GB2138305A

GB2138305A - Dice shaker

Info

Publication number: GB2138305A
Application number: GB08408162A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Henderson Linn
Original assignee: Waddingtons Games Ltd
Current assignee: Waddingtons Games Ltd
Priority date: 1983-04-20
Filing date: 1984-03-29
Publication date: 1984-10-24
Also published as: GB2138305B; GB8408162D0

Abstract

The shaker comprises a base plate 18 with upwardly inclined tilting tabs 22 peripherally thereof, a die 20 being contained in a transparent container 10 which stands on the plate so that the shaker can be tilted by impacting one of the tabs and releasing same, causing the die, whilst held captive by the container, to be tumbled. The container has lugs 14 for releasably engaging tabs 16 on the base member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dice shaker means This invention relates to dice shaker means.

It is customary to use dice in a number of games but there are certain disadvantages in using a conventional dice shaker when the die is rolled on to a surface to indicate the number scored by a player.

These disadvantages include a possible dispute concerning the number thrown by a particular player. Also, the die can be easily lost either during a game or when the game is in storage.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dice shaker which will overcome or substantially reduce the above-mentioned disadvantages or at least provide a useful choice over known dice shakers.

Accordingly, the invention comprises a dice shaker means comprising a hollow container, a die or dice held captive in said container and arranged to move freely therein, and tilting means associated with said container, the construction and arrangement being such that upon impact force being applied to the tilting means the die or dice in the container will be tumbled and will be supported in a position clearly visible from the exterior of the container so that the number on the upper surface may be easily read.

Preferably, a clear plastics container is used.

Preferably, tab means are associated with the tilting means to allow an impact force to be exerted on the tilting means.

Preferably, the dice container is arranged to return to an upright position after the tilting means has had impact force exerted thereon.

The invention also comprises the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of this application, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which one example is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a shaker acccording to the invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the shaker of Figure 1, in assembled condition.

In the preferred form of the invention as shown in the drawings, a dice shaker means is constructed comprising a container 10 formed as a transparent plastics container having an open end 12 arranged with lugs 14arrangedto engage tabs 16on a base member 18 which may be formed from an opaque plastics material. The engagement of the container 10 with base 18 is by positioning the lugs 14 between the tabs 16 and by twisting the container 10 so that the lugs 14 engage under the lugs of the tabs 16. The shape of the clear plastics container is cylindrical and domed or it may be provided with outwardly flared sides. The shape is not critical but the space within the container must be sufficient to allow the die 20 supported therein to be freely tumbled in use.

Also, the size of the container is not critical and it can be arranged to hold one die or two dice.

The base 18 has tilting means associated therewith, for example, in the form of upwardly inclined lugs 22 which allows a player to exert an impact force to flip the die held within the container so that a player may-score the number shown on the upper face of the die. The tilting means can take various forms. In another form a separate collar member may be held in place by fitting the collar between the container and the upper periphery of the base to which the container is releasable connected. In the example shown six lugs 22 are provided. However, this is by way of example only. The base of the container may be square, hexagonal, octagonal or round which may be screwed into engagement with the container or may be wedged or otherwise suitably fixed in place.

Figure 2 shows how the assembled container and base is used, the player wishing to shake the die 20 impulse presses on a lug 22 as indicated by arrow 24 so that the container tilts to the dotted line position and then rocks back as indicated by arrow 26 to the initial position, during which movement the die 20 is shaken.

The advantages of the dice shaker means are as follows: 1. It acts as a container for the die or dice.

2. The die or dice will not get lost during the game or while the game is in storage.

3. The value of the die or dice for any particular player is always on view and this eliminates any arguments.

4. The die or dice tumbler can be operated from all angles and therefore can be set in the middle of a games board for all players to use.

5. It is simpie to assemble.

6. It is easy to manufacture and comparatively inexpensive.

7. Because it is easily disassembled, it is ideal for packing in any dice game e.g. ludo, snakes and ladders etc.

8. The automatic tumbler has an attraction to children inherent in its use.

1. A dice shaker means comprising a hollow container, a die or dice held captive in said container and arranged to move freely therein, and tilting means associated with said container, the construction and arrangement being such that upon impact force being applied to the tilting means the die or dice in the container will be tumbled and will be supported in a position clearly visible from the exterior of the container so that the number on the upper surface may be easily read.

2. A dice shaker means according to Claim 1, wherein a clear plastics container is used.

3. A dice shaker means according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein tab means are associated with the tilting means to allow an impact force to be exerted on the tilting means.

4. A dice shaker means according to Claim 1,2, or 3, wherein the dice container is arranged to return to an upright position after the tilting means has had impact force exerted thereon.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Dice shaker means This invention relates to dice shaker means. It is customary to use dice in a number of games but there are certain disadvantages in using a conventional dice shaker when the die is rolled on to a surface to indicate the number scored by a player. These disadvantages include a possible dispute concerning the number thrown by a particular player. Also, the die can be easily lost either during a game or when the game is in storage. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dice shaker which will overcome or substantially reduce the above-mentioned disadvantages or at least provide a useful choice over known dice shakers. Accordingly, the invention comprises a dice shaker means comprising a hollow container, a die or dice held captive in said container and arranged to move freely therein, and tilting means associated with said container, the construction and arrangement being such that upon impact force being applied to the tilting means the die or dice in the container will be tumbled and will be supported in a position clearly visible from the exterior of the container so that the number on the upper surface may be easily read. Preferably, a clear plastics container is used. Preferably, tab means are associated with the tilting means to allow an impact force to be exerted on the tilting means. Preferably, the dice container is arranged to return to an upright position after the tilting means has had impact force exerted thereon. The invention also comprises the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of this application, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features. The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which one example is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a shaker acccording to the invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the shaker of Figure 1, in assembled condition. In the preferred form of the invention as shown in the drawings, a dice shaker means is constructed comprising a container 10 formed as a transparent plastics container having an open end 12 arranged with lugs 14arrangedto engage tabs 16on a base member 18 which may be formed from an opaque plastics material. The engagement of the container 10 with base 18 is by positioning the lugs 14 between the tabs 16 and by twisting the container 10 so that the lugs 14 engage under the lugs of the tabs 16. The shape of the clear plastics container is cylindrical and domed or it may be provided with outwardly flared sides. The shape is not critical but the space within the container must be sufficient to allow the die 20 supported therein to be freely tumbled in use. Also, the size of the container is not critical and it can be arranged to hold one die or two dice. The base 18 has tilting means associated therewith, for example, in the form of upwardly inclined lugs 22 which allows a player to exert an impact force to flip the die held within the container so that a player may-score the number shown on the upper face of the die. The tilting means can take various forms. In another form a separate collar member may be held in place by fitting the collar between the container and the upper periphery of the base to which the container is releasable connected. In the example shown six lugs 22 are provided. However, this is by way of example only. The base of the container may be square, hexagonal, octagonal or round which may be screwed into engagement with the container or may be wedged or otherwise suitably fixed in place. Figure 2 shows how the assembled container and base is used, the player wishing to shake the die 20 impulse presses on a lug 22 as indicated by arrow 24 so that the container tilts to the dotted line position and then rocks back as indicated by arrow 26 to the initial position, during which movement the die 20 is shaken. The advantages of the dice shaker means are as follows:

1. It acts as a container for the die or dice.

5. It is simpie to assemble.

6. It is easy to manufacture and comparatively inexpensive.

7. A dice shaker means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. The automatic tumbler has an attraction to children inherent in its use.

5. A dice shaker according to any preceding Claim wherein the container is releasably connected to a base plate closing the bottom of the container and having peripherally arranged, upwardly included tabs forming the tilting means.

6. A dice shaker means according to any preceding Claim wherein the container comprises a cylindrical casing open at one end and closed at the other end by means of a domed portion.