US4124881A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dice with illuminating means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-08-22
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Granted: 1978-11-07
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Expires: 1997-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A pair of dice each having twelve flat surfaces and in which opposite surfaces lie in parallel planes is provided. Each die incorporates twelve light emitting diodes for illuminating respectively the 12 surfaces but interconnected with a central battery by way of gravity responsive switches in such a manner that only the topmost surface of the die will be illuminated after the die has been thrown and comes to rest on a flat surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry M. Haber
- 👤 Maurice M. Greeson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:58
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/04; A63F9/0415; A63F2009/0437; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2448; A63F2009/245; A63F2009/2451; A63F2009/2454; A63F2250/00; A63F2250/04; A63F2250/045; A63F2250/0457; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/80; Y10S362/806
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
Dice including, in combination: (a) first and second die each having a plurality of surfaces in which opposite surfaces lie in parallel planes; (b) light emitting means associated with each surface in each die; and (c) energizing means for said light emitting means in each die, said energizing means including a battery in each die and gravity responsive switch means for connecting said battery to that light emitting means associated with said surface assuming a topmost position after the die has been thrown and comes to rest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
Dice including, in combination: (a) first and second die each having a plurality of surfaces in which opposite surfaces lie in parallel planes; (b) light emitting means associated with each surface in each die; and (c) energizing means for said light emitting means in each die, said energizing means including a battery in each die and gravity responsive switch means for connecting said battery to that light emitting means associated with said surface assuming a topmost position after the die has been thrown and comes to rest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Dice according to claim 1, in which the number of surfaces on each die is at least six.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
Dice including, in combination: (a) first and second die, each having twelve flat congruent surfaces in which opposite surfaces lie in parallel planes; (b) twelve individual illuminating means inside each die disposed respectively adjacent to said twelve surfaces, such that when any one illuminating means is energized, the adjacent surface thereto is illuminated; (c) a source of energy in each die for energizing said illuminating means; and (d) gravity responsive switch means in each die connected between said source of energy and said illuminating means for energizing only that illuminating means adjacent to that surface of each die assuming a topmost position after the die has been thrown and comes to rest on a flat surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
Dice including, in combination: (a) first and second die, each having twelve flat congruent surfaces in which opposite surfaces lie in parallel planes; (b) twelve individual illuminating means inside each die disposed respectively adjacent to said twelve surfaces, such that when any one illuminating means is energized, the adjacent surface thereto is illuminated; (c) a source of energy in each die for energizing said illuminating means; and (d) gravity responsive switch means in each die connected between said source of energy and said illuminating means for energizing only that illuminating means adjacent to that surface of each die assuming a topmost position after the die has been thrown and comes to rest on a flat surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
Dice according to claim 3 in which each of said illuminating means comprises a light emitting diode, said source of energy comprising a battery and in which each surface of each die is translucent; and mask means defining a symbol for each surface visible therethrough when the illuminating means adjacent to said surface is energized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Dice according to claim 3, in which the outline of each of the twelve surfaces of said first die is a rhombus and in which the outline of each of the twelve surfaces of said second die is a pentagon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
Dice according to claim 3, in which each die includes a removable container having one flat side surface defining one surface of the die when the container is in place; and a battery pack in turn insertable into and removable from said container and incorporating said battery whereby said battery can be easily replaced in said die.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Dice according to claim 6, in which a corner portion of said one flat side surface includes manually operable master switch means for connecting and disconnecting said battery to said gravity responsive switch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Dice according to claim 3, including a friction lining extending over the vertices and edges of each of said dice to inhibit the tendency for said dice to slide when thrown.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3917264A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-06 | 1982-05-08 | 1982-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-06 | 1986-05-08 | 1986-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-06 | 1990-05-08 | 1990-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |