US1416506A - Amusement game - Google Patents

Description

T. H. POPE.

AMUSEMENT GAME.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11. 1920.

1,416,506., Patented May 16, 1922 v INVENTOR 220mm r10 Fape' ATTORNEY,

f it,

THOMAS HARVEY POPE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

AMUSEMENT GAME.

Application filed March 11, 1920.

useful Improvements in Amusement Games,-

of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to amusement games for study and pastime, wherein it requires attention and persistency to accomplish the successful corralling of the spheres in proper corners. 7

One object of my invention is to produce a small game that may be carried in the pocket, so that its use may be not be limited in any way whatsoever.

Another object is to produce such game, easy to manufacture, reasonable in cost, in other words, to make a simple, neat, cheap and attractive game that will command the interest and attention of every one who sees it.

The object of the invention is to get the small balls from the center of the container and hold three balls in each of the opposite corners behind the partitions.

The invention as at present preferred is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1, shows the game as it appears when resting on a fiat surface; Figure 2, a cross sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of Figure 1,- .Figure 3, a detached detail of the floor, showing the position of the partitions in opposite corners; Figure 4, a plan view looking into the container, showing the pillows in the opposite corners; Figure 5, is a modified construction of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a view of one corner showing the pillow in place and the slant of the floor towards the opening, and Figure 7 shows a modified way of accomplishing the invention.

The same reference characters designate the same parts throughout the several views.

The game herein shown looks so simple that at the first glance, the person picks the same up, reads the instructions and at once sets about to accomplish the task, the simplicity lies in the fact that the game is very deceptive to the eye, therefore the difficulty of corralling three of the restless little spheres while trying to get the other three inthe oppositecorner.

Referring to Figure 1, the receptacle or container 7, which is in the present case preferably rectangular in shape, is pro- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented lway 16, 1922.

Serial No. 365,126.

vided with outer walls 8, 9, l0 and 11, with the bottom 12 secured thereto. 13 and 14 are pillows that are in this instance made secure in their respective corners, so that when the floor 15 is placed thereon it will cause these triangular portions of the floor at these particular points to assume a differ:

ent angle or slant from other portions of the same, particularly the corner portions of the flooring opposite to that containing the pillows, the whole flooring presenting a smooth rolling or undulated surface for the spheres to roll over.

It is preferred to give the floor surface 15 a twisting rolling undulated surface that will have a gradual sloping incline or de cline at any of its various points therein, such unevenness being gradual and ununiform, wlth the end in view to make it harder for the performer to divide the num- I ber of little spheres some behind one compartment and the balance in the other. The floor may be provided with suitable slits 16, 17 and 18 in which may be secured a number of partitions 19, 2O and 21. It is preferred as has been noted to provide partitions of the same material as that of the floor, such for instance as will afford a little resistance, being in this instance about a 3 ply paper, as the best results can only be attained by having the balls bounce and bound around by their contact with the partitions, and their arrangement such that they divide the opposite corners into triangular corrals for the spherical bodies that I will describe further on. Such angular corrals being formed by the sides of the receptacle and the three partitions so arranged that, two of the partitions are located in the forward slits, and being in alignment and spaced apart, permits of a passage way or opening 22, while in the rear is placed another partition 21 which extends across the opening 22, and thereby preventing the free movement of the spherical bodies towards the exit 22. The forward partition or partitions 19 and 20 may only be secured to one side of the slits 16 and 17 when the pillows are used, thus leaving the other portions to assume any angular position by reason of the pillows 13 and 14. As is noted in the drawing each of the opposite corners are provided with like partitions, therefore it is not necessary to describe each corner separately, the description of one corner with its partitions will suffice for the opposite corner. It is to be understood that the partitions one and all are of such resilient material that when the balls come in contact with them accidentally or otherwise in trying to corral them, they will bounce and bound away, making it very dillicult for the performer or operator to control the movements of the many spheres. It matters not whether the pillows are used, as long as the flooring is given that smooth roiling uneven surface over which the many balls roll, both within and without the partitioned compartment, together with the fact that the partitions that extend above the floor are lively,

which is absolutely necessary, as has beennoted, as to cause the accomplishment of the game to be more hazardous, to the great interest andamusement of the performer.

Itis preferable to use six steel balls "23, which are placed inthe container before the cover 24, which is preferably of glass and is secured. in place on the side walls 8, 9, 10 and 11, and abinder pasted about it, and the side walls, which completely closes the container, by this means it-not only closes, but secures all the parts together. By such closure the game is made attractive l-I]. appearance.

, 'By reason of the partitions 1.9 andQO being-1n alignment, it forms a triangular compartment or corral, and by reason oi? this portion ofthe floor resting on the pillows 13 and 14, and being free to. assume any position it causes thetriangulai." portions 25, 26 and 27 to assume a higher incline thanat the opening 22, thus the flooringgiaS within such triangleis such as to form a trough towards the opening or passageway, and it will be readily seen that: it will make it very diflicult to hold three balls behind the partitions while working on the opposite corner, yet it can be done,but only with patience and persistency.

"The floor 15 after the partitions have been secured thereto has a daub or paste' in the center which holds it securely to the bottom ,ofthe container and at the same time by reason of it being placed in the center as noted it causes the rest of the flooring out side of the partitions to assume its in'teinled pitch or-slants from all directions towards the center, and thereby the center of the floorbeingpasted to the bottom, causes the small balls to always rest in the center. By

reason of-the pillows at the opposite ends,

and the slitted portions being free to assume anywdesirediangle it also-causes the corners 28.nndx29 to be just slightly higl-ier than thatiportion. that is immediatelypasted to the floor of the containergthis will cause a pitch or'slant ofthe floor from all corners .towardthe center as is shown in Figure 1.

:The sole-:objeet-in cutting slits in thefioor is not so much for the purpose of setting the partitionszthereimzas to give thesilom .vided with partitions, to incline also.

Oi course, it will be understood that the arrangcmentexists in form shown ind igure 5, wherein it is necessary to positively se cure the flooring at= the proper heights by adhesives or other means when the parti- .tions are placed therein, as the extensions prevent the lower ends or the partitions touching the bottom of the-container, thus it will be seen. that this is the only way that the door could possibly get the =necessary smooth rolling uneven surface for the balls to roll over.- It is necessary to pastethe flooring to one or both sides of the' partitions when the partitions-do not touch the bot tom of the container, at other times it may only be necessary to paste on one side, espe ciallyis this true when the: pillows. aroused As-show-n in Figure "5, the Ffloor 15 has downwardly supporting extensions on wall sides, such extensions being so out aswto' not only give the floor-15 the-proper angular pitch, the slits for the partitions beingfso located as shown in FigSuL-Q and 3: andtree 100 from the side extensions, thus 'leaving'the triangular portionbehind the positionsto assume any-angular position without inter- :tering iii-any way witlrthe desired object of the invention. It'will behhere'noted' that I by reason 01 such extensions and their angular lines, it does not require pillo-wsror other additions as the extensions on'the floor accomplish the same purpose to the same extent as that shown. in the other figures.

Again, itmay be found advisable to have the fore'partition made inxone'piece and be provided with an entrance or opening therethrough, while I have constructed some so provided, have decided that where-separate partitions are provided it afiordslor "the spherical bodies resilient means wherebythe many balls are keptgoing'lrom .one side to another by the elasticity OYElJhGqDEtIt'liLlOHS themselves.

The invt-ntion' be attained in many ways as'has been-noted, for instance, it is desirable that the partitions besecured to the'floor from one side only after they'have been properly adjustedin their respective slots, this is done first, so that-the flooring' within the corner 'of the' triangle will assame a di flerent slant from that on the otherside or said partition byfbeingplaeed on the pillows and secondly where no pillow is used, the two front partitions are fitted into their respective slits in the floor so that a certain portion of the same ext nds below the floor as well l above, again when tln is done all three partitions may be shaped on their lower end so as to sustain and give the flooring within and without the triangle the desired slant that it has when the pillow is used. It has been found more advantageous to make separate partitions as by doing so they are more resilient and cause the spheres to bounce on coming in conta t with them, whereas if the front partition had a passage way out into it, the partitions by reason of their length, would deaden. the activities of the spheres.

In accordance with the provision of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principal forms of n y invention which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the various forms are only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out in other ways other than those described, but all are intended to come within the scope of the claims. Also while the design of the game is rectangular, it may be changed or altered to meet the particular requirements without interfering in any way with the general results for which the puzzle or game was designed.

l/Vhat I claim as new is:

1. A game or toy for amusement purposes comprising a rectangular container provided with a smooth rolling uneven floor, of a plurality of resilient partitions secured to the floor forming compartments in opposite corners, spherical bodies therein and a transparent top for said container.

2. In combination with a container, of a separate floor therein having a smooth twisting uneven surface provided with a plurality of resilient part tions forming compartments in opposite corners, the flooring within said compartments differing in pitch to that of the outer, spherical bodies adapted to roll about said floor and be confined within opposite corners.

3. A game or toy having a smooth twisting uneven surface provided with aplurality of resilient partitions extending into slots in the floor to form an enclosure, the rolling pitching floor surfaces within and without the compartment differing, the front partitions being so spaced as to form a central opening, another of such partitions located in the rear and in line with said opening. to intercept the passage of the spherical bodies, and a closure for the container.

4;. In combination with a receptacle comprising a bottom, sides and top,a floor suitable supported therein to give it a smooth rolling undulated surface, spaced partitions provided inopposite corners to form compartments, and a plurality of balls therein adapted to be corralled and held within such partitions in opposite corners.

5. In combination with a container provided with a transparent top, a floor within the same provided with cuts or slits to re ceive and hold a plurality of partitions, said partitions extending above and, below the slits in said floor, one set of partitions placed opposite the other, each set provided with an opening, and plurality of spherical bodies therein.

6. The combination with a receptacle, of a separate floor therefor, means for elevating certain portions of the same, of front and rear partitions opposite each other, each of the front partitions provided with an opening, back partitions in the path of the openings, spherical bodies to be corralled behind each 'set of partitions, and a transparent cover for said receptacle. I

7. A game or toy having certain portions of its floor pitch towards the center, partitions secured to and extending above and below the floor, passageways in the outer partitions for the passage of the spherical bodies therethrough, the said flooring within the partitions pitching towards the passageways, and acontainer having a transparent face.

8. A game or toy having parts of its floor rest on pillows, partitions arranged in opposite corners, the flooring behind said partitions adapted to assume a different angle from that in front, spherical bodies adapted to roll about the floor and about the partitions, and a container having a transparent face secured thereto.

9. A game or toy consisting of a container, pillows suitably located therein, a flooring provided with partitions and the former secured to the container, said pillows arranged to give the flooring within the partitions a pitch towards the passageway, and that outside towards the center, of spheri cal bodies adapted to pass between the sev eral partitions, and a container having a base with suitable sides supporting a transparent face.

10. A game or toy consisting of a rectangular container, of supports to hold the floor at a suitable distance from the bottom at various points, said flooring provided with partitions to ,form corrals for the spherical bodies at opposite points, passageways through certain of the partitions, the flooring within the corrals sloping towards the opening, the flooring outside of the corrals sloping towards the center, said container having a bottom, side walls to support and have secured thereto a transparent face.

11. In a game or toy, the combination with a container, a floor within provided with apertures or slots to receive the partitions, means for giving said-floor a variety of slants about the interior and exterior of the partitions, and spherical bodies adapted to roll about said floor and be corralled equally behind each set of partitions.

12. The combination with a closed container having therein a smooth rolling un dulated floor surface, two partitioned com-- partments one ineach opposite corners, each compartment provided With a plurality of spaced resilient partitions, the flooring Within inclined diilerently from that without, the front partitions spaced to "form an openingwhile the rear partition obstructs such opening, and a plurality of balls adapted to be corralled Within the partitions on opposite sides.

18. In a puzzle oi": the character described, a floor having a smooth undulated surface, partitions in the corners thereof forming triangular compartments, additional partitions therein obstructing the entrance of said compartment, the flooring Within said compartments pitching from a plurality of points therein, and a plurality of balls adapted to be corralled and held behind said partitions and Within said compartment.

14:. In a puzzle, a floor having inclined portions at all corners thereof, partitions in two of said corners to form compartments, and a plurality of balls adapted to be corralled and held in said compartments.

15. In a puzzle of the character described, a flooring having a smooth undulated surface, partitions in opposite corners thereof, said flooring secured to the side of said partitions, compartments formed by said partitions, and a plurality of balls adapted to be corralled and held behind such partitions.

In testimony whereof he affixes his signature. I

T. HARVEY POPE.

Images