US3762715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dice simulator
Assignee: Casselle Novelty Co Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-09
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1991-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A die is simulated by apparatus including surface such as a disk or cylinder that is driven and positioned by a motor having six stable states of quiescence or equilibrium. The movable surface is divided into six sectors which are randomly presented to an optical system each time the motor stops. Each sector contains an optical pattern that is transmitted by an optical system to a representation or simulation of a face of a die. The optical system may include seven ''''light pipes'''' or acrylic rods which extend from a position adjacent to the movable surface to the simulated face of the die. The optical pattern may comprise a plurality of reflectors attached to or part of the movable surface for selectively reflecting back overhead or room lighting falling upon the simulated die face such that selected pipes will appear illuminated upon the die face. Alternatively, the movable surface may include an optical pattern of holes or apertures for selectively passing light from a fixed reflector or a light source to the optical system. One or more dice may be positioned upon a board or base structure and may be operated from the same electrical push button or other control.
Inventors
- 👤 J Howard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:42
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/04; A63F9/0468; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S40/00; Y10S40/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
Apparatus for simulating a plurality of dice comprising: a base structure; a plurality of cube structures representative of dice positioned upon said base structure, said cube structures having top surfaces with simulated die faces thereon; a rotatable disk associated with each of said simulated die faces, each disk having six sectors and each sector having an optical pattern corresponding to a face of a die with said optical pattern of each sector comprising a configuration of apertures for passing light through said disk; an optical system between each disk and the simulated die face associated therewith for passing the optical pattern from one of the sectors of said disk to generate a display of pips on said simulated die face, each optical system comprising seven light pipes extending vertically from said die face, through said cube structure and into said base structure to a position spaced above a respective rotatable disk; a mirror positioned beneath each disk whereby overhead light falling upon the simulated die faces will be passed to said disks by said respective seven light pipes and will be selectively passed through said apertures and reflected back from said mirrors into said light pipes for generating said display of pips on said simulated die faces depending upon the pattern of apertures of the respective disk indexed adjacent the respective light pipes when the disks are stopped in any one of six stable positions; and a drive means mechanically coupled to each disk, said drive means being operable to rotate and to stop said disk at a random one of six stable positions of quiescence for randomly selecting and positioning one of said sectors in spaced relation to said optical system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
Apparatus for simulating a plurality of dice comprising: a base structure; a plurality of cube structures representative of dice positioned upon said base structure, said cube structures having top surfaces with simulated die faces thereon; a rotatable disk associated with each of said simulated die faces, each disk having six sectors and each sector having an optical pattern corresponding to a face of a die with said optical pattern of each sector comprising a configuration of apertures for passing light through said disk; an optical system between each disk and the simulated die face associated therewith for passing the optical pattern from one of the sectors of said disk to generate a display of pips on said simulated die face, each optical system comprising seven light pipes extending vertically from said die face, through said cube structure and into said base structure to a position spaced above a respective rotatable disk; a mirror positioned beneath each disk whereby overhead light falling upon the simulated die faces will be passed to said disks by said respective seven light pipes and will be selectively passed through said apertures and reflected back from said mirrors into said light pipes for generating said display of pips on said simulated die faces depending upon the pattern of apertures of the respective disk indexed adjacent the respective light pipes when the disks are stopped in any one of six stable positions; and a drive means mechanically coupled to each disk, said drive means being operable to rotate and to stop said disk at a random one of six stable positions of quiescence for randomly selecting and positioning one of said sectors in spaced relation to said optical system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mirror under each disk is pivotal downwardly; and further comprising a light source within said base structure for passing light therefrom reflected by said downwardly pivoted mirrors upwardly through said apertures of said disks adjacent said light pipes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
255 words
Apparatus for simulating a plurality of dice comprising: a base structure; a plurality of simulated die faces positioned upon said base structure; a plurality of opaque disks, one disk for each simulated die face, mounted to rotate within said base structure, each disk having six sectors and each sector having a pattern of reflectors and light absorbing areas corresponding to a die face; a plurality of optical systems, one optical system between each disk and the simulated die face associated therewith for passing the optical pattern of the reflectors from one of the sectors of said disk to generate a display of pips on said simulated die face; a plurality of cube structures representative of dice positioned upon said base structure, said cube structures having top surfaces with said simulated die faces thereon; each optical system comprising seven light pipes extending vertically from said die face, through said cube structure and into said base structure to a position spaced above a respective rotatable disk for passing light from said die faces through said light pipes to said disks and from said reflectors back to said die faces through said light pipes to generate displays of pips on said die faces; drive means mechanically coupled to rotate said disks; and means for stopping said disks with a random one of the sectors of each disk presented to a corresponding optical system for providing a random displAy of pips on each of the simulated die faces depending upon the reflectors indexed with respect to said light pipes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
255 words
Apparatus for simulating a plurality of dice comprising: a base structure; a plurality of simulated die faces positioned upon said base structure; a plurality of opaque disks, one disk for each simulated die face, mounted to rotate within said base structure, each disk having six sectors and each sector having a pattern of reflectors and light absorbing areas corresponding to a die face; a plurality of optical systems, one optical system between each disk and the simulated die face associated therewith for passing the optical pattern of the reflectors from one of the sectors of said disk to generate a display of pips on said simulated die face; a plurality of cube structures representative of dice positioned upon said base structure, said cube structures having top surfaces with said simulated die faces thereon; each optical system comprising seven light pipes extending vertically from said die face, through said cube structure and into said base structure to a position spaced above a respective rotatable disk for passing light from said die faces through said light pipes to said disks and from said reflectors back to said die faces through said light pipes to generate displays of pips on said die faces; drive means mechanically coupled to rotate said disks; and means for stopping said disks with a random one of the sectors of each disk presented to a corresponding optical system for providing a random displAy of pips on each of the simulated die faces depending upon the reflectors indexed with respect to said light pipes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said light pipes comprise transparent acrylic rods.
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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) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |