US4120501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inclined track ball and dice game
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-09-29
•
Granted: 1978-10-17
•
Expires: 1997-09-29
Abstract
Abstract The game comprises first and second inclined tracks upon which balls may be placed by a player and released to roll down the tracks by gravity. Numbers on a pair of dice determine the levels at which the balls are respectively initially released. The lower ends of the tracks extend towards each other along upwardly sloped path portions to meet at a common point. The object of the game is for the player to release first the higher level ball and then after a given time interval the other ball, the player evaluating the time interval in such a manner as to cause the balls to meet at the referred to highest point of the sloped path portions to rebound from each other back onto their respective inclined tracks. If one or the other of the balls arrives at the high point of the sloped surfaces first, it will continue on over and the player will lose a point.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Lee Atherton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:31
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
An inclined track ball and dice game including, in combination: (a) a frame structure defining first and second inclined tracks disposed in spaced positions and each having numbered levels, means on each level defining a numbered starting position, the lowest ends of said tracks extending towards each other along upwardly sloped path portions to meet at a common point at the highest point of said path portions, said point being below the levels of the lowest numbered levels of said tracks; (b) a pair of dice, (c) two balls dimensioned to be supported by said tracks respectively so that when placed at a starting position corresponding to a number on said dice and released, they will roll down the tracks by gravity; whereby a person can throw the dice and thereafter position said balls on specifically numbered levels of the tracks determined by the numbers showing on the dice, respectively, the person then releasing the highest level ball and after a given time interval the other ball, said person attempting to evaluate said given time interval so that said balls will meet at said highest point of said sloped path portions and rebound back to come to rest at the lowest points of the inclined tracks upon which they were respectively initially positioned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
An inclined track ball and dice game including, in combination: (a) a frame structure defining first and second inclined tracks disposed in spaced positions and each having numbered levels, means on each level defining a numbered starting position, the lowest ends of said tracks extending towards each other along upwardly sloped path portions to meet at a common point at the highest point of said path portions, said point being below the levels of the lowest numbered levels of said tracks; (b) a pair of dice, (c) two balls dimensioned to be supported by said tracks respectively so that when placed at a starting position corresponding to a number on said dice and released, they will roll down the tracks by gravity; whereby a person can throw the dice and thereafter position said balls on specifically numbered levels of the tracks determined by the numbers showing on the dice, respectively, the person then releasing the highest level ball and after a given time interval the other ball, said person attempting to evaluate said given time interval so that said balls will meet at said highest point of said sloped path portions and rebound back to come to rest at the lowest points of the inclined tracks upon which they were respectively initially positioned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A game according to claim 1, in which each numbered level of each of said tracks includes a laterally extending starting position so that in placing and releasing balls on various ones of said levels, they can be placed on the corresponding positions and then nudged onto the track to start them rolling down the track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
A game according to claim 1, in which there is provided a receptable having an upper inlet opening at said highest point of said sloped path portions of diameter greater than the diameter of either one of said balls and less than the sum of the diameters of said balls so that should one of the balls arrive at said highest point before the other, it will drop into said receptacle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A game according to claim 1, in which said first and second inclined tracks are respectively helical, each helical turn of each of said tracks being numbered to define said numbered levels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A game according to claim 4, in which said first and second tracks each have six helical turns numbered 1 through 6, the pitch of the first helical track being different from the pitch of the second helical track so that the times for the balls to roll down the tracks when released at the same level are different.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A game according to claim 4, in which said first and second tracks each has six helical turns numbered 1 through 6, the diameters of said helical turns being different from each other so that the times for the balls to roll down the tracks when released at the same level are different.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3206209A
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US3589724A
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US3703989A
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US3768810A
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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) | 1981-10-16 | 1982-04-17 | 1982-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-16 | 1986-04-17 | 1986-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-16 | 1990-04-17 | 1990-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |