US3700239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy football
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-30
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A plastic shell, shaped in the form of a football contains a pair of internal brackets. A gyroscope is rotatably attached to these brackets with its axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the football. A flexible plastic gear rack engages a pinion gear on the gyroscope, and when pulled through the football, sets the gyroscope in motion. When thrown, the football assumes a nearly perfect spiral rotation during flight.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J Paterick
- 👤 Eugenio R Llana
- 👤 Jerry L Kleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:44
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A toy football adapted to be thrown like a conventional football and assume a nearly perfect spiral rotation during flight comprising, in combination: a shell formed in the shape of a football, a gyroscope mounted inside the shell and adapted to rotate with its axis of rotation substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shell; and drive means for setting the gyroscope in motion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A toy football adapted to be thrown like a conventional football and assume a nearly perfect spiral rotation during flight comprising, in combination: a shell formed in the shape of a football, a gyroscope mounted inside the shell and adapted to rotate with its axis of rotation substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shell; and drive means for setting the gyroscope in motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A toy football adapted to be thrown like a conventional football and assume a nearly perfect spiral rotation during flight, the combination comprising: a shell formed in the shape of a football, a pair of spaced brackets, each attached to the shell and completely contained therein, a gyroscope rotatably attached to the spaced brackets with its axis of rotation aligned substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shell; and drive means for setting the gyroscope into motion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
A toy football adapted to be thrown like a conventional football and assume a nearly perfect spiral rotation during flight, the combination comprising: a shell formed in the shape of a football, a pair of spaced brackets, each attached to the shell and completely contained therein, a gyroscope rotatably attached to the spaced brackets with its axis of rotation aligned substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shell; and drive means for setting the gyroscope into motion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The toy football as recited in claim 2, in which the drive means includes a pinion gear attached to the gyroscope and a gear rack manually operable to engage and rotate the pinion gear when pulled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The toy football as recited in claim 3 wherein a passage is formed through the toy football, the passage being intersected by the pinion gear such that the gear rack can be pulled through the passage to set the gyroscope in motion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The toy football as recited in claim 3 wherein one of the brackets is shaped to define a channel in which the pinion gear is positioned, and openings are formed in the shell at each end of the channel to define a passage through the toy football such that the gear rack can be pulled through the passage to set the gyroscope in motion.
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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |