US4546978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dice and games
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-06-28
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Granted: 1985-10-15
•
Expires: 2004-06-28
Abstract
Abstract Die configurations displaying six or more equal faces are provided. The die is constructed to provide a space volume inside an outer shell in which a ballast weight is positioned. Also provided is a die construction with manual and/or chance adjustment. The skill of the player is then influential in determining chance and examples of possible uses for games of chance indicate how the player can exercise such skill in challenging games in which chance can be altered in favor of the player throwing the die.
Inventors
- 👤 Constant V. David
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:17
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/04; A63F9/0415; A63F2250/00; A63F2250/06; A63F2250/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A die comprising: a geometric body having a plurality of flat external faces and an internal cavity; indicia on the faces; a weight inside of the cavity; and means visible externally of the body for indexing the location of the weight inside the cavity to thereby vary the center of gravity of the die.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A die comprising: a geometric body having a plurality of flat external faces and an internal cavity; indicia on the faces; a weight inside of the cavity; and means visible externally of the body for indexing the location of the weight inside the cavity to thereby vary the center of gravity of the die.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A die according to claim 1 and further comprising: means for permitting the weight to be extracted from the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A die comprising: a hollow geometric body having a plurality of flat faces; indicia on the faces; a ballast weight normally freely movable inside the body; and means for constraining the movement of the ballast weight inside the body so that when the die is thrown on a flat surface the probability of the die coming to rest with a given one of the faces in an indicating position will vary from throw to throw, including a quantity of fluid inside the geometric body having a viscosity which is substantially constant during variations in the temperature between about 15 degrees C. and 40 degrees C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
A die comprising: a hollow geometric body having a plurality of flat faces; indicia on the faces; a ballast weight normally freely movable inside the body; and means for constraining the movement of the ballast weight inside the body so that when the die is thrown on a flat surface the probability of the die coming to rest with a given one of the faces in an indicating position will vary from throw to throw, including a quantity of fluid inside the geometric body having a viscosity which is substantially constant during variations in the temperature between about 15 degrees C. and 40 degrees C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
A die comprising: a hollow geometric body having a plurality of flat faces; indicia on the faces; a ballast weight normally freely movable inside the body; and means for constraining the movement of the ballast weight inside the body so that when the die is thrown on a flat surface the probability of the die coming to rest with a given one of the faces in an indicating position will vary from throw to throw, including a quantity of fluid inside the geometric body having a viscosity which changes substantially during variations in temperature between about 20 degrees C. and 35 degrees C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A die comprising: a hollow geometric body having a plurality of flat faces; indicia on the faces; a ballast weight normally freely movable inside the body; and means for constraining the movement of the ballast weight inside the body so that when the die is thrown on a flat surface the probability of the die coming to rest with a given one of the faces in an indicating position will vary from throw to throw, including a quantity of fluid inside the geometric body having a viscosity which changes substantially during variations in temperature between about 20 degrees C. and 35 degrees C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
A die comprising: a hollow geometric body having a plurality of flat faces; indicia of the faces; a ballast weight normally freely movable inside the body; and means for constraining the movement of the ballast weight inside the body so that when the die is thrown on a flat surface the probability of the die coming to rest with a given one of the faces in an indicating position will vary from throw to throw, including a spring connecting the ballast weight and the geometric body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A die comprising: a hollow geometric body having a plurality of flat faces; indicia of the faces; a ballast weight normally freely movable inside the body; and means for constraining the movement of the ballast weight inside the body so that when the die is thrown on a flat surface the probability of the die coming to rest with a given one of the faces in an indicating position will vary from throw to throw, including a spring connecting the ballast weight and the geometric body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A die according to claim 5 wherein the spring is of the coil type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A die according to claim 5 wherein the spring is of the leaf type so that the ballast weight can preferentially oscillate in a plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A die according to claim 7 wherein the constraining means further includes rotatable mounting means for connecting one end of the leaf spring to the geometric body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A die according to claim 5 wherein the constraining means further includes a quantity of fluid inside the geometric body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
A die comprising: a hollow geometric body having a plurality of flat faces; indicia on the faces; a ballast weight normally freely movable inside the body; and means for constraining the movement of the ballast weight inside the body so that when the die is thrown on a flat surface the probability of the die coming to rest with a given one of the faces in an indicating position will vary from throw to throw, including a quantity of a viscous fluid within the geometric body and a quantity of high density particles dispersed in the fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
A die comprising: a hollow geometric body having a plurality of flat faces; indicia on the faces; a ballast weight normally freely movable inside the body; and means for constraining the movement of the ballast weight inside the body so that when the die is thrown on a flat surface the probability of the die coming to rest with a given one of the faces in an indicating position will vary from throw to throw, including a quantity of a viscous fluid within the geometric body and a quantity of high density particles dispersed in the fluid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A die according to claim 10 wherein the fluid has a viscosity which is substantially constant during variations in temperature between about 15 degrees C. and 40 degrees C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A die according to claim 10 wherein the fluid has a viscosity which changes substantially during variations in temperature between about 20 degrees C. and 35 degrees C.
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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) | 1988-10-14 | 1989-04-15 | 1989-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-14 | 1993-04-15 | 1993-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-14 | 1997-04-15 | 1997-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |