US4890845A — Game apparatus with rotating elements

Claim 1

Independent Claim 312 words

A game apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of spherical members, each having a pair of diametrically opposed axles projecting therefrom so that each spherical member is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to said pair of axles, each spherical member further including a plurality of indicia disposed about the equatorial periphery thereof and wherein each of said spherical members is at least partially hollow and defines a substantially unobstructed chamber therein, said chamber including at least two contiguous portions, each portion corresponding to a unique display of indicia; (b) a frame member including a plurality of stations, each station configured to receive one of said spherical members therein, said frame member including a generally vertical wall extending around the periphery of said plurality of stations to define an open top side and an open bottom side so that said indicia are visually perceptible from either side of said frame member, said frame member further including bearing means for supporting each of said axles so that the spherical member is freely rotatable in its corresponding station, whereby rotation of said spherical member allows for a selectable display of a particular indicium; and (c) detent means for biasing the rotation of said spherical member to a preselected position comprising a ball disposed in said chamber of each of said spherical members and translatable from one portion of said chamber to another portion of said chamber, the translation of said ball caused by the rotation of said spherical member to said position corresponding to a display of indicium and wherein said spherical member is configured so that said ball is operative to translate from said one contiguous portion of said chamber to a diametrically opposed contiguous portion of said chamber without axial rotation of the spherical member upon rotation of said frame member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation of said spherical member.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 312 words

A game apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of spherical members, each having a pair of diametrically opposed axles projecting therefrom so that each spherical member is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to said pair of axles, each spherical member further including a plurality of indicia disposed about the equatorial periphery thereof and wherein each of said spherical members is at least partially hollow and defines a substantially unobstructed chamber therein, said chamber including at least two contiguous portions, each portion corresponding to a unique display of indicia; (b) a frame member including a plurality of stations, each station configured to receive one of said spherical members therein, said frame member including a generally vertical wall extending around the periphery of said plurality of stations to define an open top side and an open bottom side so that said indicia are visually perceptible from either side of said frame member, said frame member further including bearing means for supporting each of said axles so that the spherical member is freely rotatable in its corresponding station, whereby rotation of said spherical member allows for a selectable display of a particular indicium; and (c) detent means for biasing the rotation of said spherical member to a preselected position comprising a ball disposed in said chamber of each of said spherical members and translatable from one portion of said chamber to another portion of said chamber, the translation of said ball caused by the rotation of said spherical member to said position corresponding to a display of indicium and wherein said spherical member is configured so that said ball is operative to translate from said one contiguous portion of said chamber to a diametrically opposed contiguous portion of said chamber without axial rotation of the spherical member upon rotation of said frame member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation of said spherical member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

A game apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of spherical members define at least a 3×3 matrix of rows and columns, said rows being perpendicularly disposed in relation to said columns.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 75 words

A game apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said spherical members includes four indicia, wherein the first indicium is of a first design, the second indicium is of a second design, the third and fourth indicia are of a third design, said first and second displays of indicia spaced at 90° intervals from one another and said third and fourth displays are spaced at 180° intervals from said first and second displays respectively.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 64 words

A game apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said spherical members includes four different indicia disposed about said equatorial periphery, wherein the first indicium is of a first design, the second indicium is of a second design, the third indicium is of a third design, and the fourth indicium is of a fourth design, said indicia spaced equidistantly around said equatorial periphery.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

A game apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of indicia includes tactile symbols for aiding the sight impaired in the identification of each indicium.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

A game apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said frame member further includes counter means operative to indicate a player's score.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

A game apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said counter means comprises a disk-shaped member having reversibly opposed embossed characters whereby a player is able to determine an opponent's score by reading the embossed characters on said disc.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 31 words

A game apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said chamber further includes ridges generally perpendicular to the equatorial periphery, the number of ridges corresponding to the number of displays of indicia.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 38 words

A game apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said detent means is operative to restrict the biasing of said spherical member upon rotation of said frame member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation of said spherical member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 250 words

A game apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of spherical members, each having a pair of diametrically opposed axles projecting therefrom so that said spherical members are freely rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to said pair of axles, each spherical member including four displays of indicia disposed about the equatorial periphery thereof and wherein each of said spherical members is at last partially hollow and defines a substantially unobstructed chamber therein, said chamber including four contiguous portions thereof, each portion corresponding to a unique display of indicium; (b) a frame member including a plurality of stations, each station configured to receive one of said spherical members therein, and further including bearing means for supporting each of said axles so that each of the spherical members is rotatable in its corresponding station, whereby rotation of said spherical member allows for a selectable display of a particular indicium; and (c) detent means for biasing the rotation of said spherical member to a preselected position comprising a ball disposed in said chamber of said spherical member and translatable form one portion of said chamber to another portion of said chamber, the translation of said ball caused by the rotation of said spherical member to said position corresponding to a display of indicium and wherein said ball is operative to translate from one contiguous portion of said chamber to a diametrically opposed contiguous portion upon rotation of said frame member 180 degrees in a direction perpendicular to the rotation of said spherical member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 250 words

A game apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of spherical members, each having a pair of diametrically opposed axles projecting therefrom so that said spherical members are freely rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to said pair of axles, each spherical member including four displays of indicia disposed about the equatorial periphery thereof and wherein each of said spherical members is at last partially hollow and defines a substantially unobstructed chamber therein, said chamber including four contiguous portions thereof, each portion corresponding to a unique display of indicium; (b) a frame member including a plurality of stations, each station configured to receive one of said spherical members therein, and further including bearing means for supporting each of said axles so that each of the spherical members is rotatable in its corresponding station, whereby rotation of said spherical member allows for a selectable display of a particular indicium; and (c) detent means for biasing the rotation of said spherical member to a preselected position comprising a ball disposed in said chamber of said spherical member and translatable form one portion of said chamber to another portion of said chamber, the translation of said ball caused by the rotation of said spherical member to said position corresponding to a display of indicium and wherein said ball is operative to translate from one contiguous portion of said chamber to a diametrically opposed contiguous portion upon rotation of said frame member 180 degrees in a direction perpendicular to the rotation of said spherical member.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 79 words

A game apparatus as in claim 11, wherein each of said spherical members includes fours displays of indicia, wherein the first display of indicium is of a first design, the second display is of a second design, the third and fourth displays are of a third design, said first and second displays of indicia spaced at 90° intervals from one another and said third and fourth displays are spaced at 180° intervals from said first and second displays respectively.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 64 words

A game apparatus as in claim 10, wherein each of said spherical members includes four different indicia disposed about said equatorial periphery, wherein the first indicium is of a first design, the second indicium is of a second design, the third indicium is of a third design, and the fourth indicium is of a fourth design, said indicia spaced equidistantly around said equatorial periphery.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 26 words

A game apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said plurality of indicia includes tactile symbols for aiding the sight impaired in the identification of each indicium.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

A game apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said frame member further includes a counter means operative to indicate a player's score.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

A game apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said counter means comprises a disk-shaped member having reversibly opposed embossed characters whereby a player is able to determine an opponent's score by reading the embossed characters on said disc.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 71 words

A game apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said frame member further includes a generally vertical wall extending around periphery of said plurality of stations, said plurality of stations disposed generally at the midpoint of said wall so as to define an open top side and an open bottom side so that said indicia are visually perceptible from either of said sides when said frame member is rotated in said direction.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 38 words

A game apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said detent means is operative to restrict the biasing of said spherical member upon rotation of said frame member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation of said spherical member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 168 words

A game apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of spherical members, each having a pair of diametrically opposed axles projecting therefrom and a plurality of indicia disposed about the equatorial periphery thereof, said spherical members freely rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to said pair of axles; (b) a frame member including a plurality of stations, each station configured to receive one of said spherical members therein, said frame member including counter means operative to indicate a player's score comprising a disk-shaped member having reversibly opposed, embossed characters so that a player can determine an opponent's score by reading the embossed characters on said disk, said frame member further including bearing means for supporting each of said axles so that the spherical member is freely rotatable in its corresponding station, whereby rotation of said spherical member allows for selectable display of a particular indicium; and (c) detent means for biasing the rotation of said spherical member to a preselective position, said position corresponding to a display of indicium.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 168 words

A game apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of spherical members, each having a pair of diametrically opposed axles projecting therefrom and a plurality of indicia disposed about the equatorial periphery thereof, said spherical members freely rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to said pair of axles; (b) a frame member including a plurality of stations, each station configured to receive one of said spherical members therein, said frame member including counter means operative to indicate a player's score comprising a disk-shaped member having reversibly opposed, embossed characters so that a player can determine an opponent's score by reading the embossed characters on said disk, said frame member further including bearing means for supporting each of said axles so that the spherical member is freely rotatable in its corresponding station, whereby rotation of said spherical member allows for selectable display of a particular indicium; and (c) detent means for biasing the rotation of said spherical member to a preselective position, said position corresponding to a display of indicium.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-01-01	1993-07-03	1994-01-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-01-01	1997-07-03	1998-01-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-01-01	2001-07-03	2002-01-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Game apparatus with rotating elements

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