Fish Ponds Patents (Class 273/140)
  • Patent number: 10583685
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a sculpture from a sculpture kit which includes a container with a lid and an elongated thin, twistable, resilient or springy strip of paper-like material forming a sculpture when twisted and removably attached to the kit container lid with the container forming the base of the sculpture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventor: Brenda A. Heim
  • Patent number: 10165771
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for attracting and/or repelling animals, more particularly methods systems and apparatuses for deploying and retrieving decoys, such as, for example, waterfowl decoy displays typically used in hunting, and particularly to attract overflying waterfowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SOUTHERN FLYWAY OUTFITTERS, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Evenson, III, Nathan L. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 10099153
    Abstract: A doll is in a configuration to simulate an animal and formed to include a mouth having an opening with upper and lower edges with front edges and side edges. A clasp has an upper component with upper teeth and has a lower component with lower teeth. The upper and lower teeth are fabricated of a synthetic organic compound. The clasp has an upper handle formed as an extension of the upper component and has a lower handle formed as an extension of the lower component. The upper and lower handles are located in an intermediate extent of the doll. A hinge pivotally couples the upper and lower components and a spring urges the handles away from each other while urging the teeth toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: David A. Dexter
  • Patent number: 10086307
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fishing toy comprising a bait head resembling a fishing lure attached to a sponge resembling an aquatic animal. The sponge is initially compressed and rolled such that it fits inside a dissolving gel capsule or paper pouch encapsulation. During play, the entire bait unit is submerged into water. Once exposed to water, the capsule dissolves, releasing the captive animal-shaped sponge. The increase of weight and drag on the line simulates a live fishing experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Anything Possible, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Joseph Duda, III, Van Blakely, Jason Bauer, Anthony Tolliver
  • Patent number: 10086308
    Abstract: A combination aquatic toy and a reservoir wherein the reservoir comprises a container to contain a body of water and a contactless electrical power transfer transmitter, the toy is a submersible or is submersible and comprises a body carrying a battery and a battery powered propeller (fin or screw propeller or foil or impeller or other) to drive the toy through the body of water and contactless power transfer receiver to receive power, when in sufficient proximity to the transmitter, from the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventors: Mathew Peter Mowbray, Xiaoping Lu
  • Patent number: 9568516
    Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods to determine loss of at least one electric power transmission line in an electric power transmission system. In various embodiments, a system consistent with the present disclosure may include an electrical parameter monitoring subsystem configured to receive electrical parameter measurements and to determine a change of the electrical measurements. An analysis subsystem may determine whether a change in the electrical measurements is indicative of loss of at least one transmission line and may calculate a number of transmission lines lost based on the change. In some embodiments, a remedial action subsystem may be configured to implement a remedial action in response to loss of at least one transmission line. The number of transmission lines lost may be determined based on an angle difference ratio and a power ratio between two buses in electrical transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishnanjan Gubba Ravikumar, Ashish Upreti, Bharath Nayak, Yusuf Zafer Korkmaz
  • Patent number: 7708278
    Abstract: A fishing game is played with a rod, a reel, and line. A holder is connected to the end of the line and an engaging fabric marker is removably attached to the holder. The holder and marker are cast at a target having an engaging fabric surface. If the marker lands on the target, it remains engaged to the target and separates from the holder when the line is retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: G. Theodore Norbits
  • Publication number: 20080258393
    Abstract: A fishing apparatus comprising a horizontally extending fish support, one or more flat, relatively thin fish-shaped members releaseably mounted on the fish support, each fish-shaped member having a tapered mouth at on end thereof and a circular snare opening connecting to the mouth through a guide slot, a cast-over bar supported behind the fish support in spaced parallel relation, the fish support and cast-over bar being made of floatable material, a casting line, a plug adapted to be connected to the end of the casting line so that the plug and line can be cast over the fish-shaped members and the cast-over bar, each plug being made of resilient material and being provided with a nose piece adjacent to the connection of the line to the plug, the nose piece being receivable in the snare opening, whereby, when the plug is pulled into the circular snare opening and the line is pulled thereafter, the fish-shaped member will be pulled away from the fish support in a manner simulating the catching of fish in actua
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Arlen J. Lowrance
  • Publication number: 20080258392
    Abstract: A fishing apparatus comprising a flat, essentially vertical game board, a fish support mounted behind the game board, one or more flat, relatively thin fish-shaped members releasably mounted on the fish support, each fish-shaped member having a tapered mouth at on end thereof and a circular snare opening connecting to the mouth through a guide slot, a casting line, a plug adapted to be connected to the end of the casting line so that the plug and line can be cast over the fish-shaped members, each plug being made of resilient material and being provided with a nose piece adjacent to the connection of the line to the plug, the nose piece being receivable in the snare opening, the game board having a gap therein which is in alignment with the guide slot in the fish-shaped member, the gap in the game board being associated with a plurality of doors which are mounted on hinge axes for swinging movement when a fish-shaped member is pulled against the doors, whereby, when the plug is pulled into the circular snare
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Arlen J. Lowrance
  • Patent number: 7435174
    Abstract: A gaming device and method having a pick reduction game. Initially, a plurality of first selections are displayed to the player. A number of picks is displayed to the player where the number of picks is greater than the number of first selections. The player uses the number of picks to pick first selections until the player picks a trigger selection. The number of picks are reduced after each pick by the player. When the player picks the trigger selection, the gaming device displays a plurality of second selections to the player. Each of the second selections is associated with an award. The player picks second selections and receives awards for each picked second selection until there are no picks remaining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Megan N. Schlegel, Randall D. Mead
  • Patent number: 6482097
    Abstract: The present invention is an aquatic game that floats on the water and releases treasure members at different time intervals. The aquatic game comprises a base member adapted to float on the water. The base member has an upper portion above disposed the water and a lower portion disposed below the water. The lower portion has first and second exit channels in communication with the water. The aquatic game further comprises an upper member rotatably engaged to the base member from a first position to a second position. The upper member further comprises a cavity portion having an opening. The aquatic game further comprises first and second treasure members disposed in the cavity portion of the upper member. Each of the first and second treasure members are design with sufficient weight and buoyancy to sink in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Riva Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew F. Fireman
  • Patent number: 6454261
    Abstract: A game machine played by a player to fish amusement objects. The game machine has a tank containing water. The amusement objects float on water. A fishing member engages one of the amusement objects and fishes the amusement object. The fishing member is lifted to catch the amusement object. A driving mechanism supports the fishing member and vertically moves the fishing member. A forcible object mover forcibly moves the amusement objects on the water surface. A manipulator, which is manipulated by the player, lowers the fishing member with the driving mechanism. A dropping mechanism drops the amusement object when the amusement object is lifted together with the fishing member by the driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Ohiragiken Industry Co.
    Inventor: Teruo Ohira
  • Patent number: 6439949
    Abstract: An apparatus including an appendage coupled to a body and a drive. The drive produces a force that causes the appendage to move with respect to the body. When the apparatus is resting on a support surface, the force produced by the drive is insufficient to overcome the force produced by the weight of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lucas, James R. Bauman
  • Patent number: 6412211
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for improving the casting ability of a fly fisherman. The apparatus preferably comprises a fly rod with fly line and a fly replica attached to an end of the fly line. The fly replica preferably further comprises an adhesive material on a surface of said fly replica. The preferred embodiment also comprises a target area for receiving the fly replica. The target area preferably comprises a target and a fish replica. The target has a base portion and a second adhesive material on an upper surface of the target base portion. The fish replica is positioned adjacent to the target. The fish replica is secured by support elements. The support elements keep the fish replica in an upright position, relative to the ground upon which the targets are positioned. The objective is for a user to cast the fly replica onto the target without striking the fish replica with either the fly replica or the fly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Steven L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6368211
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a game system to present a larger amount of information for fish arrangement to a player. In the game system with a control device to progress a fishing game in a virtual fishing spot, referring to outputs of an input device, and to display images on a screen of a display device according to a progressing states of the above fishing game, the above device decides a fish arrangement in the above virtual fishing spot; detects fish distribution in a detection range defined on a line connecting two positions in the above fishing spot; displays a gauge extending in a direction of one axis on a screen of the above display device; and displays information according to a detected result of the above fish distribution at each position on the above detection range, replacing a distance from one end of the above detection range to each position within the above detection range with a distance from one end of the above gauge to each position in the pertinent gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventor: Gen Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6364764
    Abstract: A game system comprises: a display device 3; an input device for outputting a signal according to a player's operation; and a control device 10 for advancing a fishing game utilizing a contrivance such as a lure in a virtual fishing spot with reference to an output of the input device 4, and displaying an image according to the progress on a screen of the display device 3. In this game system, a lure operation is guided to the player through the screen of the display device 3 by means of the control device 10. The guided operation is compared with the lure operation caused by the player via the input device 4, and the player's lure operation is evaluated. This evaluation is notified to the player, and the progress in fishing game is changed according to the evaluation. In this manner, a game system capable of continuously stimulating the player by eliminating a monotonous aspect in work for catching a fish is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventor: Gen Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6354948
    Abstract: A video game implementing a fishing game employs a fishing line operated by a fisher character under the control of a game player. A take-up amount computing unit performs a cumulative processing to add a predetermined amount of take-up of the fishing line, each time an operation determining unit determines that the state of a take-up button has been changed from off to on state or that the state of tilt of a stick controller has been changed. Therefore, the fishing line is taken up at a high speed when the take-up button is struck at a high frequency or when the stick controller is rotationally operated at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kentaro Nagayama
  • Patent number: 6328622
    Abstract: A submersible water toy comprises a buoyant streamlined body and a pair of wings attached thereto. While the body encourages the vehicle to rise in water, the wings, being formed from thin flat members resist vertical movement while providing little resistance to forward motion. The centerline of the wings is positioned behind the center of gravity of the bode so that the vehicle will rise in a forward direction while the wings resist vertical movement. Upon release, the submerged water toy will glide at relatively high speeds in a forward direction while slowly rising to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Daniel J Geery
  • Publication number: 20010048194
    Abstract: A game machine played by a player to fish amusement objects. The game machine has a tank containing water. The amusement objects float on water. A fishing member engages one of the amusement objects and fishes the amusement object. The fishing member is lifted to catch the amusement object. A driving mechanism supports the fishing member and vertically moves the fishing member. A forcible object mover forcibly moves the amusement objects on the water surface. A manipulator, which is manipulated by the player, lowers the fishing member with the driving mechanism. A dropping mechanism drops the amusement object when the amusement object is lifted together with the fishing member by the driving mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: OHIRAGIKEN INDUSTRY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Teruo Ohira
  • Patent number: 6164653
    Abstract: A fishing toy includes a rotary disk and a plurality of toy fishes. The rotary disk has a circular rack, engaging gears installed within the toy fishes. Blocks are installed on the gear. By rotating, the blocks will drive the toy fishes to simulate the action of real fishes. Moreover, the heads of the toy fishes may move upwards and downwards opening and closing the fish mouth. Thus, player may hook a toy fish with a fishing rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Chuan-Tien Chuang
  • Patent number: 6099381
    Abstract: A catching toy includes a container having a first container body and a second container body which is relatively movable to the first container body. The first and second container bodies are configurable in a first state in which the container is opened and a second state in which the container is closed to form a chamber which is large enough to contain an object to be caught. A biasing member biases the second container body to the second state when the container is in the first stage. An engaging member engages the second container body with the first container body to keep the container in the first state. A releasing member releases an engagement of the first and second container bodies to change the container in the second state, by a contact with the object to be caught so that the object is entrapped in the chamber of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kei Sodeshima
  • Patent number: 5941528
    Abstract: A fishing casting practice device includes a housing with an upper surface having at least two casting target holes of different sizes for overhand, pitching and flipping casting and a front surface having an elongated target hole for skipping casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Henry E. Boivin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5896693
    Abstract: An integral spin cast and flipping target pad comprising a base portion and an open top, generally cylindrical, target portion extending upwardly from the base. Preferably, the target cylinder is shaped like a fish head and the base defines lily pad shapes in its upper surface. The base comprises a bottom portion, a top portion and an edge portion extending between the bottom and the top defining a flotation cavity within the base. Alternatively, the base may be made of decorative wood. The target cylinder comprises a generally cylindrical wall extending upwardly from the top portion of the base. The wall can be comprised of spaced apart generally cylindrical outer and inner wall portions extending upwardly from the top portion of the base and a lip portion extending between a top of the inner wall and a top of the outer wall. Preferably, gussets extend from the target cylinder to the top of the base. These gussets are shaped like fish fins associated with the fish head shaped target cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Clyde Travis Ray
  • Patent number: 5865662
    Abstract: A weight-adjusted underwater toy is disclosed having a somewhat lower specific gravity than water, and having its center of gravity located below and somewhat behind the volumetric center of the toy. The toy has a streamlined shape, like a fish, a sea animal, a swimmer, or a submarine. The model will follow a long glide curve similar to an approximately upside down ballistic path when flung into the water, and will always rotate into a position with its back up and its abdomen down. When rising, the location of the center of gravity will provide an inclined forward/upward position for the model, and horizontal side wings (fins or other details) will prevent a purely vertical rising movement by providing a forwardly directed momentum during a buoyancy movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Erik Dammann
  • Patent number: 5639093
    Abstract: The present invention provides a casting target and a casting practice method. The inventive casting target comprises a receiving structure for receiving an object cast at the target and an indicator assembly for indicating that the object has been received by the receiving structure. The inventive method comprises the step of casting an object attached to a line at the receiving structure of the inventive casting target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventors: Ben Law, Jeffrey Miller
  • Patent number: 5615881
    Abstract: A child's fishing game for use on the ground or in water, having an elongated, substantially large diameter, flexible, lightweight fishing pole with two ends, one of which has a catching means secured thereto for use in capturing one or more substantially flat fish shaped members having at least one loop means secured thereto, and through which the catching means may be inserted when the pole is manipulated by a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Denise P. Potter
  • Patent number: 5397131
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved yard casting assembly having a game target assembly and a casting lure assembly connectable to a fishing line on a casting rod and reel assembly for casting outwardly to engage the game target assembly. The game target assembly can resemble fish structures, an octopus, wild animals, or other structures of various shapes and includes a main base assembly having a lure connector member connected thereto. The casting lure assembly is provided with a main lure body member having a lure skirt member connected thereto. The main lure body member is provided with an intermediate target connector section having a slot portion operable to receive and hold the lure connector member of the game target assembly therein in a successful casting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: Sandy F. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 5335911
    Abstract: A toy fishing apparatus includes a fishing rod and reel cooperative with a bait fish that is formed with a magnetic core, such that the bait fish is arranged to selectively magnetically adhere one of a plurality of "target fish". Each of the target fish is arranged for magnetic attraction to the bait fish, wherein selective ones of the target fish are filled within a hollow cavity of the target fish of various prizes such as jewelry, money, and the like. Individuals attempt to buy chance and magnetically adhere a target fish with the greatest number of prize components stored therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventor: Lawrence W. Brown
  • Patent number: 5314182
    Abstract: A two level board game with opaque sides that attach the top and bottom levels, while also containing and concealing the board games components that are in the area between the top and bottom levels, is disclosed. The top level of this board game has at least one hole, with a plurality of holes being the preferred method. Material is placed across the underside of the top level holes in a manner that allows entry to the bottom level yet prevents players from seeing the bottom level. The bottom level has at least one depression with a plurality of different size depressions located under and down away from the top level holes being the preferred method. These bottom level depressions collect game components and direct them toward there centers. The object of the game is to use the board games hooking devise to reach through the top level holes and try to hook the concealed game components that may have collected in the depression the player is reaching in. This game is designed to simulate fishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Daniel D. Derr
  • Patent number: 5207424
    Abstract: A casting game which tests the skills of fisherman. A platform is provided upon which the contestant may stand and cast a plug. A pool of water surrounds at least a portion of this platform, with the pool divided radially into a plurality of lanes or segments. Located within the segments are numerous targets which take the form of cylinders having open upper ends. The contestant attempts to place the plug or piece of tackle within these cylinders by casting the plug using a standard fishing rod. The various lanes of the pool may be designated for use with a particular type of rod, plug or casting motion. The contestant who hits the most number of targets within a specified time period is the winner. In a preferred embodiment the upwardly open cylinders forming the targets will have associated lights, such that they are illuminated after the plug has entered the target, providing an indication that such particular target has already been struck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Bass Pro Shops, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Bleam, Rene Wade
  • Patent number: 5197913
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling pitch or yaw attitudes of a toy in a fluid includes a body and a float movably mounted to the body. The position of the float relative to the body can be changed to modify the pitch or yaw attitudes of the body in the fluid. The body can also be equipped with a member to propel the body in the fluid, and a fluid projector which propels fluid from the body. A driver can be connected to the float, the member, and the fluid projector so that the body alternately swims and treads water, and projects fluid while treading water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Toybox Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5193819
    Abstract: A doll catching toy has a turning disc, which is rotated by a mechanism set in a receptacle on which the turning disc is fixed. On the turning disc are fixed capped doll containers, whose caps are opened up or closed down at intervals during the time when the disc is rotating, thus permitting a player to fish up a doll by a magnet or hook attached to a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Tsan-Ling Chen
  • Patent number: 5180170
    Abstract: An actuating rod for a microswitch used to actuate a time for a fishing game apparatus. The timing mechanism is actuated by a microswitch having a momentary toggle arm. The actuating rod has a lower end with a longitudinal bore therein. The size of the bore is such that the actuating rod can be snugly received over the toggle arm of the microswitch. The upper end of the actuating rod is provided with a vertical notch which extends downwardly. The actuating rod also preferably includes a circular opening or eye disposed above the notch. Each preselected fish-shaped member is provided with a string which connects at one end to the preselected fish-shaped member and which is provided with a knot at the other end of the string. The strings from the two preselected fish-shaped members are inserted into the opening in the actuating rod and slipped into the vertical notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventor: Arlen J. Lowrance
  • Patent number: 5141465
    Abstract: A toy including a flexible cover having a fish-like shape, a filler material contained within the flexible cover, and an engagement material attached within an indented area within the flexible cover. The flexible cover has an area at one end defining a mouth for the fish-like shape. The filler material is generally pliable. The filler material at least partially fills the flexible cover. The engagement material is suitable for contact engagement with another material exterior of the cover. The engagement material is threadedly fastened to the mouth area of the flexible cover. The engagement material is a loop material. The loop material is suitable for contact engagement with a hook material. A fishing lure apparatus is provided. The fishing lure apparatus is covered with a hook material. This hook material can engage the loop material of the mouth of the flexible cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Inventor: James H. Stellman
  • Patent number: 5110136
    Abstract: A fishing casting practice device for use with a fishing rod having extending fishing line. The device includes at least one casting target having contact engaging material on the exterior thereof. A lure replacement projectile has a line connection mechanism to secure an end of the fishing line to the lure replacement projectile. At least a portion of the lure replacement projectile is covered with hook engaging material capable of engaging the contact engaging material on the target when brought into contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Inventor: David Land
  • Patent number: 5094461
    Abstract: A fishing device or apparatus wherein a plurality of flat vertical objects resembling fish are arranged in a horizontal row along a horizontal support. Each fish is provided with a mouth and a slot which connects with a circular opening below the mouth. For the purpose of catching the fish, the would-be fisherman, or player, will utilize a casting rod with a winding reel. The end of the line which connects with the fishing rod and the reel, however, will be provided with a plug which cooperates with the circular opening below the mouth of the fish. The plug is made of resilient material, such as rubber or plastic, and is provided with a nose piece adjacent the connection of the line to the plug. This nose piece is tapered from a diameter of smaller size than the circular opening in the fish to a diameter slightly larger than the diameter in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: Arlen J. Lowrance
  • Patent number: 5031908
    Abstract: A game set for ceiling play composed of a shaped lighter-then-air master balloon tethered to a line to be held by the player, and a group of shaped lighter-then-air, free-floating slave balloons which when released rise to the ceiling of a play room. The respective balloon shapes and their number are appropriate to the game. Thus in a fishing game, the shapes of the slave balloons are those of different species of fish, and that of the master balloon is of a standard float at the end of a fishing line. Attached to the surface of the master balloon is a patch forming one element of a velcro fastener, and attached to the surface of each slave balloon is a patch forming the complementary element. In ceiling play, the player seeks by manipulating the tethered master balloon to position it so that the patch thereon engages the complementary patch on a selected slave balloon on the ceiling, at which point the caught slave balloon can be brought down from the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5009418
    Abstract: A toy including a fishing game and passive game elements. The fishing game allows the active participation of game participants, and the passive game elements provide visual enjoyment for the game participants. Both the fishing game portion and the passive game element portion rotate simultaneously through meshing engagement with a drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Inventor: Chuang Chuan-Tien
  • Patent number: 4976439
    Abstract: This invention relates to a yard casting assembly having a main target assembly; a casting connector assembly secured to an upper surface of the main target assembly; and a casting wedge member connectable to a fishing line on a casting rod and reel assembly for casting outwardly to engage the casting connector assembly. The main target assembly can resemble fish structures, wild animals, or other structures of various shapes and includes a main base member having an upright indicator member connected thereto. The casting connector assembly is provided with a plurality of adjacent catching body members adapted to receive the casting wedge member therebetween. The casting wedge member is provided with a main body member having a wedge section to be wedged between adjacent ones of the casting connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: New Discovery Ventures, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sandy F. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 4861026
    Abstract: A fishing game toy containing at least two rotatable pans to allow two or more participants to compete simultaneously. A plurality of game pieces are disposed in the rotatable pans. The game pieces rise and fall in sockets in the pans. The pans are driven by a drive that includes an idler gear so that all pans rotate in the same relative direction, and provide moving targets for game participants to attempt to catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Chuang Chuan-Tien
  • Patent number: 4790532
    Abstract: A toy fishing play unit with multiple turning discs containing a base plate mounted with a big turning disc provided with a number of recessed holes for settling therein small turning discs which can be turned around simultaneously together with the big turning disc by a motor by means of transmitting gears set among those turning discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: Tsan-Ling Chen
  • Patent number: 4619191
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating or cooling sealed food pouches, another apparatus for moving the same and a third apparatus adapted to transfer the pouches are disclosed. The three apparatuses are designed to function as an integrated food pouch handling system, but may also be used separately. The first apparatus consists of a large bath partially filled with circulating hot or cold liquid, following a course in which whirlpools are created. The food pouches are placed in the bath and are carried by the moving liquid until they have attained the desired temperature. The second apparatus consists of a conveyor mounted on a cart. The conveyor is tiltable so that one end thereof can be placed in the bath to automatically retrieve the food pouches. The third apparatus is a large vat to receive the food pouches placed therein by the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventors: Gerard Dumas, Jean A. Marcoux
  • Patent number: 4603860
    Abstract: This invention concerns about a kind of toy of honey-gathering bee. It comprises a turning plate in which is placed flowers that are raised up blossoming or lowered down closing according to the uneven height of rails during said turning plate is turning around, a stationary pan on which several pairs of rails are fixed parallel to the circular edge of said pan, and a magnetic honey-gathering bee. Inside each said flower, there is a magnetic pistil which is able to turn around and to jump over and besides, can be angled out by said magnet honey-gathering bee while said flower is raised up with its petals opened; the percentage of successful angling up the pistil is 50, and of course, if said magnetic honey-gathering bee can not escape out of the flower before said flower has sunk down with its petals closed, said bee would be caught inside the flower, and the play will be counted as a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Inventor: Shinn-Hsiung Wey
  • Patent number: 4326709
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fishing for cards game of skill which includes in combination a game board housing having a field of play upper surface member and a lower support surface member parallel to the upper surface. First side members are integrally secured to the upper surface member and disposed in a direction toward the lower surface. Second side members are integrally secured to the lower support surface and are disposed in a direction toward the upper surface. The upper surface with the first side members and the lower surface with the second side members cooperate to form a flat box shaped compartment. A spacing sheet having a roughened textured surface is disposed between the upper surface the lower surface and is in contact with the lower surface only. The field of play upper surface has an opening centrally located in the field of play. The opening communicating with an open region between the upper surface member and the roughened textured surface of the spacer sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Inventor: Ronald A. Croyle
  • Patent number: 4272075
    Abstract: A novel fishing game comprises a rectangular supporting structure having a plurality of target holes along one part of the upper surface thereof and having a supporting base portion with slots therein for movement of a slidable supporting member for fishing poles. The support is arranged to permit movement laterally and longitudinally in the slots to position the fishing pole over the target holes. The support permits angular movement of the fishing poles and includes a rotary spool for raising and lowering a fishing line. The fishing line carries a magnetic member which may be lowered through any of the target holes to pick up magnetized, i.e. iron or steel, fish. The fish which are the targets of the game and the expedient of scoring the same are positioned in cylindrical receptacles located under each of the target holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventor: Thurmond J. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4214750
    Abstract: A game kit has octopus-shaped bodies each having a built-in magnet which are set in each of a number of receptacles provided at various positions on a playing surface, each of said octopus-shaped bodies coming up above the surface out of a receptacle at particular time intervals, being pushed upwards by fin-shaped protrusions provided on a disk rotating under the surface, and the octopus-shaped bodies are caught by players who properly operate a magnetized catching pot suspended with string from the end of a fishing rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Inventor: Takeshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 4165075
    Abstract: A fishing game device is disclosed in which discs of various sizes and colors each containing a ferromagnetic material float on the surface of water which is circulated in a continuous channel and fishing poles having magnets attached to the ends of their lines are used to retrieve the discs. Each disc is formed from two spaced plates having a resilient gasket with a central opening positioned between the plates. The central opening contains the piece of ferromagnetic material. The discs are so arranged and constructed that the chance of retrieving discs of different sizes and colors varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: Fair Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Popovich
  • Patent number: 4050697
    Abstract: A game based on retrieval of randomly positioned game articles employs a housing containing such articles along with a filler material of light weight, such as polystyrene spheres, in order to have the filler material of relatively lesser specific weight and the game articles of relatively greater specific weight. The housing, provided with access apertures, is vibrated as to thereby cause the game articles to be randomly positioned within the housing as well as randomly positioned with respect to such access apertures. The players, following particular related game rules, in turn, employing related retrieval appliances, attempt to retrieve the game articles through such access apertures without benefit of being able to visually locate such game articles which are covered by the filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Inventor: John R. Purviance