US4754972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-level rotary maze
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-10-06
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Granted: 1988-07-05
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Expires: 2006-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A multilevel rotary maze comprising a series of stacked maze elements which are rotatable relative to one another. Each of the elements has a series of apertures, at least one of the apertures passing therethrough, and at least a portion of the apertures define a serpentine path throughout the maze which can be attained upon selective sequential rotation of the maze elements to align predetermined apertures thereof. A ball is located in the maze to pass through the apertures as they are aligned.
Inventors
- 👤 Boris Boskovic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:23
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/04; A63F7/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A multilevel maze, comprising a. a plurality of stacked, generally solid maze elements, b. a plurality of apertures forming discrete passages in each of said maze elements, at least one of said apertures in each maze element passing through said maze element, c. a first portion of said apertures comprising pathway apertures and defining a normally disjointed path extending throughout the maze, d. a second portion of said apertures comprising dummy apertures and defining at least one normally disjointed closed passage extending through only part of the maze, e. a traveler shaped to pass through said apertures, and f. means for selectively aligning the apertures of adjacent maze elements for passage of said traveler therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A multilevel maze, comprising a. a plurality of stacked, generally solid maze elements, b. a plurality of apertures forming discrete passages in each of said maze elements, at least one of said apertures in each maze element passing through said maze element, c. a first portion of said apertures comprising pathway apertures and defining a normally disjointed path extending throughout the maze, d. a second portion of said apertures comprising dummy apertures and defining at least one normally disjointed closed passage extending through only part of the maze, e. a traveler shaped to pass through said apertures, and f. means for selectively aligning the apertures of adjacent maze elements for passage of said traveler therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A rotary maze according to claim 1 including an end cap at each end of the stack of maze elements, said caps being sealed to prevent escape of said traveler from the maze.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rotary maze according to claim 2 in which each end cap includes an annular internal channel, and including at least one maze access opening extending between each channel and said assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A multilevel maze according to claim 1 in which said maze elements are cylindrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A multilevel maze according to claim 1 including a central bore through each of said maze elements, and further including a rod passing through said bores and secured at opposite ends of the maze for retaining said elements in a stacked orientation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A multilevel maze according to claim 1 in which each said aperture is spaced radially from a common central axis of said elements at one of a variety of predetermined locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A multilevel maze according to claim 6 including three such locations lying on concentric rings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multilevel maze according to claim 1 in which some of said apertures comprise transfer apertures extending between adjacent ones of said predetermined locations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A multilevel maze according to claim 1 in which said traveler comprises a ball.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A multilevel maze according to claim 1 in which each of said elements is rotatable about a common axis relative to an adjacent maze element in order to selectively align the apertures of adjacent maze elements.
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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) | 1991-07-05 | 1992-01-04 | 1992-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-05 | 1996-01-04 | 1996-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-05 | 2000-01-04 | 2000-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |