US3637216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pattern-matching puzzle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-11
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1990-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A pattern matching game is disclosed in which a slide-carrying teeter bars has to be removed from a frame by selectively pivoting individual ones of the teeter bars through a gate element in one rail of the frame. A series of pattern bars carried by a support or rack adjacent the frame member prevent opening of the gate element unless the position of the teeter bar adjacent each pattern bar matches the pattern bars. The pattern bars may be removed and rearranged in different patterns creating a number of different puzzles, each requiring a different series of moves for its solution.
Inventors
- 👤 William Keister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:37
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/08; A63F11/00; A63F11/0074; A63F2011/0083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A pattern-matching puzzle comprising a bed member having a first and a second side rail, said first side rail having a groove therein along the length of said bed member and an opening in its upper surface and communicating with said groove, stop means in said groove adjacent one end of said bed member, a slide member slidable along said bed member between said side rails and supporting a plurality of teeter bars capable of pivoting so that one end of a teeter bar rests on said first side rail in one position and in the other position said one end extends into said groove, and gate means for permitting one of said teeter bars to be pivotally moved between said first side rail and said groove, said gate means comprising a support member adjacent said second rail and including a plurality of pattern bars and a gate element connected thereto and fitting into said opening in said first side rail, said support member being movable to position said pattern bars over said second side rail and simultaneously to remove said gate element from said opening in said first side rail, each of said pattern bars being so shaped and selectively disposed on said support member to pass under the other end of a teeter bar whose one end is in said groove, to pass above the other end of a teeter bar whose one end rests on said first side rail, or be blocked by the other end of a teeter bar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
A pattern-matching puzzle comprising a bed member having a first and a second side rail, said first side rail having a groove therein along the length of said bed member and an opening in its upper surface and communicating with said groove, stop means in said groove adjacent one end of said bed member, a slide member slidable along said bed member between said side rails and supporting a plurality of teeter bars capable of pivoting so that one end of a teeter bar rests on said first side rail in one position and in the other position said one end extends into said groove, and gate means for permitting one of said teeter bars to be pivotally moved between said first side rail and said groove, said gate means comprising a support member adjacent said second rail and including a plurality of pattern bars and a gate element connected thereto and fitting into said opening in said first side rail, said support member being movable to position said pattern bars over said second side rail and simultaneously to remove said gate element from said opening in said first side rail, each of said pattern bars being so shaped and selectively disposed on said support member to pass under the other end of a teeter bar whose one end is in said groove, to pass above the other end of a teeter bar whose one end rests on said first side rail, or be blocked by the other end of a teeter bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordancE with claim 1 wherein said plurality of pattern bars comprises a lesser number than said plurality of teeter bars.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 1 further comprising rod means extending through said bed member connecting said support member and said gate element and spring means normally positioning said support member away from said second side rail and said gate element in said first side rail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pattern bars are removable whereby their pattern can be altered.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 1 wherein the width of said opening in said first side rail accommodates only one of said teeter bars at a time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 5 wherein said support member is positioned adjacent said second side rail so that the teeter bar directly adjacent the teeter bar at said gate element is matched in position against the first end one of said pattern bars.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 6 wherein said pattern bars are positioned along said second rail to match against successive ones of said teeter bars.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 7 wherein said support member is positioned adjacent said bed member so that a teeter bar in said groove and against said stop means is matched in position with the other end one of said pattern bars.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
A pattern-matching puzzle comprising a plurality of teeter bars movable between two positions, a plurality of pattern bars movably positioned so as to come into complementary association with said teeter bars, said pattern bars being prevented from moving into said complementary association if any individual one of said teeter bars is not in the one of said two positions to match its then corresponding said pattern bar, and a gate element physically connected to said pattern bars for allowing an individual one of said teeter bars to change between said two positions when said pattern bars may be moved into the path of said teeter bars.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
A pattern-matching puzzle comprising a plurality of teeter bars movable between two positions, a plurality of pattern bars movably positioned so as to come into complementary association with said teeter bars, said pattern bars being prevented from moving into said complementary association if any individual one of said teeter bars is not in the one of said two positions to match its then corresponding said pattern bar, and a gate element physically connected to said pattern bars for allowing an individual one of said teeter bars to change between said two positions when said pattern bars may be moved into the path of said teeter bars.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 9 wherein the number of said plurality of teeter bars exceeds the number of said pattern bars and each of said pattern bars is matched against only one of said teeter bars at a time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 10 wherein the teeter bar positioned at said gate element is not in the path of said pattern bars when the latter are moveable into complementary association with the teeter bars.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
163 words
A pattern-matching puzzle comprising a frame member, a slide member slidable along said frame member and supporting a plurality of teeter bars capable of pivoting between two positions, stop means on said frame member and preventing said slide member from moving past it if any one of said teeter bars is in one of said positions, and gate means for permitting said teeter bars to be pivoted between said two positions, said gate means including a support member movably supporting pattern defining means so as to come into association with at least certain ones of said teeter bars when said pattern defining means is complemental to the shape defined by the tilted condition of said certain ones of said teeter bars, and a gate element forming a portion of said frame member and physically connected to said support member, whereby said gate element may be removed from said frame member when said pattern bars may be moved into association with said teeter bars.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
163 words
A pattern-matching puzzle comprising a frame member, a slide member slidable along said frame member and supporting a plurality of teeter bars capable of pivoting between two positions, stop means on said frame member and preventing said slide member from moving past it if any one of said teeter bars is in one of said positions, and gate means for permitting said teeter bars to be pivoted between said two positions, said gate means including a support member movably supporting pattern defining means so as to come into association with at least certain ones of said teeter bars when said pattern defining means is complemental to the shape defined by the tilted condition of said certain ones of said teeter bars, and a gate element forming a portion of said frame member and physically connected to said support member, whereby said gate element may be removed from said frame member when said pattern bars may be moved into association with said teeter bars.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 12 wherein said pattern bars are movable into association with said teeter bars between said stop means and said gate element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pattern-matching puzzle in accordance with claim 13 wherein said gate element accommodates only one of said teeter bars at a time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US472292A
Cited
US1218014A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |