US3938807A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball game with shiftable labyrinthine platform
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-12-27
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Granted: 1976-02-17
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Expires: 1994-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A ball game has a housing with a transparent cover, and a labyrinthine platform disposed in the housing. A plurality of balls are positioned between the platform and the transparent cover. The labyrinthine platform is resiliently loaded in the direction towards the transparent cover, and thus tends to trap the balls between the platform and the cover. One or more actuating handles are provided to project externally of the housing for shifting the labyrinthine platform against the action of its loading, thereby to free the balls, thus giving the user a possibility of controlling the running of the balls on the labyrinthine platform.
Inventors
- 👤 Hanspeter Luthi
- 👤 Werner Dubach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:11
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/04; A63F7/041; A63F2250/00; A63F2250/48; A63F2250/485; A63F2250/60; A63F2250/606; A63F7/22; A63F7/36; A63F7/38; A63F7/382
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A ball game comprising a housing having a transparent cover, a labyrinthine platform in said housing, a plurality of balls disposed between the cover and the labyrinthine platform, loading means for urging the labyrinthine platform resiliently towards the cover whereby the cover and the platform may engage the opposite diametrical portions of at least one of said balls, and actuating means connected to the labyrinthine platform and accessible externally of said housing for manual shifting of said labyinthine platform against the action of its loading means and thereby releasing said at least one engaged ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A ball game comprising a housing having a transparent cover, a labyrinthine platform in said housing, a plurality of balls disposed between the cover and the labyrinthine platform, loading means for urging the labyrinthine platform resiliently towards the cover whereby the cover and the platform may engage the opposite diametrical portions of at least one of said balls, and actuating means connected to the labyrinthine platform and accessible externally of said housing for manual shifting of said labyinthine platform against the action of its loading means and thereby releasing said at least one engaged ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A ball game as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a transverse passage for storage of said balls, and wherein there is provided in said housing a projecting device for projecting balls into play from said storage passage, said projecting device being positioned for operation by said labyrinthine platform when said platform is shifted manually against the action of its loading means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A ball game, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said labyrinthine platform includes transverse passages and lateral recesses therefor, and wherein indentations are provided in said passages and recesses for trapping said balls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A ball game, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said loading means comprises a resilient cushion disposed between said housing and said labyrinthine platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A ball game, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprise buttons which project with clearance through openings in said transparent cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A ball game, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprise elongated handles each having two legs which pass with clearance through marginal openings of said transparent cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A ball game, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprise a handle positioned centrally on said labyrinthine platform and extending with clearance through an opening in said cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A ball game, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is supported on an apertured hollow foot, and wherein said actuating means comprise a handle positioned centrally on said labyrinthine platform and projecting through an opening in said housing into said hollow foot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A ball game, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprises a securing plate carrying a centrally mounted handle, said securing plate being spaced from said transparent cover at the side of said cover remote from said labyrinthine platform, said securing plate being coupled to said labyrinthine platform by a plurality of pins passing with clearance through marginal openings of said transparent cover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
A ball game, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is supported on an apertured hollow foot, and wherein said loading means is a ball disposed centrally between said housing and said labyrinthine platform, and wherein said actuating means comprises two handles disposed at diagonally opposite points of said labyrinthine platform and passing with clearance through openings in said housing and projecting through the aperturing of said foot to the exterior thereof.
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) | 1979-02-16 | 1979-08-18 | 1980-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-16 | 1983-08-18 | 1984-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-16 | 1987-08-18 | 1988-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |