Patents Examined by Vishu K. Mendiratta
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Patent number: 8876113Abstract: A chess variant strategy game enhancing decision-making skills and memorization comprises most pieces being concealed within housing shells, except for the King, so that players must identify and memorize the opponent's game pieces from their movements. The use of at least one “hold and secure” placeholder on a square allows a player to “hold and secure” squares upon capturing an opponent's piece on that square and more realistically emulates battle situations. A method for training comprising plural training phases, including increasingly complex rules variations, all of which have game pieces concealed within housing shells and the “hold and secure” feature, and some or all pieces starting in non-traditional chess starting positions. The phases are customizable with different variations and may include time constraints, variable piece starting positions and alternative goals, as well as other features that alter the conditions and parameters of play.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Inventor: Brian T. Dolk
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Patent number: 8876112Abstract: A travel game-board activity kit is provided. The activity kit includes a plurality of dry-erase marking instruments, a plurality of magnetic game pieces, and a plurality of pages having game-board images printed thereon. The plurality of pages includes one or more magnetic sections, and a surface configured to accept markings from the plurality of dry-erase marking instruments and to allow erasure of the markings. The surface of the plurality of pages that accepts dry-erase markings may also include one or more dry-erase sections configured to aid players in tracking game progress, such as on a dry-erase scoreboard. The activity kit may also include a storage container attached to the plurality of pages, which holds the dry-erase marking instruments and/or the magnetic game pieces. In some embodiments, the activity kit includes an electronic component coupled to the plurality of pages for providing desired information, lights, and/or sounds usable for play.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Crayola LLCInventor: Craig Skinner
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Patent number: 8870184Abstract: A strategy board game of territorial conquest for two to four players. Each player commands an army of twenty-four pieces on a playing board divided into five regions called territories. The pieces rest on the intersections of lines on the board called Points. In each territory there exists a special board Point referred to as a Base. The pieces in the game at all times have a specific direction that they face on the game board. The facing of the piece determines its vulnerability to capture by another piece. In addition to facing, different types of playing pieces are assigned different attributes such as Movement number, Attack number and Blocking faces which affect the utility of each piece in game situations. A notation system allows text play of the game. Electronic embodiments allow game play on electronic devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Inventor: Kurt Hildebrand
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Patent number: 8857817Abstract: A game board surrounded and partially supported by perimeter walls that extend above and below the playing surface of the game board. The game board has a plurality of sockets for holding either covers, projectile coins, or player tokens, and a smaller plurality of those sockets have holes through the game board. Supporting the game board from underneath is a deflection structure that deflects projected tokens which fall though the holes and urges them out through elongated openings at the bottom of each wall. Projectors, such as catapults, are mounted slidingly on each perimeter wall. Players have covers with which they can cover a portion of the holes on their “properties. The board has designated paths for player token movement according to turn and a die role. An elevated socket is provided. The rules for an exemplary game to be played with the game board are explained.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Inventors: Edwin Arsenio Cruz-Rivera, Janet Adriana Cruz
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Patent number: 8851476Abstract: A game set and method for playing a strategy game on a playing surface by one or more persons including a plurality of playing pieces, each playing piece having a predetermined number of edges, wherein each edge is at least one of an exterior edge and a connecting edge; a plurality of playing cards, each playing card containing an indicia corresponding to the shape of one of the plurality of playing pieces; and a playing surface. Each player randomly selects a plurality of playing cards; exchanges each of the playing cards for a corresponding one of a plurality of playing pieces, and places each playing piece obtained by the exchange on a playing surface by (i) orienting an exterior edge according to a perimeter of the playing surface and (ii) orienting a connecting edge according to a corresponding connecting edge of an adjacent playing piece. The strategy game may be played in various configurations, including without playing cards, without playing pieces, without a game board, or with a timer.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Tructo, LLCInventor: Javier Pabon
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Patent number: 8851477Abstract: An educational device comprising a game board demarcated with a plurality of positions, each position having associated with it and actuator, actuation of which causes the communication device to provide instruction to the player as to what the player is supposed to do. A player can activate a random number generator to determine how many positions to move. Once instruction has been received, the player utilizes game pieces on the game board to execute the instruction. By going through this process, any player can learn a particular skill or gain particular knowledge that can be applied in life.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Inventor: Bruce Ward
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Patent number: 8827270Abstract: A modular game board system includes a game board housing. The game board housing includes a transparent top wall that is configured to allow viewing of a media insert removably positioned in the game board housing. Each of plurality of pawn housings has a front wall, a rear wall and an intermediate wall that is attached to the front and rear walls. The front wall is transparent and each of the pawn housings has an opening therein configured for slidably receiving a media insert. A plurality of bases is provided and each of the pawn housings has one of the bases attached thereto. The media inserts may be removed and replaced to alter game play.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Inventor: Brian Fiore
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Patent number: 8820746Abstract: A realistic professional team sports board game, including an On-The-Roll mechanism where, once play begins, real time play continues, generally against a clock, opposing teams continue to roll dice continuing sub-play actions or elements, until a play is completed, as by a touchdown, tackle and a series of rules and charts, based on statistical compilation that maps various combinations of offensive and defensive strategies and dice rolls into realistic game situations and the progression among them. Both teams: secretly choose a strategy, generally by selecting a card placed face down; roll dice; reveal strategy choices by turning cards face up; determine a situation chart to consult, and further determine which result is selected from within the chart, based on some combination of which cards were played and the results of the dice rolls. A variety of play cards affect the overall game momentum of either team.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Inventor: Jeff Poulos
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Patent number: 8801489Abstract: A toy vehicle transformable between first and second forms includes an undercarriage, a top member having first and second surfaces serving as upper surfaces of the vehicle in the first and second forms, respectively, a front member rotatably connected to the front end portion of the top member, where the front member has first and second surfaces serving as front surfaces of the vehicle in the first and second forms, respectively, and a connector that connects the rear end portion of the top member to the undercarriage and that includes a separation rotation shaft for supporting the top member for rotation in a direction in which the top member moves away from the undercarriage and a turnover rotation shaft for supporting the top member for rotation in a direction in which the top member is turned over.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Bandai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Koshida, Akane Miyata, Yumi Kanaoka, Ayumi Hasegawa, Naohiro Yoshino, Takayuki Shinoda
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Patent number: 8801553Abstract: There is provided a sports ball capable of relieving the pain of the hands suffered from impact on the ball and having a soft feel and high flexibility. The sports ball comprises a spherical hollow rubber bladder (2) inflated with air injected into it, a fabric tape reinforcement layer (3) formed by winding a narrow adhesive-impregnated fabric tape (7) around a central spherical portion (6) of the rubber bladder about each of three axes of the rubber bladder with the exception of opposite spherical end portions (5) of the rubber bladder, whereby the fabric tape reinforcement layer is formed as orthogonal lap windings of the fabric tape over substantially all of the spherical surface of the rubber bladder, to provide a fabric tape wound ball core, and surface panels (4) adhered with adhesive to the fabric tape reinforcement layer on the rubber bladder, after vulcanization and forming of the fabric tape wound ball core.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Mikasa CorporationInventors: Takashi Fujikura, Osamu Kobayashi, Shuzo Matsuno
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Patent number: 8795027Abstract: A CO2 gas-propelled model car launcher permits two or more model vehicles to be launched substantially simultaneously. Launching of the vehicles is achieved by moving a trigger plate sidewise which disengages a disc and thereby releases a firing pin whose forward movement punctures the CO2 cartridge. A height adjustment feature permits the launcher to accommodate model cars of different sizes. Multiple launchers may be ganged together and their trigger plates rigidly connected in such a way that sidewise movement of one trigger plate launches all of the model vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Boy Scouts of AmericaInventor: Charles Kelderhouse
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Patent number: 8783687Abstract: Three-dimensional game devices and methods of their use and manufacture are provided. One game device is disclosed for use with a plurality of game pieces and includes a three-dimensional pathway segmented into a plurality of distinct spaces in which the game pieces fit. The pathway rises and falls in elevation with at least one portion of the pathway passing over at least one other portion of the pathway such that the game pieces pass over the underlying portion and under the overlying portion when traveling along the pathway. The pathway is at least partially defined in a housing. An entrance portion of the pathway may be sloped downwardly and at least partially covered; and an exit portion of the pathway may be sloped downwardly, at least partially covered, and include an opening through which the game pieces pass to exit the pathway.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Inventor: Sara Hoestje
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Patent number: 8770584Abstract: Described is a picture game which utilized bingo-style game cards having images depicted thereon. As random images and photos are selected and displayed, matching images on the game cards are identified until one or more players hold a game card having a pre-established pattern marked. During the display of images and photos, messages, including advertisements or trivia questions, may be displayed as well. In another version, the game may also be used to facilitate memory exercises.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Inventor: Paul Miravete
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Patent number: 8771114Abstract: A baseball capable of being tested under ASTM F1887-09 wherein the baseball is projected at a strike plate at a speed of approximately 60 mph to measure the COR of the baseball. The baseball includes a core formed of a diene-based rubber composition, at least one layer of yarn surrounding the core, and a cover assembly surrounding the one layer of yarn. The core has a diameter of less than 2.0 inches and a weight less than 1.5 ounces. The baseball has a circumference of less than 9.5 inches and a weight of less than 5.5 ounces. The baseball has an initial COR value when tested in accordance with ASTM F1887-09 and a second COR value measured after the baseball has undergone at least 60 impacts of approximately 60 mph against the strike plate. The second COR value is greater than 95 percent of the initial COR value.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: Michael Markovich, Patrick J. Udelhofen, Frank M. Simonutti, Benny Tong, Bradley L. Gaff, Ty B. Goodwin
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Patent number: 8771105Abstract: A golf tee may be constructed with a body formed from a polymer tolerant of exposure to a temperature at least as high as 480° F. without incurring diminishment of its structural integrity. A low-friction coating may be applied to a ball support of the tee.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Inventor: Gregory Ransom Ward MacKeen
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Patent number: 8758075Abstract: A fabric bathing toy in the shape of a figure appealing to children that has a mesh pocket for holding soap. Preferably, the figure resembles an animal or insect. The toy includes a fastening component to contain the soap in the mesh pocket. The toy includes a cavity in the body of the toy for holding a sponge. The toy includes a fastening component to contain the sponge in the cavity. A suction cup is attached to the toy so that the toy adheres and hangs from a surface to promote drying.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Inventor: Allan D. Rubinfeld
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Patent number: 8757621Abstract: A game apparatus and method of playing a game for forming magic squares is provided. The game apparatus provides for various means for forming a magic square in a N×N matrix. The method provides for various means for performing a formation of a magic square in a N×N matrix.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Inventor: Richard Lionel Harris
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Patent number: 8757623Abstract: Tiles (7) having significant depth are placed on a gameboard (1) having projections (2) on its upper surface. The protrusions (2) engage recesses (8) formed on the corners of the tiles (7) in order to locate the tiles (7) in position on the game board (1). The recesses (8) may extend for only part of the depth of the tiles (7) so that they are not visible from the top of the tiles (7), thereby affording visual continuity between the (tiles 7). The protrusions (2) may engage the recesses (8) as a friction fit, to hold the tiles (7) firmly in place. Alternatively, they may engage the recesses (8) as a loose fit, thereby to afford location of the tiles (7) while allowing their easy removal from the game board (1).Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Bucher and Harrison LimitedInventors: James Harrison, Michael Bucher
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Patent number: 8752839Abstract: An electronic card game is provided where a set of qualifying combinations is provided and as long as one qualifying combination is held by a player that is greater than a qualifying combination held by the dealer then paying the player winning amounts associated with all qualifying combinations held by the player.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Mara Enterprises LimitedInventor: Malcolm Colin Payne
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Patent number: 8746700Abstract: Coin wars game systems is a coin toss game similar to a table game but played on a larger scale such as on a floor or outdoors. A board having a target or series of targets on its top side is placed on a flat surface and at least two participants toss coins at a target on the board, the target having a value graduated image, attempting to score the most points. Each participant has a card printed with instructions and commands. The participant also assumes the identity of the entity listed on the card with the given authority level, and the distance from the target that participant stands to toss the coins. The loosing participants must perform a predetermined number of repetitions of a given exercise after each round.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Inventor: Gregory Capone, Jr.