Amusement devices: games – Puzzles – Jumping movement
Patent
1998-11-18
1999-12-21
Wong, Steven
Amusement devices: games
Puzzles
Jumping movement
A63F 908
Patent
active
060038683
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention refers to a game ball consisting of at least two portions which are rotatable relative to each other and are axially symmetrical.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Game cubes such as "Rubik Cube" have been extensively in use. The cubes consist of elements which are rotatable relative to each other in one plane, and can be rotated around two axes extending perpendicular to each other.
Furthermore, from G 82 02 370.0 (U1), a ball-like game for testing one's patience is disclosed. The body is formed of at least two portions movable relative to each other, which are in contact with each other along a common separating line, and which, at the outer surface of the portions, are provided with paths connecting two points separated from each other along the separating line so that relative movement of the members along the separating line connects the individual paths into tracks of different design step-by-step. Movable bead elements differing from each other are arranged within the paths or tracks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,454 teaches a game ball which is known in the art. The game ball comprises two diametrically opposite ball calottes and a disk which supplements the two calottes into a ball and receives the two ball calottes. The two calottes are arranged independent from each other and rotatable relative to the disk. On the ball surface movable game elements are arranged like bands in three planes orthogonal to each other. The game elements are part of the surface of the game ball so that when playing the game the player merely is able to view a very limited number of game elements at a glance.
It is an object of the subject invention to propose a game ball which allows the user to play an extraordinary large number of variations and possibilities, and offers a high level of difficulty, and the structural design of which is relatively simple.
Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to arrange the operating elements on the surface of the game ball so that it can be seen by the player during playing the game in its entirety and so that the player is able to check the game situation any time at a glance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The game ball is characterized by two cones arranged diametrically opposite to each other, having a common center axis and being rotatable around their center axis, a ring-shaped center portion, supplementing the two cones to a ball and being rotatable around the center axis relative to the two cones, a peripheral guide groove extending in one main plane of the ball. The groove is formed at the outer surfaces of the two calottes of the cone and the center portion. Operating elements join each other in a row in the peripheral direction, arranged in the main plane of the ball and guided within the guide groove. The operating elements preferably are formed as disks with guiding means, such as guiding shoes movable within the guide groove in a peripheral direction.
Basically, the invention is designed in such a manner that the two cones according to a first variation are fixed and stationary to each other and cannot be rotated relative to each other, and in a second variation are connected with each other but are rotatable relative to each other.
According to an embodiment the invention proposes to provide within the ring-shaped center two further cone elements, the center axes of which are inclined, preferably perpendicular to the center main axis, and are rotatably driven around their center axis by one of the cones. The surfaces of the calottes of the cones form part of the center portion occupied by the cone elements. An integral number of operating elements are associated with the calotte surface of such cone. In this manner the level of difficulty is increased. The two cone elements are drivingly connected with one of the two cones in such a manner that they are coupled with each other by means of gear wheels, friction wheels or the like so that when rotating one of the cone elements the associated cone and, by means of the one cone element, the
REFERENCES:
patent: 4452454 (1984-05-01), Greene
patent: 4553754 (1985-11-01), Wiggs et al.
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