US3554553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tilting game board with frusto-conical rolling member
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-04-30
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A game apparatus including a game board which has an extended area, upwardly facing playing surface, the playing surface in cross section being substantially straight in one direction and convexly curved in a second direction which is transverse to the first direction. A supporting structure is provided for supporting the game board upon a supporting surface for compound tilting movement of the playing surface so that manipulation of the game board will cause a playing member to move on the playing surface in a desired path. In one embodiment, the board is supported for tilting movement of the playing surface in all directions. In another embodiment the board is supported for tilting movement about two axes respectively parallel with the first and second directions of the playing surface. The apparatus further includes a playing member which rolls upon the playing surface, the playing member having a rolling surface defining a frustum of a cone. In a preferred embodiment, the playing member comprises a pair of spaced-apart, coaxially mounted discs, one larger than the other, the outer peripheral edges of the discs mutually defining the frustum. An indicator member is provided rotatably supported between the discs and projecting radially outwardly beyond the frustum, the indicator member having means for maintaining the same in an upright position.
Inventors
- 👤 Kikuo Hayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:49
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/22; A63F7/36; A63F7/38; A63F7/386; A63F7/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
Game apparatus comprising: a game board having an upwardly facing playing surface, said playing surface in cross section being substantially straight in a first direction and concavely curved in a second direction transverse to said first direction, said playing surface being extended in both said first and second directions; means supporting said board upon a supporting surface for tilting movement of said playing surface in all directions; a playing member on said playing surface, said playing member having a surface defining a frustum of a cone on which said playing member rolls, whereby manipulation of said board will cause said playing member to move on said playing surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
Game apparatus comprising: a game board having an upwardly facing playing surface, said playing surface in cross section being substantially straight in a first direction and concavely curved in a second direction transverse to said first direction, said playing surface being extended in both said first and second directions; means supporting said board upon a supporting surface for tilting movement of said playing surface in all directions; a playing member on said playing surface, said playing member having a surface defining a frustum of a cone on which said playing member rolls, whereby manipulation of said board will cause said playing member to move on said playing surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means further includes a support member adapted to be supported on said supporting surface, said tilting means comprising a single multiturn coil spring disposed between and respectively connected to said support member and said board and being the sole support therefor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tilting means comprises a member having a generally spherically-shaped surface adapted to engage and to be supported on said support surface, said member being rigidly connected to said board and being the sole support therefor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means further includes a support member adapted to be supported on said supporting surface, said tilting means comprising another member having a generally spherically-shaped surface thereon cooperatively engaging a generally spherically-shaped recess formed in one of said support members and said board, said other member being rigidly connected to the other of said support members and said board and being the sole support for said board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes means for providing tilting movement of said playing surface about first and second axes respectively parallel with said first and second directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said supporting means further includes a support member adapted to be supported on a supporting surface, said tilting means comprising a first pivot member pivotally connected to one of said support members and said board for pivotal movement about one of said axes, and a second pivot member rigidly connected to the other of said support members and board and pivotally connected to said first pivot member for pivotal movement about the other of said axes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said playing member has spaced opposite ends with said rolling surface extending continuously therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said playing member comprises a pair of discs, one larger than the other, and means for mounting said discs on the same axis in spaced-apart relationship, the outer peripheral edges of said discs mutually defining said playing surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said playing member further comprises a member rotatably supported on said mounting means between said discs and projecting radially outwardly beyond said playing member surface, and means on said member for maintaining the same in an upright position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said game board has a starting position and a finishing position on said playing surface, said starting position and finishing position being spaced apart and adjacent to opposite portions of the periphery of said game board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said game board has elements thereon arranged in spaced-apart relation, said elements defining a plurality of openings, each opening being defined by a pair of elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said elements are positioned in a row extending between said starting and finishing positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |