Patent Application
20090215356
In the U.S., the game of bingo is primarily staged by churches or charity organizations. Commercial bingo games in the U.S. are primarily offered by casinos (and then only in the state of Nevada), and by Native American bingo halls, which are often housed in the same location as Indian run casinos.
Bingo is a table game that is played in rounds, which can be pretty long.
There are many games played when you play bingo. Usually there are 15 or 20 regular games in a pack. Also, there are warm-up games, specials, bonanzas, jackpots, and getaways.
Bingo is a fast paced environment. Players play multiple cards for each game; thirty is not an unusual number. Because of the large numbers of the cards played by each player, most halls have the players sit at tables which they often fasten their cards with adhesive tape. To mark cards faster the players use special ink markers called daubers or dabbers. After the bingo number is drawn it is displayed on a television monitor for approximately 15-20 seconds then read aloud by the caller. Bingo cannot be called until that number is called aloud. The numbers already called and the patterns being played are also displayed on electric signs. Bingo games can lasts 4 hours. Bingo tournaments can lasts for 8 hours or even days.
During bingo players have the option of buying extra game sheets for any upcoming game on the program. Players remain in their seats while raising money above their heads as they wait for a runner to come by, which can become tiring for the player. Sometimes when a player puts their arm down for a brief rest, they can get easily be dismissed by a runner resulting in a longer waiting period.
The “Bingo Buddy” is a plush toy that sits at the base of an accompanying money-holding stand and acts as the player's side-kick or good luck charm. The Bingo Buddy comes in various forms. But the common trait of all the bingo buddies is that their mid-sections are derived from bingo balls.
There are two types of stands that come with the Bingo Buddy—a standard stand, and a mechanical stand. The standard stand has three basic parts—the top of the product is a clip or a spiral holder for money; the mid-section is an antenna-like rod that extends and retracts; the base of the invention is a paperweight type object that can be rectangular, a sphere, square, pyramid, or figurine. The mechanical stand, at the top, has a mini strobe working light or a mini police beacon light with a functional money clip located just underneath. The mid-section, like the standard version, is an antenna-like rod that extends and retracts, and the base of the product is a rectangular box that has a single button that calls out “bingo!” when pushed and activates the beacon, which allows the player to use as a signal to let the caller know that he or she has made a bingo. The intercom has a volume control for the player to adjust depending on the distance the player is away from the caller.
“The Bingo Buddy” stands hold the money for the player. Their general purpose is to allow players to concentrate on their game without having to constantly hold their arms in the air. The bingo stands will also make it easier for a runner to spot a player that needs papers. With a siren light at the top of the stand, the Bingo Buddy can triple as a way for a caller to easily spot a player at the back of a bingo hall that has won a game.
The invention called “The Bingo Buddy” is a plush toy that holds on to the base of the rod of its money-holding stand. It has a signature belly in the shape and look of a bingo ball. The “bingo buddy” is approximately 5″ tall and it is made out of all fabric or fabric and thermoset polymers, polycarbonate, or synthetic plastics. Each bingo buddy comes in various forms—human, animal, or creature.
The stands consist of three main parts—the base, middle, and top.
The standard stand's base is made of thermoset polymers, polycarbonate, synthetic plastics or stone. The base can come in different shapes and sizes. The rectangular shape is approximately 4″×1″; the sphere shape is approximately 2¾″ in diameter; the square shape is approximately 2½″×2½″; the pyramid shape is approximately 2½″×2½″×2½″, and the figurines are approximately 2½″, all weighing approximately 1.5 lbs each.
The mid-section is a retractable antenna-like rod that extends to approximately 3 feet high. It is made out of stainless steel or plastic.
The top piece of the invention is the money holder which is a thin round metal wire that starts from the bottom of the top middle piece and circulates clockwise in a wide circular motion going one and a half rotation smaller into the inside.
The mechanical stand's base is rectangular shaped and is approximately 6″ l×4″ w×2″ h. It is made of plastic material. On the top of the base is the button that activates the working light or beacon and the voice command that yells, “bingo!” On the right side is the volume control. And underneath the base is the on/off switch; and the speaker. Also, on the bottom four corners are button feet with felt scratch pads.
The mid-section is a retractable antenna-like rod that extends to approximately 3 feet high. It is made out of plastic material.
The top has a mini strobe working light or a mini police beacon light with a functional money clip located just underneath.
