Patent US4657255A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4657255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pyramid shaped puzzle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-12-12
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Granted: 1987-04-14
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Expires: 2005-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A pyramid-shaped puzzle including a plurality of maze-panels intermediate the vertex and base of the pyramid, each maze-panel having a plurality of holes through it. One or more balls is dropped through an opening in the vertex and the puzzle is manipulated by a player to guide the ball to a designated location in the base.
Inventors
- 👤 Zoltan S. Seres
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:45
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/22; A63F7/30; A63F7/305; A63F7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A puzzle comprising: a. a base having a square bottom, rigid upstanding side walls about its perimeter, a plurality of upstanding partitions forming at least one maze, and a home destination in each corner of said base; b. a stop-flag and foot assembly inserted through each corner of said base and rotatable with respect thereto; c. a plurality of stacked successively smaller maze-panels stacked together and to said base to form a pyramid, said maze-panels each having a square bottom, rigid upstanding side walls about their perimeter, a plurality of upstanding partitions forming at least one maze and at least one hole through each said maze-panel; d. a flat panel having one hole therein attached to said uppermost maze panel; e. a housing enclosing a ball release spindle having a plurality of vanes and rotatable with respect to the vertical axis of said puzzle attached to said flat panel; and f. at least one game-piece which can be maneuvered through the mazes of said respective maze-panels and holes to reach a designated home destination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A puzzle comprising: a. a base having a square bottom, rigid upstanding side walls about its perimeter, a plurality of upstanding partitions forming at least one maze, and a home destination in each corner of said base; b. a stop-flag and foot assembly inserted through each corner of said base and rotatable with respect thereto; c. a plurality of stacked successively smaller maze-panels stacked together and to said base to form a pyramid, said maze-panels each having a square bottom, rigid upstanding side walls about their perimeter, a plurality of upstanding partitions forming at least one maze and at least one hole through each said maze-panel; d. a flat panel having one hole therein attached to said uppermost maze panel; e. a housing enclosing a ball release spindle having a plurality of vanes and rotatable with respect to the vertical axis of said puzzle attached to said flat panel; and f. at least one game-piece which can be maneuvered through the mazes of said respective maze-panels and holes to reach a designated home destination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A puzzle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said game-piece is a ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A puzzle in accordance with claim 1 wherein four different colored game-pieces are employed and said home destinations each have a different color that matches the color of one of said game-pieces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A puzzle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said puzzle is constructed of transparent material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A puzzle in accordance with claim 1 wherein after a game-piece has been maneuvered into a destination, said flag-stop can be rotated to lock the game-piece into the home destination.
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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) | 1990-04-13 | 1990-10-13 | 1991-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-13 | 1994-10-13 | 1995-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-13 | 1998-10-13 | 1999-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |