GB2252257A - Agitation operated random reading generator - Google Patents

Abstract

A hollow fluid filled multifaced regular geometric structure (a) with symmetrical markings on and transparent windows in each face contains a smaller buoyant structure (c), capable, when agitated, of freely rotating and randomly orientating before surfacing into a window (d) on the uppermost face of its captive outer structure, to display there conjoint markings contributed from three sources, these markings, by virtue of their form, position and orientation on each separate structure, combining to form comprehensible readings and unequivocably validate one of them as being the random outcome from a side range of unique possibilities. The smaller buoyant structure may itself have transparent windows and bear within it fluid and a further buoyant structure. <IMAGE>

Description

AGITATION OPERATED RANDOM READING GENERATOR.

Dice, in the form of marked cubes have been used for centuries and the reading on the uppermost face after uninhibited agitation by throwing or rolling, is accepted as the random outcome from six possibilities. Many table and board games have been designed or created within the constraints of six alternatives, using two or more dice when double figures are required.

The use of dots to indicate numbers allows recognition from any viewing position but this feature is not an essential requirement, and the dots can be, and often are, replaced by other characters.

Other ,multifaced structures may be used to provide eight or twelve chance options, and this appears to be the current practical limit from solid polyhedra.

The present invention provides a means whereby a wide range of consecutive numbers or progressive code references may be generated in a visible and comprehensible manner by throwing, as which a conventional dice, a multifaced structure, and viewing when stationary, validated combinations of characters from two or three sources on its uppermost face. The self evident nature of their generation is readily acceptable as a random reading.

Symetrical transparent windows are positioned on each face of a hollow fluid filled multifaced outer structure, through the uppermost of which may be seen the top face of a surfaced multifaced buoyant inner structure. Markings are suitably positioned on the faces of each structure to enable them to be seen in combination on or through the top face of the outer structure.

Three multifaced structures may be used in a similar manner, two of them having windows on each face.

The invention therefore greatly increases the scope for generation by agitation to three figure numbers or four characters. This broader basis provides scope for new board or table games, and, as well as providing a stimulating and amusing toy can be used as an educational aid, and for speculative forecasting and decision making, with reference to a complimentary manual.

I now describe the principle of operation of the invention related by way of example to a cubic outer structure. and cubic and other forms of buoyant inner structures with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG 1. shows cutaway views of a hollow outer cube with transparent windows either in the centre of each face (a) or at each corner (b) which contains a fluid and one or more buoyant inner structures (c) which, when agitated, freely revolve in the fluid and then surface randomly into a window (d) on the uppermost face of the stationary outer cube.

FIG 2. shows sectional views indicating the location of internal deflectors (e) which position surfacing inner structures on the underside of the uppermost face of the outer structure.

The faces of each structure may be marked in such a way that the visible combination of markings provided by both inner and outer structures seen on or through the top face, provides a rational and comprehensible reading.

FIG 3. shows examples of typical hollow outer structures.

A/B are cubes with diagonal windows and 24 numbers.

C has corner windows and 24 numbers.

D has windows parallel to its sides and 24 numbers.

FIG 4. shows, examples or typical buoyant inner structures.

E is, 'a cube with directional arrows on each face.

F hasten square faces marked 0 to 9.

G is a cube with one letter on each face.

H is a small sphere.

I is a small cube with different symbols on each face.

J has corner windows and 24 letters and in turn contains either H or I.

FIG 5. shows the results obtained by combining the outer and inner structures shown in FIGS 3 and 4. The operative reading is validated either self evidently by indicators or by the orientation of the characters on the inner structure.

(DJH & DJI) are examples of using two inner structures one inside the other.

Readings possible from various combinations are: REF RANGE SCOPE VALIDATION AE 1 to 24. 24 Numbers. By direction of arrow.

BF 0 to 239. 240 Numbers. Orientation of inner number.

Cll 1 to 24.. 24 Numbers. Position of sphere (H).

AG 1A to 24F. 144 Codes Orientation of inner letter.

CI 1 to 24. 144 Codes. Position of small.cube (I).

DJH 1A to 24X. 576 Codes. Position of sphere (H).

DJI lAA to 240X. 3456 Codes. Position of small cube (I).

Claims (12)

CLAIMS.

1) A hollow fluid filled multifaced regular geometric structure with symetrical markings on and transparent central or corner windows in each face, inside which a smaller buoyant structure can, when agitated, freely and randomly rotate and orientate and subsequently surface to display its presence and any surface markings adjacent to those on the outside of the uppermost face of the stationary outer structure, the form, position and orientation of the markings being so arranged that only one coherant set of comprehensible markings is unequivocably indentifiable as the validated reading randomly achieved from a wide range of consecutive possibilities.

2) A hollow fluid filled multifaced regular geometric structure with symetrical markings on and central transparent windows in each face, inside which is a smaller multifaced buoyant hollow or latticed primary inner structure with symetrical markings on and central or corner windows in each face and which itself contains yet a smaller secondary inner buoyant structure, both inner structures being capable, when agitated, of freely and randomly rotating and orientating and of subsequently surfacing to display their presence and any markings on their uppermost faces in and through the upper transparent windows of its captive outer structure, such that it is possible to see in symetrical alignment, the markings from three separate and independent sources on or through the uppermost face of the stationary outer structure, the form, position and orientation of the markings being so arranged that only one coherent set of comprehensible markings is unequivocably identifyable as the validated reading randomly achieved from a wide range of consecutive possibilities.

3) As Claim 1 where the multifaced outer structure is a cube with transparent square windows in each corner and where the inner structure is a sphere of such a size as will fill one corner window.

4) As Claim 3 where the-inner structure is a cube with single markings on each face, the faces being of such a size as will fill one of the square corner windows.

5) As Claim 1 where the multifaced outer structure is a cube with square transparent central windows in each face and where the inner structure is a cube with single makings on each face, the faces being of such a size that will fill the square central window.

6) As Claim 5 where the inner structure is geometrically irregular with ten major square faces with single markings on each, the faces being of such a size that will fill the square central window.

7) As Claim 2 where the multifaced outer structure is a cube with square transparent centre windows in each face; where the primary multifaced inner structure is a cube with square transparent corner windows and where the secondary inner structure is a sphere, of such a size that will fill the corner window of the primary inner.

8) As Claim 7 where the secondary inner structure is a cube with single markings on each face, the faces being of such a size that will fill the square corner window of the primary inner structure.

9) As Claim 7 where the primary multifaced inner structure is a cube with square transparent central windows in each face and where the secondary inner is a cube with single markings on each face, the faces being of such a size they will fill the square central window of the primary inner structure.

10) Any combination of structures arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1-5 in the accompanying drawings.

11) Any combination of structures arranged substantially as hereinbefore described in Claims 1-10 wherein the validated random reading is the static outcome of being previously agitated by 'throwing', 'rolling', or 'tossing' manually or mechanically.

12) Any novel feature or combinations of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.