GB2343382A

GB2343382A - Randomly opening receptacle

Info

Publication number: GB2343382A
Application number: GB9824489A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edmund Neil Swaile
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-11-09
Filing date: 1998-11-09
Publication date: 2000-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-09
Also published as: WO2000027491A1; AU1168800A; GB2343382B; GB9824489D0

Abstract

A receptacle comprises a hollow base, a hinged hollow lid and a catch 7 to hold the lid shut, the release mechanism for the catch comprising a plurality of tubular openings 5 leading into the interior of the receptacle and a trigger mechanism 6 which will release the catch, the trigger mechanism being randomly movable so that it can lie directly under each tubular opening, the arrangement being such that a ball when introduced through a tubular opening will either strike the trigger, thus allowing the receptacle to open, or pass into the interior of the receptacle.

Description

RANDOMLY OPENING VALVED DEVICE This invention relates to a randomly opening valved device.

A randomly opening valved device can be used in a game in which an item contained within the device cannot be obtained until a ball is placed in the correct one of a number of tubes which allow the ball to enter the interior of the device. If the ball is placed in the tube with the trigger beneath, it will open the valves to reveal the contents therein.

To randomly set the trigger beneath one of the tubes the device is secured to a board and moved from side to side by the players before the game commences.

Thus the device allows the players in a game the opportunity of guessing the correct tube to place a ball into to release the valve or valves to obtain the contents contained within the device.

According to the present invention there is provided a randomly opening valved device comprising hinged valves which can be released open when a ball is introduced into the interior of the device, through one of a number of tubular openings, and makes contact with the trigger of a valve (s) releasing mechanism. The trigger can move randomly when the device is moved so that the trigger can come to lie beneath any one of the tubular openings allowing the valve (s) to be released if a ball is placed in the tubular opening with the trigger beneath it.

An example, which embodies the invention, is described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows the device from the side with the valves closed together.

Figure 2 shows the device from the side with the valves open.

Figure 3 shows the device from the front with the valves closed.

Figure 4 shows the upper surface of the device with the valves open.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged section (x3) through the device, at points A to B indicated on Figure 3, and details the interior of the device with the trigger in the central position.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged view (x3) of an area, between points C and D marked on Figure 2, of the front of the device with its valves open and the trigger in an off-central position.

Figure 7 shows a section through points E to F indicated on Figure 5, and details the trigger, rollers and runner from above.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged section (x3) through the device at points A to B indicated on Figure 3 and illustrates the ball depressing the trigger and raising the catch.

Referring to the drawing the device consists of a bivalve with the two valves I and 2 (Figs. l and 2) being hinged 3 at the bottom and supported by a stand 4 with a recessed clip (not shown) on the underside for securing to a board. On top of Valve I are three tubes 5 (Fig. 3) which allow a ball to enter the interior of the device even when the two valves are closed.

A ball entering the device through one of the tubes 5 can make contact with the trigger 6 of the valve releasing mechanism, which also comprises the catch 7, rollers 12, weight 15 and runner 13 and is suspended from its mountings 9 by a pivoted fulcrum 8 (Figs. 5 and 6). The ball can only make contact with the trigger 6 if the trigger is positioned beneath the tube that the ball has been placed in. When a ball leaving the end of a tube does make contact with the trigger 6 the force acting upon the trigger levers up the catch 7 on the opposite side of the pivoted fulcrum 8 in its mountings 9 (Figs. 5 and 6). The catch 7 when levered up then releases its hold on the bar 10 (Figs. 5 and 4) and allows the valve 2 to fall open. This sequence is illustrated in Fig. 8 with a ball I I having partially left the end of a tube 5 and hitting the trigger 6 to lever up the catch 7 away from the bar 10. (The bar can be weakly magnetised to help prevent the catch being accidentally jarred up by knocking the device during play).

The trigger 6 can move independently of the catch so that it can come to rest beneath any one of the three tubes 5 when the device is moved. At one end of the trigger are two rollers 12 (Figs. 5,6 & 7) which enable the trigger to move along a runner 13 with a groove 14 (Fig. 7) along its centre. The trigger is connected to a weight 15 on the underside of the runner by a shaft 16 (Figs. 5 & 6) passing through the groove in the runner. The weight 15 serves to counterbalance the trigger and keep it on the runner whilst the flat shaft 16 prevents the trigger turning on the runner. Along the runner are dips 17 (Fig. 6) which allow the trigger to come to rest beneath any one of the three tubes, and between the dips are mounds 18 which prevent the trigger from coming to rest between the dips.

To contain an item within the device a compartment 19 (Figs. 4 and 5) is provided in valve 2.

Small holes 20 (Figs. 8 and 4) through the lip of the central tube 5 and the top of valve 2 allows a rod to be inserted through them when the two valves are closed and the holes aligned. This prevents excessive movement displacing the catch and opening the valves when the players are moving the device to re-set the trigger beneath one of the tubes.

A stop 21 (Fig. 8) is also provided between the two mountings 9 to keep the catch from dropping too low when the valves are open, and preventing re-closure of the two valves by the catch 7 becoming trapped beneath the bar 10.

Further embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples, some with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 9 shows an example of the device viewed from above with the valves open.

Figure 10 shows an example of the device viewed from above with the valves open.

Figure 11 shows an enlarged example of the runner, roller and trigger of the valve (s) releasing mechanism.

Figure 12 shows a section through the runner, roller and trigger at points G to H indicated on Figure 11.

Referring to the drawing (Fig. 9). This example of the device is similar to the previous example but differs in the following way; firstly there are three valves 31, 32 and 33 supported on a stand 34. The valves are hinged 35 and 36 on both sides of valve 31 with both hinges loaded with a spring to open the valves outwards. A double catch 37 is attached to a singular fulcrum and trigger, thus allowing two thirds of the device, i. e. two valves with a bar in each (not shown) to open simultaneously to expose an item contained within the compartment 38 attached to valve 31 of the device.

Referring to the drawing (Fig. 10). This example of the device is similar to the first example but differs in the following way; firstly the device is cubic in shape and consists of four valves 41,42,43 and 44 with three hinges (not shown) on the underside of the device. There are four tubes 45 on the top of valve 41. A triple catch 46 is attached to a singular fulcrum and trigger, thus allowing the valves (with a bar in each) to open simultaneously to expose an item contained within the compartment (not shown) within valve 41.

Referring to the drawing (Figs. I 1 and 12). This example of the device is similar to the first example but differs in respect to its valve releasing mechanism. Instead of the trigger being connected to a weight through a groove in the runner, the trigger 51 is connected to a weighted roller 52 which is contained within the runner 53 with the trigger protruding through a contoured slit 54 in the side of the runner. The contours of the slit 54 correspond to the dips and mounds on the bottom of the runner to allow the movement of the trigger and weighted roller along the length of the runner.

Another example of the device (not shown) is similar to the first example but differs in respect to the tubes, which are extended in length so that the trigger and catch are situated in the lower half of the device.

Another example of the device (not shown) is similar to the first example but differs in that the device is incorporated with a magnetic catch and/or bar with sufficient strength to hold the valves together. When the ball makes contact with the trigger the catch and bar are then levered apart.

In all of the examples mentioned the shape of the device could take many forms i. e. triangular or irregularly shaped etc. as could the shapes of the tubes also vary. The number of valves and catches can also vary as could the number of tubes employed vary with a corresponding increase or decrease in the number of dips and mounds.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A randomly opening valved device comprising hinged valves which can be released open when a ball is introduced into the interior of the device, through one of a number of tubular openings, and makes contact with the trigger of a valve (s) releasing mechanism. The trigger can move randomly when the device is moved so that the trigger can come to lie beneath any one of the tubular openings allowing the valve (s) to be released if a ball is placed in the tubular opening with the trigger beneath it.
2. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I wherein a catch or catches on the valve (s) releasing mechanism is provided to retain and release a valve or valves.
3. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 wherein a pivoted fulcrum is provided to connect the valve (s) releasing mechanism to the mountings and to provide a turning point so that the force exerted on the trigger can lever a catch or catches.
4. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim 1 or any preceding Claim wherein a runner on the valve (s) releasing mechanism is provided for the trigger, rollers and weight (or trigger attached to a weighted roller) to move along its length enabling the trigger to be positioned beneath any one of a number of tubes.
5. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein a roller or rollers attached to the trigger is provided so movement of the trigger is facilitated along the length of the runner.
6. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein dips and mounds alternating along the length of the runner are provided so that the trigger and roller (s) can come to rest only beneath the centre of each tube.
7. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein a weight attached to one end of the trigger is provided to balance the trigger on the runner.
8. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim 1 or any preceding claim wherein a groove or slit in the runner is provided for the free movement of the trigger, roller (s) and weight along the length of the runner.
9. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim 1 or any preceding claim wherein a bar or bars in each of the releasable valve (s) are provided for the catch or catches to retain the valve (s) in a closed position.
10. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein mounting (s) are provided for the suspension of the valve (s) releasing mechanism.
I I. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein a stand is provided for the support of the valves.
12. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein a clip or other means of fastening beneath the stand is provided for securing the device onto a suitable surface.
13. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein a stop is provided to prevent the catch or catches from being trapped beneath the bar when re-closing the valves.
14. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein a compartment in one of the valves is provided for the containment of an item placed inside the device.
15. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein a small hole through the lip of a tube and a small hole in the valve to be released are provided for the insertion of a rod when the holes are aligned (i. e. the valves are closed).
16. A randomly opening valved device as claimed in Claim I or any preceding claim wherein springs are provided to open the valve (s) if the positioning of the hinge (s) requires the valve (s) to open against the force of gravity.
17. A randomly opening valved device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures I to 12 of the accompanying drawing.