US3747613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Game apparatus utilizing independently movable pieces
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-28
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-07-28
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to means for storing and manipulating counters such as are used in playing games in which individual counters are deposited successively on a game board or other surface, the apparatus including means for aligning in serried array a plurality of the counters after they have been randomly deposited therein and for facilitating their introduction to a dispenser from which they may be deposited individually on a game board or the like as has been mentioned, the invention contemplating not only the combination of the apparatus with the counters but also the counter manipulating components of the apparatus as mutually independent inventions.
Inventors
- 👤 A Westburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:49
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/02; A63F7/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
In combination with a plurality of generally similar substantially circular relatively flat counters, assembling means compising a body, a disk supported thereby and rotatable relatively thereto, the rim of the disk and the body together defining a substantially semi-toroidal channel having an arcuate bottom surface conforming to a radius at least as great as the radius of curvature of the perimeter of the counters, the body defining a channel substantially tangential to said first channel and communicating therewith, having abutments for engagement with dispensing apparatus and tubular dispensing apparatus engageable with said abutments when aligned with said tangential channel comprising means for receiving a plurality of counters on passage thereinto in serried array from said tangential channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
In combination with a plurality of generally similar substantially circular relatively flat counters, assembling means compising a body, a disk supported thereby and rotatable relatively thereto, the rim of the disk and the body together defining a substantially semi-toroidal channel having an arcuate bottom surface conforming to a radius at least as great as the radius of curvature of the perimeter of the counters, the body defining a channel substantially tangential to said first channel and communicating therewith, having abutments for engagement with dispensing apparatus and tubular dispensing apparatus engageable with said abutments when aligned with said tangential channel comprising means for receiving a plurality of counters on passage thereinto in serried array from said tangential channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination defined in claim 1 in which the bottom surface of said substantially semi-toroidal channel frictionally engages said counters for arranging them in serried array during oscillation of the disk relatively to said body, and the disk radially inwardly from said rim is substantially conical to provide a surface inclined toward said rim for feeding into said channel counters deposited on said disk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination defined in claim 1 in which the dispenser comprises resilient fingers adapted to be held in divergent relation when said dispenser is in engagement with said abutments and when the dispenser is disengaged therefrom to releaseably restrain counters in the dispenser against discharge therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination defined in claim 1 in which said dispenser includes a tubular body and a tubular collar slidable thereon and defining circumferentially spaced resilient fingers having tapered surfaces engageable by the body at its extremity to bend the fingers outwardly when said collar is in engagement with one of the said abutments and an annular rib carried by the body is in engagement with another said abutment.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
55 words
The method of arranging a plurality of generally similar substantially circular flat counters in serried array which comprises depositing the counters at random in a substantially semi-toroidal channel defined by complementary relatively rotatable components, then oscillating said components relatively to each other while the surfaces defining said channel are in frictional enagagement with the counters.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
55 words
The method of arranging a plurality of generally similar substantially circular flat counters in serried array which comprises depositing the counters at random in a substantially semi-toroidal channel defined by complementary relatively rotatable components, then oscillating said components relatively to each other while the surfaces defining said channel are in frictional enagagement with the counters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for arranging a plurality of generally substantially circular relatively flat counters in serried array which comprises a body presenting a circular rabbet, a disk complementary to said rabbet engageable therewith and rotatable therein relatively to said body, the body and the periphery of the disk complementarily defining a semi-toroidal channel, the body defining also a substantially semi-cylindrical channel extending tangentially outwardly from said semi-toroidal channel and providing means for receiving a tubular dispenser for discharge thereinto from said tangential channel of counters arranged in serried array in said semi-toroidal channel by oscillation of said disk in said body and discharged from said semi-toroidal channel to said tangential channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for arranging a plurality of generally substantially circular relatively flat counters in serried array which comprises a body presenting a circular rabbet, a disk complementary to said rabbet engageable therewith and rotatable therein relatively to said body, the body and the periphery of the disk complementarily defining a semi-toroidal channel, the body defining also a substantially semi-cylindrical channel extending tangentially outwardly from said semi-toroidal channel and providing means for receiving a tubular dispenser for discharge thereinto from said tangential channel of counters arranged in serried array in said semi-toroidal channel by oscillation of said disk in said body and discharged from said semi-toroidal channel to said tangential channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said semitoroidal channel presEnts frictional surfaces for engagement by said counters and the disk radially inward from said channel presents a smooth substantially conical convex surface for discharge into said semi-toroidal channel by gravity of counters deposited at random thereon, relative oscillation of the elements defining said semi-toroidal channel arranging said counters in serried array therein.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |