U.S. patent number 3,781,015 [Application Number 05/213,493] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-25 for magnetic game construction.
Invention is credited to Julius Ellman, George Lerner.
United States Patent |
3,781,015 |
Ellman , et al. |
December 25, 1973 |
MAGNETIC GAME CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A pair of lower and upper members, the latter having an array
thereon of enclosures for spacedly containing respective magnet
pieces while permitting inversion thereof within the enclosures
under the influence of a manually manipulated magnetic control
device.
Inventors: |
Ellman; Julius (Brooklyn,
NY), Lerner; George (Freeport, NY) |
Family
ID: |
22795316 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/213,493 |
Filed: |
December 29, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/153R;
273/239; 273/456; 273/271; 446/135 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
9/0803 (20130101); A63F 9/34 (20130101); A63F
2011/0039 (20130101); A63F 2009/0615 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/08 (20060101); A63F 9/06 (20060101); A63F
9/00 (20060101); A63f 009/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/1R,1M,13A,153R
;46/238,239,240 ;35/61,66 ;40/28C |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
knott's Catalogue of Scientific Instruments, copyright l916, page
279 relied on..
|
Primary Examiner: Oechsle; Anton O.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A game construction comprising: a base having a plurality of at
least partially transparent cages disposed thereon, said base and
said cages being fabricated of nonmagnetic material, a magnet piece
having a pair of visually distinguishable flat sides resting freely
in each of said cages and being capable of moving sideways and of
flipping over in any direction in said cage, a magnetic control
device adapted to be selectively movable in proximity to said cages
so as to magnetically communicate with said magnet pieces for
orienting them in a desired pattern; said cages located on said
base at predetermined distances from each other such that any one
magnet piece will constantly exhibit and effectuate magnetic force
relationships between other adjacently disposed magnet pieces, and
be capable of disturbing the attitude of and causing an unstable
and unpredictable condition of said other magnet pieces, upon any
movement in any direction of any one of said magnet pieces by said
magnet control device; and said magnet pieces exhibiting varying
magnetic lines of force in a constantly changing plurality of
directions as said magnets vary in distance from each other in a
side by side relationship and as said magnets vary in attitude
towards each other as they lift off said base and are turned or
flipped over, whereby any array previously achieved with said
magnet pieces may be subjected to an uncontrolled reaction and
reorientation depending upon the skill in which said control device
is manipulated among said cages.
2. The game according to claim 1, wherein said magnet pieces are
shaped in the form of a disk.
3. The game according to claim 1, wherein said pair of flat sides
of each of said magnet pieces are marked differently.
4. The game according to claim 3, wherein one side of said pair of
flat sides of each of said magnet pieces is marked by color.
5. The game according to claim 4, wherein the other side of said
pair of flat sides of each of said magnet pieces is maked by
another color.
6. The game according to claim 1, wherein one side of said pair of
flat sides of each of said magnet pieces is provided with the same
markings.
7. The game according to claim 6, wherein the other side of said
pair of flat sides of each of said magnet pieces is provided with a
marking different from said marking on said one side of said magnet
piece.
8. The game according to claim 1, wherein said cages form a
complete closure or housing about said magnet pieces and said
material is a plastic.
9. The game according to claim 8, wherein said plastic material is
transparent.
10. The game according to claim 9, wherein said plastic material is
clear in color.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
While there are in the prior art numerous games, puzzles, and the
like, utilizing magnets, such prior art constructions have not
resulted in a game or puzzle of the instant general type wherein
simple but selective manipulation of a control device serves to
develop skill and require mental thought and concentration, which
levels of skill and thought are highly variable throughout an
extremely wide range, as selected by the manufacturer of the
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to
provide a game, puzzle, or the like employing magnet pieces, and
wherein a control device, such as a wand, or other, may be
manipulated with substantial freedom of movement to enhance the
user's dexterity, and further wherein the ultimate objective of
orienting the magnetic pieces requires thought, so as to be both
mentally and physically challenging and educational.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a game
construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in
the preceding paragraph, which is extremely simple so as to be
capable of economic manufacture by mass production techniques for
economy in manufacture and durability throughout a long useful
life.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon
reading the following specification and referring to the
accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this
disclosure.
The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,
combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be
exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which
the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a game construction of the
present invention and partially broken away for clarity of
understanding.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally
along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1, enlarged for clarity of detail.
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally
along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing a slightly modified embodiment of
game construction in accordance with the teachings of the instant
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically
to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a game construction of the present
invention is there generally designated 10, and may advantageously
be fabricated of plastic or other suitable material, as by molding,
or other desired mode of manufacture. The game construction 10
includes a generally flat, normally horizontal, lower support or
base member 11, which, for purposes of illustration and without
limiting intent, may be of polygonal configuration, say octagonal,
as shown in FIG. 1. The lower support or base member 11 is adapted
to rest horizontally on a suitable horizontal surface, such as a
tabletop, or other (not shown). Centrally within the lower support
or base member 11, there is formed a through opening 12, which may
be similar to and smaller than the lower member, say also of
octagonal configuration. A plurality of extensions or arms, as at
13, may project generally radially inwardly from the base member
11, substantially coplanar therewith, terminating short of each
other, for a purpose appearing presently.
An additional, generally flat, substantially horizontal upper or
platform member is generally designated 15 and disposed in parallel
spaced relation over the lower support member 11. More
specifically, the upper, platform member 15 may be of a
configuration similar to that of the lower member 11, say of
octagonal configuration as illustrated, or other suitable
configuration, and disposed centrally over the lower member, as
directly over the central opening 12. The upper, platform member 15
is generally flat, and supported in spaced relation over the lower
support member 11 by suitable means, such as a plurality of posts
or columns 16 upstanding from nether arms or extensions 13.
Carried on the upper side of the platform member 15 may be a
plurality of enclosures or cages 18, each of which may be generally
dome-shaped, as best seen in FIGS. 2-4. However, other suitable
configurations of enclosures 18 may also be employed, such as
open-work constructions, so that the enclosures 18 may be
considered as cages, for containing certain elements, as will
appear presently.
The cages or enclosures 18 may be connected together, as by
generally horizontal connection pieces or rods 19, so as to form a
unitary array, and to simulate the appearance of a molecular
structure, if desired. Further, the upper member or platform 15 may
be provided on its upper surface with a plurality of lands or
bosses, as at 20, see FIGS. 3 and 4, for engagement into respective
enclosures or cages 18, to effectively locate the cages and close
the lower ends thereof.
The structure thus far described, namely the lower member 11, upper
member 15, and the enclosures or cages 18, may all be
advantageously fabricated of plastic, such as transparent plastic,
or other suitable nonmagnetic material.
Disposed within each enclosure or cage 18, normally resting
horizontally therein, as on the respective boss 20, is a magnet
piece, which may advantageously be a disc or cylindrical member
having its opposite faces of opposite magnetic force. Further, the
opposite faces or sides of the magnet pieces 22 are advantageously
marked or decorated in different manners, say being of different
colors. While the magnet pieces 22 are illustrated as being discs,
they may be of other configuration, if desired.
The relationship of the size and configuration of each magnet piece
22 to its containing enclosure or cage 18 is such that the magnet
piece may rise vertically and invert or turn completely over, while
being laterally limited or restrained against undue horizontal
movement. In this manner, the several magnet pieces 22 are
maintained in a predetermined array, having their respective
locations approximately fixed, as within the limits defined by the
enclosures or cages 18. Further, the several enclosures or cages 18
are located in predetermined arrangement with respect to each
other, having spacing and relationship with respect to the outline
configuration of the platform as desired to maintain a certain
level of skill and competence in play of the game, as will appear
presently.
In addition to the above described structure, the game 10 includes
a control device generally designated 24, which may comprise an
elongated generally flat bar, handle or wand 25. The elongate wand
or handle 25 is of a thickness permitting of free entry in a
generally horizontal condition between the vertically spaced lower
and upper members 11 and 15. This condition is shown in FIGS. 1-3.
It will also there be apparent that the width or lateral dimension
of the handle 25 is sufficiently great to prevent axial rotation or
inversion of the handle 25 when in the space between the lower and
upper members 11 and 15.
The control device 24 further includes a magnet, as at 26, carried
in one end region of the handle 25 say a disc magnet generally
coplanar with the handle. Thus, it will be understood that the
control device 24 carries the magnet 26 for entry into the space
between the lower and upper members 11 and 15, the spacing
therebetween limiting vertical movement of the handle 25 and its
magnet 26, and preventing axial rotation of the handle and
inversion of the magnet 26.
In practice of the instant invention, the game 10 is played by
attempting to arrange the several magnet pieces 22 so as to form a
predetermined pattern of color or markings, or the like. For
example, in the illustrated embodiment the inner ring or circle of
magnet pieces 22 may be of one color, corresponding to one upwardly
facing pole, the intermediate or middle ring being of one or the
other upwardly facing color, and the outer ring being of a similar
predetermined upwardly facing color or magnetic pole. In order to
obtain the desired predetermined arrangement of magnet pieces 22, a
player must, with skill and forethought, manipulate the control
device 24 so as to move its magnet 26 in the precise predetermined
path necessary to magnetically cooperate with certain predetermined
magnet pieces 22, and avoid magnetic coaction with other of the
magnetic pieces. By such dexterous and predetermined movement of
the control device magnet 26, certain of the magnetic pieces 22
will be caused to be inverted, while others will remain without
being inverted.
Of course, the arrangement of enclosures or containers may be
varied to cause the game or puzzle to be difficult or easy, as
desired, so that the game of the principles described hereinbefore
is capable of being manufactured to interest and absorb persons of
widely varying ages, manual skills and powers of thought.
While the upper or platform member 15 has been illustrated as being
fixed relative to the lower or base member 11, the platform member
may be rotationally mounted, if desired, or may be integral with
the lower member or fabricated separately therefrom and fixedly
secured thereto. Also, the enclosures or cages 18 may be of other
suitable configuration, say reticulate or open-work structure, or
cylindrical having their upper end open, and sufficient to prevent
escape of the contained magnet piece 22.
By way of illustration, there is shown in FIG. 5 a slightly
modified form of game 10a in accordance with the instant invention,
including a lower or base member 11a which is, for purposes of
illustration, shown as generally circular, and an upper or platform
member 15a, also generally circular and disposed centrally of and
in spaced relation above the support member. On the upper surface
of the platform member 15a are provided a plurality of enclosures
or cages 18a arranged in a desired configuration, and each
containing therein a magnet piece 22a adapted to be raised
vertically for inversion within the containing enclosure, while
being limited against undue lateral or sideways movement within the
enclosure. The embodiment of game 10a shown in FIG. 5 may be
employed with a magnetic control device such as that described in
connection with FIGS. 1-4, utilized in essentially the same manner.
Also, as noted hereinabove, the platform member may, if desired, be
rotatably mounted with respect to the base member. For example, in
FIG. 5, the platform member 15a could rotate about its axis,
suitably mounted about a centrally disposed post or column (not
shown).
From the foregoing, it is seen that the device of the present
invention provides a game or puzzle which is extremely simple in
construction, so as to be capable of economic manufacture and sale,
while being uniquely attractive to persons of wide physical and
mental range, and which otherwise fully accomplishes its intended
objects.
It will also be appreciated that the control device may be equipped
with a plurality of magnets, such as two so that the game or puzzle
can be provided with further complexity in solution and offer
additional challanges to the player.
When in operation, it should also be noted that the sideward
magnetic forces of one magnet reacting on the other adjacently
disposed magnets appears to cause an unstable relationship between
such magnets, so that the slightest disturbance by either a
movement of the entire platform or of the bringing the magnetic
control device or wand in close poximity or relationship with the
platform may not only cause one magnet to change its North, South
position but actually such magnets in turn will react on the other
near-by magnets in a hap-hazard or random manner so that an
uncontrolled "Chain Reaction" will result and disrupt any
predetermined array a player may have previously achieved with the
magnets.
The dimensional arrangement of the enclosures and/or spacings
between same determines whether or not the game will be difficult
or easy to solve or whether it is impossible to solve because as
the magnets are disposed further apart, the magnetic side forces
which repel the magnets have less force and effect on each other
and therefore create a more stable balance or relationship between
the magnets and thus it would be easier to activate one magnet at a
time without the magnets having any effect on acting on each other;
and conversely by bringing the magnets closer together and
increasing the instability of the magnets, it becomes more
difficult to solve the game because then the magnets react with
greater force on each other.
Although the present invention has been described in some detail by
way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of
understanding, it is understood that certain changes and
modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *