Pocket random number selector

Abstract

A random number selector comprising a containment chamber having an opening and containing a preselected number of numbered cylindrical beads, a closure member for sealably closing the opening on the containment chamber, the closure member having an elongated receiving channel extending away from the containment chamber, and means for permitting a preselected number of numbered beads to pass into the receiving channel to thereby provide the random number.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to a small, pocket-sized random number selector that is inexpensive to produce and small enough and light enough to be carried in one's pocket, for example as a component of a key-chain or key ring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] While computers often include a random number generator by which a random number of any size can be generated, this invention is predicated on my conception and development of a new, simple, light-weight and low-cost random number selector, that can be termed a “pocket random number selector”, and if a spherical form is utilized for the containment chamber, the spherical chamber can be decorated to resemble a human or animal face to provide a great number of novel and unique designs.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a new, low-cost, light-weight, pocket random number selector with which a random number can be selected of any preselected number of digits.

[0004] Another primary object of this invention is to provide such a low-cost random number selector that can be decorated to provide a number of different face likenesses.

[0005] An additional primary object of this invention is to provide a novel key-chain or key-ring member that is not only designed to resemble a human or animal face, but further functions as a unique random number selector.

[0006] These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is an side view of a preferred embodiment of the new and unique random number selector of this invention providing a receiving channel for three numbered beads.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of the invention show in FIG. 1 with the slide bar positioned to dispose the passage-way over the opening to the receiving channel.

[0009] FIG. 3 is identical to FIG. 2 except that the slide bar positioned to dispose the passage-way under the opening from the containment chamber.

[0010] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment that has been decorated to resemble an “Uncle Sam”, and provides a receiving channel of sufficient length to hold 4 numbered beads.

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment decorated to provided a winking face, and provides a receiving channel of sufficient length to hold five numbered beads.

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates still another embodiment where the closure member is on conical design with the receiving channel comprising the bottom space of the cone.

[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment not having a slidable bar but merely providing a receiving channel into which a preselected number of numbered beads are allowed to pass.

[0014] FIG. 8 is like FIG. 7 but provides three separate receiving channels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Reference to FIGS. 1 will illustrate a side elevational view of a presently preferred embodiments of this invention, wherein a containment chamber 10 having an opening 12 is provided to contain a preselected number of numbered cylindrical beads 14, while a closure member 16 provides a sealed closure over opening 12, to secure numbered beads 14 within containment chamber 10.

[0016] The closure member 16 is provided with a receiving channel 18 extending away from the opening 12 of containment chamber 10, and includes 20 mounted therein for manual movement back and forth adjacent to receiving channel 18, as can be seen the two opposed ends of slidable bar 20 are exposed at either side of closure member 16 to facilitate such back and forth movement of slidable bar 20 with a simple finger-tip movement. Ideally, slidable bar 20 is biased in one direction or the other by a biasing spring 22. Slidable bar 20 is provided with a passage-way 24 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameters of the numbered beads 14 so that passageway 24 is sized to contain but one of said numbered beads 14 at a time, one end (I will call the upper end of passage-way 24) is positioned to communicate with opening 12 of containment chamber 10 when slidable bar 20 is positioned to the one extreme end (the left and as shown in FIG. 1) while the opposite end, (I will call the lower end of passage-way 24) is positioned to communicate with receiving channel 18 when slidable bar 20 is positioned to the opposite extreme end.

[0017] As should be apparent from the above description, if one hold onto containment chamber 10 in a uppermost position, and depresses slidable bar 20 as far as it will go to the left, one of the numbered beads 14 will fall into passage-way 24. Thereafter, depressing slidable bar as far as it will go to the opposite direction, the numbered bead within passageway 24 will drop into receiving channel 18. Repeating this procedure will provide additional numbered beads within receiving channel 18 until receiving channel 18 is filled with numbered beads 14. As should be apparent, the capacity of the random number selector, will be dictated by the length of the receiving channel 18. Hence, if one wants to have a 4-digit selector, the length of channel 18 should be sufficient to receive but 4 numbered beads 14, and so on. Obviously, the possibilities are infinite, and limited only by the capacity of containment chamber 10, and the number of numbered beads 14 that can be contained therein, and of course the length of receiving channel 18. By making closure member 16 of a transparent material, one can view the aligned numbered beads 14 within receiving channel 18, and thus obtain the desire random number.

[0018] Having described in detail a presently preferred embodiment of this invention, it should be apparent that other embodiments could be utilized and modifications incorporated without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a receiving channel 18 is not absolutely necessary as the numbered beads can be made to collect in the bottom of the cone as shown, particularly if only one or two numbered beads are all that is desired for the random number to be selected. In addition an embodiment could be provided without a slidable bar 20 so that one merely can roll the containment chamber 10 in his finger-tips in order to get any number of numbered beads 14 to fall down into the receiving channel 18. In such an embodiment without a slidable bar 20, more than one receiving channel 18 could be provided as shown in FIG. 7.

Claims

1. A random number selector comprising a containment chamber having an opening and containing a preselected number of numbered cylindrical beads, a closure member for sealably closing said opening on said containment chamber, said closure member having an elongated receiving channel extending away from said containment chamber, into which a preselected number of numbered beads can be allowed to pass to thereby reveal a random number.

2. A random number selector comprising a containment chamber having an opening and containing a preselected number of numbered cylindrical beads, a closure member for sealably closing said opening on said containment chamber, said closure member having an elongated receiving channel extending away from said containment chamber, and having a slidable bar mounted therein adapted for manual movement back and forth, said slidable bar having a passage-way therethrough and positioned so that when said slidable bar is moved to a first extreme end position, said passage-way is in communication with said containment chamber, and when said slidable bar is moved to a second and opposite extreme position, said passage-way is in communication with said elongated receiving channel.

2. A random number selector, according to claim 2 wherein said slidable bar is spring-loaded to bias the slidable bar to either one of its extreme end positions.

3. A random number selector, according to claim 2 wherein said passage-way through said slidable bar is sized to contain but one of said numbered beads at a time.

4. A random number selector, according to claim 1, wherein said closure member is made of a transparent material to permit viewing of the aligned numbered beads in the receiving channel.

5. A random number selector, according to claim 1, wherein said containment chamber is made of a non-transparent material to prevent one from seeing the arrangement of the numbered beads therein.

6. A random number selector, according to claim 1, wherein said containment chamber is spherical in form.

7. A random number selector, according to claim 1, having means thereon for securing said random number selector to a key-chain or the like.

8. A random number selector, according to claim 6, wherein said cylindrical containment chamber is decorated to resemble that of a human face.