CHANCE READOUT EDUCATIONAL BALL

• US 3,679,212 A
• Filed: 05/28/1971
• Issued: 07/25/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James D. Smith
• Original Assignee: James D. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oechsle, Anton O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kramer, Arnold W.
• Application Number:
  US05/147,777
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138R,138A,58R,58B,58BA,58D,58E,58F,58G,58H,58K,1M,1R,144R 46/64,65
• US Class Current: 273/144.00B
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0415 Number games electric A63F3/0421; mathematical models or topics A63F3/0457; two-dimensional puzzles with rotating rings or discs A63F9/0811, A63F9/0819
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0415 Details of dice, e.g. non-cuboid dice
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/34 Games using magnetically moved or magnetically held pieces, not provided for in other subgroups of group A63F9/00

Abstract

A hollow substantially spherical ball having a plurality of apertures therein and a plurality of movable members, generally in the form of pellets, having indicia thereon and shaped to fit partially into the apertures from the interior thereof but incapable of passing out through the apertures whereby the indicia may be observed externally of the ball. Magnetic means is associated with each aperture and associated with a metal ring on each pellet for retaining the pellets in the aperture during rolling movement of the ball so that each aperture of the ball will be provided with a pellet during rolling movement of the ball. The ball is provided with a weighted and flattened bottom surface so that it will come to rest in a predetermined position with indicia being provided on the external surface of the ball for association with the indicia revealed through the apertures for enabling various games to be played and enabling various educational processes to be practiced.

Claims

1. An educational toy comprising a substantially spherical ball of hollow construction provided with a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of normally freely movable members within the interior of the ball dimensioned to be partially received in the apertures but incapable of movement therethrough thereby enabling obserVation of the movable members from exteriorly of the ball, means releasably retaining the movable members within the apertures regardless of the orientation of the ball, and indicia on the movable members observable through the apertures when disposed in the apertures to enable the indicia to be employed in playing the game.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said spherical ball is provided with a flattened bottom and a weight incorporated therein so that the ball will roll into position with the flattened bottom engaging a supported surface.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said apertures are divided into two sections by a dividing line peripherally of the ball with the portion of the ball on one side of the dividing line being distinguishably colored from the portion of the ball on the opposite side of the dividing line.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said apertures each include a surrounding recess on the exterior thereof simulating moon craters.

5. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means retaining the movable members in the apertures including magnetic means including a permanent magnet associated with each aperture and a ferrous metal insert in each movable member.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said aperture is partially elliptical, each of said movable members is elliptical for reception in the aperture, the ferrous insert in the movable member being in the form of an annular ring at the belt line of the elliptical member.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein each of the movable members is provided with a movable interior weight capable of moving eccentrically of the movable member to cause the movable member to roll in an erratic path.

8. The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein the indicia on said movable member is disposed on each end thereof for observation through the apertures, the external surface of said ball having indicia adjacent each aperture for association with the indicia revealed through the aperture to enable educational processes to be practiced.