Random number selection device

• US 4,796,890 A
• Filed: 03/06/1987
• Issued: 01/10/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Blair G. Snyder
• Original Assignee: Blair G. Snyder
• Inventors: Snyder, Blair G.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAPIRO, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US07/023,002
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 273/144 B
• US Class Current: 273/144.00B
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/048 used for generating random numbers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/003 hand-held

Abstract

A compact, economical, random indicia selection device is provided which allows versatility in generating sets of random numbers, for example, useful in selecting numbers for lottery games. The preferred device includes a container having a generally transparent top wall, a bottom wall having a plurality of ball-receiving cavities defined therein and enclosing sidewalls, all defining a ball-receiving compartment, and a plurality of numerical indicia-bearing balls received in the compartment which are registrable with the cavities, the number of cavities being less than the number of balls. In use, the device is shaken and balls allowed to settle in the cavities whereby the respective indicia can be viewed through the top wall in order to select a set of random numbers corresponding thereto.

Claims

1. A random indicia selection device comprising:

a container having a generally transparent top wall, a bottom wall, and enclosing side walls, said walls defining a ball-receiving compartment; and

a plurality of equal-sized balls received within said compartment, each of said balls bearing a respective, distinct indicium thereon,

said bottom wall including a plurality of equal-sized, ball-receiving cavities defined therein, the number of cavities being less than the number of said balls, said balls being respectively registrable within said balls, those of said balls registered in said cavities and respective indicia being viewable through said top wall, said indicia so viewed representing a random set of indicia, said cavities being arranged in a plurality of rows, each of said rows having at least one of said cavities, the number of said cavities in a given one of said rows being different than the number of said cavities in any other one of said rows.

2. A random indicia selection device comprising:

a container having a generally transparent top wall, a bottom wall having a top surface and a bottom surface, and enclosing side walls, said walls defining a ball-receiving compartment; and

a plurality of equal-sized balls received within said compartment, each of said balls bearing a respective, distinct indicium thereon,

said bottom wall including a plurality of equal-sized, ball-receiving cavities defined therein, the number of said cavities being less than the number of said balls, said balls being respectively registrable within said cavities, those of said balls registered with said cavities and respective indicia being viewable through said top wall, said indicia so viewed representing a random set of indicia,

said cavities extending through said bottom wall, said cavities having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said balls at the bottom surface of said bottom wall but large enough to permit a portion of said balls to extend beneath the bottom surface of said bottom wall when said balls are registered in said cavities.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said cavities are of sufficient depth that the uppermost portion of said balls registered in said cavities do not extend above a plane defined by said top surface of said bottom wall.

4. A random indicia selection device comprising:

a container having a generally transparent top wall, a bottom wall having a top surface and a bottom surface, and enclosing side walls, said walls defining a ball-receiving compartment; and

a plurality of equal-sized balls received within said compartment, each of said balls bearing a respective, distinct indicium thereon,

said bottom wall including a plurality of equal-sized, ball-receiving cavities defined therein, the number of said cavities being less than the number of said balls, said cavities extending through said bottom wall, said cavities being respectively registrable in said cavities, said cavities being of sufficient depth such that when said balls are registered in said cavities the uppermost portions of said balls registered in said cavities do not extend above a plane defined by said top surface of said bottom wall, those of said balls registered with said cavities and respective indicia being viewable through said top wall, said indicia so viewed representing a random set of indicia, each of said cavities being configured so that a respective one of said balls received therein is accessible for external manipulation from underneath said bottom surface as an aid in bringing corresponding indicium into view through said top wall.