Patent US3749401A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3749401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tic-tac-toe apparatus with pockets having rebounding surfaces
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-08-17
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1992-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A game for playing a variation of tic-tac-toe includes a frame having a plurality of openings therein arranged in a number of parallel rows. A plurality of parallely extending strips of resilient material are mounted in a frame adjacent these openings, with each strip being associated with an individual row of openings and spanning the openings in that row. A plurality of individual projectile means are provided for selective projection at and into any one of the openings formed in the frame for support by the resilient strip associated therewith. When a projectile is thrown with sufficient force into one of the openings, it causes the strip onto which it is projected to flex and expel any other projectile supported thereon, in another of that strip''s associated openings, out of the play area or into another frame opening.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hayko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:03
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/02; A63F9/0204; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A game comprising a frame having a plurality of openings formed therein and arranged in a number of parallel rows, a plurality of parallely extending strips of resilient material mounted in said frame adjacent said openings, each of said strips being respectively associated with individual rows of said openings and spanning each of said openings in its associated row, and a plurality of individual projectile means for projection at and into any one of said openings for support by the resilient strip associated therewith, whereby a projectile means, when projected with sufficient force, causes the strip onto which it is projected to flex and expel any other projectile means supported thereon in another of its associated openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A game comprising a frame having a plurality of openings formed therein and arranged in a number of parallel rows, a plurality of parallely extending strips of resilient material mounted in said frame adjacent said openings, each of said strips being respectively associated with individual rows of said openings and spanning each of said openings in its associated row, and a plurality of individual projectile means for projection at and into any one of said openings for support by the resilient strip associated therewith, whereby a projectile means, when projected with sufficient force, causes the strip onto which it is projected to flex and expel any other projectile means supported thereon in another of its associated openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A game as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a peripheral wall defining an enclosed play area and a plurality of parallely extending ribs in said play area defining said openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A game as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame conforms in plan to a regular polygon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A game as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame conforms in plan to a square and said ribs extend between both pairs of opposed sides of said square to define a uniform array of openings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A game as defined in claim 4 wherein said ribs are positioned to define a network of five rows of five openings each.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A game as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame is formed of two substantially identical frame members respectively providing upper and lower portions of said peripheral wall and said ribs, said resilient strips being located between said upper and lower frame portions to span the openings in their associated rows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A game as defined in claim 6 including means for rigidly interconnecting said upper and lower frame members to prevent relative movement therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A game as defined in claim 2 wherein said resilient strips are formed from a single sheet of resilient material slit along parallel lines extending between integral marginal sections at opposite sides of said sheet, said marginal sections being operatively connected to said frame to support said strips adjacent said openings and to permit them to flex on contact with a projectile means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A game as defined in claim 2 wherein said resilient strips of material are independent and separately mounted in said frame at their opposite ends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A game as defined in claim 2 wherein said projectile means comprise bags containing pellet-like material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A game as defined in claim 10 wherein said bags are formed in at least two separate sets having distinguishable characteristics.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A game as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame includes a base adapted to support said frame in a generally vertical configuration and said strips are sufficiently slack to form pockets in said openings for supporting a projectile means tossed therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A game as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame has a pair of angularlY related sections, with each of said rows of openings extending into both of said sections.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
156 words
A game for playing a variation of tic-tac-toe comprising a substantially square frame having a peripheral side wall and a plurality of ribs extending between opposed sides of said peripheral walls to define a plurality of parallel rows of openings in said frame, individual strips of resilient material operatively connected to said frame at their opposite ends and respectively extending along each of said rows of openings, said strips spanning the openings in their respective rows and cooperating with adjacent frame ribs to define individual projectile receiving pockets at said openings, a plurality of individual projectile means for projection at and into any one of said pockets for support by the resilient strip associated therewith, whereby a projectile means, when projected with sufficient force, causes the strip associated with the pocket into which it is projected to flex and expel any other projectile means supported on the same strip in another of the pockets associated therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
156 words
A game for playing a variation of tic-tac-toe comprising a substantially square frame having a peripheral side wall and a plurality of ribs extending between opposed sides of said peripheral walls to define a plurality of parallel rows of openings in said frame, individual strips of resilient material operatively connected to said frame at their opposite ends and respectively extending along each of said rows of openings, said strips spanning the openings in their respective rows and cooperating with adjacent frame ribs to define individual projectile receiving pockets at said openings, a plurality of individual projectile means for projection at and into any one of said pockets for support by the resilient strip associated therewith, whereby a projectile means, when projected with sufficient force, causes the strip associated with the pocket into which it is projected to flex and expel any other projectile means supported on the same strip in another of the pockets associated therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
A game as defined in claim 14 wherein said frame is formed of two substantially identical frame members operatively connected to each other in mirror image relation to respectively provide upper and lower portions of said peripheral wall and said ribs, said resilient strips being located between said upper and lower frame portions to span the openings in their associated rows and to define pockets with said ribs, on both sides of said frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A game as defined in claim 15 wherein said ribs are positioned to define a network of five rows of five openings each.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A game as defined in claim 16 wherein said frame members are formed as one-piece molded plastic structures.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
A game as defined in claim 17 wherein said resilient strips are formed from a single sheet of resilient material slit along parallel lines extending between integral marginal sections at opposite sides of said sheet, said marginal sections being operatively connected to said frame to support said strips adjacent said openings and to permit them to flex on contact with a projectile means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A game as defined in claim 18 wherein said projectile means comprise bags containing pellet-like material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A game as defined in claim 19 wherein said bags are formed in at least two separate sets having distinguishable characteristics.
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) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |