US4452455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Puzzle game
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-09-27
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Granted: 1984-06-05
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Expires: 2002-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A puzzle game comprises a base having a plurality of steps extending upwardly from a circular wall to a top platform. A circular well or raceway extends between the circular wall and the lower of the steps and receives a circular ring therein for rotation thereabout. A plurality of additional rings are rotatably supported on the steps and a center member is supported on the platform. The faces of the rings are slanted upwardly and have line indicia thereon forming a maze pattern. A player rotates the rings which come to a click-stop in a random manner. A maze is created from the outer edge of the device to the center member and vice versa. Scores are awarded to a player in proportion to the length a playing piece is moved by the player through the maze for a given time period. The highest score is awarded the player who negotiates a path through the maze with a playing piece within a specific time period.
Inventors
- 👤 Jon Bergstrom
- 👤 Jerice Bergstrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:06
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/08; A63F9/0803; A63F9/0811; A63F9/0078
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A puzzle game apparatus comprising: a base; a plurality of steps on the base; a recessed raceway in the base; a rotatable ring within said raceway; a plurality of rotatable rings on the steps; a center member on a platform above the steps; a vertical flange extending from the base; and braking means on the base for the rings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A puzzle game apparatus comprising: a base; a plurality of steps on the base; a recessed raceway in the base; a rotatable ring within said raceway; a plurality of rotatable rings on the steps; a center member on a platform above the steps; a vertical flange extending from the base; and braking means on the base for the rings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A puzzle game as defined in claim 1, and: said raceway having a flat bottom surface having a plurality of slots therein, said braking means including a plurality of springs in the slots and a plurality of balls in the slots urged by the springs against the ring in the raceway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A puzzle game as defined in claim 2, and: detents in the ring cooperating with said urged balls to stop the ring after rotation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A puzzle game as defined in claim 1, wherein: said rings having slanted surfaces with line indicia thereon for forming a maze across said slanted surfaces of said rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A puzzle game as defined in claim 4, wherein: said vertical flange and said center member having slanted surfaces coincident with the slanted surfaces of the rings thus forming a continuous planar surface from the edge of the apparatus to the center member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A puzzle game as defined in claim 1, wherein: said steps having a plurality of slots therein, said braking means including springs in the slots and balls in the slots urged by said springs against the rotatable rings on the steps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A puzzle game as defined in claim 6, and: detents in the rings cooperating with the urged balls to stop the rings after rotation thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A puzzle game as defined in claim 1, wherein: said base being pyramid-like in formation and having a hollow conical inner wall and a flat roof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
A puzzle game apparatus comprising: a base having a vertically extending circular flange; a plurality of rotatable concentric rings on the base within the circular flange, said flange and said rings flush with each other; biased braking means on the base for randomly stopping the rings; and line indicia on the rings for creating a maze across said rings in their stopped positions whereby a player attempts to negotiate said maze with a playing piece within a given period of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
A puzzle game apparatus comprising: a base having a vertically extending circular flange; a plurality of rotatable concentric rings on the base within the circular flange, said flange and said rings flush with each other; biased braking means on the base for randomly stopping the rings; and line indicia on the rings for creating a maze across said rings in their stopped positions whereby a player attempts to negotiate said maze with a playing piece within a given period of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
A puzzle game apparatus comprising: a base; a platform on the base; a upwardly projecting flange on the base spaced from the platform; a plurality of concentric rings on the base between the platform and the flange, said rings individually rotatable; braking means for randomly stopping the rings; and line indicia on each ring creating a maze across the rings in their stopped positions whereby a player attempts to negotiate the maze with a playing piece within a given period of time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
82 words
A puzzle game apparatus comprising: a base; a platform on the base; a upwardly projecting flange on the base spaced from the platform; a plurality of concentric rings on the base between the platform and the flange, said rings individually rotatable; braking means for randomly stopping the rings; and line indicia on each ring creating a maze across the rings in their stopped positions whereby a player attempts to negotiate the maze with a playing piece within a given period of time.
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) | 1987-06-05 | 1987-12-05 | 1988-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-05 | 1991-12-05 | 1992-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-05 | 1995-12-05 | 1996-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |