Patent Application
20120153568
This invention relates to number generators and, more particularly, to a random number generator for placing lottery number bets.
2009 lottery sales exceeded the combined incomes of America's five most profitable corporations. Lotteries have become so popular that it is believed that they may be adopted for trimming federal budget deficits. Ordinary people have acquired fortunes that were heretofore impossible. At the present time, players individually select lottery numbers or “easy pick” numbers are generated by machines at lottery stations.
Adell, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,507,492 and 5,803,454 are exemplary of hand held lottery number generators in the prior art. Adell U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,492 discloses a combined number generator and key chain. The number generator has a trap and small circular disks for displaying lottery numbers. The generator is shaken to capture disks in a trap. Adell U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,454 discloses a beverage coaster and number generator.
One deficiency of the Adell patents is that the disks are difficult to capture. Another deficiency that the number generators are applicable to single lotteries. Most states have six or more lotteries that will require different number generators.
Electronic number generators also exist in the art. One deficiency of electronic generators is that they are based on algorithms and are therefore not random number generators. Another shortcoming is that they are expensive
Manufacturers have been unwilling to invest in lottery number generators because large investments are required to service all of a State's lotteries. By way of example, Michigan has 7 lotteries that would require 9 Adell generators, namely, 2 for the Mega-Millions lottery, 2 for the Power Ball lottery, and 1 for each of the remaining 5 lotteries.
The present invention is an easy to use generator for randomly generating lottery numbers. A distinguishing feature of the invention is that with minor modifications it can be adapted for all of a State's lotteries. Another feature is that numbers are generated on opposite sides of the generator.
The number generator comprises a base, a pair of transparent “see through” covers, a mask and a plurality of numbered disks. Numbers are generated by shaking the generator to capture numbered disks in the base. Another distinguishing feature is that the same number of disks is captured for all lotteries.
The method is comprised of the steps of cutting disks from a common blank which correspond in number to a set from which numbers are chosen, loading the disks in the generator, installing a mask having a window for viewing numbers through a window in the mask, shaking the generator to fill a trap in the generator and viewing a set of numbers through the window. One benefit of the is the generator is that it can be assembled without regard to “top” and “bottom” orientations of its components.
The mask can have several forms. In one form the mask is a thin sheet of material with graphics that is interposed between the base and the lens. In a second form, the mask is a transparent label which is adhesively attached to the outside surface of a lens. In another form, the mask is printed on the outside or inside surface of the lens. In each form a window is provided for viewing sets of numbered disks in generator. The length of the window establishes the number of disks that are exposed to view. In a first embodiment of the invention the trap is an integral portion of the base. In another embodiment, the trap is an integral portion of the lens.
In employing the teaching of the present invention, a plurality of alternate constructions can be provided to achieve the desired results and capabilities. In this disclosure, some alternate constructions are discussed. However, these embodiments are intended as examples, and should not be considered as limiting.
Further benefits, features and embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings which describe the invention in detail. A preferred embodiment is disclosed in accordance with the best mode which is contemplated for practicing the invention and the specific features in which exclusive property rights are claimed are set forth in each of the numbered claims which are appended to the detailed description.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, in
Although the lottery number generator 30 is kidney shaped, it is not our intention to limit the generator 30 to this shape since other shapes are possible within the spirit of our invention. The mask 33 may have several forms. One form, as shown in
On opposite sides of the base 31 are traps 37 for capturing the numbered disks 34. The traps 37 are linear arrays of arcuate pockets 38 that extend laterally across the base 31. When the generator 30 is shaken, the pockets 38 fill with the numbered disks 34. Directly above the traps 37 some of the disks 34 are visible through windows 39 in the masks 33. For example, for a lottery requiring 3 numbers from a selection set of 30 numbers, three of the disks 34 are visible through the window 39.
By providing traps 37, disks 34 and masks 33 on opposite sides of the generator 30, the requirements of some lotteries can be satisfied, For example, for the Multi-Millions lottery, 5 disks can be viewed through an appropriate size window 39 on one side of the generator 30 and one disk 34 can be viewed through an appropriate size window 39 on an opposite side of the generator 30. A mask 33 with windows 34 may be provided for the Daily 3 lottery on one side and Daily 4 lottery on an opposite side. By merely changing the amounts of disks 34 and masks 33, the generator 30 can be adapted to all of a State's lotteries.
With reference to
Referring now to
From the foregoing, it is apparent that our invention provides a novel, easy to use number generator for selecting lottery numbers having features which are neither anticipated nor obvious over the prior art. One important feature is that it can apply with minor modifications to all of a State's lotteries. One distinguishing feature of our invention is that when the generator is shaken traps are completely filled with disks. By providing masks with different length windows, the generator may be used for different lotteries. One important benefit is that our generator is a true random generator as opposed to electronic generators with are based on algorithms.
Although only two embodiments of our invention have been described it is further obvious that other embodiments can be derived after studying our disclosure, by such changes as providing a generator with a single trap, mask and set of disks, substitution of parts, changes in shape and inversion of elements without departing from the spirit thereof.
