Pocketed Patents (Class 273/113)
  • Patent number: 11235256
    Abstract: A toy vehicle is enabled to rotate or turn down a gradient, leading with the end of the vehicle having the greatest tendency to slide or translate laterally. The steerable toy vehicle is enabled for interactive play on a play surface dynamically oriented by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Lance Middleton
  • Patent number: 10589167
    Abstract: A moving ball-in-a-maze puzzle game includes at least two moving maze rings. Each maze ring includes a respective maze, the maze rings moving relative to one another over a platform, defining dynamic paths therebetween enabling maneuvering a ball on the platform from a start position to an end position through the mazes, while passing between the respective moving maze rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: WOWWEE GROUP LTD.
    Inventors: Dan Aronson, Davin Sufer, Adam Fairless, Anthony Lemire
  • Patent number: 9205332
    Abstract: A game system includes a housing to be held by a player. The housing incorporates an XY-axis acceleration sensor to detect an acceleration in an X-axis and Y-axis direction and a Z-axis contact switch to detect an acceleration in an Z-axis direction. These sensor and switch detect at least one of an amount (e.g., tilt amount, movement amount, impact amount or the like) and a direction (e.g., tilt direction, movement direction, impact direction or the like) of a change applied to the housing. A simulation program provides simulation such that a state of a game space is changed related to at least one of the amount and direction of the change applied to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Iwao Masuyama, Toshiaki Suzuki, Akira Tahara
  • Patent number: 9072963
    Abstract: A lottery game system includes a number of lottery tickets, a playing area disposed on each lottery ticket, the playing area having a number of paths each traversing in the playing area. A starting point and an end point are disposed on the playing area. A winning predetermined path begins at the starting point and ends at the end point and is initially concealed from a player prior to commencing play of the lottery game. A special point is disposed among the various paths is positioned before the end point. The lottery game system may further include a lottery wand manipulated by a user wherein the lottery wand remains in contact with said lottery ticket along said winning path. Further, the lottery game system may include at least one lottery terminal which is operative to print at least one playing area and to dispense at least one lottery ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Constantinos Antonopoulos
  • Patent number: 8919776
    Abstract: An article of footwear is provided having one or more maze units each comprising a base mounted to the upper of the footwear, a transparent cover secured about the periphery of the base defining a hollow enclosure and an array of partitions located within the enclosure forming channels along which one or more objects are movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: BBC International LLC
    Inventors: Linda Bellone, Alison O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8011662
    Abstract: A hand-held opaque playing board has a different maze structure on each of two faces with holes passing through the board between the two maze structures. Each maze structure is divided approximately in half by an impassable barrier. Gravity moves the playing piece when the board is tilted. When the ball passes through the board from one maze structure to the other, the board must be turned over to view the other maze structure. The ball must travel from the start position at one end on one face through the maze structures back and forth through the board until the playing pieces lands in the finish position at the other end on the other face in the shortest time. The maze can also be played on a hand-held electronic device or on a stationary screen device, such as a computer, using a controller to simulate tilting and turning the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: David N Black
  • Patent number: 7722042
    Abstract: This invention relates a playing surface (1) for a game that may be played by opposing players or teams of players. The playing surface is formed from a resilient material and may be of polygonal or regular shape. The playing surface is provided with at least one scoring means, for example formed as an opening with a suspended pocket. The playing surface may be formed from a woven textile material into which is incorporated a resilient material such as lycra so that the playing surface as a whole can be stretched and physically deformed in two directions or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventors: Katrina Cross, Anthony Cross
  • Patent number: 7614623
    Abstract: A head-to-head tilting surface game, comprising a playing surface tiltable along two orthogonal axes and configured to support moving playing pieces thereon and having a goal area. Each of a first pair of controls is disposed adjacent opposite peripheral edges of the playing surface along a first of the two orthogonal axes. Each of the first pair of controls is independently actuatable to result in a respective move signal. A first mixer is coupled between the first pair of controls and tilting surface to combine move signals from respective controls into a first axis tilt response and impart said first axis tilt response to the playing surface, whereby the playing pieces supported on the playing surface move responsive to the first axis tilt response imparted to the playing surface so that the playing pieces can be moved toward the goal area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Steve Johnston
  • Publication number: 20080088085
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a foam game panel and structure using the same. The method includes the steps of selecting a fabric while designing a pattern on a moldboard, constructing a foam material on a groove hole of the moldboard, such that the foam material is constructed on a surface of the fabric and along the grove hole to define a design pattern, and then producing a foam pleat on a surface of the fabric by expanding, hardening and shaping the foam material in an oxidizing process. The foam game panel structure of the invention is used to replace the traditional method and structure that uses stitching or plastic mold template, and thus the invention achieves the effect of saving the cost of the mold, providing a fast manufacture, and giving a variable safe stylish design with an artistic appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventor: Kun-Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 7284755
    Abstract: A bulk vending machine having an integrated game of skill includes a base having a chute door and a coin mechanism operatively attached thereto. The bulk vending machine further includes a hopper in which the bulk product is contained, and the hopper is operatively connected to both the coin mechanism and the chute door. The game of skill is connected to the bulk vending machine such that the game of skill is movable relative to the frame of the bulk vending machine. The game of skill includes a playing field in which a game piece is maneuvered in order to satisfy objectives of the game of skill, whereby the consumer may win a prize by completing the objectives of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Richard K. Bolen
  • Patent number: 7270327
    Abstract: A game playing device for rolling balls includes a game surface, a plurality of bar-shape elements and at least one rolling ball that rolls on the game surface. The game surface is made of a fabric and has an area and a shape including a circular shape or a rectangular shape, and its edge has a holding portion provided for users to hold and lift, and both ends of the bar-shape element are fixing ends provided for users to freely attach and detach the bar-shape element on any position of the game surface, preferably by adhesive tapes. The bar-shape element is bent into an arc shape to simulate a goal or an obstacle when it is attached. The game surface can be placed on a floor or held by players for playing the game in different ways based on their creativity and imagination and adding more fin to the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Shine Sport Facility Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 6955353
    Abstract: A novel lottery ticket as well as a lottery game and method of playing that game using the lottery ticket are disclosed. The lottery ticket can be used to participate in at least one of a plurality of drawing events that occur over a period of time. The lottery ticket comprises a number of panels that conceal a number of playing game pieces and/or free spaces. The playing game pieces and/or free spaces are concealed by a removable coating material. Participants can choose which drawing event to play, manifesting their intent to play a particular drawing event by revealing the playing game pieces associated with the panels that are designated specifically for that particular drawing event. The game is played further by selecting a combination of winning game pieces and determining whether any of each participant's playing game pieces match some or all of the winning game pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Europrint Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Alan Taylor, Andrew P. Gray
  • Patent number: 6878059
    Abstract: A game comprises a frame and 82 cubical playing pieces, or playing cubes, 81 of which cubes are removably retained in the frame. For playing purposes, the playing cubes are divided into 3 groups: 27 scoring cubes, 54 blank cubes, and 1 pilot cube. During play cubes are inserted into the frame, forcing another cube to be ejected from the opposite side of the frame. A score is tallied for a player when a scoring cube is ejected from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Ioan Boeru
  • Patent number: 6554277
    Abstract: An amusement device including a sheet of flexible material defining an opening, and a pocket defining a mouth joined to the sheet around the opening. The sheet is grasped by participants during a game in which the sheet is held substantially horizontally and selectively tilted to maneuver a ball along the sheet, through the opening, and into the pocket. In one embodiment, the amusement device includes first and second sheets of flexible material joined along their respective longitudinal edges. Each sheet defines an opening. A pocket may optionally be joined to the sheet around each opening. A game may be played by opposing teams, each of which guards the opening on its sheet, and attempts to guide the ball into the opening on the opposing team's sheet. A game including an amusement device and a ball is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Flaghouse, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen D. Descamps, Douglas A. Liebau
  • Patent number: 6533277
    Abstract: A composite cubical maze puzzle. The puzzle includes a transparent cubical casing constructed by six pieces of transparent square face plate which has four tubular latch sections at four edges to engage respectively with a pain for fastening to a neighboring face plate. Base frames which have respectively wedged slots formed therein are provided in the casing for holding transparent and vertical intersecting partitions and horizontal plane partitions in an alternate stacking fashion. The partitions have pre-formed and removable circular plates which may be selectively removed to form apertures on the partitions. Annular and translucent colored stickers may be provided to adhere tot he partitions around the apertures. The apertures may be arranged to form a complete tortuous maze path for a ball to travel therein thus forming an intelligence benefitting maze puzzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Yin
  • Patent number: 6361046
    Abstract: A marble game is described in which a playing surface is provided having designations for the locations of two marbles in contact with each other and with designations of a plurality of shooting positions for a third marble, these being points awarded a player for a shot from each shooting position that dislodges one of the two marbles without dislodging or moving the other. Alternatively, the marbles can be replaced by disk objects, such as dimes or pennies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Benjamin Rothman
  • Patent number: 5755438
    Abstract: A game device played with rules similar to a hockey game. Te device contains an inflated transparent sphere containing a plurality of handles, nets between the handles, and a ball on the inside of the sphere. The object is to roll or bounce the ball into the opponent's goal. The game may be played between individuals or teams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Kerry J. Deminski
  • Patent number: 5749575
    Abstract: A tiltable dual maze game board with rolling ball playing pieces. Each board is identical and can be tilted independently of the other to cause the playing pieces to move up ramps, around obstacles and around or into holes. Each board's control tilt mechanism includes two separate controller assemblies located perpendicular to each other under the board each of which has external handles. Each control assembly has two hinged vertical rods extending to join the board underneath by a ball joint connection. Ball bombs may be thrown from above in an attempt to knock out playing pieces before they reach the final winning hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Neal German
  • Patent number: 5732945
    Abstract: A toy maze comprising a container with a ball having a plurality of passage levels with vertically extending wall segments forming passageways. Each level is separated by a tray having a plurality of apertures, some of which are trap-holes with a mechanism for limiting the movement of the ball to only one direction.In a preferred embodiment of the toy maze of the present invention, the mechanism for limiting the movement of the ball to only one direction comprises at least one flexible flap which flexes to permit the ball to pass through an aperture from one level to the next level and resiliently blocks reverse movement of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph M. Sofia
  • Patent number: 5676371
    Abstract: An arcade game including an inclined playing surface, a playing piece which can be directed down the playing surface, and a vibration apparatus operative to overcome the frictional forces between the playing piece and the playing surface. The vibration mechanism preferably includes motor-driven eccentrics, and the playing piece is preferably a flat disc, such as a coin. The playing piece is preferably guided into target apertures by manipulating a handle to vary the angle of the playing surface. A variation of the game includes an award dispenser, which dispenses an award based upon the game score. Another variation includes a progressive bonus apparatus which receives score contributions from at least one individual game unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: RLT Acquisition, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew F. Kelly, Bryan M. Kelly, Norman B. Petermeier, Joseph L. Tallarico, Keven A. Heyes, Jeffrey L. Allen
  • Patent number: 5607155
    Abstract: This invention comprises a games apparatus on which a game involving strength, skill and agility is playable by two or more opposing players who, in playing the game, must struggle against one another as they attempt to score points by directing a playing piece on a playing field into a designated scoring zone or zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Neil D. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5564986
    Abstract: The complexity of a convertible bowling lane can be eliminated through the provision of a bowling lane bed 10 having a side 12 along which at least one gutter section 26 extends. The gutter section includes a ball catching surface 30 and a ball deflecting surface 32 along with a torque tube 36 pivotally mounting the gutter section 26 for movement between a ball catching position "L" and a ball deflecting position "R". A manually operable tool 20 may be employed for moving the gutter section 26 between the two positions "L" and "R".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Brunswick Bowling & Billiards
    Inventors: Anthony J. Gretzky, Michael F. Stirling
  • Patent number: 5560606
    Abstract: A cubicle maze puzzle including a transparent cubicle main portion having an upper end and a lower end. The main portion has transparent walls formed therein. The walls define a plurality of chambers within the main portion. The walls have a plurality of apertures formed therein defining a tortuous path from an entrance point in the upper end to an exit point in the lower end. The device includes a ball that is dimensioned for receipt within the entrance point of the transparent cubicle main portion for traveling though the tortuous path defined by the plurality of apertures to be ejected outwardly through the exit point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Eliahu David
  • Patent number: 5549295
    Abstract: A multi-level rotatable concentric ring marble game that includes a circular base, a circular upper peripheral cylinder, a lower peripheral cylinder, a cylindrical collector, and a plurality of concentric rotatable circular rings. The circular base contains a base central opening and has a base perimeter, a base flat bottom, and a base sloping top that slopes from the base perimeter towards the base central opening. The circular upper peripheral cylinder contains a plurality of upper peripheral cylinder openings and is disposed on the base sloping top at the base perimeter. The circular lower peripheral cylinder is disposed on the base flat bottom at the base perimeter. The cylindrical collector is rotatably mounted in the base central opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Michael W. Goldring
  • Patent number: 5494292
    Abstract: A game device consisting of a plurality of vertically stacked, alternately rotatable disks (13, 25, 33, 41 and 49) and stationary tiers (10, 19, 29, 37, 45 and 53) each containing passageways through which a spherical game piece may pass. The disks are rotated by players in an effort to cause their respective game pieces to be the first to travel down through the device and drop into the tray (58) at the bottom. Windows (23) ape provided in the tiers so that players may track their progress through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Mark Mileti
  • Patent number: 5451055
    Abstract: A tower puzzle toy including a central shaft, a top cap and a bottom cap respectively fastened to the central shaft at two opposite ends, a plurality of rotary decks revolvably mounted around the central shaft and defining a plurality of radial ball chambers, a top packing ring and a bottom packing ring respectively mounted around the central shaft and retained between the central shaft and either cap, and at least one ball for insertion through a ball inlet on either cap through a through hole on either packing ring into either ball chamber, wherein the at least one ball is moved from one ball chamber to another and from one rotary deck to another by turning the rotary decks around the central shaft relative to one another and/or turning the tower puzzle toy upside down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Wei W. Lo
  • Patent number: 5445376
    Abstract: A moving playing surface amusement game having an object chute disposed at one end and one or more targets disposed at the other end and a movable conveyor playing surface disposed intermediate the object chute and targets. The conveyor playing surface game includes a microprocessor and a device for sensing the position of an object on the conveyor playing surface in a particular lane or sequencing the speed of the conveyor playing surface with a particular spot on the conveyor playing surface which playing surface can include a variety of surface ornamentations and diverters to change or maintain the path of the object on the conveyor playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Bromley Incorporated
    Inventor: Lauran Bromley
  • Patent number: 5425536
    Abstract: An arcade game including an inclined playing surface, a playing piece which can be directed down the playing surface, and a vibration apparatus operative to overcome the frictional forces between the playing piece and the playing surface. The vibration mechanism preferably includes motor-driven eccentrics, and the playing piece is preferably a fiat disc, such as a coin. The playing piece is preferably guided into target' apertures by manipulating a handle to vary the angle of the playing surface. A variation of the game includes an award dispenser, which dispenses an award based upon the game score. Another variation includes a progressive bonus apparatus which receives score contributions from at least one individual game unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Lazer-Tron Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew F. Kelly, Bryan M. Kelly, Norman B. Petermeier, Joseph L. Tallarico, Keven A. Heyes, Jeffrey L. Allen
  • Patent number: 5301943
    Abstract: The apparatus is a puzzle which includes a central toroidal channel with a rotating cogged wheel therein. A plurality of hollow toroidal rings intersect perpendicular to the central toroidal channel. These toroidal rings include balls of different colors. These balls pass from toroidal ring to toroidal ring through the toroidal channel. The object of the puzzle is to intermix balls of different colors and then rearrange the balls so that all balls of a single color are in a single toroidal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Imre Asztalos
  • Patent number: 5292126
    Abstract: A game has a plurality of playing pieces and a plurality of stacked disks. Each of the disks is pierced by an angularly spaced plurality of peripheral apertures. At least one of the apertures in each of the disks is sized to allow passage of the playing pieces. An entrapping one of the apertures in each of the disks is shaped to prevent passage of the playing pieces. These disks are interconnected to rotate relatively and coaxially. Each of the disks has its apertures alignable of those of adjacent ones of the disks. The game includes a pair of cups separately mounted on opposite, outermost ones of the stacked disks to turn therewith and to contain the playing pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: James Hanley
  • Patent number: 5281039
    Abstract: A pen having a barrel with a transparent sleeve to hold a refill for writing, wherein an intricate network of winding passage ways is formed around the barrel, where by tilting and turning the ball finds its way starting from its designated point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventors: Chi Hsiung, Roger Lee
  • Patent number: 5265873
    Abstract: A game of skill having a housing, which is formed from a transparent, essentially cube-shaped body, which exhibits openings concentric in two mutually perpendicular directions to the sides of the body, the thereby remaining frame, consisting of bars, being hollow and exhibiting bars which form pockets for receiving balls, are located on the common edges of, in each case, one of the three pairs of adjoining sides of the body and are separated by an interspace, and by about a bar length, from two interconnected bars belonging to the adjoining sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Marianne Szilagyi
  • Patent number: 5221093
    Abstract: A combination game apparatus is provided having a housing with a plurality of settable dials each having indicia thereon. Setting the correct combination on the game dials provides an output for indicating when a correct input combination has been set on the settable dials. The combination setting members are used for changing the combination necessary to indicate the correct input combination for unlocking the combination. The combination setting system includes a plurality of input members each having a combination setting, such as a coded opening in a flat card. Each combination setting member is placed in a covering sleeve so that it may be inserted into the game apparatus from the covered sleeves so that the combination being set cannot be seen by the players. The game may include a ball which is raised in a lift and dropped into a ball track where it passes through an opening in the track as determined by the first dial which determines which of a plurality of ball chutes the ball will move in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventor: Troy E. Adams
  • Patent number: 5205558
    Abstract: A spherical puzzle has an internal spherical cavity having a plurality of maze sections interconnected, with an exit opening of an upper maze section spaced at an opposed end of a circuitous path of an underlying maze section. The polar ends of the maze section with the maze sections coaxially aligned relative to the North and South polar portions of the maze have transparent caps for viewing an entrance and exit of a game sphere directed through the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Henry G. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5176382
    Abstract: The logical toy comprises two components (1-2) that are rotatable relative to each other and feature a center part (16, 17) each. Arranged around each center part (16, 17), concentrically, are six hollow cylindrical containers (3-8; 9-14). The container length increases over each adjacent container always by the same amount. Relative to the plane of rotation, the two components are symmetric. In an initial state of order, the containers of one component contain each one to six balls (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) of same color, with the balls of each container pair differing in color. By rotation of the two components relative to each other and tilting the toy, a state of disorder is produced from the initially prevailing state of order. The objective now is to restore the original state of order with the fewest possible steps by suitable relative rotation of the two components and tilting of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Joker SA/AG
    Inventor: Christoph Hausammann
  • Patent number: 5172912
    Abstract: A manipulable, two-sided, self-contained game puzzle with sequentially movable color-coded transfer members for selective movement between color-coded, collared apertures in a first rotatable member to color-coded, collared apertures of a second rotatable member where the first and second rotatable members are rotatably connected so that each of the collared apertures of one member can be brought into communication with each of the collared members of the second planar member during rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Binary Arts Corporation
    Inventor: Ferdinand Lammertink
  • Patent number: 5154419
    Abstract: A new and improved game board for use in the playing of a traditional board game of India known as CAROM. The improvements of the present invention relate primarily to a spring biased, rotatable pocket system (FIGS. 1-3) for facilitating removal of the game pieces, as well as a concealed and compact, locking and spring biased storage compartment (FIGS. 4-6). The pocket system of the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises four independent, corner pockets, each having a locking bias to facilitate the positioning of each pocket in a position for catching game pieces falling into the pocket area, or in a position exterior to the board, for removal of the pieces for continued play or storage. The storage compartment provides an improved system for maintaining the many game pieces used in playing the game, while not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Jayadev Madhavan
  • Patent number: 5123650
    Abstract: A maze puzzle has a plurality of separate discs mounted to be independently rotated about a common shaft, which discs each have a plurality of openings by means of which a ball can pass through the discs from the disc through which it entered to the exit opening at the other end of the puzzle. Some of the openings are radially inclined to transfer the ball radially as well as axially and the hole pattern is so designed that the ball must travel axially back and forth between the top and bottom of the puzzle before it can reach the exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Gordon H. Slauter
  • Patent number: 5066014
    Abstract: A carnival or amusement park game in which a player is challenged to keep a rolling ball to its objective descending, planar, zig-zag path by manipulating the rotation of the plane of the path. The game may be further enhanced by providing rotational steering alternatives, providing for coin operation, or by providing a device to record or signal the event of a successful play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Bob's Space Racers, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Dobson
  • Patent number: 5029863
    Abstract: Apparatus including a multi-sectioned trough like organization directing impacted croquet balls from a starting position defined by a series of aligned recesses. Guide plates direct a struck croquet ball through a medial section of the apparatus and directs such croquet ball into one of a matrix of apertures overlying a return chute. Replaceable impediments are provided in the organization to include resilient bumpers defined as semi-cylindrical arcuate members mounted upon the surface of the organization to be selectively replaced by deflector rods and or deflector plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventors: Tadeusz Krawczyk, Betty M. Krawczyk
  • Patent number: 4964637
    Abstract: An apparatus for a game of skill has a base member with a gaming surface with a gaming pathway. An orbital pathway is formed on the base surface, and a handle is attached to the base. A top member has a vertical axis and a spindle that extends along the vertical axis. The spindle rides in the orbital pathway as the top member rotates its vertical axis attaining speed to travel the gaming pathway. A game played with the apparatus has as its object keeping the top member spinning long enough to negotiate the gaming pathway an attain points associated with the portion of the gaming pathway negotiated. The gaming pathway may contain obstacles that make the pathway more difficult to travel with point values assigned accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventor: Paul Gebert
  • Patent number: 4960274
    Abstract: A maze in a housing having a reflector which reflects light waves through ninety degrees to render the illusion of a ball element floating in opposition to gravity. The maze may be in a module enabling an array of maze modules to be used in conjunction with a single housing. Maze walls may be of flexible material for manual distortion for ball guidance during maze use. A mechanical actuator on the maze propels a movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventor: Shawn M. Boles
  • Patent number: 4953863
    Abstract: A game assembly includes a plurality of toy blocks or cubes containing passsageways which are strategically stacked so as to determine the path of a ball dropped through interconnecting passageways within the arrays of stacked blocks or cubes. The blocks or cubes may be strategically reoriented during play so as to change the path of a ball dropped through the blocks or cubes. The game involves inspecting and/or memorizing moves made by the players taking part in the game, as well as geometric orientation of the blocks or cubes, so as to define a desired path for a ball which is dropped through the stack. A collection plate below is marked with certain designated areas, preferably in color and each player tries to get as many balls as possible through the stack and into his designated area or to predict the exact location for each ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventors: Douglas D. Zeidler, Dennis E. Zeidler
  • Patent number: 4919423
    Abstract: The invention provides a toy of skill usable as a test for evaluating the psychomotricity of an individual comprising an axis to which and around which is associated at least one curved element forming a track on its inner face extending substantially parallel to said axis, and at least one ball adapted to roll on said track by exerting a rotation of the toy around said axis maintained in a substantially horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Andre H. Colart
  • Patent number: 4883273
    Abstract: A toy-game apparatus includes a base, a timer in the base actuatable for a set period of time, a slide assembly on the base, a plurality of game elements and a character figure assembly. The slide assembly includes upper and lower slide portions which are operative in substantially aligned normal positions wherein the game elements can move downwardly along the upper surfaces thereof, slightly upwardly pivoted interfering positions wherein movement of the game elements thereon is impeded and further upwardly pivoted interrupted positions wherein movement of the game elements thereon is prevented. The character figure assembly is responsive to the timer for moving the slide portions between the interfering and normal positions thereof during the set period of time and for moving the slide portions to the interrupted positions thereof upon the expiration of the set period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Asahi Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4880236
    Abstract: A game device comprises a transparent housing having a plurality of partition plates which are spaced apart to divide the interior of the housing into a plurality of compartments, each partition plate having a through-hole therein to intercommunicate two adjacent compartments, first game pieces each of which is freely movable and confined in each compartment, each game piece being capable of blocking the through-holes of the partition plates by which the first game piece is confined, and a plurality of second game pieces freely movable under gravity from one of the compartments to the other through the through-holes, wherein, during playing, the housing is held by hand and moved, tilted or shock so as to move selectively a desired number of the second game pieces from at least one of the compartments to adjacent through-holes and then fall down into one of the lower compartments, the movement of the housing being controlled to prevent the first game piece from blocking the through-holes while causing the seco
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Sheng-Lee Hwang
  • Patent number: 4877245
    Abstract: A table or table-top game, which simulates the game of golf for example, comprises a base (44), a pair of rods (24) on which a ball (30) rests, and a support bar (48) which is capable of adjustment movement by being raised and lowered. Beneath the rods is a sheet of material (58) which can be printed to represent a golf course and which can be advanced from one roller (60) to another roller (62). A grid is placed over the sheet (58) to restrain the ball from movement after it drops from the rods. By moving the rods apart and together it is possible to cause the ball to travel towards the crosspiece (51) of the bar. The ends of the rods (24) remote from the crosspiece (51) can be mounted in any one of a plurality of different locating positions (28) so that the track defined by the rods can traverse different zones of the base (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Haynes
  • Patent number: 4861036
    Abstract: In a multi-level crossing maze toy, nine kinds of single cubes of the same size in the number as desired are combined longitudinally, laterally and thicknesswise to form a combined cube, the combined cube being formed in two surface thereof with an entrance and an exit open thereto, opening of the cube are singly associated when the combined cube is formed, and a dead end passage, a linear passage, a curved passage, a T-passage, a right-angle three-forked passage, a cross passage, a five-forked passage and a six-forked passage formed interiorly of a single cube are freely placed in communication with one another to form a multi-level crossing maze. Therefore, a ball is introduced into the multi-level crossing maze from the entrance of the combined cube to which is connected the single cube, and the combined cube is operated to move the ball and remove it from the exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Tsutomu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4824098
    Abstract: A three-dimensional labyrinth comprising a transparent or translucent case within which a plurality of holed, cubic compartments are constructed, and a ball which is placed inside the case in advance. Each cubic compartment has a hole formed through each surface thereof and the ball which is to be moved out of the case can be moved in either way. A plurality of blockades are provided to block some of the holes and changing the route pattern of the labyrinth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Hong Y. Huang
  • Patent number: 4822047
    Abstract: An apparatus in a combination of a game apparatus and educational device, comprising three major components, central housing, and left and right housings attached to it, and containing movable elements inside of the device, such as balls and dice, for which one attempts to get certain of the movable elements into positions within the left and right housings via various channels and apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Yuri P. Treer