Pivoted, Manual Patents (Class 273/129W)
  • Patent number: 6095519
    Abstract: An arcade game gamepiece directing mechanism facilitates a player in guiding a gamepiece in a desired direction over a playing surface. The gamepiece directing mechanism includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion connected to each other. The rigid portion receives inputs from the player and translates them to the flexible portion. When a gamepiece is received by the rigid portion and passed through the flexible portion, the combined motion of the rigid portion and flexible portion causes the gamepiece to travel in a particular direction over the playing surface. The rigid portion can be pivotally to the arcade game, while a distal end of the flexible portion can be restricted by an end restriction that restricts one, two, or three degrees of freedom of the distal end. The end restriction can also be movable relative to the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6019095
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for throwing balls with specific throwing parameters with the aid of a pendulum. The device consists of a pendulum having a free end which is suspended so as to be movable about an axis, characterized in that a holding device for the ball is located at the free end of the pendulum shaft and can release the ball in response to an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignees: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Bayer Corporation, Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Sommer, John Clemons, Wolfgang Jacobsen, Ing Kurt Pirk, Arthur Zerbe, Werner Konig, Berthold Justen, Jurgen Giesselmann, William Wasserberger, Raymond Edwards
  • Patent number: 5967513
    Abstract: A flat board has a top side and a distal and proximal end. Mounted on the flat board top side at the distal end is a target area defined by a goal element. Mounted on the flat board top side at the proximal end is a launching mechanism. A base member of the launching mechanism has first and second channels formed therein. The second channel receives a handle portion of a launch spoon. The first channel receives a first end of a string. A second end of the string attaches to a projectile. A spoon portion is provided with the launch spoon for holding the projectile therewithin. The game is played by first bending the launch spoon in a direction opposed from that of the goal element and thereafter releasing the launch spoon so that the projectile is propelled toward the goal element in hopes of having the projectile cross through the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Jack A. Wells
  • Patent number: 5884911
    Abstract: A table game including a housing, a playing surface received within the housing, and a paddle member resiliently affixed to the playing surface and supported by the housing. The paddle member serves to move the playing surface upwardly and downwardly relative to a vertical force applied to the paddle member. The paddle member is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to an actuation of a handle member connected thereto. The paddle member is slidable across a width dimension of the playing surface. The playing surface includes a first surface which is pivotally connected to a second surface. The first surface is independently movable relative to the second surface. A second paddle member is affixed to the second surface at an end of the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Jose Javier Silva Guridi
  • Patent number: 5788231
    Abstract: Game apparatus (10) comprising a body (11) which has a perforated playing surface (13) and a border (14) upstanding from and extending around the playing surface (13), said border (14) having two opposite openings (15). Two flippers (16) are provided on opposite sides of each opening (15), which are pivotable by an operating mechanism (17). A motor-driven fan unit is provided under the playing surface (13) for driving air through the perforated playing surface (13) in order to create an air cushion thereon. A disc (19) is to be placed on the playing surface (13), while the fan unit is in action, for the flippers (16) at one opening (15) to strike to move into the other opening (15) and for flippers (16) at the other opening (15) to block against entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Everbright Toys Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Marshall Sik Hei To
  • Patent number: 5697613
    Abstract: A device for propelling a game ball on a game surface includes an actuator arm which is manually depressible with a finger of a user for pivoting a pivot arm to engage the game ball and to thereby propel it on the game surface. The device further includes a restricting housing which extends around the actuator arm for limiting the degree of finger movement in a direction away from the actuator arm and for thereby limiting the amount of momentum which can be imparted to the pivot arm with the actuator arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Merino, Dwayne Carr, Randall Moormann
  • Patent number: 5653442
    Abstract: Game including game pieces (34, 34') which can be slid over a flat upper surface of a fixed, perpendicular, triangular or polygonal substrate and including at least one game pistol moveably seatable upon the substrate (30) for selective displacement or shooting of the game pieces (34, 34') over the substrate using a strike piece (58) which is operable through a spring loaded pressure fork (42). In addition, goal like capturing basins (49) and goal devices (84) as well as glide paths (100) and capturing devices (110, 112, 116) for the game pieces can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Helmut Abel
  • Patent number: 5641163
    Abstract: An integrally molded table soccer playing figure has an elongated body with head and foot portions disposed at its opposite ends. A cylindrical passage axially extends laterally through an upper portion of the body and is adapted to coaxially receive a longitudinal portion of an actuating rod used to rotate and translate the playing figure. The body passage is diametrically sized to create a press-fit between the body portion and the rod portion therein, and the body is mechanically locked to the rod by a small roll pin longitudinally inserted through aligned openings in the body and rod. Integrally formed on opposite lateral sides of the body portion are relatively large diameter force receiving and diffusing washer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Tornado Table Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin Edward McCloud
  • Patent number: 5433443
    Abstract: A game apparatus for a simulated hockey game including a game board having a playing surface and at least two pairs of opposing sides with each side having an opening for receiving a small object such as a disk. There are four sets of game playing menders which are able to manipulate the object over the playing surface. Because there are four sets, four persons are able to play this game. A vertical shaft extends from each playing member and down through the playing surface. A number of generally horizontal rods are used to move the playing members along respective slots formed in the playing surface. Each rod is operatively connected to a respective one of the vertical shafts so that rotation of the rod causes rotation off the shaft and the attached playing member. At least some of the rods for moving the playing members of each of the sets project from a respective one of the four opposing sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: William Keith Schell
    Inventor: Anthony P. S. Ples
  • Patent number: 5419555
    Abstract: A structurally and operationally improved, integrally molded table soccer playing figure has an elongated body with head and foot portions disposed at its opposite ends. A cylindrical passage axially extends laterally through an upper portion of the body and is adapted to coaxially receive a longitudinal portion of an actuating rod used to rotate and translate the figure. To significantly reduce the connection stress concentration on the rod and the figure mounted thereon, the body passage is diametrically sized to create a press-fit between the body portion and the rod portion therein, and the body is mechanically locked to the rod by a small roll pin longitudinally inserted through aligned openings in the body and rod. The ability of the body portion to withstand high lateral impact loads is enhanced by the integral formation on its opposite lateral sides of relatively large diameter force receiving and diffusing washer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Calvin E. McCloud
  • Patent number: 5417420
    Abstract: A portable table golfer comprising a base plate positionable in a horizontal orientation on a table, the golfer having a lower surface and an upper surface, a pair of upstanding supports extending upwardly from the upper surface of the base plate with an aperture extending through each, the apertures being at different elevational orientations in axial alignment, a support shaft rotatably supported within the apertures and having a handle at the upper end thereof, a miniature shaft extending downwardly from a central extent of the support shaft with an adjustment mechanism centrally located therein for varying the effective length of the miniature shaft, a golf club head located at the bottom of the shaft with an adjustment mechanism between the lower end of the miniature shaft and the head for varying the angle of the golf club head, a tee located on the upper surface of the base plate for retaining a ball to be hit by the orientation of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: James J. Berg
  • Patent number: 5370571
    Abstract: Projectile launching toys include a surface suitably configured to support and guide a projectile, a lever pivotally mounted so as to traverse a portion of the surface in the direction the projectile is being guided, a manual actuator coupled to the lever to manually move the lever from an initial position to a second, pivoted position to launch the projectile and a return member coupled with the lever to automatically return the lever to its original position after being manually moved and released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Tyco Investment Corp.
    Inventor: Warren E. Bosch
  • Patent number: 5358446
    Abstract: A free standing bowling ramp for physically limited people is disclosed. The ramp includes supporting means, positioning and accelerating means, and means for aiming a bowling ball to target specific pins. The supporting means includes a number of interconnected components and flaps. The positioning and accelerating means includes first and second sloped parallel rails. The rails are sloped such as to prevent a ball from accidentally rolling down a ramp before the bowler intends to release the ball. The aiming means includes a clamp assembly that allows the bowler to reposition the ramp to target specific pins without shifting the entire ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: David Bergman
  • Patent number: 5333864
    Abstract: An improved, integrally molded table soccer playing figure has an elongated body with head and foot portions disposed at its opposite ends. A cylindrical passage axially extends laterally through an upper portion of the body and is adapted to coaxially receive a longitudinal portion of an actuating rod used to rotate and translate the playing figure. To significantly reduce the connection stress concentration on the rod and the playing figure mounted thereon, the body passage is diametrically sized to create a press-fit between the body portion and the rod portion therein, and the body is mechanically locked to the rod by a small roll pin longitudinally inserted through aligned openings in the body and rod. The ability of the body portion to withstand high lateral impact loads is enhanced by the integral formation on its opposite lateral sides of relatively large diameter force receiving and diffusing washer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Calvin E. McCloud
  • Patent number: 5288085
    Abstract: This new invention is a table Racket Ball Game Device.This new invention is an enclosed table game device played with a table tennis type ball, off the sides, bottom and top, in three dimensions.This new table game device is a game of skill not chance. This is a serious game almost anyone can learn to play. It teaches eye-hand coordination and concentration.The ball is hand loaded, on to the paddle, aimed and carefully shot, at the other player's goal, with just a flick of the fingers.Players score points when the ball falls out of play behind the defender's defense and down the ball return ramp.The paddles are designed and mounted in such a way that the entire surface maybe used in defense.This is a game of skill not chance because the players can defend every shot if they can slide the paddle quick enough to block the oncoming shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Robert G. Young
    Inventor: Robert G. Young
  • Patent number: 5242164
    Abstract: A tabletop hockey game includes a scoring member configured for affixation to a player's hand. The scoring member includes a transversely curved shooting portion which enables the player to lift the puck above the playing surface for top shelf scoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventor: James D. Nicoll
  • Patent number: 5207421
    Abstract: A ball game practice unit has a striking unit provided in alternative positions for left and right-handed batters. A pivoted arm has a pad at one end which is struck downwardly to launch a ball upwardly for striking with a conventional bat. The unit has a magazine for storing several balls, a magazine extension for storing additional balls, and an insert for accommodating smaller balls. A magazine insert and an adjustably mounted ball stop on the other end of the pivot arm which allows the unit to launch balls of several different size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Frank A. Gorvin
  • Patent number: 5088736
    Abstract: A miniaturized pinball machine serving as a funny toy is provided. The pinball machine includes a machine body, a ball-feeding device mounted between a ball-storing room and a ball path for feeding from the room to the path a ball to be propelled by a propelling medium through the path to an inclined board, a striking device striking the ball on the board to delay and/or prevent the ball from falling into the room, and a plurality of springing devices back springing on the board the ball bumping thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Chuan-Tien Chuang
  • Patent number: 5071127
    Abstract: A coin bowling amusement game is provided having target pins shaped in the form of bowling pins along with a pivotal coin chute, sweeper arm and display operated by a computer program in which coins are inserted into the coin chute and rolled down an enclosed platform to the target pins which, when struck, activates a display means for audibly or visually displaying a strike which then dispenses prizes and/or tickets redeemable for prizes or activates the sweeper arm after a predetermined number of misses are tallied by the computer controlled coin bowling game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Bromley Incorporated
    Inventors: Lauren Bromley, George A. Gomez
  • Patent number: 5046734
    Abstract: A table hockey game has a playing surface, goals, and a plurality of toy hockey players. Two of the toy hockey players on each side are movable to and from positions behind their opponent's goal. The hockey players move along guides comprising vertically spaced parallel slots. Rotational and translational motion is imparted to toy players by actuator shafts, some of which are articulated by a universal joint. The actuator shafts are located at a plurality of levels beneath the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Klas I. Laine
  • Patent number: 4976434
    Abstract: The invention provides a new table game of the baseball type. The table game includes a number of player figures mechanically rotatably arranged on a playing surface for catching and forwarding a ball to base areas and also a player figure depicitng a batsman being able to strike the ball. The table game also includes manually operated switch or push button devices intended to be repeatedly manipulated for simulating one or more offensive players running between the bases and sensor devices being biasable by the ball. There is also an electronic computer system connecting the push buttons and the sensor devices with a number of indicating means indicating hit outs occuring when the ball is forwarded to any of the base areas and any offensive player simulated by repeated pressing of a push button is outside the base areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Stiga Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Erland Wikner
  • Patent number: 4856783
    Abstract: An appliance for simulating playing of the game of golf on a suitable playing area. The appliance includes an arm (1) at the end of which is fixed a striking member (2) in the form of a golf club of reduced size contained substantially in the same plane as the arm (1). This golf club conventionally includes a stem (3) fixed at one end to the arm (1) and carrying at its opposite end a head (4), the stem (3) and the arm (1) forming an elbow so that a ball (8) is struck by rotation of the arm (1) about its axis without intervention of mechanical transmission means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Charles Soulard
  • Patent number: 4585235
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for enabling two or four people to play a competitive game involving skillful manipulative control of a ball on a horizontal game surface. The apparatus comprises a flat playing surface of substantially square perimeter supported by four legs adapted to maintain the playing surface at table height. A retaining wall is associated with each side of said perimeter, and at least one ball-receiving goal is associated with each retaining wall. An elongated sliding guide is positioned parallel to each retaining wall, and a paddle slidably engages each guide. The paddle, having a flat striking portion disposed below the sliding guide, and an elongated handle portion extending above the guide, can be rotated about the handle portion and pivoted about the guide. The striking portion of the paddle is utilized to hit a playing ball having the general characteristics of a table tennis ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: Jerry D. Williams
  • Patent number: 4533142
    Abstract: A mechanically-operated object-engaging member for a game is pivotally mounted on a shaft to which is fixedly secured a drive cam disposed in camming engagement with one end of a third-class lever. A spring on the cam biases it and the lever to a normal rest condition, the lever having a magnetic portion which is attracted to a permanent magnet for magnetically holding the lever in the rest condition. A manually-operated actuator linkage applies a force to the lever to break the magnetic attraction and drive the lever away from the magnet to operate the cam and object-engaging member. A separate bias element may urge the actuator linkage to a normal rest condition. The object-engaging member can be mounted on a playfield board and confined to a predetermined oscillating movement relative to the playfield board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Wico Corporation
    Inventor: Albin Peters
  • Patent number: 4488723
    Abstract: A recreational device 10 for impelling an object comprises a generally upright shaft 12 having a lower end 20 and an intermediate part 22; a lever arm 14 having a heel portion 40 and an upper actuation portion 42 pivotally connected to the lower end 20 of the shaft 12; a stabilizing link 24 pivotally connected to the intermediate part 22 of the shaft 12, and a linkage assembly 32 for urging the object forwardly in response to downward movement of the shaft 12, the reaction of the heel portion 40 against a surface, and the forwardly and downwardly swinging of the lever arm 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Inventor: Alfred C. LaGrow
  • Patent number: 4428147
    Abstract: A domino toppling toy is provided which comprises a housing, an actuation lever and a plurality of domino toppling levers. The actuation lever is pivotally mounted on the housing and is responsive to the toppling movement of one domino train. The plurality of domino toppling levers causes the other domino trains corresponding to each domino toppling lever to topple at the same time in response to the movement of the actuation lever. The both levers are received in part in the housing of a cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Takemi
    Inventor: Takashi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4391062
    Abstract: An inflatable article having an inflatable envelope made of a gas impervious material which is at least in part resilient forming a closed surface and provided with at least one inflating valve thereon. At least one hollow protrusion, provided with a closed end and an open end, is attached to the envelope, and at least one movable internal object is contained within the closed surface. One or more restraining elements may be provided on the outer surface of the envelope to keep the inflatable envelope in a restrained condition during use. An internal supporting element, at least in part rigid, is attached to the wall of the closed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Inventor: Sidney H. Magid
  • Patent number: 4331334
    Abstract: A board game for imitating an actual golf game, including a board, upon which there is printed a three hole golf course, several playing pieces for movement upon the golf course, a single die printed with only one to three dots, and score cards for keeping scores of the players, and the gameboard, in one design thereof, including a foldout golf club, for hitting the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Inventor: Elmer R. Clemmer
  • Patent number: 4262905
    Abstract: A toy is constructed of paperboard, such as carboard, and includes a body member decorated as a sports player, such as a golfer or baseball player. A flat projectile member is held in a slit in the body member and propelled by the child's operation of a paperboard flipper arm which is connected to the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventor: Russell J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 4248426
    Abstract: A pinball-type game utilizing a spinning top actuated by a high speed spinning mechanism, release of the top onto a playing surface having a number of obstacles propelling the top against a scoring mechanism having a rocker arm which, upon impact, through a pawl device rotates a scoring indicator. The scoring indicator is provided with a spring clutch to enable the indicator to return to zero. "Flippers" are provided to redirect the spinning top along the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Sims, Gerard L. Lambert, Raymond J. Gross, Harold B. Collins
  • Patent number: 4244573
    Abstract: A game includes a playing field that in the preferred embodiment may be concave toward a goal in the form of a central aperture. A playing object such as, in the preferred embodiment, a ball is included with the game and the object of the game is to move the ball into the goal. At least one player actuated paddle member is pivotally mounted on the playing field and may be manually actuated by the hand of a player of the game to engage the playing object in an attempt to direct it into the goal. The playing field is positioned on a base and supported thereabove to allow the hand of the player to grasp a handle depending from the peddle member through and beneath the playing field. The playing field preferably includes a surrounding or peripheral rim on which a scoring device for recording the score of the player is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Breslow, Michael J. Ferris, Henry Arias
  • Patent number: 4239222
    Abstract: A flipper mechanism for use in a pinball game in conjunction with a playing surface to propel an object across that playing surface comprises a flipper member shaped to have a hub section and a finger section. The finger section includes a striking surface for making contact with and accelerating the object across the playing surface. The playing surface includes at least one upstanding boss projecting from the surface. The interior of the boss is hollow. The hub portion of the flipper member has a generally cylindrical-like surface which includes a spirally inclined cam integrally formed on the cylindrical-like surface. The hub portion of the flipper member fits over the upstanding boss projecting from the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Noritoshi Hori
  • Patent number: 4212466
    Abstract: A mechanical, pin-ball type game apparatus comprises an enclosure for holding one or more balls including a sloping bottom wall or game board with a peripheral side wall for containing the balls as they roll downwardly on the sloped game board towards a lower end portion thereof on a scoring pass. A manually operated ball firing device is provided for shooting or propelling the balls upwardly from the lower end portion of the board towards an upper end and the balls then roll downwardly on the board and engage target devices thereon. The game apparatus includes rows of ball actuated target devices including ball engaging paddles mounted on rotatable shafts. The targets include a spring motor which is released when hit to forceably propel the ball coming in contact therewith in an opposite direction. Each time the target device is activated by ball contact, a scoring device is advanced and a bell is sounded. The release mechanism is a downwardly deflectable pad mounted on the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: John R. Wildman, Burton C. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4203603
    Abstract: A flipper mechanism for use in pinball and pinball type games can be constructed so as to utilize an elongated, linear channel serving as a bearing extending between the sides of the housing for the game and behind the playing platform employed in the game. Two plungers are located within the channel and are normally biased away from one another by a spring located within the channel between the plungers. Each plunger is connected to an arm of a bell crank lever by means of a pin and slot sliding connection. An arm of each bell crank lever is pivotally mounted so as to be capable of being pivoted when its associated plunger is pushed against the spring. The other arm of each bell crank lever is located above the playing platform so as to serve as a flipper as its associated plunger is pushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Yukio Konta