putting practice device has an elongate runner for supporting a rolling golf ball from a putting location at one end of the runner to a cup formed in the other end of the runner. An overshoot gutter is provided adjacent and beyond the cup and the cup and the gutter are connected in communication with a ball return structure by way of a ramp structure which guides golf balls to the ball return device. The ball return device includes a track which extends alongside the runner to the putting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mulay Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Jordan
  • Patent number: 5102135
    Abstract: An improved roulette game whose rotor has a conical surface sloped towards its center, in which is placed a central rotating disk coaxially on the rotor mounting shaft, the rotor being free to rotate on its shaft and its conical inclined surface terminating abruptly in a lateral annular surface which leaves a free space from that surface to the shaft secured coaxially to the mentioned rotor and from that annular surface a plurality of projecting walls extend radially defining, between each pair of adjacent walls, a pocket to contain the ball used in the game. The pockets thus defined are frontally closed by another annular wall belonging to the central rotating disk. The latter is placed in the free space existing between the pockets and the rotor mounting shaft, and its annular wall has a height substantially similar to that of the rotor annular wall. The central rotating disk has a conical slope whose lower edge coincides with the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Ricardo Addiechi
  • Patent number: 5102127
    Abstract: A pre-assembled package-unit for adjusting the height of a basketball backboard includes a fixed assembly including a pair of vertical square tubes into whose downward ends fit the square tubes of an upward telescoping assembly which bears lower brackets to support the backboard. On the outer square surfaces of the fixed assembly slide the internally-squared surfaces of upper brackets extending to the backboard. An electric linear actuator, mounted on the fixed assembly and extending to the telescoping assembly, is powered and controlled from below by a hand-held electric wand to adjust the height of the backboard. The squared construction firmly resists side forces imposed on the backboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Aalco Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Christopher M. Pohrer
  • Patent number: 5100150
    Abstract: A word game assembly for play by two or more players includes for each player a play grid of horizontal and vertical rows of adjacent areas and a supply of alphabetical letter designating play pieces receivable on the grid areas in a competitive attempt to form words. A player operated random selector and indicator device, such as a spinnable top having side facets marked with different symbols, is used to determine the nature and procedure of play for effecting a series of plays. For instance, each player may select play pieces and place them on an associated play grid to form words in dependence upon the indicated random selection resulting from a spin of the top. In one embodiment of the word game assembly, a portion of the play grid is rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Darryl S. Larman