APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SPECTATOR AMUSEMENT AND DIRECT MARKETING OF GOODS AND/OR SERVICES

• US 20110133403A1
• Filed: 08/09/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Attila Balazs Draviczki, Gyula Zsolt Bertok
• Original Assignee: Attila Balazs Draviczki, Gyula Zsolt Bertok
• Inventors: Bertok, Gyula Zsolt, Draviczki, Attila Balazs
• Application Number:
  US12/737,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20110133403A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/236
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/0007 Games with therapeutic effects
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/0012 the other object being a container or part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/024 drinkable
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/001 Games or toys connected to, or combined with, other objects; Objects with a second use as a toy or game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/26 Balancing games, i.e. bringing elements into or out of balance

Abstract

An apparatus for spectator amusement and direct marketing of goods and/or services. The apparatus comprises a support; a plurality of first generally cylinder-like structures of a first size, each structure being open at one end and closed at another and opposite end, being arranged side-by-side in a selected series along the support, and in a first generally uniform plane relative to one another; and a plurality of second generally cylinder-like structures of a second size, each structure being open at one end and closed at another and opposite end, and being arranged side-by-side in a selected series, each structure bridging and balancing between adjacent cooperating edges of one of the first structures at the open end thereof, the second structures being in a second generally uniform plane relative to one another, and the first and second planes being in relatively parallel relation to one another. At least one of the first structures contains a predetermined volume of a first selected liquid composition, and at least one of the second structures contains a predetermined volume of a second selected liquid composition. Upon application of a selected force in proximity to an inbound portion of the upper half of the second structure'"'"'s closed end, the first of the second structures slides along adjacent cooperating edges of the first structure until it no longer bridges and balances between such edges, and drops into the second of the adjacent first structures, the second structure being contained by the first structure and being immersed in the first liquid composition housed therein. Upon sliding and dropping of the second structure into the first structure, an outbound edge of the second structure'"'"'s closed end strikes an inbound portion of the upper half of the adjacent second structure bridging and balancing between adjacent cooperating edges of the second of the first structures at the open end thereof. The magnitude of the force applied when the second structure closed end strikes the inbound portion of the upper half of the adjacent second structure is sufficient to cause the second of the second structures to slide along adjacent cooperating edges of the successive first structures until it no longer bridges and balances between such edges, and drops into the third of the adjacent first structures. The second of the second structures is contained by the third of the first structures and is immersed in the first liquid composition housed therein, such that the successive sliding, striking and falling movements create a spectacle for a user'"'"'s amusement and fun, and encourages the user to purchase more of the beverage contained therein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for spectator amusement and direct marketing of goods and/or services, which comprises:

a support;

a plurality of first generally cylinder-like structures of a first size, each structure being open at one end and closed at another and opposite end, being arranged side-by-side in a selected series along the support, and in a first generally uniform plane relative to one another;

a plurality of second generally cylinder-like structures of a second size, each structure being open at one end and closed at another and opposite end, and being arranged side-by-side in a selected series, each structure bridging and balancing between adjacent cooperating edges of one of the first structures at the open end thereof, the second structures being in a second generally uniform plane relative to one another, and the first and second planes being in relatively parallel relation to one another;

at least one of the first structures containing a predetermined volume of a first selected liquid composition, and at least one of the second structures containing a predetermined volume of a second selected liquid composition, such that, upon application of a selected force in proximity to an inbound portion of the upper half of the second structure'"'"'s closed end, the first of the second structures slides along adjacent cooperating edges of the first structure until it no longer bridges and balances between such edges, and drops into the second of the adjacent first structures, the second structure being contained by the first structure and being immersed in the first liquid composition housed therein;

whereupon sliding and dropping of the second structure into the first structure, an outbound edge of the second structure'"'"'s closed end strikes an inbound portion of the upper half of the adjacent second structure bridging and balancing between adjacent cooperating edges of the second of the first structures at the open end thereof, the magnitude of the force applied when the second structure closed end strikes the inbound portion of the upper half of the adjacent second structure being sufficient to cause the second of the second structures to slide along adjacent cooperating edges of the successive first structures until it no longer bridges and balances between such edges, and drops into the third of the adjacent first structures, the second of the second structures being contained by the third of the first structures and being immersed in the first liquid composition housed therein, such that the successive sliding, striking and falling movements create a spectacle for a user'"'"'s amusement and fun.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the first cylinder-like structures is transparent or translucent and has side surfaces sloping generally upwardly so as to minimize splashing.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the second cylinder-like structures is transparent or translucent and has side surfaces sloping generally upwardly so as to minimize splashing.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the first liquid composition is a selected alcoholic beverage, energy drink or liquid pharmaceutical composition.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the second liquid composition is a selected alcoholic beverage, energy drink or liquid pharmaceutical composition.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the first structures contains the first selected liquid composition in the amount of the predetermined volume.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the second structures contains a second selected liquid composition in the amount of the predetermined volume.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the first cylinder-like structures is a drinking glass.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising a selected, high intensity light source mounted to the support, the light source being arranged so as to direct the light emitted along the series of first and second structures.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the second cylinder-like structures is a shot glass or medicine cup.

11. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the first liquid composition selected has a first color and the second liquid composition selected has a second color, the first and second colors being different from but complementary with one another.

12. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the first liquid composition selected is chemically reactive with the second liquid composition selected so as to produce a desired effect.

13. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second structures are constructed of a shatterproof material, e.g., a conventional shatterproof glass or polymeric material.

14. A method of amusing spectators and for direct marketing of goods and/or services, which comprises the steps of:

i. providing a game support;

ii. providing a plurality of first generally cylinder-like structures of a first size, each structure being open at one end and closed at another and opposite end;

iii. arranging the first structures side-by-side in a selected series along the support, and in a first generally uniform plane relative to one another;

iv. providing a plurality of second generally cylinder-like structures of a second size, each structure being open at one end and closed at another and opposite end;

v. arranging the second structures side-by-side in a selected series such that each structure bridges, and balances between, adjacent cooperating edges of one of the first structures at the open end thereof, the second structures being in a second generally uniform plane relative to one another, and the first and second planes being in relatively parallel relation to one another;

vi. filling at least one of the first structures with a predetermined volume of a first selected liquid composition, and at least one of the second structures with a predetermined volume of a second selected liquid composition;

vii. applying a selected force in proximity to an inbound portion of the upper half of the second structure'"'"'s closed end so as to cause the first of the second structures to slide along adjacent cooperating edges of the first structure until it no longer bridges and balances between such edges, and drops into the second of the adjacent first structures, the second structure being contained by the first structure and being immersed in the first liquid composition housed therein;

whereupon sliding and dropping of the second structure into the first structure, an outbound edge of the second structure'"'"'s closed end strikes an inbound portion of the upper half of the adjacent second structure bridging and balancing between adjacent cooperating edges of the second of the first structures at the open end thereof, the magnitude of the force applied when the second structure closed end strikes the inbound portion of the upper half of the adjacent second structure being sufficient to cause the second of the second structures to slide along adjacent cooperating edges of the successive first structures until it no longer bridges and balances between such edges, and drops into the third of the adjacent first structures, the second of the second structures being contained by the third of the first structures and being immersed in the first liquid composition housed therein, such that the successive sliding, striking and falling movements create a spectacle for a user'"'"'s amusement and fun.

15. The method set forth in claim 14, further comprising the step of mounting a selected, high intensity light source to the support, and arranging the source so as to direct light emitted along the series of first and second structures.

16. The method set forth in claim 14, wherein each of the first cylinder-like structures is transparent or translucent and has side surfaces sloping generally upwardly so as to minimize splashing.

17. The method set forth in claim 14, wherein each of the second cylinder-like structures is transparent or translucent and has side surfaces sloping generally upwardly so as to minimize splashing.

18. The apparatus set forth in claim 14, wherein the first liquid composition selected has a first color and the second liquid composition selected has a second color, the first and second colors being different from but complementary with one another.

19. The apparatus set forth in claim 14, wherein the first liquid composition selected is chemically reactive with the second liquid composition selected so as to produce a desired effect.