Erratically rollable game device

• US 4,194,737 A
• Filed: 06/29/1978
• Issued: 03/25/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Farmer William R
• Original Assignee: Farmer William R
• Inventors: Farmer, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US05/920,388
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 273/128 A, 273/58 BA, 273/58 F, 273/65 R, 273/138 R, 273/146, 273/142 JB, 273/143 C, 273/1 M, 273/DIG. 20, 273/58 B, 273/58 G, 46/236, 46/254, 46/241, 46/242
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/04 with an eccentric centre of gravity; with mechanism for changing the centre of gravity solid balls A63B37/10
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/005 Motorised rolling toys

Abstract

A hollow body encloses a spherical weight which rolls around the inner surface of the body as the body itself is rotated over a playing field. The inner surface of the body has magnetic inserts and the spherical weight is fitted with internal magnets having pole pieces which are flush with the surface of the weight. As the hollow body is rolled, the magnetic elements occasionally come into contact with one another to momentarily secure the weight to the inner surface and thereby alter the rolling characteristics of the body.

Claims

1. A rollable plaything comprising a hollow outer ball having an inner surface, magnetic means on the inner surface, a relatively small and heavy inner ball enclosed within the outer ball and having a peripheral surface, diametrically opposed electromagnets mounted on the inner ball substantially flush with the peripheral surface, said inner surface providing the inner ball with a multitude of circular paths of travel when rolling motion is imparted to the outer ball, circuit means within the inner ball including a battery and a signal-operated switch both electrically connected to each electromagnet, and a manually operable device for transmitting signals from a remote location whereby to close the signal-operated switch and energize the electromagnets.

2. A rollable plaything comprising a hollow cylinder having an inner cylindrical surface, magnetic means associated with the inner cylindrical surface, a relatively small and heavy ball mounted in the hollow cylinder and having a spherical surface, said ball being adapted to roll around the inner cylindrical surface when the hollow cylinder is rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof, an electromagnet mounted on the ball and having a pole piece magnetically exposed on the peripheral surface, circuit means including a battery and a signal-operated switch both electrically connected to the electromagnets, and a manually operable device for transmitting signals from a remote located whereby to actuate the circuit means and energize the electromagnet.

3. A rollable plaything as claimed in claim 2, in which said magnet means comprises a metal liner for the hollow cylinder said metal liner having openings providing access for the transmitted signals.

4. A rollable plaything adapted to be propelled over a playfield in a team game and comprising a hollow body having outer and inner surfaces;

said outer surface having a smooth, uninterrupted, circular circumference allowing unimpeded rolling movement;

a weighted ball enclosed within the hollow body and having a spherical and smooth peripheral surface, said inner surface providing a multitude of depression-free paths of travel around which the weighted ball normally rolls in response to rolling movement of the hollow body, a plurality of magnetic elements mounted on the weighted ball substantially flush with the peripheral surface and spaced apart thereon, a plurality of magnetic members set into and substantially flush with the inner surface adapted to be attracted to the magnetic elements as the weighted ball rolls around the inner surface when the hollow body is propelled whereby the speed and direction of both the weighted ball and the hollow body are influenced by magnetic attraction.

5. A rollable plaything as claimed in claim 4, in which said magnetic element is an electromagnet, said weighted ball being fitted with circuit means including a battery and a signal-operated switch both electrically connected to the electromagnet, and a manually operable device for transmitting signals from a remote location whereby to actuate the circuit means and energize the electromagnets.

6. A rollable plaything as claimed in claim 4, in which each of said magnetic elements is a permanent magnet, and each of said magnetic members is an insert of magnetic material.

7. A rollable plaything as claimed in claim 4, in which said inner surface has diametrically opposed, inwardly-projecting and substantially frusto-conical deflectors arranged to deflect the weighted ball from some paths of travel.

8. A rollable plaything as claimed in claim 7, in which said magnetic members are located on the opposing deflectors.