Surface Pockets Patents (Class 273/115)
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Patent number: 11918923Abstract: A coin for use in games of chance includes a first side connectable to a second side and forming a coin interior when the first side is connected to the second side. A ball held in place in the coin interior, which interior includes a plurality of ridges and valleys with sloped surfaces for biasing a ball toward a periphery, which may include pockets, of the coin when the coin is flipped or rolled. Each pocket may be next to a viewing window, allowing the ball within the pocket to be viewed from the exterior of the coin.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Yarro Studios, Inc.Inventor: Tanner Yarro
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Patent number: 11738256Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to an educational and entertaining game that includes a playing board and a plurality of game tokens. The game board includes a track configured as an internal channel for receiving a plurality of tokens. The board is configured such that the track includes a first height that gradually lowers to a second height. The difference in height allows the tokens to travel along the track in a single row. Each token includes an indicator that can be one or more letters, numbers, words, or symbols. The tokens can be removed from the track to spell words with the remaining tokens configured on the track. As a token is removed, the remaining tokens will travel towards the lower end of the board due to the sloped configuration of the track. In this way, the ordering of the tokens is preserved.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Inventor: Brian Ondov
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Patent number: 11110323Abstract: A practice ball with an off-axis weight distribution allows sportspeople to practice their ball catching, passing and other skills using a ball that flies through the air with a wobbly trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: GORDON SPORTS LLCInventor: Allan Conen
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Patent number: 10894203Abstract: A game device (1) is described, of the type which comprises a first moving part (2b), equipped with a plurality of numbered sectors or boxes (9), adapted to receive a ball (5), the first moving part (2b) rotating inside a second fixed part (2a), so that, by placing the ball (5) on a track (6) of the second fixed part (2a) and by launching it towards the first moving part (2b), the ball (5) ends its travel in one of the numbered boxes (9), thereby determining a winning number; the game device (1) has means adapted to determine at least one other stop position of the ball (5), inside the numbered boxes (9). A method is also described, for increasing the number of possible results which can be obtained with this game device (1).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: JJ Gaming S.r.l.Inventors: Pierangelo Conte, Bruno Toini, Christian Toini
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Patent number: 10596442Abstract: An apparatus including a configurable golf green having a changeable contour is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible covering forming the golf green. The flexible covering is movable between a base condition and a contoured condition. The apparatus includes a covering support assembly configured to support the flexible covering in both conditions. The support assembly includes a plurality of movable positioning elements disposed in an array below the flexible covering. Each movable positioning element includes an upper end having an adjustable vertical position in contact with a portion of the flexible covering. The support assembly includes a movement actuator configured to independently move at least some of the positioning elements and to form a golf cup at a desired location on the flexible covering by lowering the adjustable vertical position of the upper end of at least one of the positioning elements compared to an immediately adjacent positioning element.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Full-Swing Golf, Inc.Inventor: Sean Coffman
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Patent number: 9795868Abstract: A robotic gaming system is provided that includes a plurality of modular wall sections placed on playing surface. At least one robot is controlled by a player to navigate on the playing surface and interact with a plurality of scoring elements on the walls. A sensor associated with a scoring elements identifies when the robot successfully interacts with the scoring element to score a point.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Inventor: Kenneth C. Miller
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Patent number: 9044665Abstract: A table ball game in which is provided a flat rigid playing surface of rectangular proportions. The playing surface is bounded by rails of sufficient height to prevent a ball from leaving the playing surface. There is a plurality of object holes located symmetrically at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis of the playing surface. A pair of lines are inscribed across the transverse axis near the object holes to denote a foul line for both the rolling of a ball and the rebounding of a rolled ball. For scoring purposes, the object holes are assigned numeric values in accordance with rules of play.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Inventors: Stuart Haase, William J. Philipp
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Patent number: 7798493Abstract: A game for children or adults using a board and a ball provides entertainment and motor skill improvements. The board has a central depression for initially receiving the ball whereby the board is then manipulated to allow the ball to roll from the central depression to a distal groove. As the ball enters the distal groove, the board is manually “flipped” by the player to urge the ball from one end of the board to the other end where the ball is then directed by precise manual motions to reseat in the central depression. One or more individuals, each using a board and ball can play games and have contests for fun and enjoyment purposes.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Inventor: Adrian R. Moore
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Patent number: 6220917Abstract: An amusement device that includes a mounting assembly that is selectively attachable to a person's body. A mounting rod is provided that has a first end and a second end. The first end of the mounting rod engages the mounting assembly. As such, the mounting rod extends outwardly from the mounting assembly away from the body of the person wearing the mounting assembly. A plurality of coordination games are provided. Each of the coordination games can be selectively attached to the second end of the mounting rod. Accordingly, each of the coordination games can be selectively suspended from a player's body. The player plays the coordination game by moving his/her body in the area of the mounting assembly. If a player masters the skills needed to play one of the coordination games, the coordination game can be changed to maintain a degree of difficulty and amusement.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Webb Nelson
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Patent number: 5676371Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: RLT Acquisition, Inc.Inventors: Matthew F. Kelly, Bryan M. Kelly, Norman B. Petermeier, Joseph L. Tallarico, Keven A. Heyes, Jeffrey L. Allen
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Patent number: 5607155Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 1995Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Inventor: Neil D. Campbell
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Patent number: 5566953Abstract: A low-rebound, impact-deformable footbag includes plural panels having peripheral edges which are connected together to define an impact-deformable, semi-collapsible chamber which permits the footbag to assume an arbitrarily-changing, random shape in response to an externally-applied deformation force, such as kicking. The footbag includes at least one panel, a portion of which is formed from an apertured material for providing a view internally of the chamber. Plural lightweight, impact-damping filler members are disposed in the chamber, some of which being viewable through the apertured material. Such filler members are positioned within the chamber for interacting with other such filler members for damping such applied deformation force.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1995Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Martin F. Arriola, Daniel M. Roddick
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Patent number: 5553851Abstract: Gaming apparatus in which a ball is traveled onto a revolving surface has a plurality of rings of differing diameters which jointly form the revolving surface. The rings are centered on a vertical axis of rotation and may rotate in opposite directions or in the same direction at different speeds. The rings have winning apertures and losing apertures through which a rolling ball may drop through the ring. The rings, other than the final ring along the path of travel of the ball, also have pass zones at which a ball may roll on to the next ring without dropping into an aperture. Progressively higher score values may be assigned to the winning apertures of the successive rings along the path of ball travel. In the preferred form, the apparatus includes a ball launcher and detectors for counting balls which drop through winning apertures.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1995Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Quick Silver Development Co., Inc.Inventors: Alex Malavazos, Gregory Malavazos, Constantine Malavazos
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Patent number: 5549295Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 15, 1995Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Inventor: Michael W. Goldring
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Patent number: 5492325Abstract: A game device has a flat, circular bottom wall with a plurality of ball-receiving wells formed in it and a transparent dome-shaped cover that captures a plurality of balls within the device. Some of the wells have a number shape, and each of those wells are color coded. The game is played by inverting the device and restoring it to its upright position or by shaking it until all of the balls have entered into the wells. The number of balls within a well are counted and multiplied by the number of the well into which they have fallen to arrive at a total for that well. Depending upon the color of the well, the total is either added to or subtracted from an earlier total and the process is repeated to arrive at an arithmetic sum. A pair of wells are also formed in the shape of a multiply sign and a divide sign and the arithmetic sum is multiplied by the number of balls in the multiply sign-shaped well and that number is divided by the number of balls in the divide sign-shaped well.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1995Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Inventor: Albert J. Hawver
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Patent number: 5425536Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 1993Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: Lazer-Tron CorporationInventors: Matthew F. Kelly, Bryan M. Kelly, Norman B. Petermeier, Joseph L. Tallarico, Keven A. Heyes, Jeffrey L. Allen
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Patent number: 5375828Abstract: A combination drinking glass lid and game includes a base which operates to cover and seal a drinking glass. The base includes an opening there through for passage of a drinking straw. Supported upon the base is a game of skill or chance, such as a target game.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Creata, Inc.Inventor: Alan Shikami
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Patent number: 5310579Abstract: Apparatus and method for painting an object. The object is affixed to a holder and a reservoir of paint is formed either on or adjacent to the surface of the object. The holder then is tilted sufficiently to cause a paint distribution device, such as a sphere or spinning top, to travel through the pain and across the surface of the object, leaving paint along the travel path of the paint distribution device.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1992Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: Creative Time, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Fornataro
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Patent number: 5213325Abstract: An amusement device has a housing with a chamber in which a game board is disposed. A player endeavors to guide a rolling ball on the board by manipulating a control lever to tilt the board in any selected direction. The board is supported by a tiltable shaft which is below the center of the board. A rigid link extends between the shaft and control lever and is connected to each by pivot couplings which constrain the shaft and board to tilt in synchronism with the lever. Compression springs in coaxial relationship with the shaft and control lever act to bias the board towards a horizontal orientation and the shaft and lever supports prevent rotational motion of such components about their own longitudinal axes. In a preferred embodiment, the board has openings through which the ball may drop and ball retrieval components detect the particular region of the board at which the ball was dropped and return the ball to the board.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1991Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Inventors: Alex Malavazos, Gregory Malavazos, Constantine Malavazos
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Patent number: 5066014Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 1991Date of Patent: November 19, 1991Assignee: Bob's Space Racers, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Dobson
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Patent number: 4964637Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 27, 1989Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Inventor: Paul Gebert
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Patent number: 4909512Abstract: A toy game educational and/or therapeutic possibilities comprising a translucent or transparent elongated cylindrical member having a hollow extending longitudinally through the member and a partition disposed in the hollow which extends radially between the interior walls of the member and along the elongated length of the member which divides the hollow into a pair of elongated, parallel but separated spaces. An end cap is included on each end of the cylindrical member which encloses the hollow and a plurality of distinct balls clearly disposed in a random order in at least one of the spaces of the hollow for rolling movement along the elongated length of the cylindrical member between the partition and the curved wall of the cylindrical member.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1987Date of Patent: March 20, 1990Inventor: Shelton D. Davis
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Patent number: 4880236Abstract: 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 secoType: GrantFiled: May 11, 1988Date of Patent: November 14, 1989Inventor: Sheng-Lee Hwang
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Patent number: 4550912Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1983Date of Patent: November 5, 1985Inventor: David L. Allen
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Patent number: 4487417Abstract: An amusement device for selectively interchanging or transferring coded pieces from one storage element to a second adjacent storage element is disclosed. The two storage elements are connected to each other for relative rotation. The coded pieces are transferred by aligning one or more storage space or cavity containing a coded piece, in one storage element with like storage spaces or cavities in the adjacent storage element and inverting the device. The storage cavities are configured to allow a prearranged relationship between coded pieces upon rotational alignment of storage cavities lying on the same radius from the axis of rotation. Self-contained games and multiple puzzle configurations are achievable by sequential rotation, alignment and inversion of storage cavities.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1982Date of Patent: December 11, 1984Inventor: Douglas A. Engel
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Patent number: 4359224Abstract: A hand manipulative game including specially formed fluid chamber, and specially formed objects which must be manipulated into predetermined relation to a target in the chamber. The fluid chamber is formed between a pair of spaced apart translucent walls which are in parallel relation to each other. At least one pair of balls are within the chamber with one ball having a lower specific gravity than the fluid which is to fill the chamber and the other ball having a higher specific gravity than the fluid which is to fill the chamber. The diameter of each of the balls is slightly smaller than the space between the parallel spaced apart walls. Each pair of balls is movable in the fluid chamber in a predetermined relation to the target in order to successfully complete the game.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1981Date of Patent: November 16, 1982Inventors: John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk
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Patent number: 4257601Abstract: A manipulative game can be constructed so as to utilize a housing having a transparent cover and a bottom member located within the housing adjacent to the cover and so as to be movable with respect to the cover between a no-play position in which one or more objects are clamped by the bottom member against the cover and a play position in which the objects may be moved to various locations relative to the bottom member. A timer is preferably employed with the game for operating an elevating structure which moves the bottom member between the play and the no-play positions. A stop mechanism is preferably provided for stopping the operation of the timer mechanism. Although the game is useable with only a single object within the space between the bottom member and the cover preferably a plurality of objects are used and the bottom member is provided with a series of recesses, each of the objects being capable of fitting within only one of the recesses.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1979Date of Patent: March 24, 1981Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc.Inventor: Toshiaki Kurita
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Patent number: 4248427Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1979Date of Patent: February 3, 1981Inventor: Donald W. Vierimaa
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Patent number: 4239223Abstract: A novelty game drinking glass for containing beverages as well as entertaining, amusing and interesting the user. The glass itself has a transparent partition positioned upwardly from the bottom end to form a bottom recess portion at the bottom end. A novelty game is positioned into this bottom recess so as to be visible by a user through the transparent partition and the novelty game is restrainably positioned on the bottom by a recess closure which also provide a liquid-tight seal to the bottom recess portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1978Date of Patent: December 16, 1980Inventor: Michael C. Wilson
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Patent number: 4236716Abstract: A box supports two playing fields which slope downwardly from opposite sides thereof toward a switch bar along the exposed inner side of each field for energizing a "spill" display light at the end of each field when a player fails to score with a ball rolling between two gently sloping cues from dwell notches thereon, upon skillfully opening the handles of the cues that rest on a support, and are connected at their outer ends, which are bent down to rest on the playing field, by one of three dropping the ball into triangularly arranged sockets that are assigned different score values ranging from a minimum to a maximum as the distance from the back of the field increases, with three balls per turn per player, two, for example.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1979Date of Patent: December 2, 1980Inventor: Melvin O. Douglas, Jr.
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Patent number: 4198047Abstract: A composite game board comprising a base wall, a peripheral wall surrounding said base wall, a single septum extending between oppositely disposed portions of said peripheral wall to form a pair of chambers, one substantially larger in total area than the other, and a transparent upper wall substantially sealing said chambers. Each of said chambers is subdivided to form a plurality of compartments by walls or other projections, the heights of which are substantially less than the height of said chambers. Each of the compartments in the larger of the two chambers is identified by a letter of the alphabet or similar indicia. The compartments of the smaller chambers are provided with indicia, preferably in pictorial form, identifying a particular category of subject matter or other subject limitation. A single playing piece is disposed in the smaller chamber, and one or more similar pieces are disposed in the larger chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1978Date of Patent: April 15, 1980Assignee: Anjar, Inc.Inventors: Henry J. Scott, Lenore Scott
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Patent number: 4163558Abstract: A vibratory game apparatus for use with a plurality of game pieces movable over a playing surface in response to vibration thereof comprises an open top enclosure or arena for containing a group of said game pieces during play. The enclosure includes a floor which comprises a vibratory playing surface and an upstanding sidewall or fence formed around the outer periphery of the playing surface which is vibrated by means of one or more elongated elements having teeth along one edge adapted to be manipulated longitudinally back and forth with the teeth in engagement with an upper edge portion of the sidewall thereby imparting vibratory action to the playing surface via the vibrating sidewall structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1978Date of Patent: August 7, 1979Assignee: Marvin Glass & AssociatesInventors: Eugene Jaworski, Jeffrey D. Breslow
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Patent number: 4009881Abstract: A game apparatus including a frame and horizontal sheet of flexible material having a plurality of vertically displaceable localized areas and goals at opposite ends. A plurality of crankshafts are rotatably mounted beneath the sheet and interconnected thereto. Each crankshaft actuates a plurality of spaced-apart connecting rods fastened to the underside of the flexible sheet at the center of the displaceable localized areas. The rotation of a crankshaft thus displaces each localized area above or below the mean level surface of the sheet. The crankshafts corresponding to one team project beyond one side edge of the frame and the crankshafts corresponding to the opposing team project beyond the opposite side edge of the frame, thereby allowing opponents on opposite sides of the sheet to vertically displace the localized areas under their control.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1975Date of Patent: March 1, 1977Inventor: Orville J. Potter, III
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Patent number: 4007936Abstract: A novelty closure consists of a container cover, such as that used in connection with soft drink cups, and a puzzle means coupled with said cover at the central portion thereof. The puzzle means takes the form of a planar member having indicia imprinted thereon and having depressions therein and small spherical balls are movably mounted upon the planar member so that by manual manipulation of the cover the balls can be rolled into the depressions.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1975Date of Patent: February 15, 1977Assignee: Funstuf, Inc.Inventor: James R. Hornsby, Jr.
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Patent number: 3964748Abstract: A mechanical apparatus for playing a game of chance for entertainment. By manipulation of a mallet-like device a resilient ball is caused to bounce about within a hollow open-space, then settle into any one of nine indentures in a scoring face which is marked to represent a tic-tac-toe board. A matching tic-tac-toe score card for marking results and determining the winner of the game may be included. Although designed primarily as a toy for children, it has appeal to those of all ages.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1975Date of Patent: June 22, 1976Inventor: David C. Harvey, Jr.
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Patent number: 3938807Abstract: A ball game has a housing with a transparent cover, and a labyrinthine platform disposed in the housing. A plurality of balls are positioned between the platform and the transparent cover. The labyrinthine platform is resiliently loaded in the direction towards the transparent cover, and thus tends to trap the balls between the platform and the cover. One or more actuating handles are provided to project externally of the housing for shifting the labyrinthine platform against the action of its loading, thereby to free the balls, thus giving the user a possibility of controlling the running of the balls on the labyrinthine platform.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1974Date of Patent: February 17, 1976Inventors: Hanspeter Luthi, Werner Dubach