US3023007A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

L. D. LOWREY GAME APPARATUS Feb. 27, 1962 Filed April 20, 1960 PIG-.1.

X u w mo M D u m m? u 2 U Z 2 4 2 B Y M 3,tl23,litt7 GAME APFARATUS Lillian D. Lowrey, 3504 Altantie Ava, Virginia Beach, Va. Filed Apr. 20, 1960, Ser. No. 23,484 1 Claim. (Cl. 273-161) This invention relates to a game, and it particularly relates to a game which can be easily played and thoroughly enjoyed by both children and adults.

Most people are fascinated by the occult and even though few believe in it, most persons like to watch horror movies or read ghost stories for the sheer escape" emotions which are generated. Along the same vein, many people would find it great entertainment to play with a make-believe ouiji board. This would be especially great fun at parties and the like.

It is one object of the present invention to provide which can be activated at will to simulate the apparent motions of an ouiji board.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game of the aforesaid type which is simple in construction and easy to use and set up.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game of the aforesaid type which can be easily played by both children and adults.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved game, of the character described, that is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and which is highly eflicient in operation.

With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, detailed, fragmentary view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown a table comprising a generally square, flat top 12. On three of its sides, the top 12 is provided with representations of two pairs of hands, the hands 14 being in open, palms-down position. These representafions may be formed in any desired manner as by embossment, painting, imprinting, etc. The hands extend inwardly from the corresponding edges of the table top 12. On the fourth side, the top 12 is free of any representations of hands.

The top 12 is supported in the ordinary manner by legs 16, one in each corner. These legs 16 may be either of the type which are fixed to the top 12 or they may be of the foldable or collapsible type like a so-called bridge table.

Two of the legs 16, those on either side of the top edge which is opposite the edge having no hand representations, are provided on their lower ends with flexible suction cups 118 of rubber or the like, these suction cups being connected to their corresponding legs 16 by pins, rivets, or the like indicated at 20. Each suction cup comprises a tubular sleeve having a flexible stem 22 connected to a concave foot 24, the lower end of the leg 16 fitting into the sleeve 22 being retained therein by the connecting pin, rivet or the like 20.

The opposite two legs 16 are not provided with any suction cups and are therefore, at all times, free for movement relative to the floor.

In playing the game, the table 10 is set up on the floor a game in the form of a table simulating an ouiji board and the bottom of feet 24 of the suction cups are moistened and then pressed hard against thefloor. This forms a suction which will firmly secure the corresponding two legs 16 to the floor while permitting them to rock because of the flexibility of stem 22 of the suction cups 18.

There are six pairs of hand representations 14 provided so that any number of persons up to and including six or even more may play the game. However, the number of hand representations 14 may be varied as desired and as is feasible in accordance with the dimensions of the table.

In the game itself, the persons playing sit and place their hands gently in position corresponding to the pair of representations 14 in front of them. The players should not touch the table with any other part of their bodies at any time, and should never remove their hands from the table at any time.

When everyone is in position, they all say softly together, Please table rise. This incantation is repeated again and again while the players concentrate deeply on only the one thought of the table rising. Eventually, during this concentrated thought, some ofthe players will, as the result of their unconscious desire or through sheer inadvertence, increase their pressure on the table. This will cause the table to rock on the flexible suction cup supports and lift the other legs 16 up from the floor, thereby also causing that side of the table to rise.

Then, the players start to ask the table any questions desired and request an answer by knocking. For example, a player may ask, Please tell me how old is Mary Brown. Knock for each year. The table may then rise up and down to knock on the floor under the control of one or more players.

After each question is answered, the table will remain on the floor until again asked to rise as explained above. Sometimes, the table will refuse to answer a question and will remain in the rise position until another question is asked.

It is important that the room be quiet and that the players concentrate on the game in order for it to be successfully played.

The rules of the game require the players to say, Please table rise every time and to say, Thank you, table after it is in rise position and after each question is answered.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

A game device comprising a table having a generally square top supported by four legs, one leg being in each corner of the top, flexible suction cups each comprising an upwardly extending table leg receiving sleeve, a downwardly extending concave suction foot, and a flexible stem connecting said sleeve to said foot, two of said legs on one side of said table having said flexible suction cups on their lower ends and the opposite two legs being free of such suction cups, and a plurality of hand representations on three sides of said table top while the fourth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Haffner Dec. 4, 1923 Miller Oct. 13, 1953

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