Abstract: A puzzle-type amusement device comprises a stack of rotatable discs formed with two openings adapted to be aligned with each other; and a ball receivable through one of the openings in the top disc so as to pass through the openings aligned therewith in the intermediate discs to rest against the bottom disc. One opening in each intermediate diswc is bounded at one side by a tapered surface curved about the axis of rotation of the disc so as to constitute an inclined tract permitting the ball, when received in such opening, to be rolled along the inclined track out of the respective opening in the direction towards the top disc. The other opening in each intermediate disc is bounded on all its sides by an untapered surface such that the opening constitutes a trap preventing the ball, when received in such opening, from being rolled out of the opening in the direction towards the top disc.

Abstract: A device for collecting and playing with coins or the like includes a base in the form of an upward and inward sloping hollow pedestal having a generally flat bottom and a circular upper end concentric with and of substantially lesser cross-sectional area than the bottom. An open top main body, having a vertically extending circular upper rim and a circular downwardly and inwardly formed surface portion, extends from said rim to a lower aperture concentric with the rim and merging with the upper end of the pedestal, whereby the main body is supported on the pedestal along a common vertical centerline. A launching ramp is removably mounted on the rim and curves upward and inward over the main body toward the vertical centerline. The ramp has a downwardly and outwardly formed guiding surface arranged to cause disc-like objects placed thereon to roll onto the surface of the main body inside the rim and through a helical path of decreasing radius through the aperture and into the base.

Abstract: A puzzle board comprises a board having a recess opening at the top side thereof, a plate mounted in the recess and having a plurality of playing piece bearing regions arranged in adjacent rows, playing pieces superimposed slideably on the regions except for one of the regions being left empty to allow the playing pieces to slide on the plate for rearrangement, each of the playing pieces having a groove with an outlet and an inlet. By rearranging the playing pieces, the outlet or inlet of one of the playing pieces can be communicated selectively with the other playing pieces, and a rolling piece received in one of the grooves for moving to a target piece through the intercommunicated grooves.

Abstract: A puzzle game or toy is disclosed comprising two spherical shells made of hard plastic or metal material and having over their surface a multiplicity of circular holes cut therein in a random pattern, the holes being of equal diameter with the exception of one hole having a slightly larger diameter. The second spherical shell has an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the first spherical shell and mounted over the first shell such that the two shells are freely rotatable relative to each other. A spherical ball of metal or plastic is positioned inside the two spherical shells and is of a diameter such that it will pass through the two large holes but none of the other holes.

Abstract: A multilevel rotary maze comprising a series of stacked maze elements which are rotatable relative to one another. Each of the elements has a series of apertures, at least one of the apertures passing therethrough, and at least a portion of the apertures define a serpentine path throughout the maze which can be attained upon selective sequential rotation of the maze elements to align predetermined apertures thereof. A ball is located in the maze to pass through the apertures as they are aligned.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional ball-type maze puzzle game comprises a plurality of individual, maze containing modules secured together to form a vertical stack, aligned openings being provided at selected points through the modules for interconnecting the interiors of adjacent modules in the stack whereby to permit an object ball to pass from maze level to maze level upon successful completion of the maze associated with the preceding level. Locking clips are provided to secure the modules in closed, operative condition, and to secure adjacent modules together in a vertical stack.

Abstract: A pyramid-shaped puzzle including a plurality of maze-panels intermediate the vertex and base of the pyramid, each maze-panel having a plurality of holes through it. One or more balls is dropped through an opening in the vertex and the puzzle is manipulated by a player to guide the ball to a designated location in the base.

Abstract: Circular maze game apparatus includes a transparent sphere which encloses another sphere having a maze on its external periphery, with predetermined paths laid out throughout the maze between a predetermined starting point and a predetermined ending point. A rolling element, such as a marble, is disposed on the outer periphery of the inner sphere. The purpose of the game is to move the rolling element along the predetermined path from the starting point to the ending point through the maze by manipulating the game apparatus. At selected locations in the maze, and adjacent to the selected path, apertures extend into the center of the inner sphere so that if the rolling element strays away from the predetermined path, the rolling element may roll into the center of the sphere. In this instance the player must start over.

Abstract: A maze game device for moving one or more game objects from a starting position to a finish position which includes a housing enclosing a plurality of tunnels which are movable in location within the housing in response to the depressment of buttons which extend outwardly from various locations on the housing and the concurrent tilting and orienting of the housing. The game object or objects are maneuverable from the starting location to the finish location by orientating the housing and depressing the buttons either singly or in combination to align the tunnels to provide a path for moving the game object from the starting location to the finish location.

Abstract: A game apparatus including a manipulatable container with a sinuous track having a concave surface mounted within the container and extending along a three dimensional path between a starting point and a finishing point, the track including a longitudinal twist between the starting point and the finishing point. A ball rolls along the track as the game is manipulated by a user. The container may contain two compartments communicating with one another through an aperture.

Abstract: A game is played by placing a plurality of first playing pieces, a plurality of second playing pieces and a third playing piece in an opaque container. The container has an opening which allows the playing pieces to sequentially pass through when shaken. Dice, or other means, are rolled to obtain an indicia number. The container is shaken until the number of first playing pieces is removed in accordance with the indicia number. However, should any of the second playing pieces also be removed from the container before the indicia number is reached, the player loses. If the third playing piece is removed from the container during the play the effect of a subsequent second playing piece also being removed has no effect.

Abstract: A transparent enclosed cube containing a maze constructed of a plurality of layers of parallel square tubes separated by other layers of parallel square tubes, each tube having at least one opening to a neighboring tube, entrance opening to insert a ball therein that will traverse the maze to an exit opening by gravity when the cube is manipulated about its three axes. The ball may be made with a resilient surface and the entrance opening may be smaller than the other tube openings so the ball must be squeezed through the entrance.

Abstract: A puzzle comprising a plurality of continuously open, tubular channels which intersect at a common medial point. The channels radiate outwardly from the intersecting medial point, each along a curve having a 360.degree. radius, and have open, distal ends aligned in a common horizontal plane. A plurality of spherical beads are contained in each channel, with each group of spheres being distinguishable from those groups in the other channels. A flat, rotating cap is mounted to rotate in a horizontal plane immediately above the channel openings, said cap having a pair of traps capable of being concentrically aligned with selected ones of the channel openings. When so aligned, the puzzle is manually tilted such that a selected spherical bead is rolled into the trap and, by rotating the cap, the bead can be transferred to another of the channels.

Abstract: An amusement device composed of a transparent hollow sphere and rotatable transparent discs dividing it into two hemispheres. Each hemisphere is further divided into four compartments by transluscent wall segments moveable upon the discs.A rotatable handle is further attached to the apex of the segments from outside the sphere which is able to rotate the compartments.Each disc has a round opening to permit passage of a marble and another opening to permit passage of dice and rotates freely being activated by the dice being trapped between its opening and the moveable compartment wall.The object of the invention is to tilt the sphere and align the openings in the discs by means of the dice so as to permit one to have single colored marble in a number of pre-identified compartments and dice in the pre-identified compartment after sorting the dice and marbles. Any number of marbles and dice can be in the groups as long as the groups are equal.

Abstract: A ball puzzle includes a pair of base members rotatably joined to one another and a predetermined number of apertures defined in each member. The apertures are aligned such that only one aperture in each member may be aligned at a single time. The puzzle also includes a plurality of closed-end container members extending axially from each aperture with a container member in communication with each aperture. A plurality of playing objects are provided sufficient in number to fill all of the container members except one. The playing objects are of a size and shape to allow them to pass through aligned apertures between containers on opposite sides of the base members. The playing objects are divided into distinguishable groups, for example each group being identical in configuration, color or indicia thereon. The color, configuration or indicia of each playing object in each group is different from that of the playing objects in the other groups.

Abstract: A puzzle game device with which one tries to solve a puzzle by shifting puzzle elements. The puzzle game device includes a rotary indicator having puzzle holes, a shunting body having at least one shunting hole and puzzle elements. The rotary indicator is rotatable correlatively to the shunting body. Puzzle indication can be changed by shifting puzzle elements in the rotary indicator into other puzzle holes through the medium of shunting holes of the shunting body.

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a game with a moveable player piece, such as a marble or steel ball, and a game board having a start position and a finish position for the player piece. A maze is mounted on the game board for rotation along the upper surface thereof, the maze including walls which present obstacles for the player piece yet the walls have openings therethrough to permit the player piece to pass through the maze as the player piece is maneuvered toward a finish position on the game board as the game board itself is manually manipulated by tilting it up and down and from side to side. The maze is coupled by a shaft to a mechanical or an electric drive motor mounted below the game board surface and the speed of the motor can be changed to vary the speed of rotation of the maze. The game board has two adjacent recesses for receiving the player piece, one defining the winning location and the other defining a losing location.

Abstract: A game device comprising a cylinder (10) formed of a pair of side walls (18) and an outer circumferential wall (22) spanning the side walls. An inner circumferential wall (24) and a middle circumferential wall (26) span the side walls (18) with the middle circumferential wall being located between the inner and outer circumferential walls and the three circumferential walls being spaced from each other. A barrier (28) spanning the side walls (18) extends radially between the three circumferential walls. An entry hole (20) extends through the outer circumferential wall adjacent to and on a first side of the barrier (28). A plurality of avoidance holes (32) extend through middle circumferential wall with the avoidance hole (32) closest to the second side of the barrier (28) being spaced from the barrier (28) and with the avoidance holes (32) all being out of alignment with the entry hole (20) and all being of smaller diameters than the width of the middle circumferential wall (26).

Abstract: A time reaction game apparatus having a tiltable playing surface which is at least slightly convexed and has a goal located at or near the high point thereof. The goal may be in the form of a recess adapted to receive a playing ball. A timer is set and a ball is released onto the playing surface. The player of the game operates a manually actuable mechanism such as a remote joystick to tilt the playing surface to cause the playing ball to enter the goal. When the player is successful, the ball enters the goal, which automatically releases the next ball onto the playing surface. The timer goes off after a predetermined time period, and the goal may be automatically blocked as for example, by blocking the recess.

Abstract: A new and improved maze game apparatus comprises a playing surface for supporting a ball rolling along upstanding walls defining a maze for providing a plurality of interconnected ball directing travel paths. One of the paths leads all the way between an inlet or starting position and an outlet or discharge position. One or more paths are defined by the maze and provide dead ends, traps and other pitfalls along the way. The playing surface is supported on a hollow, convexly curved, downwardly projecting hollow wall preferably in the form of a hemisphere of clear, plastic adapted to rockably support the playing surface above a floor, table or other surface so that the playing surface may be manually tilted to direct and control a rolling ball along a selected travel path in the maze.

Abstract: A pinball type game utilizing an inclined, rotatable playing surface containing projections, guide rails, targets, traps, and at least one ball is described. The speed and direction of rotation of the playing surface is controlled by the player. The location and movement of the playing surface projections may be used to impart direction and speed to the playing ball. Barriers may be placed between some of the projections, thus aiding or hindering the ball striking a target or a trap. One or more ball propellers may be located on the playing surface to give the ball more action. Where holes are used as targets and traps, a means is provided to guide the ball dropping through a target or trap hole to channels which indicate the score obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a game or puzzle comprises a container which houses a plurality of balls of at least two identifiable kinds. The container defines a row of fixed compartments and a slide arranged in the container defines a movable row of compartments. The two rows of compartments are adjacent and parallel to each other, the slide having at least one more compartment than the container and each compartment being of a size such that it can accommodate only one member and having an open end adjacent the compartments of the other row to permit a member to enter or leave the compartment. The slide is arranged for oscillation between two extreme positions in each of which the open end of a respective end compartment of the slide is positioned to communicate with a track in the container interconnecting the two end compartments of the slide externally of the fixed compartments and the open ends of the remaining compartments of the slide are aligned with the open ends of the fixed compartments.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lock mechanism requiring movement through an enabling combination of preselected, sequential positions for operation. The lock mechanism is preferably embodied in a locking box and includes a latch formed with a pair of opposed hooks that capture a retainer of the box cover. The opposed hooks are carried on separate members yieldably interconnected. Release of the lock requires positioning a ball in an actuation cavity to block movement of one of the members, thereby permitting the hooks to be separated, releasing the retainer pin carried by the box cover. The ball is positioned in the actuation cavity by advance through a torturous passageway of a three-dimensional labyrinth within the box. Passageway defining partitions of the labyrinth have apertures at preselected locations to provide the desired, preselected sequential combination of positions.

Abstract: A table height rolling ball game apparatus of the type employing a freely tippable table whose upper surface has a maze defining a track on which a ball may freely roll is disclosed. The track runs circuously from an outer start position to a central end position and a number of hazard holes are provided in the track. The hazard hole and track are sized such as to allow the ball to roll past the hazard hole when rolling along one sidewall of the track, but to fall into and through the hole when proceeding along the other side of the track. At least some of the holes are placed along the side walls where the ball would naturally travel so as to require a coordinated action on the part of the player or players to avoid them. A novel hole closing system is employed to selectively close the hazard holes so that the game may be made easier or harder.

Abstract: The invention provides a game played on an upper tray and scored on a lower tray. The upper tray is supported on gimbals and is manipulated by the player through a single handle to induce a ball to move by gravity along a prescribed path. Numerous holes, large enough to pass the ball, are provided along and adjacent to the path to drop the ball onto the scoring tray if the player fails to keep the ball on the path. The lower tray is inclined to urge the ball to roll to a score determining position. Because the tray is a planar surface free of obstructions, the spin of the ball as it contacts the tray may bias it to one side or the other, affecting the score and introducing a certain element of chance into the game.

Abstract: A game apparatus which includes a base for positioning on a supporting surface and having an upper playing surface for supporting at least one playing piece for movement thereof. The playing surface has at least one recess therein for receiving the playing piece. A manually manipulatable member overlies and is in proximity to the playing surface for selective sliding movement thereover by players of the game. The manually manipulatable member is opaque and has an aperture therein for receiving the playing piece in gravity abutment with the playing surface. The aperture in the manually manipulatable member is larger than the playing piece whereby the playing piece can drop through the aperture into the recess in the playing surface when aligned therewith.

Abstract: An amusement device characterized by a transparent envelope having substantially planar sides, and a maze card of a substantially planar configuration having a maze defined thereon, adapted to be received in the envelope, including means defining along the opposite faces thereof a singular path extended between the periphery and the center of the maze and passing at least once through the card. In one embodiment the path is traced on the surface of the envelope employing a marking device, while in an alternate embodiment the path is defined in the card by a gated channel and a ball is seated in the channel and adapted to roll along the path as it traverses along its length.

Abstract: A tiltable game surface device comprising a cylindrical container mounted in a housing by a centrally attached spring connecting the container to a base and urging the container toward the base, and into parallel relating with the base, four levers mounted in the housing and associated with the bottom of the container about 90.degree. apart, such that actuating one lever will cause one quadrant of the container associated with said lever to rise out of parallel with base, thereby causing a game ball on the surface to move by gravity.

Abstract: A maze has two opposing substantially coextensive walls one of which forms an inner three-dimensional form or shell and the other which forms an outer form or shell. Each of the shells is generally in the form of a cube and the inner shell is fixedly positioned within the outer shell so as to maintain a predetermined, uniform distance between the inner and outer walls. The outer wall is formed with a network of channels which, together with the inner wall, define a corresponding network of passageways. The passageways on each side of the outer cube are connected to the passageways on the adjacent sides of the cube so as to form interconnected passageways which permit one or more marbles, for example, to move through the passageways on one or more sides of the cube with changes in orientation of the maze in space. Apertures are provided in at least one passageway on each side of the cube for providing points of entry and exit for the marbles into and out of the maze.

Abstract: An amusement device comprising a container having a hollow space filled with a liquid having a bubble movable therein. The device includes a channel separate from said hollow space; for trapping a portion of the bubble so as to be able to control its size and in a preferred embodiment of the invention an arrangement to make the bubble move rapidly between two compartments formed in the hollow space.

Abstract: A paddle or racquet and ball combination is disclosed that is characterized by the provision of a plurality of ball-retaining holes in the face of the racquet having indicia representing a different game on each side arranged in a relationship to the difficulty in catching the ball therein when it is caught on the racquet by a player. The racquet has a flange around its periphery with one or more protruding tabs that are adapted to receive and hold conforming overlays or panels bearing different indicia whereby the racquet and ball combination can be used to play a number of games. In one embodiment, a single tab is used to hold one or more overlays or panels of thin sheet material and the panels are provided with a neck portion that extends into the handle whereby the neck portion is in a natural position to be held by the thumb of the player. The device can be used for such games as baseball, number games, tennis and bowling.

Abstract: An amusing and challenging device composed of a closed container divided into a plurality of chambers by a barrier, or barriers, and a plurality of movable bodies, usually spherical, encased therein. The container, barrier and movable bodies are of electrically insulating material and the movable bodies are of such small size that after the container is agitated, a sufficient static electrical charge is produced by the friction on the movable bodies so as to cause them to adhere to the walls of the chambers. The objective of this device is to challenge ones ability to locate all of the movable objects into one chamber after the unit has been sufficiently agitated, therefore the container and barriers are made of transparent materials to allow easy viewing of the objects therein. In the presently preferred form of the device there is one barrier, dividing the container into two chambers, and a plurality of movable spherical objects.