WO2010072910A1

WO2010072910A1 - Secure and adaptable box for dice

Info

Publication number: WO2010072910A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/001419
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal-Régis Delfosse
Original assignee: Delfosse Pascal-Regis
Priority date: 2008-12-22
Filing date: 2009-12-11
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Also published as: EP2379184A1; FR2940135A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for efficiently and reliably shuffling any type of dice while avoiding any malfunction independent of how the box is shaken and preserving drawing confidentiality and security standards. The invention relates to a device used for shuffling dice without any drawing cancelling risk due to malfunction (broken parts), unauthorised shuffling, or cheating. The device comprises a housing made of two portions (1, 2) that can be flush fitted into each other via male and female edges (4, 5). Said two empty portions define a cylinder at the centre (33) thereof for receiving a circular (16), thick (17), completely mobile (18) and translucent part (3), the diameter (21) of which depends on the release area (8). The part (3) is used for releasing (8) or trapping (7) all the dice (34) at the same time in an equal space. Lower (22) and upper (28) adaptors can be provided for using the same box independent of the size of the dice (34). The use thereof modify the height of the abutment edge (15) and the depth of the upper portion (2) so as to ensure the flat bearing of the part (3) just above the dice. At rest, the dice (34) are placed at the bottom of the lower portion (1). The part (3) is placed flat above the dice on the abutment edge (12), which prevents the dice from being accidentally turned upside down. Said edge is circular, flat and horizontal (13), and has a calculated width (14). When a player shakes the box, the free part (3) slides into the central portion (8) due to the circular shape (16) thereof, the thickness of the flange (18) thereof, and the chamfers (19, 20) thereof down to the bottom of the portion (2), which releases the dice. The cylindrical, smooth (9) and contiguous walls (10) in the box contribute to that effect. When back in the initial position, the dice fall back into the lower portion (1) with the part (3) just on top of the dice, trapping the dice by laying them flat on the abutment edge (12). The player can then open the box confidently and with the assurance that the shuffling is correct independent of the manner of shaking and without any possible malfunction, breakage or irregularity. The player can confidentially ascertain the drawing or not, with protection against any accidental change. The device of the invention is particularly intended for the secure shuffling of any type of dice for any dice game.

Description

ADAPTABLE SECURE PLAYED BOX

The present invention relates to a device for effectively mixing all types of dice (cubic, tetrahedral, or round) with reliability, which prevents all malfunctions, failures, breakages and cheating, whatever the ways of shaking the box, while maintaining the concerns of a secure, confidential, easy and fast print in a low manufacturing cost.

The state of the prior art designates three US patents US-A-2,724,595 (D1) and US 647,621 (D2) and US 4,095,796 (D3).

The device in document D1 shows a hinge technique serving as a longitudinal pivot axis to a transparent rectangular plate. This plate is in a rectangular box with lid also hinged rectilinear. She comes to land directly on the dice to prevent them from moving.

But this effect is very limited. The plate does not eliminate the risk of rollovers of dice that are not in direct contact with the plate. Indeed, practice shows that with several dice the plate rests only on one of the dice at an inclined angle.

If the dice are of different sizes, the plate lands on the largest of them and leaves the others free.

If the dice are the same size, with a hinge lower than the size of the dice, the plate lands on the hinge closest to the hinge; with a hinge higher than the size of the die, the plate is placed on the die furthest from the hinge.

As a result, only one die is secure, the other dice can move and change the draw, inadvertently or unintentionally and at the slightest inclination of the box.

In addition, this hinge creates a space, located under itself, where the dice can remain stuck. This space is composed of the bottom, the side walls and the hinge above the dice. The hinge forces to return and shake the box according to a predefined rotation. For games of chance or betting this poses obvious problems of safety since the player can cheat by anticipating the way of mixing. Also, for the players, it greatly harms their pleasure to freely manipulate the box.

Therefore this technique with hinge axis leads to discussions and disputes to know if the way to mix is correct. The effectiveness and safety of the mixture are not assured. The serenity and the pleasure of the players are strongly troubled. In addition, the pivot axis of the hinge necessarily consists of several small parts by interlocking, screwing or gluing. Their multiplicities and small sizes make the hinge of the plate as well as that of the lid of the box fragile. As this system has the function of being knocked over, shaken and handled with force, this technique is highly prone to breakage, wear and failure.

The box is not reliable. r

Added that the manufacture and assembly of different parts of the hinge cause an increase in the cost of manufacture, which makes the box expensive.

It should be added that the lid of the box is only placed on its upper edges. It must be maintained by the player during mixing to avoid unintentional opening during mixing. The box is not hermetically sealed. This system of laying the lid leaves and promotes the possibility of intrusions with its procession of cheating.

Finally, the pivot pin system of the hinge offers the possibility of blocking the transparent plate at a single point. Blocking is easy with the lid not sealed, it facilitates cheating. Again the box is not safe.

In summary, the document Dl shows a housing whose mechanisms pose reliability problems (dysfunction by breakage or wear of the component parts), the safety of the mixtures, a high production cost and a pleasure diminished by a climate of suspicion justified at home. the players and the organizers who use it.

The device according to document D2 by internal spherical walls, keeps the dice inside without risk of losses, or manipulations or substitutions. Spherical inner walls prevent "broken" dice.

But these devices prevent to keep confidential the prints made by the transparent walls. Nor to avoid that the prints do not change involuntarily because no locking system is provided. So document D2 describes a mechanism that is neither safe nor confidential.

The device according to document D3 moves the dice from a mixing space to that of presentation, separated by a partition having a hole which opens or closes in a removable panel actuated by the player. A transparent plate is at the bottom of the box so that the player only discovers his draw.

Due to its complexity, this technique consists of several parts with small dimensions, very quickly causes malfunctions by breakage or rapid wear of materials. As for the Document Dl, the box is intended to be shaken where the dice become projectiles on the removable panel which then degrade. The actions of players on these mechanisms can be vigorous and unpredictable. Reliability is not assured.

Moreover, this device prevents playing with dice of different sizes, only with a type of calibrated dice for a box.

Also, this technique does not eliminate the risk of cheating because the passage of the dice in the hole depends on the will of the player. Also, the hole of introduction of the dice in the box is not sealed, a malice is possible, fast and easy in the case of application for games of put and money.

Finally, this passage also requires the player to steer the box to pass all the dice in the visible part, so to take off the box at the risk of damaging the confidentiality of the draw.

All these disadvantages are very partial answers to the technical problem. Because their answers pose in turn other problems like the unreliability of the use of the box (dysfunction by wear or breakage); the non-confidentiality of the prints; non-adaptability to all types of dice; a high cost of manufacturing the box by the multiplicity and assembly of parts that compose it; but especially the non-assurance that the dice mix freely regardless of how to mix the player.

The problem is how to reconcile an efficient mix for all types of dice, with the reliability of the draws that avoids dysfunctions (material and functional) regardless of the ways to shake the player by maintaining the concerns of a safe draw, confidential , easy and fast at a lower cost?

The device according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages and solve this problem. It comprises in fact according to a first feature, a box having two opaque parts which fit tightly into one another by male and female edges. These two recessed parts form a cylinder in their center which hosts a circular piece, thick, fully mobile, devoid of attachment and translucent. This piece, which allows to free or imprison all the dice at the same time and in an equal volume, is totally free in the box and independent of the player. It is moved solely by sliding along the inner walls thanks to its potential energy by the force of gravity and the kinetic energy transmitted by the player during mixing.

In the rest position the dice are placed at the bottom of the lower part. The independent piece is placed flat on top of them which prevents them from turning around unexpectedly. This piece always arises flat on the edge of the lower part. This rim is flat, horizontal, whose width and height are calculated according to the dimensions of the stop and the diagonal of the die as well as the depth of the upper part and the thickness of the independent part. This calculation is preponderant to accommodate the dice without allowing them to change face unexpectedly.

Note that the installation of an adapter is possible to use the same box regardless of the shape (cubic, tetrahedral or round) and the size of the dice. Similarly the size of the box can accommodate a variable number of dice (easily from 2 to 6) so to suit all pre-existing games and future.

When the player shakes the box as he wishes (partially or completely, slowly or quickly turning the box whatever the direction and direction of rotation) the independent piece slides in the central part thanks to its circular shape, its thickness and at its chamfers, from the laying edge to the bottom of the box. This frees the dice that can then move. The bottom of the upper part limits the mixing volume to a calculated depth which prevents the dice from being superimposed or being obliquely locked on the rim of the lower part.

Returned to the initial position, the dice fall back into the lower part with the independent piece that traps them by landing flat on the edge. Thus when the player opens the box, the independent room allows the player to see his draw in any discretion, while guaranteeing all players or organizers that he can edit the draw without being seen by all.

According to the particular embodiments:

- The junction of the lower and upper parts may have male and female edges forming a hermetic fit.

- A friction resistance between the lower and upper parts can be expected when opening the box so that it opens only under the action of the player.

- The outer edges of the lower and upper parts may include a chamfer facilitating their grip during the opening of the box. - The lower and upper parts can be hollowed in their center forming two parts of the same smooth cylinder and continuous of the same diameter, by their continuous internal junctions, where takes the independent piece position.

- The inner walls of each of the lower and upper parts can be provided smooth and continuous to facilitate the sliding of the independent part. - The depth of the recessed central zone of the upper part can be provided according to the diameter and the thickness of the independent part to ensure its laying flat on the rim of the abutment of the lower part. - The lower part may have a circular rim, flat and horizontal surface which serves as a stop and ensures the laying flat of the independent part.

- The width of the rim of the lower part may be provided in relation to the thickness and the diameter of the independent part, as well as to the depth of the upper part. - The height of the rim of the lower part can be predicted relative to the size of the dice.

- The independent piece can be provided cylindrical with a diameter smaller than that of the hollow central zone to slide.

- The independent piece may have chamfers on its upper and lower edges to facilitate its sliding against the walls. - The independent piece may be devoid of any attachment to slide freely in the central recessed area.

- The lower and upper adapters can be provided cylindrical, with a diameter identical to that of the part in which they are nested.

- The lower and upper adapters may have a thickness determined by the size of the dice and the height of the laying edge of the independent piece.

- The lower and upper adapters may have a flat surface and a hollowed surface of several hemicycles depending on the type of dice to play.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

Figure 1 is an exploded sectional view with a die and adapters. Figure 2 shows in section, the closed device in the rest position with a die imprisoned, without adapter.

Figure 3 shows in section, the closed device reversed with a released die in suspension, without adapter.

With reference to these drawings, the device comprises a box (FIG. 1) composed of two parts, a lower part (1) and an upper part (2). Each of its two parts is provided with male edges (4) and females (5) of circular form interlocking. Circular chamfers (6) are located on their outer edges favoring the opening of the box.

The lower part (1) is recessed in a double cylinder. A circular, flat and horizontal bottom that accommodates the dice (34) defining their imprisonment zone (7). Then a second cylinder with a larger diameter which forms the low zone of release of the dice (8). This diameter is identical to that of the central diameter of the upper part (2) which extends the release zone (8).

The difference between the two diameters constitutes a circular, flat and horizontal abutment rim (12) (13). This flange (12) allows the piece (3) to land flat. The width (14) of this rim is calculated as a function of the diameter (21) and the thickness (17) of the piece (3) and the depth (11) of the portion (2). This calculation allows the laying flat of the piece (3) regardless of the number and type of rotations during mixing. The height (15) of the flange (12) is calculated according to the dimensions of the stop and the diagonal of the dice (34). This calculation allows the laying flat of the piece (3) on the flange (12) and to be placed just above the faces of the dice (34) ensuring the hold in place.

The upper part (2) is recessed in depth, of cylindrical shape and of the same diameter as the lower part (1), with a flat and horizontal ceiling. This ceiling serves as a stop to the piece (3) when the box is partially inclined or totally reversed.

When the box is closed, the two parts (1) and (2) are joined, creating a recessed and cylindrical central portion (33). This zone is subdivided by the part (3) which takes place in this zone (33) into a confinement zone (7) and a dice release zone (8). The meeting of the two parts is done by contiguous junction of the walls (10). These walls are smooth (9) to make sliding possible.

The piece (3) is circular (16), without attachment so completely mobile and independent (18) to slide regardless of the rotation of the box. Also, with its circular shape (16), the piece (3) requires at least three points of contact to lock which has the effect of fighting against cheating by blocking.

In addition, the piece (3) is thick (17) and translucent. The diameter (21) of the piece (3) is a function of that of the release zone (8). It must be inferior to ensure its sliding without resistance. The workpiece (3) has chamfers on its upper (19) and lower (20) edges. At the inclinations of the box, these chamfers (19) and (20) promote the sliding of the piece (3) against the inner walls.

The diameter (21), the thickness (17) and the chamfers (19; 20) of the workpiece (3) are calculated so that the workpiece (3) slides along the smooth and continuous walls (9) of the release zone (8) without being able to remain oblique. The diameter (21) of the piece (3) is smaller than that of the release zone (5) so as to ensure the sliding and laying flat on the flange (12). The entire mechanism allows to keep a secure draft (with the piece (3) blocking the dice) is until a tilting of the box of 90 ° (beyond, the piece (3) is reversed at the bottom of the part (2) which releases the dice); until the box is shaken. In both cases, provoking a new mixture can only be done at the sight and therefore to the approval of all.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the housing accommodates in each of its parts lower (22) and upper (27) adapters enabling the mechanism to work for all types of dice, whatever their shapes, cubic, tetrahedral or round, as well as than their number of faces. The adapter for the lower part (22) is circular in shape (23). Its thickness (25) varies according to the dimensions of the stop and the diagonal of the die (34). Its diameter (24) is identical to that of the imprisonment zone (7) for the purpose that the friction against the walls provides resistance, thus keeping the adapter at the bottom during mixing. The surface accommodating the dice (34) is either flat and horizontal (26) to contain cubic or tetrahedral dice, or is hollowed out in several hemicycles (27) to maintain a draft with round dice.

The adapter for the upper part (28) is circular in shape (29). Its thickness (31) varies according to the depth of the upper part (11), the thickness (17) of the piece (3) and the end of the dice (34). Its diameter (30) is identical to that of the imprisonment zone (7) for the purpose that the friction against the walls provides resistance, thus maintaining the adapter during mixing. Its surface is flat (32). This adapter makes it possible to lay the piece (3) flat on its flange (12) without the die preventing the piece (3) from locking obliquely, by pressing on the same flange (12). ).

The device according to the invention is particularly intended for effective mixtures of all types of dice with reliable prints that avoids malfunctions (material and functional) regardless of the ways to shake the box, keeping the concerns of a safe draw, confidential, easy and fast.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1) Safe dice box adaptable to all types of dice that avoids any malfunctions (by wear, breakage or blockage), which ensures an efficient and reliable mixing whatever the way to shake the box and that retains the ability to provide a secure, confidential and simple draw for dice (34) of all shapes (cubic, tetrahedral or round) with adapters (22) and (28) characterized in that it comprises a part (3) completely free and movable (18) , circular (16), thick (17), with chamfers (19) and (20), blocking or releasing the dice in the cylindrical areas of imprisonment (7) or release (8) formed parts (1) and (2) nestable, according to a back and forth between the abutment flange (12) of the workpiece (1), where the piece (3) and the bottom (11) of the workpiece (2) rest flat .

2) Dice box according to claim 1 characterized in that the male edges (4) of the piece (1) are snapped together in the female part (5) of the piece (2) to form a dice box ( figure 1).

3) Box according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the interlocking of the lower portions (1) and upper (2) causes a frictional resistance provided at the opening of the box so as not to open following an unexpected action of the player.

4) Box according to claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the outer edges of the lower portions (1) and upper (2) comprise chamfers (19) and (20) facilitating their grip during the opening of the box following the resistance caused by the nesting of these two same parts (1) and (2).

5) A dice box according to claim 1, characterized in that the centers of the lower (1) and upper (2) portions are cylindrically recessed (33), forming the two zones, imprisonment zone (7) and release zone ( 8) dice.

6) Box according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that the inner walls of the two parts (1) and (2) of the inner cylinder (33) are provided smooth (9) and contiguous junctions (10) when both parts (1; 2) are nested, allowing the piece (3) to slide.

7) Dice box according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that the depth (11) of the inner cylinder (33) is dug according to the diameter (21) and the thickness (17) of the independent portion (3) , laying flat on the abutment flange (12) of the lower part (1). 8) Box according to claim 1 characterized in that the lower part (1) is provided with a stop lip (12) which is circular, flat and horizontal surface (13) serving as a stop and ensuring the installation to flat of the room (3).

9) Box according to claims 1 and 8 characterized in that the width of the flange (14) is calculated with respect to the thickness (17) and the diameter (21) of the piece (3) and to the depth

(11) of the upper part (2).

10) Box according to claims 1 and 8 characterized in that the height of the flange (15) is calculated with respect to the size of the dice (34), their edges and their diagonals.

11) Dice box according to claims 1 and 6 characterized in that the piece (3) is devoid of any fastener (18), it constitutes a fully movable part due to its cylindrical shape (16) with a diameter smaller than that of the recessed central zone (33) in which it slides freely.

12) Box according to claims 1 and 6 characterized in that the piece (3) has chamfers on its upper edges (19) and lower (20) to facilitate its sliding against the smooth walls (9).

13) Boxes according to claim 1 characterized in that the lower adapters (22) and upper (28) are cylindrical (23) and (29), the diameters identical (24) and (30) to the parts in which they are nested (1) and (2).

14) Boxes according to claim 1 characterized in that the lower adapters (22) and upper (28) have thicknesses (25) and (31) determined according to the dice since they have the role of enhancing and dice prevent the blocking of the flat laying of the workpiece (3).

15) Boxes according to claims 1, 14 and 15 characterized in that the lower adapter (22) has a flat surface (dice flat faces) and a hollowed surface of several hemicycles (round dice) which allows the player to choose the type of surface according to the type of dice to play.