US3870309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sliding game piece having friction reduction air cushion
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-11-20
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A game piece of the type, such as a curling stone, adapted to be slid onto a playing surface and which includes gas or air supply, outlet ports, an inertia valve and friction pads to automatically produce a supporting air or gas cushion upon throwing or bumping of this game piece and to achieve a course of controlled length and trajectory. Such game piece therefore allows more widespread practice of the related sports and games, since it does not required a low friction surface, such as ice, to be played on.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Donatien Leo Tessier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:12
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B67/00; A63B67/14; A63B2067/142; A63B2067/144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A sliding game piece comprising a body forming a bottom face having gas outlet means therein, gas supply means mounted onto said body and operatively connecting to said gas outlet means to exhaust gas therethrough, and inertia-responsive valve means connecting said gas supply means to said gas outlet means and arranged to control said exhaust of gas through the latter in response to displacement of said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A sliding game piece comprising a body forming a bottom face having gas outlet means therein, gas supply means mounted onto said body and operatively connecting to said gas outlet means to exhaust gas therethrough, and inertia-responsive valve means connecting said gas supply means to said gas outlet means and arranged to control said exhaust of gas through the latter in response to displacement of said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A sliding game piece comprising a body forming a bottom face having gas outlet means therein, gas supply means mounted onto said body and operatively connecting to said gas outlet means to exhaust gas therethrough, and inertia-responsive valve means connecting said gas supply means to said gas outlet means and arranged to control said exhaust of gas through the latter in response to displacement of said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A sliding game piece comprising a body forming a bottom face having gas outlet means therein, gas supply means mounted onto said body and operatively connecting to said gas outlet means to exhaust gas therethrough, and inertia-responsive valve means connecting said gas supply means to said gas outlet means and arranged to control said exhaust of gas through the latter in response to displacement of said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve means includes a gas port leading to said gas outlet means and an inertia-responsive member constructed and arranged to open and close said port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 2, further including a support member defining a surface surrounding said port and converging downwardly towards the latter and said inertia-responsive member includes a rotary member resting onto said surface surrounding said port and arranged to seat under gravity onto the latter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sliding game assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said surface suRrounding said port is downwardly concave and said rotary member is a ball rollably resting onto said concave surface and arranged for inertial displacement away from said port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 4, further including a manual control outwardly projecting from said body, a displaceable holding member arranged for holding engagement with said ball when the latter is standing in closing position over said port, and a link connecting said manual control to said displaceable holding member and arranged to actuate the same for selective release and holding of said ball.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 5, wherein said displaceable holding member includes a plunger overlying said port and displaceable towards and away from the latter and arranged for engagement of said ball between the same and said port, said link includes a push pull cable connected to said plunger and arranged to urge the latter in holding engagement with said ball when the latter is in said closing position over said port, and a resilient bumper is secured around said downwardly concave surface and is arranged to restrict the outward displacement of said ball relative to said port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 6, wherein said body is hollow constituting a pressurized gas enclosure forming part of said gas supply means, and a gas inlet valve projects through said body and is arrranged for filling said enclosure with pressurized gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 7, wherein said gas outlet means includes gas outlet ports through said bottom face, gas passage means leading from said gas port of said valve means to said gas outlet ports, and a gas pressure reducer interposed within said gas passage means and arranged to lower the pressure of the exhaust gas relative to the pressure of the pressurized gas within said enclosure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 8, wherein said bottom face has cavities therein and frictional pads are secured in said cavities and project outwardly of said bottom face for frictional engagement with a supporting surface for the game piece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 9, wherein said body has the general outline of a curling stone and includes a handle for the handling thereof, said manual control is secured to said handle, said ball is formed of steel, and an annular valve seat of magnetic material forms said gas port of said valve means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 2, further including control means constructed and arranged to selectively engage and hold said inertia-responsive member into port closing position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 1, wherein said gas supply means includes a pressurized gas enclosure arranged for communication with said gas outlet means through said valve means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sliding game piece as defined in claim 12, wherein said body is hollow forming said pressurized gas enclosure, a gas inlet valve projects through said body and is arranged for filling said enclosure with pressurized gas.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |