Method of advertising financial services and interest rate dice

Abstract

A pair of interest rate dice and a method of advertising financial services are disclosed. The dice include a pair of dice having a whole number on one die and a fraction on the other die. The method includes rolling the dice to demonstrate the potential variability of interest rates.

Description

This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/651,803, filed Feb. 10, 2005.

The present invention is directed to a method of advertising and providing financial services. More particularly, the invention is directed to a pair of playing dice for demonstrating interest rates and the uncertainty often associated with determining and selecting interest rates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of advertising financial services. The method includes providing a pair of dice wherein each of the pair includes faces having identifying indicia, a first dice having a plurality of faces displaying whole numbers on at least some of the faces, and a second dice having a plurality of faces including fractions of a whole number on at least some of the faces. The method further includes engaging a consumer interested in available interest rates and rolling the dice at least once to demonstrate the variability involved in finding a suitable interest rate.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a pair of dice including a first geometric block having a plurality of faces and having indicia in the form of a whole number on at least more than half of the faces. The pair of dice includes a second geometric block including a plurality of faces and having indicia in the form of a fraction of a whole number on at least more than half of the faces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pair of dice embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the dice shown of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the dice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another plan view of the dice shown of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the dice embodying the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the dice shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the dice shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is another plan view of the dice of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another embodiment of the dice embodying the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the dice of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the dice of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the dice of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the dice embodying the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the dice of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is another perspective view of the dice of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the dice of FIG. 15;

FIGS. 17-18 are perspective views of a pair of dice embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 19-20 are top views of the pair of dice shown in FIGS. 17-18;

FIGS. 21-22 are bottom views of the pair of dice shown in FIGS. 17-18;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a pair of dice embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are top views of the dice shown in FIGS. 23 and 24;

FIGS. 27 and 28 are bottom views of the dice shown in FIGS. 23 and 25.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are front and back (or top and bottom) views of an alternative embodiment of one of the die of a pair of dice embodying the present invention; and

FIGS. 31 and 32 are front and back (or top and bottom) views of the second of the pair of dice of FIGS. 29-30.

In any transaction where financing is involved, obtaining the “best” interest rate is important to the consumer. However, determining what, in fact, is the “best” rate may not be a simple exercise. There is often a large variance in the available interest rates, and rates may vary from lender to lender, and from region to region. It is often difficult for the consumer of such financing to predict with certainty the “best” interest rate available. Selecting from among available interest rates is often the result of guess work and conjecture.

In accordance with the present invention, Applicant has developed a method of demonstrating to would-be borrowers the random and unpredictable nature of selecting an interest rate. Applicant's method demonstrates to the would-be borrower that, without reliable information, selecting an interest rate can be comparable to a “roll of the dice.”

For example, in accordance with the method, a pair of “interest rate dice” as substantially described below is provided. A consumer such as a borrower interested in available interest rates and/or looking for reliable information regarding interest rates is engaged by an individual. The dice are rolled by the individual at least once and preferably repeatedly to demonstrate that selecting interest rates is subject to chance, that interest rates are always changing, that interest rates and interest rate markets are volatile and/or that locking in to an interest rate eliminates the routine of checking rates.

In accordance with the present invention, Applicant has developed and provided a pair of ”interest rate” dice wherein one die of the pair includes an integer or whole number, while the other die of the pair includes a fraction of a whole number and preferably the “percent” symbol, as shown in the attached FIGS. 1-32. The pair of dice are rolled together to demonstrate the different possible interest rates available to the would-be consumer. By rolling the two dice, the different combinations of integer and fraction demonstrate the uncertainty of predicting the “right” or “best” rate and the need for obtaining intelligent, researched and reliable information before settling on an interest rate for borrowing money.

The interest rate dice shown in FIGS. 1-32 may be used by those in the field of providing financial services. For example, the dice may be used as a learning tool or simply an interesting novelty item by those whose work involves and/or relates to, either directly or indirectly, financing and/or lending. This would include, without limitation, agents, brokers, bankers, consultants, financial planners, appraisers and financial analysts working in areas such as, but not limited to, real estate, mortgage lending, appraisal, home equity loans, interest rate hedging, lending/borrowing, credit card services, and/or in any field that involves consumer debt and financing generally. In another example, the dice of the present invention may be used to demonstrate to borrowers the risk of using floating-rate financing when interest rates are increasing-in other words, that locking into a rate can be a better strategy instead of constantly readjusting the rates as demonstrated by changing dice rolls.

In a further aspect, Applicant's invention is directed to the dice themselves. As shown in FIGS. 1-32, the invention includes a pair of dice. The dice may be the typical cubes commonly used in board games as shown in FIGS. 1-16. However, the faces of each die include whole numbers, fractions of whole numbers and, preferably, a percent (%) symbol. As shown in FIGS. 1-32, one of the die includes a whole number (4, 5, 6, 7, etc.) which may or may not include the percent (%) symbol as shown in FIGS. 1-4, 9-12 and 17, 19 and 21, respectively. The number displayed on the faces of the dice may be any number that represents the typical prevailing interest rates. For example, at the time of filing, the faces on the dice include any number between 4 and 9, with the number 9 possibly serving as both a 6 and a 9. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this range of numbers and may include a different range of numbers, depending on the range of prevailing interest rates at any given time.

The other die of the pair will include a fraction of a whole number, with a numerator and denominator, such as 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 7/8, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the fraction may be expressed as a decimal number expressed to the tenths, hundredths, and/or thousandths place such as, but not limited to, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5, 0.75, 0.33, 0.625, 0.66, 0.875, etc. In a preferred embodiment the fraction or decimal number may be followed by the “%” symbol as shown in the Figures.

The numbers represented on the faces of the dice may also be determined by the actual number of faces. For example, instead of using a solid six-faced cube, as shown in FIGS. 1-16, one or both dice may be a solid geometric block including, providing at least 8 faces for both the whole number and/or the fraction as shown in FIGS. 17-24. FIGS. 17-18 and 23-24 constitute the pair of dice that are rolled together. Alternatively, the dice may have 12 faces for both the whole number and/or the fraction as shown in FIGS. 29-32. It will be understood that the die shown as FIGS. 29 and 30 show the “front” and “back of the whole number die, while FIGS. 31-32 show the “front” and “back” of the “fraction” die. In still another embodiment, other geometrical shapes having faces can also be used. In addition, a single die with whole numbers and whole numbers with fractions may be used.

At least one of the faces on one or both of the die may include indicia, such as a logo, identifying and/or advertising the subject financial services, as shown in FIGS. 21-22 and 27 and 28, 31 and 32 (and may be included but are not shown in a visible face of FIGS. 1-17). The identifying indicia may be any symbol, mark, words or other means of identifying and/or advertising the financial services. In yet a further embodiment, the die may be made of a material that is capable of glowing in the dark.

It will be understood that modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is not limited to the above description, but is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of advertising financial services comprising:

a) providing a pair of dice wherein each of the pair includes faces having identifying indicia, a first die having a plurality of faces including whole numbers on at least some of said faces, and a second die having a plurality of faces including fractions of a whole number on at least more than half of said faces;

b) engaging a consumer who is interested in obtaining information about interest rates;

c) rolling both dice to establish an interest rate.

2. A pair of dice comprising:

a) a first solid geometric block, said first geometric block having a plurality of faces and having indicia in the form of a whole number on at least four of said faces; and

b) a second solid geometric block, said second geometric block including a plurality of faces and having indicia in the form of a fraction of a whole number on at least more than half of said faces.

3. The dice of claim 2 wherein at least one of said pair includes a face including identifying indicia of the company, person, and/or services being advertised.

4. The dice of claim 1 wherein said first and second geometric blocks are cubes.

5. The dice of claim 1 wherein said first and second geometric blocks are selected from the group consisting of a block with 6 faces, a block with 8 faces and a block with 12 faces.

6. The dice of claim 1 wherein said second block further includes a “%” symbol.