US3707290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Answer board with magnetically influenced pointer
Assignee: COLORFORMS
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Filing: 1971-06-10
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Granted: 1972-12-26
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Expires: 1991-06-10
Abstract
Abstract An amusement device is constructed with a pointer suspended above an answer board. The pointer is secured to the lower end of a flexible filament whose upper end is supported at a vertical axis passing through the center of the answer board. A disc-like permanent magnet positioned immediately below the answer board cooperates with a permanent magnet mounted to the pointer, in that the flux fields of the magnets interact, so that the pointer is repelled thereby being directed toward the periphery of the answer board. The edges of the disc magnet are notched so that the flux lines are not uniformly distributed and because of this free swing of the pointer is broken as it seeks to find an equilibrium position, and pointer motion is erratic so that the pointer appears to jump.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvyn Birnkrant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:04
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/18; A63F9/181
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A game device including an answer board, a pointer means, an arm connected to said pointer means at one end thereof to support said pointer means above said board, support means including means holding said arm at the other end thereof for pivotal movement of the latter; plate-like first means at said board interacting with second means carried by said pointer to position the latter above said board and spaced therefrom with said arm being on an incline when said board is substantially horizontal and said arm being free to rotate about an axis which extends vertically and through said other end of said arm; said first and second means being permanent magnets arranged so that the magnetic fluxes generated thereby interact to cause the magnets to repel each other, with the permanent magnet of said first means being magnetized perpendicular to the plane of the first means and the permanent magnet of said second means being magnetized generally parallel to the direction in which the pointer means points; said first means having a circular edge with peripheral notches therein whereby said pointer means in seeking a position of rest moves through a magnetic field with relatively abrupt variations therein whereby motion of said arm is erratic in that motion is about said axis as well as toward said axis and away therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A game device including an answer board, a pointer means, an arm connected to said pointer means at one end thereof to support said pointer means above said board, support means including means holding said arm at the other end thereof for pivotal movement of the latter; plate-like first means at said board interacting with second means carried by said pointer to position the latter above said board and spaced therefrom with said arm being on an incline when said board is substantially horizontal and said arm being free to rotate about an axis which extends vertically and through said other end of said arm; said first and second means being permanent magnets arranged so that the magnetic fluxes generated thereby interact to cause the magnets to repel each other, with the permanent magnet of said first means being magnetized perpendicular to the plane of the first means and the permanent magnet of said second means being magnetized generally parallel to the direction in which the pointer means points; said first means having a circular edge with peripheral notches therein whereby said pointer means in seeking a position of rest moves through a magnetic field with relatively abrupt variations therein whereby motion of said arm is erratic in that motion is about said axis as well as toward said axis and away therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A game device as set forth in claim 1 in which the support means also includes a transparent dome over said board, said means holding said arm being at the top of said dome.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A game device as set forth in claim 1 in which the arm is a flexible filament.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A game device as set forth in claim 3 in which the filament is substantially transparent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A game device as set forth in claim 3 in which the pointer is in the shape of a hand having a downwardly extending finger; said filament being secured to said pointer in an off-center position located so that said finger extends essentially parallel to said filament.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A game device as set forth in claim 1 in which the pointer is in the shape of a hand having a downwardly extending finger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A game device as set forth in claim 1, in which the repelling action between said magnets in combination with the weight of said pointer and mounting thereof positions the lower end of said pointer outboard of said circular edge.
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) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |