Patent Application
20060284371
The present invention relates generally to games of chance and the like, and more particularly to a novelty coin allowing one to make desired selections among a plurality of possible choices.
Some gains of chance, such as lotteries require individuals to choose from a set of numbers. Different individuals have various techniques for choosing what they consider to be winning or lucky numbers. For example, individuals may use birthdays, addresses, dates of other special occasions, etc., as a basis for choosing their numbers. Lottery tickets, for example, may also be purchased with random numbers automatically chosen at the point of purchase. However, no device exists that facilitates having some type of control over a choice of numbers that are nevertheless chosen somewhat at random.
Present invention pertains to a novelty coin that facilitates a random choice of numbers from a group of numbers. The device allows an individual to exercise some degree of personal control over the choice of numbers. This is in contrast to automated or computerized machines or mechanisms that randomly generate numbers for an individual at the point of purchase (e.g., a cash register).
One or more aspects of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally utilized to refer to like elements throughout, and wherein the various structures are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects of the present invention. It may be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that one or more aspects of the present invention may be practiced with a lesser degree of these specific details.
The novelty coin disclosed herein facilitates randomly choosing lottery (or other types of) numbers, while also allowing an individual to retain some degree of control over the particular numbers chosen. The novelty coin may contain indicia of gambling locations, institutions, etc., as well as providers of gambling services, messages of encouragement or inspiration, messages to other gamblers (such as, “keep away from this machine, I just went for change and will be back in a flash”) and/or any other type of suitable indicia. Turning to
It will be appreciated that the numbers 104 can be formed on one or more sides of the coin 100 and/or on a perimeter edge of the coin. Some or all of the numbers can exist on one or both sides of the coin and around the entire perimeter of the coin, and may or may not be repeated on the sides and/or perimeter. The numbers can be spaced equidistance (e.g., equi-radius) from one another so that there is no greater probability of picking one number over another number. The numbers can also be formed randomly all over one or more surfaces of the coin, rather than merely around the perimeter of the coin. The numbers may nevertheless be evenly distributed/spaced from one another on the coin to yield an equal chance of picking any number. The numbers can be formed on the coin in any suitable manner, such as by stamping, pressing, etching, extrusion, being glued on, etc. Further, the numbers may or may not be raised on the coin. For example, the coin may have a smooth coating (of a polymer/lacquer, for example) formed over its entire surface such that a user can not ‘feel’ which number he or she is choosing. Additionally, the coin may have any suitable dimensions, such as having a diameter of between about ½ to 6 inches and a thickness of between about 1/32 to ¼ of an inch to accommodate numbers that may or may not be raised on the coin and may or may not be covered with a substantially uniform coating. Moreover, the coin can be formed from any one or more suitable materials, such as plastic, silver, brass, gold and/or other materials, etc. The coin may also be other than circular, such as elliptical, octagonal, etc., for example.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The invention includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In addition, while a particular feature or aspect of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature or aspect may be combined with one or more other features or aspects of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Also, the term “exemplary” is merely meant to mean an example, rather than the best. It is also to be appreciated that features and/or elements depicted herein are illustrated with particular dimensions relative to one another for purposes of simplicity and ease of understanding, and that their actual dimensions may differ substantially from that depicted herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60691138 | Jun 2005 | US |
