Patents Examined by Vishu K. Mendiratta
  • Patent number: 8715030
    Abstract: The toy building block has a top board, four sideboards, an open bottom and four holding spaces. The top board includes multiple rectangular protrusions and each protrusion has four side surfaces, four recesses and four positioning posts. The recesses are formed respectively in the side surfaces of the protrusion. Each positioning post is formed between two adjacent recesses of two adjacent side surfaces of the protrusion. Each sideboard includes multiple ribs. Each holding space is formed between two adjacent ribs of two adjacent sideboards. To assemble the toy building blocks, the open bottom of one toy building block is used to cover the protrusions of another toy building block to make the holding spaces of the one toy building block hold the positioning posts of another toy building block. Thus, the toy building blocks are securely assembled against rotation relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Hsiao-Chieh Chin
  • Patent number: 8708799
    Abstract: A game machine has a back side display unit composed of reels for displaying back patterns, and a front side display unit composed of transparent EL panels for displaying overlapping patterns overlapping with the back patterns. The back side display unit and the front side display unit are disposed not to produce blind spot regions of the back patterns. The game machine can provide various overlapping patterns with good visibility and a high game selection capability to a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., Yamasa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ozaki, Takahisa Kaneko, Ken Nishioka, Tsuneo Uchida, Hiroshi Kawakami, Yoshio Aoki, Takashi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8708340
    Abstract: An action figure game piece is disclosed. The game piece comprises a game figure character adapted for movement a distance over a surface and a mechanism for indicating the distance of movement over the surface. A method of playing an action figure game on the surface is also disclosed. The method comprises providing for each player a plurality of the game pieces, each game piece having an indicium indicating a point value, a mechanism for indicating a distance the game piece has moved over the surface, and a mechanism for attacking an opponent player's game pieces. The method also comprises selecting for each player a group of the game pieces having point values summing to a predetermined value and selecting a number of actions each player can take per player's turn. An action comprises either a move, comprising moving a game piece a distance up to the particular game piece's point value, or an attack, comprising actuation of the particular game piece's attacking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Wilk, David F. Kunitz, Thomas C. McCarthy, Henry S. Winters
  • Patent number: 8690155
    Abstract: A pathology board game includes a colored game board comprising (a) an illustration of the human circulatory system comprising organs and limbs; and (b) a colored circle or wheel comprising a plurality of diseases, each disease having its own number and color; a plurality of treatment/remedy cards, wherein each card comprises at least one treatment or remedy for a disease and is colored to match a corresponding disease on the colored circle; and a plurality of preventative cards, wherein each card comprises at least one preventative modality to prevent a disease and is colored to match a corresponding disease on the colored circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Dionne Riley
  • Patent number: 8684868
    Abstract: A ball for use in teaching proper throwing or pitching techniques in baseball or softball is disclosed. The ball provides an internal mechanism by way of a snap device or a channel having a shiftable weighted material to provide both an audible and visible indication of when a proper wrist snap release of the ball has occurred. The internal mechanisms disclosed can be incorporated into newly manufactured baseballs or softballs or placed into preexisting balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Velocity Gravity Spin Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Richard Fountain, III
  • Patent number: 8678390
    Abstract: A chess-like game has a two-dimensional game board made up of 49 regular hexagonal play spaces assembled into a clustered, stylized diamond shape where seven spaces are arranged side-by-side, contiguously in a central, latitudinal row. Each successive parallel latitudinal row has one less space and its spaces are offset. By the sixth row away from the central row, a single hex space is provided at either end of the board. The color of each space is selected from three available. No space of a first color shares a hex side with a space of a similar color. A reduced set of game pieces are used where each side has one king, one queen, one bishop, one rook, one knight, and five pawns. Each piece has defined legal moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Jim P. Guyer
  • Patent number: 8672327
    Abstract: A global property trading board game having a game board with a continuous travel path divided into stations being associated with respective countries and having markings, including economic values representative of the respective countries' gross domestic product. Movement of a game-piece along the travel path is determined by a chance-controlled device. Each player is allocated a line of credit represented by international business cards in various monetary denominations. The respective players are further assigned a global region constituting a trade-bloc of countries. A player may acquire the assets of any country corresponding to the station in which the game-piece is located, assuming the assets are not owned by another player, by payment of the designated economic value utilizing the player's international business cards. When a competing player's game-piece is located within a station wherein the assets are owned by another player the competing player must pay a tax to that player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Griffith
  • Patent number: 8657289
    Abstract: A board game may be played on a board or with an electronic version thereof, that combines chess, checkers and dice to create an original game that is more dynamic than checkers, easier to learn and play than chess, and has an element of randomness that makes it hard to know who will win until the final roll of the dice. The game of the present invention simplifies play by combining classic elements. The roll of the dice determines what kind of move can be made, but the player can choose any of his/her pieces to move. Whoever captures the king wins, or, in an alternative embodiment, whoever has the last remaining piece(s) wins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: Edward Gregory Bond, John Howard Bond
  • Patent number: 8657288
    Abstract: A three dimensional puzzle assembly 12 is formed of a plurality of puzzle pieces 18. The puzzle pieces 18 have tabs 28 that are received in recesses 30. The tabs 28 and recesses 30 have cooperating engagement features 32, 34 that prevent adjacent puzzle pieces from being displaced in a direction normal to an exterior surface of the puzzle pieces. The puzzle assembly 12 defines a guide 24 in which a lock 20 may be attached. A bayonet connector 88, 90 may be used to attach a liner 14 to the lock through a hole 52 in the puzzle assembly. A retainer 54 on the liner 14 may pass through the hole 52 and engage the lock 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Iconic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart D. Fletcher, Scott A. Owen, Michael A. Hall
  • Patent number: 8632427
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf aid for determining the slope of putting green or other area of a golf course. More specifically, the invention provides a device for calibrating suspending Optionally, the device includes a ball marker and can include tools for assembling the device in a golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: David Dastrup
  • Patent number: 8622857
    Abstract: An inflatable ball includes interconnected first and second half ball bodies. The first half ball body has a first half ball wall with first inner and outer wall surfaces, and a first rib structure formed as one piece with the first half ball wall and projecting from one of the first inner and outer wall surfaces. The first half ball wall has a through hole extending through the first inner and outer wall surfaces, and a first annular connecting edge interconnecting circumferential ends of the first inner and outer wall surfaces. The second half ball body has a second half ball wall with second inner and outer wall surfaces, and a second rib structure projecting from one of the second inner and outer wall surfaces. A valve unit is attached to the first half ball body in connection with the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Jack Lo
  • Patent number: 8608598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a boomerang that can automatically change both elevation angle ? of blades and curve radius r of blades upon the change of rotary speed of blades (12), wherein blades (12) are made of elastically plastic film preferably selected from a group of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene and high impact polystyrene, the material has a specific weight of from about 0.9 g/cm3 to about 1.60 g/cm3 and as thickness from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm; the ratio between the depth of the rear groove and blade width is from about 1/7 to about 6/7; the ratio between depth of the front groove and blade width is from about 0 to about 3/7; the elevation angle ?0 is from about 10° to about 45°; the initial curve radius r0 of the blades is longer or equal to 1/5 of the radius R of said ring (13); the ratio between the total area of said blades and the area of a circle defined by said ring (13) is from about % to about 38%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Tosy Robotics Joint Stock Company
    Inventor: Ho Vinh Hoang
  • Patent number: 8597144
    Abstract: A sport ball may have a plurality of panels that are joined at seams to form a casing. The panels may include a thermoplastic polymer material applied to an interior side of the panels, and the thermoplastic polymer material may be heat-activated to extend across the seams. The ball may further include a bladder within the casing and an intermediate layer located between the casing and the bladder. The thermoplastic polymer material may also be heat-activated to bond with the intermediate layer or casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Chi Chang, Yi-Jung Shen, Scott R. Berggren
  • Patent number: 8590897
    Abstract: A role playing game having a plurality of character cards with a surface on which a character summary is written and includes at least a Character Name, Character Information, and Character Abilities, a board having a status bar with indicators that can slide between actions, a dodge meter that can move to indicate a number of dodges available, a stamina wheel that can rotate to indicate a number of stamina points available, a character spot for accepting a character card, a Solo Defense Bar with indicators to indicate a number of defense points available, a Team Defense Bar with indicators that can slide to indicate a number of defense points available, and an Enhancement Bar with an indicator that can slide to indicate a number of lives remaining or a value of enhancement points, a plurality of Numbered Ability Cards and Special Ability Cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Micah McCarey, Michael Wald
  • Patent number: 8585055
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a racing table game and method for playing. Game components include, but are not limited to: a table gaming surface having a plurality of lanes with start and finish lines; a plurality of racers; at least two dice; and a plurality of race tickets each corresponding to a racer. In one embodiment of a method of play, game setup and dealer selection occurs. The dealer then randomizes and distributes the race tickets. A player rolls the dice and acts either by paying chip(s) into a purse or moving a racer, as instructed by the dice. Play continues with each player rolling the dice and acting, until a winner is determined with a racer crossing the finish line. That race is over and the purse is divided into shares and distributed to winning ticket holders. When the role of the dealer is transferred, the next race commences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Leonard P. Pardo, Ramona Pardo
  • Patent number: 8579291
    Abstract: A board game is provided for a plurality of players comprising a game board including an innermost circle, a plurality of identical player domains, one for each player, a plurality of level regions, an aggregate of aggregated numbers of blank spaces defined in each of the player domains, and indicia for designating the level regions, and for identifying the player domains. The game further includes randomizing means including a plurality of dice having color coded surfaces, symbols, and/or graphic indicia imprinted thereon, question and answer cards indicating varying degrees of difficulty corresponding to the level regions, and a dice cup. Players roll the dice and ask and answer questions in turn to be first to earn an aggregate of first game pieces and place a second game piece on the innermost circle to end the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Keith R. Williams
  • Patent number: 8579290
    Abstract: Interchangeable glasses in accordance with one embodiment include a glasses frame; a first pair of lenses that are interchangeable with the glasses frame and have a first set of lenses that are a first color; a second pair of lenses that are interchangeable with the glasses frame and have a second set of lenses that are a second color; and a third pair of lenses that are interchangeable with the glasses frame and have a third set of lenses, where the third set of lenses includes a first lens that is the first color and a second lens that is the second color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Experience, Inc.
    Inventor: Sagi Kormandel
  • Patent number: 8579743
    Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing that incorporates a plurality of joined panel elements, which include a first panel element with a first edge and a second panel element with a second edge. The first edge and the second edge are welded to each other. In some configurations, the first panel element has a first edge with a projection that extends outward from the first edge, the second panel element has a second edge that is located adjacent to the first edge, and the projection of the first edge is located between the second edge and the bladder. In another configuration, the first edge and the second edge are formed to have a rounded configurations. The sport ball may also include an intermediate layer and a bladder within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Tal Cohen, Geoffrey C. Raynak, Vincent F. White, Eleazar C. Chavez
  • Patent number: 8574104
    Abstract: An inflatable sports ball structure and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The inflatable sports ball structure comprises of an inner bladder, a reinforced carcass containing thread, and an exterior material layer. The reinforced carcass covers the surface of the inner bladder, and has a thread wound layer. Part of the thread wound layer is embedded in the reinforced carcass and provides a constricting force towards the inner bladder, and a small remaining part of the thread wound layer may be exposed on the outer surface of the reinforced carcass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Keng-Hua Chou
  • Patent number: 8567785
    Abstract: Present invention provides an intellectual game model which includes a base with several grooves, level selector and 7 chain hexagonal bricks. There are 8 hexagon docks with numbers, and player is capable of selecting the level of difficulty of the game by moving level selector. There is also a hexagonal stud which is for increasing the difficulty of the game. Player uses 7 chain hexagonal bricks with different shapes to complete the shape which is built by empty grooves. The game inspires player's intelligence and is suitable for beginner or the one who want to challenge difficult levels of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Ming-Hsien Cheng