Water maze game with super-hydrophobic surface

• US 4,142,724 A
• Filed: 04/30/1976
• Issued: 03/06/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael Ebert
• Original Assignee: Michael Ebert
• Inventors: Reick, Franklin G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Lawrence E.
• Application Number:
  US05/682,146
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 273/114, 273/109, 273/110, 273/115, 273/153 R, 273/1 L, 273/DIG. 29, 33/365
• US Class Current: 273/109
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/3603 Rolling boards with special surface, e.g. air cushion boards
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 18/00 Highways or trackways for toys railway permanent way A63H19/30; for special railways A63H21/00; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/29 Silicone

Abstract

A toy, game or other play device wherein a trackway, slide, maze or other play surface is coated with super-hydrophobic material that is highly water repellent, whereby a drop of water applied thereto forms into a ball that can then be manipulated by a player to carry out predetermined play activities. Alternatively, a tiny vehicle or other toy body having a hydrophilic coating thereon may be wetted with water and placed on the super-hydrophobic surface whereby the slightest force applied thereto causes the body to skim at high speed over the surface.

Claims

1. A toy or game device comprising a playing board formed by a substrate having a face layer thereon formed by super-hydrophobic material having virtually no force of adhesion with respect to water whereby a drop of water supported thereon assumes a substantially spherical form, and a material consisting essentially of water on said layer to create a substantially spherical body movable on said board, said board being a maze having channels forming a circuitous path which is traversed by said body.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said layer is constituted by hydrophobic fumed silicon dioxide particles.

3. A toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein said channels have a V-shaped cross-section defined by inclined walls.