US2224996A - Game device - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1940.7 E A WALSH 2,224,996

GAME DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1959 INVENTOR. y

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

Numerous games have been devisedwhich depend upon the skill of the player. There are just as many, if not more, the outcome of which depend upon pure chance. The former, as backgammon, chess and the like, take up space and consume considerable time; and the latter, such as roulette, are also bulky and moreover, their use is prohibited in many States.

Among the points to be desired in a game device are rst, simplicity and compactness7 second, durability, third, it should be easy to play, and last, it should require but a few seconds to play a single game.

I have invented a game in the nature of a spinner, which fullls all the aforementioned desired requirements, and enables two people to indulge the gambling instinct-inherent in mostl personsas many times as fancy dictates. The device can be carried in the pocket, placed on a bar, table, or other place for playing, and instantaneously removed at will.

In brief, the invention comprises a base or pedestal, with a perpendicular socket, adapted to receive a spindle, on the outer end of which there is an indicator. The mounting of the spindle, in conjunction with its socket, whereby extreme velocity of the indicator and prevention cf lateral thrust may be obtained, is one of the salient features.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the spinner,

Fig. 2 presents a transverse section thereof,

Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged cross section of the indicator and spindle assembled with the bearing,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the spindle, and

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the socket.

With more particular reference to the drawing, 5 indicates a base or pedestal, preferably of circular contour and slightly convex, with a line 6 extending diametrically to divide the upper surface of the base into halves, which may bear any suitable indicia, in accordance with the specific nau ture of the game it is desired to play. The upper surface may be similarly laid out in segments of varying dimensions With appropriate notations cr legends, should the occasion so require.

Secured medially of the base 5, as by means of upsetting the depending lug l, is a vertically disposed socket 8 best seen in Fig. 5-the lower portion of which is rounded off as at 9, to receive an anti-friction bearing IIJ, While the upper terminal is provided with an internal annular recess II, of greater diameter than the central, counter bore or concavity I2 of the socket,

` the latter presenting the contour of a flat, circular flange with an upstanding stub I9.

` Inv assembling the elements of the invention, spindle I5 is inserted in socket 8 with the lower end of shank I6 resting upon anti-friction bearing I0 and the bottom of ange Il engaging seat I3 of recess II. So positioned, wall I4 of recess II is contracted until it lies against the angular, inclined outer wall of flange II-see dotted lines in Fig. B-with the result that a bearing for the spindle is afforded at two points, namely, (1) by the anti-friction elementv I0 and (2) by the seat I3 of recess II, whereby a true axial rotation of the spindle within its complemental socket and the total absence of any lateral thrust is insured. A further point in this connection is that because of the lesser diameter of shank I6 than the internal bore I 2 of socket 8, the shank is rendered devoid of friction along the entire extent of its vertical wall.

Flange I8 serves as a support for any kind of a suitable indicator 20, the connection at this point being secured by upsetting stub I9.

In practical operation, the indicator is impelled with ones finger, either by a pushing or flipping movement, and due primarily to the novel mounting of the spindle within the socket, the indicator proceeds to rotate at a high rate of speed, depending, obviously, upon the force exerted by the linger. The outcome of the game depends upon which side of the line 6 of base 5 the po-inter end of the indicator comes to rest.

The compactness of my invention and facility o f playing admits of universal use, Wherever men or women meet and wish to indulge in a quick game of chance. Its durability assures an almost indefinite life.

It should be understood that in broader aspects, the invention comprehends not onlyk the various means described, but equivalent means for performing the recited functions. Applicant reserves the right to effect such modifications or changes as may come fairly Within the scope of the following claims.

I claim: f

l.. A spinner comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical socket carried by the base and provided with an annular seat at its outer terminal, a pliant wall extending from said seat,

an anti-friction bearing disposed in the bottom of the socket, a spindle having a shank resting on said bearing and formed at its outer extremity with an annular projection engageable with said seat, said wall being bent towards said projection, said shank being freely rotatable within the socket between said seat and bearing, and an indicator carried by the outer end of the spindle.

2. A spinner comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical socket carried by the base and provided with an annular recess at its outer terminal, an anti-friction bearing disposed in the bottom of the socket, a spindle having its lower end resting on said bearing and formed at its outer extremity with an annular projection engaging the inner surface of said recess, the wall of said recess being inturned against the side of said projection, and an indicator mounted upon the outer end of the spindle.

3. A spinner comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical socket carried by the base and provided with an annular recess at its outer terminal, an anti-friction bearing disposed in the bottom of the socket, a spindle having its lower end resting on said bearing and formed at its outer extremity with an annular, substantially conoidal-shaped projection engaging the inner surface of said recess, the wall of said recess being inturned against the side of said projection, and an indicator mounted upon the outer end of the spindle.

4. A spinner comprising, in combination, a base, a vertical socket'carried by the base and provided with an annular recess at its outer terminal, an anti-friction bearing disposed in the bottom of the socket, an integral spindle having its lower end resting on said bearing and formed at its outer extremity with a pair of annular projections,one of said projections engaging the inner surface of said recess, the wall of said recess being inturned against the side of said projection, and an indicator mounted upon the other projection.

EDWARD A. WALSH.

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