US3687451A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

A youth game of the type where participants attempt to dispense the playing pieces out of a container by shaking the container so that the playing pieces will fall out of selected apertures in the container; characterized by the provision of a timer used in association therewith, the timer constituting a dish-like member having a central recess and marble used in association therewith, further characterized by the provision of playing pieces of different physical characteristics which are to be dispensed out of the container and some of which determine further conduct of the game. The selected apertures are in the side walls of the container and are obstructed by inwardly projecting bosses.

Description

United States Patent Breslow Aug. 29, 1972 GAME DEVICE [58] Field of Search...273/l R, 120 R, 144 R, 144 A, 273/145 R; 58/1 R, I'M

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,985,451 5/ 1961 Sims ..273/ l R 2,417,641 3/1947 Fischer ..58/1 R 3,589,724 6/1971 Barlow ..273/1 R 3,092,928 6/ 1963 Geiser ..273/12O R X 2/1971 Philpot ..273/120 R X Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & Mc- Cord ABSTRACT A youth game of the type where participants attempt to dispense the playing pieces out of a container by shaking the container so that the playing pieces will fall out of selected apertures in the container; characterized by the provision of a timer used in association therewith, the timer constituting a dish-like member having a central recess and marble used in association therewith, further characterized by the provision of playing pieces of different physical characteristics which are to be dispensed out of the container and some of which determine further conduct of the game. The selected apertures are in the side walls of the container and are obstructed by inwardly projecting bosses.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures GAME DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to game devices.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Young children are typically fascinated by activities which involve shaking a container having loose articles therein, both from the standpoint of the physical activity involved and, the noise resultant from such activity. Such children are further usually interested in activity which requires certain efforts to be accomplished within a limited time period in order to successfully play the game. Shortcomings of heretofore known timer mechanisms have been that they are electrically or mechanically operated either through the provision of gears and springs or the like, or, an electronic circuit having contacts and a buzzer. Such are vulnerable to extremely vigorous activity such as is typical with young children. Shortcomings of heretofore known games which involve the shaking of playing pieces within a container is that these games typically involve dice, the throw of which is used to determine the advancement of other playing pieces so that the dice are merely used as a chance device in association with the prime purpose of the game.

The instant invention is directed toward meeting a need and desire in the art to provide a young-age-group SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to an improved game of the type where playing pieces are to be dispensed outwardly from a container within a finite time period.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention includes a provision of a container, preferably in the shape of a simulated shoe, having apertures therein with inwardly directed bosses. Playing pieces, preferably in the form of simulated stones, are also provided with the playing pieces being of different colors. The object of the game is to shake the container in an attempt to dispense playing pieces outwardly of the apertures in the container. Where playing pieces of certain colors are dispensed either a penalty or a bonus is imposed on the participant.

The timer mechanism utilized in association with the game constitutes a dish-like member having a central recess and a launching chute on the periphery thereof.

The marble is rolled down the chute and as the marble revolves around the dish in a generally spiral path it will ultimately arrive at the center of the dish as the momentum diminishes. When the marble drops in the central recess then the period of play is'terminated for a participant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the components of the game of this invention;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The game 10 of this invention includes a timer means generally indicated 12, and a container means, generally indicated 14 and a plurality of playing pieces 16, 18, 20 and 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the playing pieces are simulated stones and the container is a simulated shoe 14. Preferably, the simulated stones are of different color, such as the stone 16 being yellow in color and preferably forty in number; the stones 18 being blue in color and preferably three in number; the stones 20 being red in color and preferably three in number and, the stones 22 being white in color and preferably one or two in number. The purpose for the different coloration and the difference in numbers of the different colored playing pieces 16 through 22 will be explained later during the explanation of the play of the game.

The timer means 12 includes a marble 24 or moving element and a member 26 to be traversed by the moving element 24. The member 26 is generally tray-like in configuration and includes a concave dished upper surface 28, having a generally circular outer periphery 28a and a center 28b with a central recess or aperture 30 at the center 28b. A chute like ramp 32 is connected at one portion of the outer periphery 28a of the disc surface 28.

The container 14, is preferably in the form of a simulated shoe or boot and as such includes a simulated sole and heel portion 34 which provides a base therefore; a simulated shoe upper portion 36 which provides the surrounding side walls defining, in combination with the base 34, a hollow interior 36a; and a simulated ankle opening 38 whichprovides a reduced opening at the top of the container. Preferably, the container 14 isforrned from two mating halves of plastic material joined together and the timer 12, is also made of a' seven in number, are deposited into the-container 1,4 and the participants take turns shaking the container- 14 within a finite time period in an attempt to dispense" the pieces outwardly therefrom. Each participant covers the top opening 38 through which the playing pieces may be initially inserted, and as soonas the timer marble 24 is droppedonsthe chute. 32,,the partici pant begins to v'igorouslyshake the container 14,,in an attemptto dispense the playing pieces outwardly from the container within the time period allotted, until the marble 24 comes to test within the central recess or aperture 30 of the tray 26.

The object of the game is for a participant to gain as many of the yellow playing pieces 16 as possible. For example, the first participant to gain 20 yellow playing pieces may be declared the winner, or, the participant who gains the most playing pieces a certain number of shaking attempts may be a winner. The other playing pieces 18 through 22 provide advantages or disadvantages to the participant. For example, if a participant dispenses a blue playing piece, then he is entitled to take playing pieces from his opponents following the termination of his time period. If a participant dispenses a red playing piece he must stop shaking the container immediately, even though there is time remaining as dictated by timer 12. And, if a participant should dispense a white playing piece, then this is considered a wipe-out and the participant must return all of the yellow playing pieces he had gained up to that point, back into the container.

Thus, it can be seen that the game of this invention provides a novel competitive amusement device that is of a type wherein the container is to be agitated, such as by shaking or the like, in an attempt to dislodge playing pieces out of limited dispensing apertures therein. The activity of dispensation will be interferred with, by the inwardly projected bosses 42 so that some vigorous activity and experimentation with the type of shaking movement will be necessary for successful play of the game. Howeventhe risk and bonus factors of the game such as provided by the blue, red, and white marbles in conjunction with the noise and physical activity factors of the game, make the game extremely attractive to young age groups. In addition, the timer means provided with the game is unique in that no electronic circuitry or gears or levers are involved, thus, enhancing the reliability of the timer and, further, in that the participant can actually view the gradual cessation of movement of the marble 24 and watch itapproach the central recess which will be the termination of the time period. It is to be understood that the playing pieces may be in the form of marbles, different value coins which are possibly of difi'erent shapes, and the receptacle 14 may be in a form other than that illustrated.

Thus, it is believed that this invention provides a novel game and an associated timer mechanism which will be well received by children of young age groups.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim: a

1. A game device comprising: means defining a playing piece receptacle having an interior; said playing piece receptacle having dispensing openings therein; obstruction means in the interior of the container ad- 20 jacent the dispensing openings; a plurality of playing pieces of different physical characteristics and being of a size and shape to pass through said dispensing openings and a timer means for use in association with the container for limiting the time period of attempted dis ensation for each partici ant,

. The game apertures 0 claim 1 wherein the obstruction means includes inwardly projecting bosses about the playing piece dispensing apertures.

3. The game device of claim 1 including a playing piece insertion opening at the upper end of the receptacle.

4. The game device of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is in the configuration of a simulated shoe with the dispensing openings being in side wall portions thereof.

5. The game device of claim 4 wherein the timer means comprises a dish-like member having a generally central recess and a peripherally oriented chute with a rollable element for use in association therewith.

Claims (5)

1. A game device comprising: means defining a playing piece receptacle having an interior; said playing piece receptacle having dispensing openings therein; obstruction means in the interior of the container adjacent the dispensing openings; a plurality of playing pieces of different physical characteristics and being of a size and shape to pass through said dispensing openings and a timer means for use in association with the container for limiting the time period of attempted dispensation for each participant.

2. The game apertures of claim 1 wherein the obstruction means includes inwardly projecting bosses about the playing piece dispensing apertures.

3. The game device of claim 1 including a playing piece insertion opening at the upper end of the receptacle.

4. The game device of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is in the configuration of a simulated shoe with the dispensing openings being in side wall portions thereof.

5. The game device of claim 4 wherein the timer means comprises a dish-like member having a generally central recess and a peripherally oriented chute with a rollable element for use in association therewith.

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