Amusement devices: games – Enclosed fluid medium
Patent
1990-08-03
1992-03-31
Shapiro, Paul E.
Amusement devices: games
Enclosed fluid medium
A63F 700
Patent
active
051001560
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to game apparatus. In an embodiment described below, such apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical transparent water-containing chamber in which the player causes game elements to move onto a target in accordance with the rules of the game.
In previously proposed apparatus of this general kind, there have been limitations with respect to the manner in which the game elements can be moved within the chamber. Generally speaking, it has only been possible to employ gravity and/or a jet of water to achieve movement of the game elements within the chamber by virtue of the momentum of the water. This is all very well in itself, but is rather limited in its scope and an object of the invention is to provide game apparatus offering improvements in this regard and/or improvements generally.
According to the invention there is provided game apparatus as defined in the accompanying claims.
In an embodiment described below, a pair of pumps are each connected to a water-containing chamber for sequential or simultaneous operation. Optional non-return valves may be provided to control water flow. The direction of liquid discharge from each pump causes liquid circulation in the chamber in opposite directions. Thus, according to which pump is used, water in the chamber may rotate clockwise or anti-clockwise.
The water (or other liquid) chamber is filled through a filler hole, and during the filling each pump is pressed up and down to exclude all air. When the chamber and pumps are totally filled with water, one pump is compressed. The water in this pump escapes from the filler hole, which is then closed. Both pumps then adjust to a half-full condition. Thereafter simultaneous compression of the pumps raises pressure in the chamber for a purpose to be described. Sequential compression causes water circulation in a chosen direction.
A game element or float of variable buoyancy is located in the chamber for movement both by the directional flow of water therein and by the effect of pressure changes on its buoyancy. The game element is hollow, with air trapped inside it. The flat outer walls of it may be thin enough to be resiliently pushed in by the pressure, thus compressing the air inside. Alternatively the game element may have an opening whereby the water pressure acts directly on a bubble of air trapped inside it. Such pressure is provided in the main chamber by simultaneous actuation of both pumps, which compresses the air inside the float, reducing its buoyancy, and causes it to sink. When the users relieves the pressure the float tends to rise. Its depth can therefore be controlled by the pressure applied. Directional momentum can be applied to the game element by virtue of fluid flow caused by using one or both pumps individually or in sequence. The game element or float is weighted so that a hook is always at its lower periphery, thus enabling it to pick up other game elements by engaging hooks thereon, whereby it can transport same to a target area or otherwise.
In certain embodiments provision is made for magnetic interaction of the game elements either in the same chamber or in different chambers.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of game apparatus in its normal operating attitude;
FIG. 2 shows a section on the line II--II in FIG. 1 through a variable buoyancy game element; and
FIGS. 3 and 4 show, on a larger scale, views corresponding to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 of a modified variable buoyancy game element, FIG. 4 being a section on the line IV--IV in FIG. 3.
Game apparatus 10 comprises a chamber 12 of generally cylindrical form having a filler hole 14, generally flat opposite side faces 16 of which one or both may be transparent for viewing purposes, and ports 18, 20, 22 and 24 connected to resilient bellows-type pumps 26 and 28 by ducts 30, 32, 34 and 36. Non-return flap valves 40 are associated with the connections of each pump to ensure that the tangentially di
REFERENCES:
patent: 3077697 (1963-02-01), Fry
patent: 3924350 (1975-12-01), Hsu
Granta Design Limited
Shapiro Paul E.
LandOfFree
Game apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Game apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Game apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2254174