US3899170A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Game apparatus with spinnable target
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-08
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An amusement game apparatus called ''''Whirler-Twirler'''' designed for playing two different games, (1) a Twirler or Spinner Rod Game, and (2) a Toy Ten Pin or Duck Pin Bowling Game. The players manually activate a pivotal shooter having a magazine loaded with small balls or marbles which are ejected and directed at spinner rods, or bowling pins for bowling game play. When a player''s ball hits the lower area of his spinning rod, the rod twirls on a centrally located threaded shaft toward the player''s goal positioned at the right side of the shaft adjacent to the shaft support. If a player''s ball hits the lower area of his opponent''s spinning rod, such rod twirls in a direction further from his opponent''s goal. When a player, by shooting action, hits and moves his spinning rod to the furthest point of movement, where the spinning rod makes contact with the side shaft support, a light or buzzer is activated which signifies he is the winner of the game. For bowling game play, the shaft, with the spinner rods thereon, is removed, and the bowling pins are spotted in the deck indentations outlining the pin-spotting layout located at one end of the body structure. The shooter located at the opposite end of the body structure is then activated and the balls are ejected and directed at the bowling pins, one at a time, as in regular bowling play. The number of balls rolled per player per frame and the related scoring are those applicable to regulation ''''Ten Pin'''' or ''''Duck Pin'''' bowling, whichever is selected for play.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd Parks
- 👤 Dwight C Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:02
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/02; A63B; A63B63/00; A63B63/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A game apparatus comprising an elongated housing having upstanding side walls, end walls and a generally planar deck defining a playing surface, chute means defined in said deck and being inclined and extending toward at least one of said end walls, said playing surface being inclined toward said chute means, a threaded shaft extending over said deck in spaced relation thereto and removably mounted in said side walls, at least two spinner means rotatably mounted on said shaft in loosely threaded engagement therewith and adapted to move longitudinally relative to said shaft when rotated, pivotably mounted propelling means extending through each of of said end walls and adapted to propel projectiles over said deck for striking said spinner means and causing rotation thereof, said chute means including a chute extending adjacent each of said side walls, each said chute being inclined toward an opposite one of said end walls, and wherein said playing surface is sloped from the longitudinal centerline thereof toward each of said chutes, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A game apparatus comprising an elongated housing having upstanding side walls, end walls and a generally planar deck defining a playing surface, chute means defined in said deck and being inclined and extending toward at least one of said end walls, said playing surface being inclined toward said chute means, a threaded shaft extending over said deck in spaced relation thereto and removably mounted in said side walls, at least two spinner means rotatably mounted on said shaft in loosely threaded engagement therewith and adapted to move longitudinally relative to said shaft when rotated, pivotably mounted propelling means extending through each of of said end walls and adapted to propel projectiles over said deck for striking said spinner means and causing rotation thereof, said chute means including a chute extending adjacent each of said side walls, each said chute being inclined toward an opposite one of said end walls, and wherein said playing surface is sloped from the longitudinal centerline thereof toward each of said chutes, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said spinner means have a center of gravity offset from the axis of rotation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said propelling means are pivotably mounted about a vertical axis, and including resilient stabilizing means mounted on said propelling means adapted to engage said end wall for resiliently restraining pivotal movement of said propelling means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including signal means adapted to be actuated upon contact of one of said side walls by said spinner means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means facilitating removal of said shaft and said spinner means, whereby pins may be positioned on said deck adjacent one of said end walls and adapted to be knocked over by projectiles propelled by said propelling means in the use of said apparatus as a bowling game.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said propelling means comprises a propelling chamber, spring-biased plunger means extending into said chamber, said plunger means being mounted on a slide having a longitudinally extending slot, and cam means adapted to be first engageable with said slot for progressively urging said slide against the force of said spring and then disengageable from said slot for releasing said slide whereby said plunger means will be brought forward into said chamber under the force of said spring for striking a projectile positioned in said chamber and propelling it therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A game apparatus comprising an elongated housing having upstanding side walls, end walls and a generally planar deck defining a playing surface, chute means defined in said deck and being inclined and extending toward at least one of said end walls, said playing surface being inclined toward said chute means, a threaded shaft extending over said deck in spaced relation thereto and removably mounted in said side walls, spinner means rotatably mounted on said shaft in loosely threaded engagement therewith and adapted to move longitudinally relative to said shaft when rotated, pivotably mounteD propelling means extending through at least one of said end walls and adapted to propel projectiles over said deck for striking said spinner means and causing rotation thereof, and wherein said spinner means comprise at least one rod having plural mounting means offset from the midpoint thereof for selectively mounting said at least one rod on said shaft at different points along the length of said at least one rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
A game apparatus comprising an elongated housing having upstanding side walls, end walls and a generally planar deck defining a playing surface, chute means defined in said deck and being inclined and extending toward at least one of said end walls, said playing surface being inclined toward said chute means, a threaded shaft extending over said deck in spaced relation thereto and removably mounted in said side walls, spinner means rotatably mounted on said shaft in loosely threaded engagement therewith and adapted to move longitudinally relative to said shaft when rotated, pivotably mounteD propelling means extending through at least one of said end walls and adapted to propel projectiles over said deck for striking said spinner means and causing rotation thereof, and wherein said spinner means comprise at least one rod having plural mounting means offset from the midpoint thereof for selectively mounting said at least one rod on said shaft at different points along the length of said at least one rod.
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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) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |