Patent Application
20250041709
The present disclosure relates generally to a rollable two-sided die, particularly a cylindrical rollable two-sided die or one that is conical in shape.
The most common practice used in the tabletop game industry to achieve a random 1 out of 2 or 50% chance value is to flip a coin or other flat object. The disadvantage with this current practice is that some individuals are not sufficiently coordinated to flip a coin properly to attain desired variable results. Other current methods include objects that have more than two sides that utilize duplicate numbers which result in the false perception of a two-sided random value.
The present disclosure seeks to provide a solution to these problems by providing a rollable two-side die which allows the user to effortlessly roll the die from the palm of their hand onto a flat surface to achieve a landing on either one of the object's two true sides at random.
Accordingly, it is an object of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a cylindrical rollable two-sided die, to give an advantage to those who may not be coordinated to flip flat objects for their desired random value.
It is a further object of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a superior function to all currently practiced methods by allowing the user to simply roll the cylindrical rollable two-sided die instead of having the need to flip it.
Still further, it is an object of one or more embodiments of the disclosure to provide a cylindrical rollable two-sided die, with true two sides giving a precise random value between only two clearly distinguishable outcomes.
The above and other objects of the present disclosure may be accomplished in the following manner. A rollable two-sided die is disclosed, comprising a first piece and a second piece, bonded, molded, or shaped together. The first and second pieces have a similar shape to one another, and the first and second piece are connected in parallel to one another, and overlap at least in part in a lengthwise direction.
The object of this disclosure includes its variants, and its alternative embodiments, independently of its applications or processes it may be applied to.
The present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate similar or corresponding elements, regions and portions and in which:
The present disclosure proposes a rollable two-sided die, to allow for a tossable technique for a user to effortlessly roll the die from the palm of their hand onto a flat surface to achieve a landing on either one of the object's two true sides, at random. The cylindrical shape gives an advantage to those who may not be sufficiently coordinated to flip flat objects for their desired random value. The die design is superior to all currently practiced methods, by allowing the user to simply roll the object instead of having the need to flip it. Furthermore, this object has a true two sides giving a precise random value between only two clearly distinguishable outcomes.
An important aspect of the disclosed two-sided die is that the die consists of two cylindrical pieces, made of wood or composite material, that are bonded, molded, or shaped together to create one piece. Note, that the two pieces can be both solid or hollow. The two-sided die may have an offset cylindrical shape throughout. The two true sides may be marked by distinguishing symbols, for example, roman numerals I and II. An alternative embodiment of the rollable two-sided die includes a conical shape that tapers, for each of the pieces.
Note that the first and second piece are connected in parallel to one another and overlap at least in part in a lengthwise direction. The overlap E, as shown in
The largest diameter F of piece 115 is 3/16 inch, and the smallest diameter D of piece 120 is % inch. The smallest diameter F is ⅛ inch, and the largest diameter D is 3/16 inch. Using a larger piece 115 and smaller piece 120 allows for the invention to “bounce” properly against a flat surface, and thus to provide accurate results.
The two pieces cannot be equal in size or weight, as this would result in the object producing a “dead weight” and not be able to “bounce” or “roll” as much resulting in unsatisfying results. The bottom piece is not larger than the top piece and is always smaller, in both diameter and length, to provide a weight differential between the two pieces, so that the roll variability is consistent.
Dimensions may include a width 270 as large as % inch, or as small as 7/32 inch for the first piece 215 of the die, and a width 265 as large as 3/32 inch, or as small as 5/64 inch for the second piece 220 of the die, viewing from the bottom.
Materials that may be used for the die pieces include Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polylactic acid (PLA), Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Nylon, Polyethylene terephthalate (PETT), Wood Filament, Metal Filament, Carbon Fiber, Plexi, and Wood. Alternatively, each die can be made using, for example, a single mold to simultaneously bond the pieces. Similarly, the die could be manufactured using 3-dimensional printing.
The rollable two-sided die can be made by, preferably, bonding, molding, or shaping together the two cylindrical or conical pieces, to create one solid piece.
The disclosed two-sided die may be molded, chiseled, whittled or printed. Molding can be done by pouring material into a cast and curing it for a length of time. Chiseling or whittling is another way of creating the disclosed die.
The main advantages of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure include providing a cylindrical or conical shape, giving an advantage to those who may not be sufficiently coordinated to flip flat objects for their desired random value, for example, a coin. The die design is superior to all currently practiced methods, by allowing a user to simply roll the object instead of having the need to flip it.
While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
