GB2220863A

GB2220863A - Element selector

Info

Publication number: GB2220863A
Application number: GB8915593A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gianfranco Grossi; Terence Whalley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-22
Filing date: 1989-07-07
Publication date: 1990-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-07
Also published as: GB2220863B; GB8915593D0; GB8817566D0

Abstract

A device for making a random selection of an element 6 from among a number of dissimilar elements comprises a container 1 having a curved outer wall and divided into a first compartment 2 containing a plurality of dissimilar elements and a smaller second compartment 3 dimensioned to contain a single element and incorporating a transparent wall, the two compartments being in communication with one another so as to enable an element to pass from the first compartment into the second compartment, the device having a centre of gravity located towards the second compartment so that when the device is in a position of rest the second compartment is located below the first compartment. The wall of the first compartment 2 may be opaque. In another embodiment, Fig. 3 (not shown) a third compartment, which may be detachable contains several dice. The container may be spherical, oval or cylindrical. <IMAGE>

Description

Element Selector This invention relates to a device which enables an element to be chosen at random from a collection of elements.

The playing of many games is determined by the random selection of some element, for example a number, or a coloured or shaped object from a collection of elements.

One especially common method of making the selection is by means of a dice which generally take the form of a solid cube each of the six faces of which bears a number of dots varing from 1 to 6. In other forms of dice the dots may be replaced by a numeral of from 1 to 6 or some other marking.

In use the dice is shaken in the hand of a player or in a container and then thrown on to a surface where the uppermost number is accepted as the number controlling that aspect of the game. The present invention is directed to a to a device which enables the selection to be made in a novel way.

Accordingly this invention provides a device for making a random selection of an element from among a number of dissimilar elements comprising a container having a curved outer wall and divided into a first compartment containing a plurality of dissimilar elements and a smaller second compartment dimensioned to contain a single element and incorporating a transparent wall, the two compartments being in communication with one another so as to enable an element to pass from the first compartment to the second compartment, the device having a centre of gravity located towards the second department so that when the device is in a position of rest the second compartment is located below the first compartment.

This invention is illustrated but not restricted by the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view taken in vertical cross section of one preferred form of the device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a view taken in horizontal section along axis AA' of the device shown in Fig.l Figure 3 is view taken in vertical cross section of an alternative form of the device.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the device comprises a partly hollow sphere (1) which, conveniently, can be made of a synthetic thermoplastic material such polystyrene, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. The container is divided into a larger compartment (2) having an opaque wall and a smaller compartment (3) which has a circular opening (5) having a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of ball (6). The smaller compartment (3) can be made conveniently of a tube (7) made from clear plastics material. Alternatively it can comprise a cylindrical hole bored into a block of transparent plastics material.

Sufficient material is included in the construction of the lower part of the device so as to ensure that it has a centre of gravity located between the centre of the device and some position within the smaller compartment so that when the device is in a position of rest on a flat surface the smaller compartment is located below the larger compartment.

The larger compartment (2) can be made of the same plastics material as that forming the smaller compartment.

However preferably it should be opaque so that users of the device are unable to see the arrangement of balls within the compartment. The two parts of the sphere can be joined after the elements have been introduced by any convenient means, for example welding, use of adhesives, or by threading the two parts and screwing them together.

Various kinds of elements can be used. However balls each having a different colour corresponding to a different value are preferred. The balls can also be marked with dots as in the case of dice or with numerals. The number of elements which can be used can vary although from 5 to 10 have generally been found very satisfactory.

The device can be used in two different ways. Thus if a flat rolling surface is available the device is shaken so as to ensure that the smaller compartment is empty. The device is then rolled over the surface. Since it has a centre of gravity which is lower than the centre of the device the latter will come to rest with the smaller compartment positioned below the larger compartment. During its movement one of the coloured balls drops through apperture (5) into the smaller compartment where it can be seen and identified by a player.

The shape of the device can be varied. Whilst a spherical shape is preferred any shape capable of rolling for example oval or cylindrical can be employed. Furthermore more than one smaller compartments can be be used.

A further variant of the present device is illustrated in Fig.3 which is a modification of the device shown in Figs 1 & 2. The larger compartment (2) provides space for a third compartment (8) which has a flat floor (9) and a transparent window (10). The latter can be a permanent fixture or it can be secured detachably with suitable means for example clips to the surrounding wall of the device. The compartment contains several dice although other forms of elements can be used and in different numbers.

The present device is operated in the same way as that employed with regard to the device illustrated in Figs 1 and 2. When the movement of the device has stopped a coloured ball (6) will have entered compartment (3) and the dice will have taken up new positions. In this way two selections can be made simultaneously.

Claims

1. A device for making a random selection of an element from among a number of dissimilar elements comprising a container having a curved outer wall and divided into a first compartment containing a plurality of dissimilar elements and a smaller second compartment dimensioned to contain a single element and incorporating a transparent wall, the two compartments being in communication with one another to enable an element to pass from the first compartment to the second compartment, the device having a centre of gravity located towards the second compartment so that when the device is in a position of rest the second compartment is located below the first compartment.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the container is in the form of a sphere.

3. A device according to either of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the elements are balls.

4. A device according to either of Claims 2 and 3 incorporating a third compartment having a transparent wall.

5. A device according to Claim 4 wherein the transparent wall is detachable.

6. A device according to either of Claims 4 and 5 wherein the third compartment has a flat floor and contains dice.

7. Devices for the selection of an element from a number of dissimilar elements as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the drawings.