Random number generator for game playing; and methods

Details Random number generator for game playing; and methods Random number generator for game playing; and methods

2000-09-26

2001-11-20

Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)

Amusement devices: games

Chance devices

C273S146000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06318720

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices for game playing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a random number generator for game playing. Specifically, the present-invention relates to a die construction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are numerous devices of different types that are useful for selecting at random a number, letter, or other character. Many of these are in the form of a die.
The traditional playing die is a cube-shaped, six-sided member. Through the years, dice of more than six sides have been developed, as the demand in various games of chance have necessitated. In U.S. Pat. No. 1,271,551 to Ebner, et al., a game die is disclosed in the form of an octagonal, rolling cylinder. U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,900 to Onzo discloses a heptahedron-shaped rolling cylinder for generating a random number.
Improvements are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a die construction that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
To achieve the advantages of the invention, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention comprises a die construction. The die construction includes a body having first and second, opposite end caps and an extension member therebetween. The extension member has a first number of discrete facets and no more than the first number. Each of the discrete facets is identically shaped and have equal surface areas. The first end cap has a second number of discrete facets and no more than the second number. The second number is one-half of the first number. Each of the first end cap discrete facets is identically shaped and has an equal surface area to one another. The second end cap has the second number of discrete facets, that is, the same number as the first end cap, and has no more than the second number. Each of the second end cap discrete facets is identically shaped as the first end cap discrete facets. Each of the second end cap discrete facets has a surface area equal to a surface area of each of the first end cap discrete facets.
Preferably each of the extension member discrete facets includes printed indicia thereon. For example, this may take the form of a numbers or other markings, such as polka dots. The printed indicia indicate what number has been randomly generated.
In preferred arrangements, each of the extension member discrete facets is tapered. More preferably, each of the extension member discrete facets is triangular-shaped.
In certain preferred embodiments, each of the first and second end cap discrete facets is tapered. More preferably, each of the first and second end cap discrete facets is triangular-shaped.
In one preferred embodiment, the number of facets of the extension member is six. In such arrangements, the second number, that is, the number of discrete facets on the first end cap, is three. Three is also the number of discrete facets on the second end cap.
In other preferred arrangements, the number of facets of the extension member is 10, while the number of facets of each of the end caps is five.
In still other arrangements, the number of discrete facets of the extension member is 20, while the number of discrete facets for each of the end caps is 10.
Preferably. a ratio of a surface area of each of the extension member facets to a surface area of each of the first end cap discrete facets is about 2-3:1.
In preferred arrangements, the number of facets of the first end cap is equal to one-fourth of the total number of facets on the entire die construction. That is, the number of facets of the first end cap may be determined by totaling the number of facets of the first end cap, plus the number of facets of the second end cap, plus the number of facets of the extension member and then dividing that total by four. In such arrangements. the first and second end caps have an equal number of facets.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate example embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: D. 267569 (1983-01-01), Polite
patent: 1271551 (1918-07-01), Ebner et al.
patent: 1795562 (1931-03-01), King et al.
patent: 4239226 (1980-12-01), Palmer
patent: 4678190 (1987-07-01), Dery
patent: 5150900 (1992-09-01), Onzo
patent: 5203562 (1993-04-01), Smith
patent: 5224708 (1993-07-01), Gathman et al.
patent: 5690331 (1997-11-01), Sides
patent: 6123332 (2000-09-01), Bowling

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