US3740039A - Game or educational device - Google Patents

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US3740039A
US3740039A US00261533A US3740039DA US3740039A US 3740039 A US3740039 A US 3740039A US 00261533 A US00261533 A US 00261533A US 3740039D A US3740039D A US 3740039DA US 3740039 A US3740039 A US 3740039A
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cylindrical member
game according
arms
cylindrical
lamp
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V Prola
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/18Question-and-answer games
    • A63F9/181Fortune-telling games

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  • ABSTRACT A device having the outward form of a transparent or translucent crystal ball disposed before a human figure with conjointly movable arms and eyelids. Disposed within the crystal ball are a pair of independently rotatable cylindrical members having circumferentially distributed symbols that become visible through a predetermined viewing region of the ball when the cylindrical members are illuminated by a. lamp located within each member. Indexing movement of one of the cylindrical members selectively causes illumination of one or both lamps. A cam and lever arrangement assures synchronous movement of the arms and eyelids with said one cylindrical member.
  • FIG-3 FIG-8 GAME OR EDUCATIONAL DEVICE
  • This invention relates to a game device or teaching device, and in particular to a device of this nature involving mathematical or arithmetical operations and' which embodies an air of mystification.
  • the present invention concerns a device in which certain selections, for example, of numbers, can be made and the device signals instructions to the operator or player which are to be followed and, subsequently, signals an answer which shows whether or not the signalled instructions have been properly followed.
  • a primary object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the nature referred to which is relatively compact and inexpensive, but quite efficient in operation and which, in addition to providing the pleasure of mystification and suspense, provides for practice in arithmetic.
  • Another object of this invention is the provision of a device of the nature referred to which is adjustable to provide for different types of instructions and different answers corresponding to the instructions.
  • a still further object is the provision of a device of 'the nature referred to which is both entertaining and educational and operates in a manner such as to mystify at least younger players.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the device in one position.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the device in another position.
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the device indicated by line III-III on FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line IV-IV of FIG. 2 and 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a linkage mechanism forming a part of the device.
  • FIG. 6 is a section on line VI-VI of FIG. 3 showing a detail of the device.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for the device.
  • FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a modification.
  • the device of the present invention embodies the combination of instruction signalling means and answer indicating means with the instruction signalling means being sequentially actuated.
  • the instruction signalling means may be visible or audible or a combination thereof and, in a preferred form which the invention takes, consist of instructions for performing mathematical or arithmetical operations.
  • the device embodies a selector for selecting an item of information,'such as a number, which is employed during the carrying out of the instructions, together with another item of information, such as a number, which is indicated on the device.
  • the apparatus indicates an answer which will show whether or not the operator or player has correctly carried out the instructions indicated by the device.
  • the device is housed in a frame and may be either battery operated or operated from conventional household current and includes a manually operated switch for sequentially actuating the instruction signalling means.
  • a motor operated switch may also be used for that purpose.
  • the frame of the device is in the form of a base having a figurine at one side while resting on the base is a spherical member simulating a crystal ball.
  • the instructions are inside the spherical member and are made visible by lamps and the figurine has moveable arms and eyelids which are actuated during the operation of the device. 7
  • the device comprises a frame consisting of a base 10 having a figurine 12 upstanding at one side while in front of the figurine is a globular shell-like portion 14 of light conductive material.
  • This portion 14 may be either transparent or translucent.
  • first and second cylindrical members 18 and 20 Supported inside portion 14 on a diameter thereof is a shaft 16 and rotatably mounted on the shaft 16 in axially spaced relation are first and second cylindrical members 18 and 20, each of which has a hub 22, 24, respectively, and spokes, or a spider, connecting the hub with a cylindrical rim portion.
  • Each cylindrical rim portion bears symbols in the form of numbers or words or the like which are normally invisible from outside shell portion 14 but which become visible when the respective rim portion is illuminated from the inside.
  • each lamp 26 and 28 mounted in a respective socket with each socket provided with a respective re flector 30, 32 which directs the light from the respective lamp toward a certain peripheral region of the rim portion of the pertaining cylindrical member and which can be referred to as a reading position.
  • This position is to one side of the vertical center line of shell-like por-' tion 14 and on that side of portion 14 opposite figurine 12.
  • Each socket is supported on a respective spring 34,
  • each spring being mounted on one end of a substantially horizontal arm 38, 40.
  • each arm extendsin the fore and aft direction and is disposed below the axis of shaft 16 and is provided with a counter weight 42 to counter balance the weight of the lamp and socket and spring and reflector.
  • the arms 38, 40 are connected by a shaft 44 parallel to shaft 16 and suspended in the spaced arms 46 dependent from a bushing 48 loose on shaft 16 and fitting between hubs 22 and 24. Between dependent portions 46, shaft 44 may have connected thereto a weight 50 of substantial size which determines a certain rest position for shaft 44 and, therefore, for the arms 38 and 40 and the lamps pertaining thereto.
  • Each of members 18 and 20 on the one side is provided with notches for receiving a detent.
  • cylindrical member 18 has notches 52 adapted to receive detent element 54 mounted on the upper end of a leaf spring 56 anchored in portion 58 of the frame.
  • cylindrical member 20 has notches 60 engaged by a detent element 62 on the upper end of a leaf spring 64 also anchored in portion 58 of the frame.
  • Adjacent detent element 62 are switches 51 and 52 with an actuating plunger 66 extending between spring 64 and switch 51.
  • both switches are open, and when the detent drops into certain ones of the notches it will cause switch 51 to close, whereas when the detent drops into predetermined deeper notches, one of which is designated at 68, the detent will drop farther than it does when it enters a notch 60 and will cause both of switches 51 and 52 to close.
  • each of members 18 and 20 is provided with gear teeth 70, and the gear teeth engage respective worms 72 for member 18 and 74 for member 20.
  • Each worm as will be seen in FIG. 3, is
  • the lamp 28 is under the control of the aforementioned switch 51 and lamps 26, 130 and 132 are under the control of switches 51 and 52 with the lamps and switches being connected in circuit with a battery B as shown in FIG. 7 with an on-off switch 134 also being mounted on a shaft 76 which is journaled in frame 10 i and at the outer end has a knob 78 for rotation of the shaft to drive the pertaining cylindrical member in rotationfrom one indexed position to another.
  • Left hand knob 78 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a number selector knob and right hand knob is the game knob.
  • Left hand knob controls a disc 81 which has a portion of the edge visible through window 79 whereby the adjusted position of left hand knob 78 and of member 18 operated thereby can be determined.
  • Disc 81 can be fixed to left hand shaft 76 or it can be positively driven thereby, as by a ball chain.
  • the hub 24 for cylindrical member carries a star wheel 80 thereon having notches 82 adapted to engage an element 84 carried on arm 40.
  • star wheel 80 will cause the shaft 44 and the arms 38 and 40 thereon to start to oscillate about the rest position thereof with the oscillations gradually diminishing until the said arms come to rest.
  • the figurine referred to has a head 90 with eyes 92 which have moveable eyelids 94.
  • the figurine also has arms 96 pivoted to the body of the figurine at 98 and with the arms having hands 100. In a lowered first position of the arms, the hands rest on shell-like portion 14, as shown in FIG. 1, and in a second rest position of the arms, the hands rest on the head of the figurine as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the lids 94 move from open position when the arms are down to closed position when the arms are up.
  • a linkage consisting of a lever 102 connected to the eyelids and a lever 104 connected to the arms in a link 106 extending therebetween so that when the arms raise the eyelids will close and vice versa.
  • the arms have another lever 108 which may carry a counter weight 110 to counter balance the weight of the arms.
  • Lever 104 is connected by a link 112 with a lever 114 pivoted in frame 10 at 116.
  • the end of lever I14 opposite its pivotal connection to link 112 comprises a follower 118 resting on the periphery of a cam 120 which is fixed to the hub of member 20.
  • Member 20 in the arrangement illustrated has two beginning positions, in each of which follower 118 is at the bottom ofa notch in cam 120. As member 20 is indexed away from the rest position step by step, the arms of the figurine gradually raise away from the first provided in the circuit.
  • battery B may be receivable in a socket in the bottom of frame 10 and retained in position as by clip 136 while making contact with spring members 138 and 140 and which are connected to respectively oppositesides of the circuit of FIG. 7 as shown therein.
  • the knob 78 which is positioned to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 and which controls member 20, is rotated to starting position.
  • switch 51 is closed and lamp 28 is illuminated.
  • lamp 28 is caused to swing back and forth so that the instructions illuminated thereby do not immediately come into focus.
  • the right hand knob 78 is then actuated to advance member 20 one more position and at this time the figurines hands approach still closer to the head and a further set of instructions will appear, for example, DIVIDE BY TWO.
  • the right hand knob 78 is then actuated'again and this time the figurines hands engage the head and the eyes of the figurine close.
  • a still further set of instructions is also indicated, namely, SUBTRACT THE ORIGINAL NUMBER.
  • the operator now computes the final answer by subtracting 12 from 15, thereby obtaining number 3.
  • a further actuation of right hand knob 78 will cause the arms of the figurine to drop and the eyes to open and at this time detent 62 will drop into a deep notch 68, thereby closing both of switches 51 and 52 and illuminating all of the lights inside the shell-like transparent or translucent portion 14.
  • the lamps 26 and 28 will be swinging inside the portion 14 and when the swinging thereof ceases, the answer corresponding to the number selected by the left hand knob 78 will now become visible, the answer being 3 and which corresponds with the answer computed by the player if the instructions have been carried out properly.
  • FIG. 8 is pertinent in this respect.
  • member is shown in the indexed position thereof which corresponds to the starting position for the series of instructions which will yield the players age and year of birth. This game also involves the presetting of member 18 in a certain answer position.
  • member 20 carries a mask 21 which, in the position in which member 20 is shown in FIG. 8, covers that portion of member 18 which is in reading position.
  • the mask 21 will move out of masking position and, when lamp 26 is illuminated by indexing of member 20 to the answer position, the portion of member 18 in reading position will become readable.
  • the instructions are contemplated to be mathematical in nature and can involve any type, or combination of types, of mathematical operations. Other types of instructions which can lead to a predictable end result, or answer, are, of course, possible.
  • a frame a pair of cylindrical members rotatably mounted in coaxial relation in the frame and bearing circumferentially distributed symbols that become visible in a predetermined circumferentially disposed viewing region when the respective cylindrical member is internally illuminated, each cylindrical member having a plurality of indexed positions in each of which a respective symbol is presented to said viewing region, means for independently indexing said cylindrical members from each indexed position thereof to the next, lamp means for independently illuminating the inside of each cylindrical memher, and control means responsive to indexing moveport means swingably supporting said lamp means, and
  • a game according to claim 2 which includes a spring supporting each lamp means means.
  • said frame includes a figurine seated adjacent said spherical por tion and having moveable arms with hands which rest on said sphericalportion in a lowered position of said arms and on the head of the figurine inan elevated position of said arms, and actuating means responsive to rotation of at least said one cylindrical member for moving said arms between the two said positions thereof.
  • a game according to claim 5 in which said figurine has moveable eyelids, and linkage means connecting the eyelids to said arms for closing; the eyelids in the elevated position of said arms and opening the eyelids in the lowered position of said arms.
  • said actuating means includes a cam connected to rotate with said one cylindrical member, and linkage means in said frame connecting said cam to said arms of the figurine for actuation thereof as said one cylindrical member is rotated.
  • said frame has a spherical portion simulating a crystal ball and surrounding said cylindrical members, a diametral shaft in said spherical portion, said cylindrical members being independently rotatable on said shaft, said frame having a front wall, a pair of knobs rotatable on said front wall, and means drivingly connecting each knob with one of said cylindrical members.
  • a game according to claim 8 which includes a dial behind said front wall and driven by one of said knobs, said dial having symbols thereon in circumferentially distributed relation, and a window in said front wall for viewing said dial thereby to determine the indexed position of the cylindrical member pertaining tothe respective knob.
  • a game according to claim 8 which includes a shaft connected to each knob and extending into the frame, a worm on each shaft adjacent the respective cylindrical member, and teeth on the cylindrical members engaging the respective ones of said worms.
  • each cylindrical member includes notches in one edge and detent means resiliently supported in said frame and bearing on said one edges to determine the indexed positions of i and operated into closed position by the detent means pertaining to said one cylindrical member when the detent means drops into any notch in the said one edge of said one cylindrical member.
  • a game according to claim 13 in which at least one selected notch in said one edge of said one cylindrical member is deeper than the others thereof, and a second switch in circuit with the lamp means pertaining to the other said cylindrical member and closed only when the detent means pertaining to said one cylindrical member drops into said one selected notch.
  • a game according to claim 14 in which other lamp means are provided inside said cylindrical member and in circuit with said second switch.
  • each of the said lamp means for illuminating the inside of a said cylindrical member is nonrotatably supported inside the respective cylindrical member, and reflector means adjacent each said lamp means directing the illumination therefrom toward a predetermined circumferential region of the respective cylindrical member.
  • a game according to claim 1 which includes means for supplying energy to said-lamp means com prising battery means in said frame.
  • a game according to claim 1 in which said one cylindrical member has a plurality of sets of instructions serially arranged thereon about the periphery thereof.
  • said one cylindrical member includes a mask element thereon which in one position of said one cylindrical member covers the portion of the other cylindrical member which is disposed in said viewing region.
  • a game according to claim 1 in which said one member has a plurality of sets of instructions serially arranged about the periphery thereof, an indexed position of said one cylindrical member pertaining to each instruction, a further indexed position for said one cylindrical member at the end of each series of instructions comprising the answer position, and means for illuminating the lamp means inside the other cylindrical member in each answer position of said one cylindrical member.

Abstract

A device having the outward form of a transparent or translucent crystal ball disposed before a human figure with conjointly movable arms and eyelids. Disposed within the crystal ball are a pair of independently rotatable cylindrical members having circumferentially distributed symbols that become visible through a predetermined viewing region of the ball when the cylindrical members are illuminated by a lamp located within each member. Indexing movement of one of the cylindrical members selectively causes illumination of one or both lamps. A cam and lever arrangement assures synchronous movement of the arms and eyelids with said one cylindrical member.

Description

United States Patent 1 Prola 1 GAME OR EDUCATIONAL DEVICE [76] lnventor: Victor J. Prola, 334 Maple Avenue,
Blairsville, Pa. 15717 [22] Filed: June 9, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 261,533
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 441,131 l/l936 Great Britain 273/161 June 19, 1973 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-Melvin A. Crosby [57] ABSTRACT A device having the outward form of a transparent or translucent crystal ball disposed before a human figure with conjointly movable arms and eyelids. Disposed within the crystal ball are a pair of independently rotatable cylindrical members having circumferentially distributed symbols that become visible through a predetermined viewing region of the ball when the cylindrical members are illuminated by a. lamp located within each member. Indexing movement of one of the cylindrical members selectively causes illumination of one or both lamps. A cam and lever arrangement assures synchronous movement of the arms and eyelids with said one cylindrical member.
20 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SHEHIUFZ PATENIED 3. 740.039
FIG-3 FIG-8 GAME OR EDUCATIONAL DEVICE This invention relates to a game device or teaching device, and in particular to a device of this nature involving mathematical or arithmetical operations and' which embodies an air of mystification.
More particularly still, the present invention concerns a device in which certain selections, for example, of numbers, can be made and the device signals instructions to the operator or player which are to be followed and, subsequently, signals an answer which shows whether or not the signalled instructions have been properly followed.
The present invention represents further advances and improvements over the device illustrated in rriy copending application, Ser. No. 13,486; entitled: GAME DEVICE, and filed Feb. 24, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,672,071.
A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the nature referred to which is relatively compact and inexpensive, but quite efficient in operation and which, in addition to providing the pleasure of mystification and suspense, provides for practice in arithmetic.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a device of the nature referred to which is adjustable to provide for different types of instructions and different answers corresponding to the instructions.
A still further object is the provision of a device of 'the nature referred to which is both entertaining and educational and operates in a manner such as to mystify at least younger players.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the device in one position.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the device in another position.
FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the device indicated by line III-III on FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line IV-IV of FIG. 2 and 3.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a linkage mechanism forming a part of the device.
FIG. 6 is a section on line VI-VI of FIG. 3 showing a detail of the device.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for the device.
FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a modification.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device of the present invention embodies the combination of instruction signalling means and answer indicating means with the instruction signalling means being sequentially actuated. The instruction signalling means may be visible or audible or a combination thereof and, in a preferred form which the invention takes, consist of instructions for performing mathematical or arithmetical operations.
The device embodies a selector for selecting an item of information,'such as a number, which is employed during the carrying out of the instructions, together with another item of information, such as a number, which is indicated on the device.
Following the carrying out of the sequentially indicated instructions, the apparatus indicates an answer which will show whether or not the operator or player has correctly carried out the instructions indicated by the device.
The device is housed in a frame and may be either battery operated or operated from conventional household current and includes a manually operated switch for sequentially actuating the instruction signalling means. A motor operated switch may also be used for that purpose.
The frame of the device is in the form of a base having a figurine at one side while resting on the base is a spherical member simulating a crystal ball. The instructions are inside the spherical member and are made visible by lamps and the figurine has moveable arms and eyelids which are actuated during the operation of the device. 7
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The device comprises a frame consisting of a base 10 having a figurine 12 upstanding at one side while in front of the figurine is a globular shell-like portion 14 of light conductive material. This portion 14 may be either transparent or translucent.
Supported inside portion 14 on a diameter thereof is a shaft 16 and rotatably mounted on the shaft 16 in axially spaced relation are first and second cylindrical members 18 and 20, each of which has a hub 22, 24, respectively, and spokes, or a spider, connecting the hub with a cylindrical rim portion. Each cylindrical rim portion bears symbols in the form of numbers or words or the like which are normally invisible from outside shell portion 14 but which become visible when the respective rim portion is illuminated from the inside.
For illuminating the rim portions of members 18 and 20 from the inside thereof, there are provided the respective lamps 26 and 28 each mounted in a respective socket with each socket provided with a respective re flector 30, 32 which directs the light from the respective lamp toward a certain peripheral region of the rim portion of the pertaining cylindrical member and which can be referred to as a reading position. This position is to one side of the vertical center line of shell-like por-' tion 14 and on that side of portion 14 opposite figurine 12.
Each socket is supported on a respective spring 34,
' 36 with the lower end of each spring being mounted on one end of a substantially horizontal arm 38, 40.
As will best be seen in FIG. 3, each arm extendsin the fore and aft direction and is disposed below the axis of shaft 16 and is provided with a counter weight 42 to counter balance the weight of the lamp and socket and spring and reflector.
The arms 38, 40 are connected by a shaft 44 parallel to shaft 16 and suspended in the spaced arms 46 dependent from a bushing 48 loose on shaft 16 and fitting between hubs 22 and 24. Between dependent portions 46, shaft 44 may have connected thereto a weight 50 of substantial size which determines a certain rest position for shaft 44 and, therefore, for the arms 38 and 40 and the lamps pertaining thereto.
Each of members 18 and 20 on the one side is provided with notches for receiving a detent. Thus, cylindrical member 18 has notches 52 adapted to receive detent element 54 mounted on the upper end of a leaf spring 56 anchored in portion 58 of the frame.
Similarly, cylindrical member 20 has notches 60 engaged by a detent element 62 on the upper end of a leaf spring 64 also anchored in portion 58 of the frame.
Adjacent detent element 62 are switches 51 and 52 with an actuating plunger 66 extending between spring 64 and switch 51. When the detent element 62 is riding on the edge of cylindrical member 20 between adjacent notches, both switches are open, and when the detent drops into certain ones of the notches it will cause switch 51 to close, whereas when the detent drops into predetermined deeper notches, one of which is designated at 68, the detent will drop farther than it does when it enters a notch 60 and will cause both of switches 51 and 52 to close.
The other axial edge of each of members 18 and 20 is provided with gear teeth 70, and the gear teeth engage respective worms 72 for member 18 and 74 for member 20. Each worm, as will be seen in FIG. 3, is
position thereof to the second position thereof while the lids simultaneously close. The last indexed movement of member 20 will bring the cam into such position that follower 118 will drop into the next notch thereby suddenly returning the arms to the first position thereof and causing the eyelids to open.
Inside portion 14 are two further lamps 130 and 132 not directly associated with members 18 and 20.
The lamp 28 is under the control of the aforementioned switch 51 and lamps 26, 130 and 132 are under the control of switches 51 and 52 with the lamps and switches being connected in circuit with a battery B as shown in FIG. 7 with an on-off switch 134 also being mounted on a shaft 76 which is journaled in frame 10 i and at the outer end has a knob 78 for rotation of the shaft to drive the pertaining cylindrical member in rotationfrom one indexed position to another. Left hand knob 78 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a number selector knob and right hand knob is the game knob. Left hand knob controls a disc 81 which has a portion of the edge visible through window 79 whereby the adjusted position of left hand knob 78 and of member 18 operated thereby can be determined. Disc 81 can be fixed to left hand shaft 76 or it can be positively driven thereby, as by a ball chain.
The hub 24 for cylindrical member carries a star wheel 80 thereon having notches 82 adapted to engage an element 84 carried on arm 40. By the described arrangement, which is illustrated in FIG. 6, each time member 20 is indexed one step, star wheel 80 will cause the shaft 44 and the arms 38 and 40 thereon to start to oscillate about the rest position thereof with the oscillations gradually diminishing until the said arms come to rest.
The figurine referred to has a head 90 with eyes 92 which have moveable eyelids 94. The figurine also has arms 96 pivoted to the body of the figurine at 98 and with the arms having hands 100. In a lowered first position of the arms, the hands rest on shell-like portion 14, as shown in FIG. 1, and in a second rest position of the arms, the hands rest on the head of the figurine as shown in FIG. 2.
Simultaneously with the movement of the arms, the lids 94 move from open position when the arms are down to closed position when the arms are up.
As will be seen in FIG. 5, a linkage is provided, consisting of a lever 102 connected to the eyelids and a lever 104 connected to the arms in a link 106 extending therebetween so that when the arms raise the eyelids will close and vice versa. The arms have another lever 108 which may carry a counter weight 110 to counter balance the weight of the arms. Lever 104 is connected by a link 112 with a lever 114 pivoted in frame 10 at 116. The end of lever I14 opposite its pivotal connection to link 112 comprises a follower 118 resting on the periphery of a cam 120 which is fixed to the hub of member 20.
Member 20 in the arrangement illustrated has two beginning positions, in each of which follower 118 is at the bottom ofa notch in cam 120. As member 20 is indexed away from the rest position step by step, the arms of the figurine gradually raise away from the first provided in the circuit.
As will be seen in FIG. 4, battery B may be receivable in a socket in the bottom of frame 10 and retained in position as by clip 136 while making contact with spring members 138 and 140 and which are connected to respectively oppositesides of the circuit of FIG. 7 as shown therein.
By way of example of one manner in which the device according to the present invention can be employed, the knob 78 which is positioned to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 and which controls member 20, is rotated to starting position. In this starting position switch 51 is closed and lamp 28 is illuminated. At the same time lamp 28 is caused to swing back and forth so that the instructions illuminated thereby do not immediately come into focus.
When the legend on member 20 does come into focus, the following legend can be read, THINK A NUMBER, ANY NUMBER. The player chooses a v number, for example number 12, and then turns right hand knob 78 to index member 20 to the next position. The figurines arms now commence to move toward the figurines head and lamp 28, upon the aforesaid rotation of knob 78, first goes out and then comes back on when member 20 reaches indexed position, while at the same time the lamp is swinging inside the member 20. When swinging of the lamp ceases a new instruction will be visible which may be, for example, DOUBLE YOUR NUMBER. Right hand knob 78 is again actuated and the figurines hands move closer to the head and a further instruction will become visible in the aforesaid manner when member 20 reaches the next indexed position. This further instruction is SELECT A NUMBER AND ADD.
The player then turns the left hand knob 78 to a desired number and which number will be visible through window 79 on the front of the device by means of dial member 81 carried on the shaft connected to left hand knob 78, or otherwise positively connected to the shaft so that a respective number is visible through window 79 in each indexed position of member 18.
The player then adds the selected number to the previous total obtained by following instructions. If the number 6 has been selected, the total will be 30. The right hand knob 78 is then actuated to advance member 20 one more position and at this time the figurines hands approach still closer to the head and a further set of instructions will appear, for example, DIVIDE BY TWO.
The player follows these instructions and upon dividing 30 by 2 obtains l5.
The right hand knob 78 is then actuated'again and this time the figurines hands engage the head and the eyes of the figurine close. A still further set of instructions is also indicated, namely, SUBTRACT THE ORIGINAL NUMBER. The operator now computes the final answer by subtracting 12 from 15, thereby obtaining number 3. A further actuation of right hand knob 78 will cause the arms of the figurine to drop and the eyes to open and at this time detent 62 will drop into a deep notch 68, thereby closing both of switches 51 and 52 and illuminating all of the lights inside the shell-like transparent or translucent portion 14. The lamps 26 and 28 will be swinging inside the portion 14 and when the swinging thereof ceases, the answer corresponding to the number selected by the left hand knob 78 will now become visible, the answer being 3 and which corresponds with the answer computed by the player if the instructions have been carried out properly.
From the foregoing it will be evident that other game arrangements can be established with sets of instructions and that the foregoing game is merely exemplary.
For example, if the selected number is the players age, an answer can be obtained showing the players age and years of birth. FIG. 8 is pertinent in this respect.
In FIG. 8, member is shown in the indexed position thereof which corresponds to the starting position for the series of instructions which will yield the players age and year of birth. This game also involves the presetting of member 18 in a certain answer position. To
prevent premature disclosure of the answer, member 20 carries a mask 21 which, in the position in which member 20 is shown in FIG. 8, covers that portion of member 18 which is in reading position. When member 20 is indexed to reveal the series of instructions to be followed, the mask 21 will move out of masking position and, when lamp 26 is illuminated by indexing of member 20 to the answer position, the portion of member 18 in reading position will become readable.
It will be apparent that a plurality'of series of instructions could be arranged in succession on member 20 with each series terminating in an answer position of member 20 in which lamp 26 in member 18 is illuminated to show the answer. The knob which is connected to member 20, and the frame adjacent thereto would, in that case, be provided with cooperating elements of indicia to show the position of the knob corresponding to the staring position of member 20 for each series of instructions.
The instructions are contemplated to be mathematical in nature and can involve any type, or combination of types, of mathematical operations. Other types of instructions which can lead to a predictable end result, or answer, are, of course, possible.
Modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
I. In a game or teaching device; a frame, a pair of cylindrical members rotatably mounted in coaxial relation in the frame and bearing circumferentially distributed symbols that become visible in a predetermined circumferentially disposed viewing region when the respective cylindrical member is internally illuminated, each cylindrical member having a plurality of indexed positions in each of which a respective symbol is presented to said viewing region, means for independently indexing said cylindrical members from each indexed position thereof to the next, lamp means for independently illuminating the inside of each cylindrical memher, and control means responsive to indexing moveport means swingably supporting said lamp means, and
means responsive to indexing movement of at least said one cylindrical member for causing said lamp means to commence to swing on said support means.
3. A game according to claim 2 which includes a spring supporting each lamp means means.
4. The game according to claim I in which'said frame includes a spherical portion surrounding said cylindrical members and on ,the inner surface of which said on said support symbols are projected by the said lamp meanswhen the lamp means are illuminated.
5. A game according to claim 4- in which said frame includes a figurine seated adjacent said spherical por tion and having moveable arms with hands which rest on said sphericalportion in a lowered position of said arms and on the head of the figurine inan elevated position of said arms, and actuating means responsive to rotation of at least said one cylindrical member for moving said arms between the two said positions thereof.
6. A game according to claim 5 in which said figurine has moveable eyelids, and linkage means connecting the eyelids to said arms for closing; the eyelids in the elevated position of said arms and opening the eyelids in the lowered position of said arms.
7. A game according to claim 5 in which said actuating means includes a cam connected to rotate with said one cylindrical member, and linkage means in said frame connecting said cam to said arms of the figurine for actuation thereof as said one cylindrical member is rotated.
8. A game according to claim 1 in which said frame has a spherical portion simulating a crystal ball and surrounding said cylindrical members, a diametral shaft in said spherical portion, said cylindrical members being independently rotatable on said shaft, said frame having a front wall, a pair of knobs rotatable on said front wall, and means drivingly connecting each knob with one of said cylindrical members.
9. A game according to claim 8 which includes a dial behind said front wall and driven by one of said knobs, said dial having symbols thereon in circumferentially distributed relation, and a window in said front wall for viewing said dial thereby to determine the indexed position of the cylindrical member pertaining tothe respective knob.
10. A game according to claim 8 which includes a shaft connected to each knob and extending into the frame, a worm on each shaft adjacent the respective cylindrical member, and teeth on the cylindrical members engaging the respective ones of said worms.
11. A game according to claim 1 in which each cylindrical member includes notches in one edge and detent means resiliently supported in said frame and bearing on said one edges to determine the indexed positions of i and operated into closed position by the detent means pertaining to said one cylindrical member when the detent means drops into any notch in the said one edge of said one cylindrical member.
14. A game according to claim 13 in which at least one selected notch in said one edge of said one cylindrical member is deeper than the others thereof, and a second switch in circuit with the lamp means pertaining to the other said cylindrical member and closed only when the detent means pertaining to said one cylindrical member drops into said one selected notch.
15. A game according to claim 14 in which other lamp means are provided inside said cylindrical member and in circuit with said second switch.
16. A game according to claim 1 in which each of the said lamp means for illuminating the inside of a said cylindrical member is nonrotatably supported inside the respective cylindrical member, and reflector means adjacent each said lamp means directing the illumination therefrom toward a predetermined circumferential region of the respective cylindrical member.
17. A game according to claim 1 which includes means for supplying energy to said-lamp means com prising battery means in said frame.
18. A game according to claim 1 in which said one cylindrical member has a plurality of sets of instructions serially arranged thereon about the periphery thereof.
19. A game according to claim 1 in which said one cylindrical member includes a mask element thereon which in one position of said one cylindrical member covers the portion of the other cylindrical member which is disposed in said viewing region.
20. A game according to claim 1 in which said one member has a plurality of sets of instructions serially arranged about the periphery thereof, an indexed position of said one cylindrical member pertaining to each instruction, a further indexed position for said one cylindrical member at the end of each series of instructions comprising the answer position, and means for illuminating the lamp means inside the other cylindrical member in each answer position of said one cylindrical member.

Claims (20)

1. In a game or teaching device; a frame, a pair of cylindrical members rotatably mounted in coaxial relation in the frame and bearing circumferentially distributed symbols that become visible in a predetermined circumferentially disposed viewing region when the respective cylindrical member is internally illuminated, each cylindrical member having a plurality of indexed positions in each of which a respective symbol is presented to said viewing region, means for independently indexing said cylindrical members from each indexed position thereof to the next, lamp means for independently illuminating the inside of each cylindrical member, and control means responsive to indexing movement of at least one said cylindrical member for controlling the illumination of said lamp means.
2. A game according to claim 1 which includes support means swingably supporting said lamp means, and means responsive to indexing movement of at least said one cylindrical member for causing said lamp means to commence to swing on said support means.
3. A game according to claim 2 which includes a spring supporting each lamp means on said support means.
4. The game according to claim 1 in which said frame includes a spherical portion surrounding said cylindrical members and on the inner surface of which said symbols are projected by the said lamp means when the lamp means are illuminated.
5. A game according to claim 4 in which said frame includes a figurine seated adjacent said spherical portion and having moveable arms with hands which rest on said spherical portion in a lowered position of said arms and on the head of the figurine in an elevated position of said arms, and actuating means responsive to rotation of at least said one cylindrical member for moving said arms between the two said positions thereof.
6. A game according to claim 5 in which said figurine has moveable eyelids, and linkage means connecting the eyelids to said arms for closing the eyelids in the elevated position of said arms and opening the eyelids in the lowered position of said arms.
7. A game according to claim 5 in which said actuating means includes a cam connected to rotate with said one cylindrical member, and linkage means in said frame connecting said cam to said arms of the figurine for actuation thereof as said one cylindrical member is rotated.
8. A game according to claim 1 in which said frame has a spherical portion simulating a crystal ball and surrounding said cylindrical members, a diametral shaft in said spherical portion, said cylindrical members being independently rotatable on said shaft, said frame having a front wall, a pair of knobs rotatable on said front wall, and means drivingly connecting each knob with one of said cylindrical members.
9. A game according to claim 8 which includes a dial behind said front wall and driven by one of said knobs, said dial having symbols thereon in circumferentially distributed relAtion, and a window in said front wall for viewing said dial thereby to determine the indexed position of the cylindrical member pertaining to the respective knob.
10. A game according to claim 8 which includes a shaft connected to each knob and extending into the frame, a worm on each shaft adjacent the respective cylindrical member, and teeth on the cylindrical members engaging the respective ones of said worms.
11. A game according to claim 1 in which each cylindrical member includes notches in one edge and detent means resiliently supported in said frame and bearing on said one edges to determine the indexed positions of said cylindrical members.
12. A game according to claim 11 in which said control means includes switch means actuated by the detent means pertaining to at least said one cylindrical member.
13. A game according to claim 12 in which said switch means includes a first switch in circuit with the lamp means pertaining to said one cylindrical member and operated into closed position by the detent means pertaining to said one cylindrical member when the detent means drops into any notch in the said one edge of said one cylindrical member.
14. A game according to claim 13 in which at least one selected notch in said one edge of said one cylindrical member is deeper than the others thereof, and a second switch in circuit with the lamp means pertaining to the other said cylindrical member and closed only when the detent means pertaining to said one cylindrical member drops into said one selected notch.
15. A game according to claim 14 in which other lamp means are provided inside said cylindrical member and in circuit with said second switch.
16. A game according to claim 1 in which each of the said lamp means for illuminating the inside of a said cylindrical member is nonrotatably supported inside the respective cylindrical member, and reflector means adjacent each said lamp means directing the illumination therefrom toward a predetermined circumferential region of the respective cylindrical member.
17. A game according to claim 1 which includes means for supplying energy to said lamp means comprising battery means in said frame.
18. A game according to claim 1 in which said one cylindrical member has a plurality of sets of instructions serially arranged thereon about the periphery thereof.
19. A game according to claim 1 in which said one cylindrical member includes a mask element thereon which in one position of said one cylindrical member covers the portion of the other cylindrical member which is disposed in said viewing region.
20. A game according to claim 1 in which said one member has a plurality of sets of instructions serially arranged about the periphery thereof, an indexed position of said one cylindrical member pertaining to each instruction, a further indexed position for said one cylindrical member at the end of each series of instructions comprising the answer position, and means for illuminating the lamp means inside the other cylindrical member in each answer position of said one cylindrical member.
US00261533A 1972-06-09 1972-06-09 Game or educational device Expired - Lifetime US3740039A (en)

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Cited By (10)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5399115A (en) * 1992-08-04 1995-03-21 Toy Biz, Inc. Blinking doll with power storage mechanism
US6106394A (en) * 1999-06-24 2000-08-22 Furlong; Robin Random character selector device
US6273421B1 (en) * 1999-09-13 2001-08-14 Sharper Image Corporation Annunciating predictor entertainment device
US6368176B1 (en) 1999-09-10 2002-04-09 Sharper Image Corporation Text/icon display predictor entertainment device
US20030078099A1 (en) * 2000-10-17 2003-04-24 Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc. Gaming device having an animated figure
US20070010163A1 (en) * 2002-11-20 2007-01-11 Maddocks Richard J Artificial eye assemblies
US7207859B1 (en) 2004-04-30 2007-04-24 Hasbro, Inc. Realistic animatronic toy
US20070117603A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2007-05-24 Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc. Gaming device with animated figure and moveable object display
US8936501B2 (en) 2011-08-29 2015-01-20 Mattel, Inc. Toy figure with illuminated portion
US10350505B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-07-16 Mattel, Inc. Toy with an illuminable movable portion

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB441131A (en) * 1934-07-04 1936-01-06 George Briggs Improvements in and relating to amusement devices
US2846227A (en) * 1957-01-23 1958-08-05 Scott J Putnam Fortune telling ball
US2996300A (en) * 1959-07-17 1961-08-15 William H Schaper Fortune-telling game

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB441131A (en) * 1934-07-04 1936-01-06 George Briggs Improvements in and relating to amusement devices
US2846227A (en) * 1957-01-23 1958-08-05 Scott J Putnam Fortune telling ball
US2996300A (en) * 1959-07-17 1961-08-15 William H Schaper Fortune-telling game

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5399115A (en) * 1992-08-04 1995-03-21 Toy Biz, Inc. Blinking doll with power storage mechanism
US6106394A (en) * 1999-06-24 2000-08-22 Furlong; Robin Random character selector device
US6368176B1 (en) 1999-09-10 2002-04-09 Sharper Image Corporation Text/icon display predictor entertainment device
US6273421B1 (en) * 1999-09-13 2001-08-14 Sharper Image Corporation Annunciating predictor entertainment device
US20030078099A1 (en) * 2000-10-17 2003-04-24 Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc. Gaming device having an animated figure
US20030087697A1 (en) * 2000-10-17 2003-05-08 Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc. Gaming device having an animated figure
US20070010163A1 (en) * 2002-11-20 2007-01-11 Maddocks Richard J Artificial eye assemblies
US7641535B2 (en) 2002-11-20 2010-01-05 Hasbro, Inc. Artificial eye assemblies
US7207859B1 (en) 2004-04-30 2007-04-24 Hasbro, Inc. Realistic animatronic toy
US20070117603A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2007-05-24 Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc. Gaming device with animated figure and moveable object display
US7572185B2 (en) 2004-10-01 2009-08-11 Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc. Gaming device with animated figure and movable object display
US8936501B2 (en) 2011-08-29 2015-01-20 Mattel, Inc. Toy figure with illuminated portion
US10350505B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-07-16 Mattel, Inc. Toy with an illuminable movable portion

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