Amusement devices: games – Chance devices – Rotating pointer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-11-27
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Chance devices
Rotating pointer
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322072
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a game device and, more particularly, to a spinner operative for selecting, by chance, indicia that indicates the next move in a game, especially a board game.
2. Description of the Related Art
Board games are well known in the art. A conventional board game typically includes a game board having a plurality of playing spaces or stations defining a path of travel; a plurality of playing pieces, one for each player of the game; and a chance device for determining the number of playing stations a particular playing piece is to advance along the travel path, or for broadly indicating to the player what the next move is. The chance device contributes to overall game play by introducing an unknown, unpredictable element of luck.
As exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,441,281; 3,442,512; 3,810,628; 3,861,686; 5,332,227; and 5,382,023, a conventional chance device includes a spinner that is spun and that selects an indicium when the spinner comes to a rest. Typically, a player rotates an arrow over a dial subdivided into different regions bearing markings. The arrow points to one of the markings when the arrow stops rotating. Such rotatable spinners are very popular, but are disadvantageous in that a player may seek to compromise the element of luck somewhat by controlling the force and extent by which the player rotates the arrow.
Another popular chance device is a stack of preprinted cards bearing messages for the players, each card to be selected and obeyed by a player in a respective turn. Here again, a player may seek to compromise the luck element of the game by not mixing the cards sufficiently to sort the cards in a random order.
Still another chance device utilizes a die marked on each of its six sides with from one to six dots. The die is mounted within a container which, when pushed downwardly against a spring, causes the die to flip over with a quick motion to expose an upper side with the number of dots to be used in playing the game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to improve game play by insuring that game moves are selected randomly.
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a random chance selector that is inexpensive in manufacture, durable in construction, and easy to use.
FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
In keeping with the above objects and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a game spinner having a base and an upright threaded rod fixed to, and extending along an axis away from, the base. A dial housing is mounted on the base and has a dial subdivided into a plurality of chance regions, for example, numerals or other indicia.
The spinner further comprises a rotor which includes an indicator overlying the dial, and a casing underneath the dial and connected to the indicator through the dial for joint spinning with the indicator about the axis. In the preferred embodiment, the casing has a circular track concentric with the axis, and a plurality of stops on the track.
An engageable clutch preferably includes a sleeve having a hub with an opening for threadedly engaging the threaded rod, and a plurality of radial arms freely ridable on and along the track in one circumferential direction. In the opposite circumferential direction, as described below, the arms are engaged by the stops.
A compressible spring is mounted between the dial and the base. A push member is mounted on the base for axial movement between a pressed position in which the spring is compressed to store energy in the spring, and a released position in which the energy stored in the spring is suddenly released.
During manual movement of the push member to the pressed position, the dial, the rotor and the clutch are moved in one axial direction, e.g., downwardly toward the base. The threaded rod enters and is threaded through the hub opening during this downward movement. The arms freely ride along the track without mechanical interference.
During movement of the push member to the released position, the dial, the rotor and the clutch are suddenly moved by the spring in the opposite axial direction, e.g., upwardly away from the base. The threaded rod is unthreaded through the hub opening and rotates the arms into engagement with the stops to turn the sleeve jointly with the rotor. A sudden release of the spring causes the rotor to rapidly spin for a time until the indicator eventually comes to a halt in one of the chance regions of the dial.
In accordance with this invention, game moves are randomly selected. No longer does a player directly control the extent of rotating an indicator since it is a released spring that spins the indicator. Overall game play is enhanced.
REFERENCES:
patent: 424132 (1890-03-01), Regensteiner et al.
patent: 2018041 (1935-10-01), Tomasevich
patent: 4355481 (1982-10-01), Joslyn
patent: 5332227 (1994-07-01), Passero
patent: 927674 (1963-05-01), None
patent: 9182879 (1997-07-01), None
Mair David
Winslow James
Kirschstein et al.
Layno Benjamin H.
LandOfFree
Game spinner 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 spinner, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Game spinner will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2587581