US3464698A - Numbers game ball - Google Patents

Description

, Sept. 2, 1969 J. BOSCO NUMBERS GAME BALL Filed July 18, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

J. BOSCQ NUMBERS GAME BALL Sept. 2, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18. 1966 3 a w w "I I v e p n 0 I x United States Patent US. Cl. 273-58 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a numbers game, and more particularly it relates to a means to dispense with the callers chart commonly used by such games as Bingo, Lotto, Blitz and Beano. The present invention mainly will provide a spherical ball-shapped hollow ball which upon its outer surface will carry a plurality of convex domeshaped protrusions upon which the numbers of the callers chart are being imprinted.

To accomplish the above purpose the spherical ballshaped hollow ball will be made of transparent plastic which upon its outer circumference or surface will be beset with a plurality (75) of dome-like arcuate members or convex bodies with numbers from 1 to 75 being imprinted upon each body.

With each number called, the numbers upon the domeshaped members will be depressed by means of a device or by hand. At the conclusion of the game the ball will be checked by the caller and the depressed numbers will be noted. Then the ball (which is made of two sections held together) will be opened and the depressed dome-shaped members will be pushed outwardly (by finger) to assume their original pregame position.

The present invention relates to a numbers game, and more particularly it relates to a means to dispense with the callers chart commonly used by such games as Bingo, Lotto, Blitz and Beano. The present invention mainly will provide a spherical ball-shaped hollow member which upon its outer surface will carry a plurality of convex dome-shaped protrusions upon which the numbers of the callers chart are being imprinted.

. More particularly relating to the games called Bingo, Lotto, Blitz and Beano, and more particularly to the manner of playing the same, the rules provide that each player participant is given a card upon which the numbers from 1 to 75 are imprinted in various combinations, in a checkered pattern and in such a manner as to provide live numbers running in horizontal rows, and five numbers running in vertical rows, all in total 25 numbers. The checkered section in the very center may be marked as Tree? As the game progresses the caller draws marked disks from a bag or a box with each disk marked with a single number (from 1 to 75). As the numbers are read by the caller, the players with the numbered cards before them, cover the numbers called (in the event the numbers called are contained upon the card before them) with a plastic of paper disk. The present invention does not concern itself with the numbered card (which has been made the subject matter of another application) but rather it concerns itself with .the process by means the numbers are called or drawn by the rules of the game.

Relative to the latter, the present invention would dispense entirely with the numbered disks which are usually mixed prior to being called (in a mixer device) and eliminates the risk of misplacing or losing the markers (also will eliminate the callers chart). While the present invention utilizes the same general playing rules and principles of the games already in vogue (and above enumerated), however it will dispense with the numbered disks andf-the callers chart and in its place will substitute the 3,464,698 Patented Sept. 2, 1969 ball-shaped member above mentioned. In the latter case the numbers of the callers chart are imprinted upon the dome-shaped protrusions on the ball. The ball of the present invention may be nicknamed Bingo-Ball or may be given any other appropriate name.

To accomplish the above purpose the present invention provides a plastic, transparent, hollow ball (of varied diameter, as desired) which upon its outer circumference is beset with a plurality of dome-like or domeshaped arcuate members or convex bodies. The numbers must be large enough to be readily distinguishable from a distance. The latter requirement is not absolutely necessary. 'However, the numbers must be sufiiciently large to permit ready visual observation by the caller. Each domeshaped protrusion in the ball, before the game is in progress, would have the numbers set ready for the game. Each number in the ball being identified by the corresponding number in the old callers chart, the entire series of the 75 numbers is represented by the 75 protrusions or dome-shaped members upon the ball. The ball itself would be formed of two separate sections (semispherical) each having a threaded flange, or with one section secured to the other (threaded). Of course, other methods of fastening may be found applicable. With each number called, the numbers upon the dome-shaped members will be depressed, by means of a device (to be described later) or by finger. At the conclusion of the game the ball will be checked by the caller and the depressed number will be noted. Then the ball will be quickly opened (unscrewed or just separated) and the depressed dome-shaped members will be pushed outwardly (by finger) to assume their pregame position. Accordingly, the ball of the present invention will serve as the original callers chart. To call or to draw the numbers the operator will roll the ball down an incline, or an inclined chute, which at its lowermost end (bottom) would be provided with a recessed area where the ball will rest at a window with a lens, showing only one number.

Likewise means may be provided at the bottom where the ball may come to rest in properly spaced and recessed openings wherein the corresponding numbered protrusions of the ball would automatically seat themselves for purposes of indexing.

Over the area in the window where the ball sets, there is a handle or a swinging arm holding a convex lens or a magnifying glass which is swung downwardly and against the ball. In this action the number upon the ball would be showing through the lens magnified several times. Further movement of the lens, by means of the slight protrusion or detent upon the lens, would depress the dome-shaped convex member upon the ball inwardly within the ball to register the number called.

With the game in full progress, after having depressed several numbers certain areas of the ball will become more sparsely covered with protruding numbers, thus, the likelihood that a number will always show in the center of the window when the ball becomes seated in the base (or its base) would become rarer. To alleviate this difficulty a number of openings (the exact dimension of the corresponding protruding numbers on the ball) will be provided. These holes or openings would be contained in two to three circles around a dead center hole in the lens or window. In this manner if a number of the descended and settled ball does not coincide directly in the center of such window, in that event, the nearest protruding number to the center hole would be called. To have it otherwise would require the throw of the ball many times into the chute before a number would hit dead center of the window. Thus delaying the game.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hollow-shaped ball, made preferably of transparent plastic, which may be formed of a pair of semispherical sections having a threaded flange or other fastening means. One section being threaded or connected into another to form said ball.

A further object of the preset invention is to provide a light compact ball-shaped body, which upon its outer circumference is beset with a plurality of dome-shaped arcute members having numbers imprinted thereon (from 1 to 75).

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction, and the combination of parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, references will be made to the accompanying drawings, where like character numerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a section through the device showing the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial section through the Bingo-Ball;

FIG. 3 is a section through the Bingo-Ball showing one of the dome-shaped members depressed;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the magnifying lense;

FIG. 5 is ansection through a modification; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail similar to the one shown in FIG. 5.

It is understood that the present form of disclosure is merely for the purpose of illustration, and that there might be various modifications thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention as herein set forth.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the device 20, made in accordance with the present invention, best seen in FIG. 1, comprises, in combination the inclined shute 21 preferably made of a circular cross-section. At its upper end 22 the shute 21 has a circular opening 23, and at its lower end the shute 21 has a circular base 24. By means of the hinge 25 the base 24 is hingeably supported to the shute 21. A spring (not shown) may be provided to hold the base 24 in the position substantially as shown in FIG. 1.

In its front end 26, the shute 21 may be provided with an opening 27 (circular or elongated). A bracket 28 may be held in the upper section and above the opening 27, While 'a flanged hingeably held member 29, by means of the pin 30, may be hingeably held by the bracket 28. It can be seen that a lense 31 of substantial proportions may be held within the flanged member 29 substantially as shown. A manually operated handle 32 may be mounted to the flange 29 :by means of the support member 33. The operation upon the handle 32 in the direction shown by the arrow A will hinge the lense 31 in its mounting 29 in the direction shown by the arrow B. A finger or a detent 34 may be held to the lense 31 substantially as shown. The operation of the detent 34 will be described in detail later.

It may be discerned that in the rear of the lense 31, and behind the shute 21, there is provided an opening 35 into which is mounted a housing 36 for the purpose of supporting the electric bulb 37 in its socket 38, substantially as shown. By means of an electric cord and switch (not shown) the light 37 may be turned on and off as desired.

Further reference being made to the device 20, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that a spherical body may be contained within the shute 21. The spherical body 40 fits snugly within the shute 21 and may be conveniently rolled into the shute through the opening 23. As it tumbles to the bottom of the shute 21, it reaches the base 24 in a pell-mell fashion and its further decent is arrested by the base 24 and is being restricted from further movement. The hinging base 24 may be provided with a checkered member G which is formed with a number of concave grooves or holes shaped to receive the dome- I 4 shaped convex members 39. The member G serves as an indexing means to permit the ball 40' to align itself properly in respect to the lense window 31 and the finger detent 34, substantially as shown in FIG. 1.

The spherical body 40 may be provided upon its outer surface with a plurality of dome-shaped, arcuate membens 39 (but not more than 75 members to correspond with the equal number in the callers chart, in the Lotto game). It can be discerned that the spherical body 40 may be actually formed of two separately held semispherical arcuate shells 41 and 42, respectively, being joined to one another at their margins 43 and 43a, by means of the large ring 44. However, a joining ring may not be necessary and the shells may be joined to one another directly and in many other ways. In the former case, one side of the ring 44 may be pasted to the semispherical body 41, while the other side 46 may be provided with an outer thread out upon its entire outer circumference. The margin 43a of the semispherical body 42 also has an internal thread. By means of the pair of threads above mentioned the semispherical bodies may be joined to one another; the body 42 is securely held to the body 41 to form the complete sphere 39. In like manner one shell may be provided at its margin with an outer (male) thread, while the other shell may have an inner (female) thread. The shells may then be joined to one another by threading the male thread into the female thread (not shown).

FIG. '3 shows the shell 40 in greater detail. It can be discerned that the shell of dome-shaped members 39 may be positioned around the outer surface of the sphere 40 with each member having a number N imprinted upon it, from 1 to 75 corresponding with the numbers in the callers chart (not shown but above described). The dome-shaped members 39 are so formed that they can readily be depressed (see FIG. 3) by means of the detent or the finger 34 when the handle 32 is moved downwardly and away from the shute 29. In FIG. 3 the sphere-shaped member or ball is formed of two separate sections, with one section held to the other through the medium of the medium of the circular flange 47. The flange 47 may be an integral part of the ball and may be formed from the margins of either one of the semispherical shells or bodies 41 and 42. In the event that the finger detent does not perfectly align itself with one of the dome-shaped members 40, the caller (with the palm of his hand) may give a slight blow to the base 24 upon which the ball 39 is held. This action will shake the ball slightly and permit it to locate itself within the member G substantially as indicated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6, inclusive show a modification. In this case the spherical body or ball 39 may be formed exactly as above described (FIGS. 1 to 4), but differing in this case by the addition of a lighting means. The latter may be formed in the shape of a supporting base 48 which contains the body 50, and within the end covers 53 and 54 supporting a pair of dry cell batteries 51 and 52, respectively.

The body 50, by means of the tripod-shaped bracket and legs 55, 56 and 57 may be mounted within the hollow space provided in the spherical body or ball 48, substantially as shown. A pair of adjustably held counter weights 58 and 59 may be provided for balance. By means of the set screws 60 and 61, the weights 58 and 59 may be made loose and be set to any relative position desirable to balance the dead weight of the base and battery combination, so as not to unbalance the sphere as it tumbles down the shute 21. The battery and base combination may be built small enough not to interfere with the lighting effect of the bulb 63.

A pair of metallic connections and 66 lead from the pair of dry cell batteries to an electric bulb 63. A third connection 67, forming the electrical contact between the two poles of the dry cell batteries, is arranged in such a manner as to connect electrically the batteries to the bulb 63, in series. When the bulb 63 is lit by the batteries, the light from the bulb will shine through the transparent body of the sperical member or shell 39 helping to make the numbers imprinted upon the convex domes 40 visible to the caller and to the players from a considerable distance.

Operation The operation of the device is substantially as follows:

Before the game is ready to begin (or at the end of a game and before a new game is ready to be played), the caller makes sure that all the dome-shaped convex members 40, in the Bingo-Ball 39 are in their normal beforethe-game position. In the event that he finds that some are not, the caller then unscrews the pair of semispherical shells of the Bingo-Ball from one another, and by means of his finger he corrects the defecttbyreturning the depressed portion of the dome-shaped members back to where they were before the game). Finally the caller screws the shells back to one another (to restore the Bingo-Ball to its original shape). Now he is ready to call the numbers of the next Bingo game.

The caller announces to the players that he is ready to begin. He then inserts the Bingo-Ball 39 through the opening 23 in the shute 21 permitting the ball to tumble down to its base 24. When the ball 39 reaches the base 24, the dome-shaped members 40- may not always be aligned perfectly with the finger detent 34 upon the lense 31. To correct this defect, the caller taps the base 24 slightly (with the palm of his hand) to dislodge the ball. The vibration transmitted to the Bingo-Ball 39 shakes it loose permitting the dome-shaped members 40 (in the lower portion of the ball) to become aligned with the grooves or the holes in the aligning member G. With the ball thus aligned, now one of the dome-shaped members 40 must be in direct contact with the finger detent 34. This is all that is necessary. The caller then, by means of the handle 32, operates the framed lense 31 thus applying pressure upon the dome-shaped member in contact with the finger detent 34. Pressure thus applied deforms the convex portion of the dome-shaped member in contact with the detent into the concave form shown in FIG. 3.

With the number thus registered upon the Bingo-Ball 39, the caller anounces the number to the playing public who then (in the event such a number is shown upon their playing cards) cover it with a marker. It is understood that in the event the players are using my plastic Bingo card covered in another application, all that will be necessary to register the number will be depression of one of the convex dome-shaped members upon the card to register the called number.

Then the ball is again removed by the caller from the shute 21 by opening the base 24. To accomplish this function the caller just pulls the base 24 down and the ball tumbles out of it. The caller again inserts the Bingo-Ball into the shute 21 repeating the action above described all over again. The game proceeds until a winner among the players announces that he or she has completed his card and that five numbers in a row (vertically, horizontally or diagonally) have been covered with markers (with the Free space marked in the card also being taken into consideration). The game thus ends. Subsequently the numbers upon the winners card are carefully checked with the depressed surfaces upon the Bingo-Ball. With the check completed, the winner is given his prize, and now the caller is ready to return the depressed surfaces to their original pregame position. With the pair of shells in the Bingo-Ball back together, now the players are ready to begin another game of Bingo or what not.

A careful examination of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings, will enable the reader to obtain .a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty, sufiicient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Having described my invention, what I claim is the following:

1. A spherical member comprising, in combination, a pair of semispherical shells, each shell having a circular margin, means for mounting said shells to one another to form a complete spherical ball-shaped body in the form of a hollow sphere, said ball-shaped body upon its outer surface having a number of convex dome-shaped members, said members extending over and beyond the outer surface of said body, and numbers imprinted upon each convex member, said sphere being formed of transparent plastic material allowing light to shine through.

2. The combination according to claim 1; said convex members'being adapted to be depressed to register a number, said depression being retained upon said convex members by the resiliency of the plastic material of which the shell is made.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 563,170 6/1896- Haley et 'al 273--58 744,718 11/ 1903 Cassidy.

906,932 12/1908 Riblet 273-213 X 1,986,710 1/1935 Brown 273146 2,521,703 9/1950 Emmitt 27358 2,960,794 11/1960 Johns 27358 X OTHER REFERENCES IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 7, No. 12, May 1965, p. 1168.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner A. W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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