Amusement apparatus utilizing multiple balls

• US 6,322,071 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elias S. Chaaban
• Original Assignee: Elias S. Chaaban
• Inventors: Chaaban, Elias S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US09/480,928
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138.1, 273/139, 273/144.R, 273/144.A, 273/144.B, 273/138.2, 273/138.3, 273/138.4, 273/118.R, 273/118.A, 273/118.D
• US Class Current: 273/138.4
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/4018 with balls of different dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/4031 with balls of different colours or other visual characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/0007 Games with therapeutic effects
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/048 used for generating random numbers

Abstract

An amusement article utilizing multiple balls comprising: an upper chamber with multiple spherical members of varying sizes colors, all spherical members of the same size bearing the same color, a second chamber located below the upper chamber, and receiving the spherical members from the upper chamber through opening of a valve. A ball distribution device is located within the second chamber and functions to sort all spherical members according to their size and color. Vertical cylindrical chambers are located below the second chamber function to receive the spherical members from the ball distribution device. Each cylindrical chamber receives spherical members of one size and color only. A lower chamber is located below the cylindrical chambers and functions to receive all spherical members through opening of a release member located at a bottom portion of the cylindrical chambers. A bottom reservoir is located below the lower chamber and functions to receive spherical members from the lower chamber. A ball return conduit is connected at one end to the bottom reservoir and at a distal end to the upper chamber. The ball return conduit allows all spherical members in the bottom reservoir to enter the conduit, which allows a user to tilt the amusement device to return all spherical members to the upper chamber.

Claims

1. An amusement article utilizing multiple balls comprising:

A. an upper chamber, which comprises a plurality of spherical members, the spherical members of varying sizes in diameter and of varying colors, all spherical members of the same size bearing the same color thereupon;

B. a second chamber located at a position below the upper chamber, the second chamber receiving the spherical members from the upper chamber through opening of a valve member;

C. a ball distribution device located within the second chamber, the ball distribution device functioning to sort all spherical members according to their size and color;

D. a p f vertical cylindrical chambers located at a position below the second chamber, the cylindrical chambers functioning to receive the spherical members from the ball distribution device, each cylindrical chamber receiving spherical members of one size and color only;

E. a lower chamber located at a position below the plurality of cylindrical chambers, the lower chamber functioning to receive all spherical members from the cylindrical chambers through opening of a release member located at a bottom portion of the cylindrical chambers;

F. a bottom reservoir located at a position below the lower chamber, the bottom reservoir functioning to receive spherical members from the lower chamber; and

G. a ball return conduit connected at one end to the bottom reservoir and at a distal end to the upper chamber, the ball return conduit functioning to allow all spherical members in the bottom reservoir to enter the conduit, allowing a user to tilt the amusement device about its vertical axis to return all spherical members to the upper chamber.

2. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the number of cylindrical chambers is selected from a group consisting of two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, and twelve.

3. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the colors of spherical members are selected from the group consisting of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

4. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the amusement article comprises an audio means which functions to provide sounds consistent with a previously determined theme.

5. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the amusement article comprises an illumination means which functions to provide lighting consistent with a previously determined theme.

6. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the article comprises a scoreboard, which functions to allow users to track scores achieved during playing of at least one game utilizing the article.

7. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the article comprises a stand which functions to allow the article to be placed upon a flat surface.

8. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the spherical members are of an edible candy construction.

9. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the second chamber comprises a front exterior wall that is selected form the group consisting of opaque, translucent, and transparent.

10. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the article comprises a power means, which functions to return all spherical members from the bottom reservoir to the upper chamber automatically.

11. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein spherical members are released from the upper container by the user engaging pull ring, which is securely attached to a string that is connected to a valve release member.

12. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the spherical members are of a size in the range of 3 mm to 6 mm.

13. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one axle which rotates about a horizontal axis, each axle comprising at least one paddle wheel thereupon, each paddle wheel comprising a number wheel thereupon, each wheel rigidly affixed to each paddle wheel and axle at a central portion thereof, hence rotating about the horizontal axis in response to spherical members striking the paddle wheels and rotating same.

14. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 13, wherein each number wheel bears numbers 1 through 6 thereupon, the occurrence of such numbers to be utilized for at least one game to be played by at least one player.

15. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 13, wherein a player seeks to match like numbers occurring on the number wheels.

16. The amusement article utilizing multiple balls as described in claim 13, wherein each player adds numbers from number wheels together to result in a total score to be used in at least one game.