Patent Grant
8651484
Embodiments generally relate to prize wheels and similar selection devices and more specifically relate to selection devices that display a plurality of prizes or other selectable alternatives.
Prize wheels are commonly used to allow random selection of a prize from multiple alternative prizes. An exemplary prize wheel displays prize references and is spun relative to a clicker or other indicator such that a prize is selected based on which prize is identified by the indicator when the wheel stops spinning. Because the spinning of the prize wheel is largely unpredictable, the selection of a prize based on the spinning of the prize wheel is likewise largely unpredictable. As another example, a prize wheel may display one or more prize references and one or more no prize references and be spun relative to an indicator such that whether a prize is won or not won is selected based on the indicator pointing to a prize reference or a no prize reference, respectively, when the wheel stops spinning.
For some prize wheels, the references displayed on a prize wheel are removable. For example, individual prize references have been printed on pie-shaped paper and are positioned at various positions on a prize wheel. In such prize wheels, prize references have been held in place between a prize wheel base and a separately-formed clear sheet of material attached to that base. Such prize wheels have been assembled using glue to attach the clear sheet to rib-like projections projecting in wheel spoke-like locations above the surface of the base. Paper or cards placed between the individual rib-like projections and also between the base and clear sheet displayed information about individual prizes or other selectable items that were won or otherwise selected based on a spin of the wheel. The references to the prizes and other selectable options were held in place but visible through the clear sheet.
One embodiment comprises a device having a base comprising a center and base connection locations separate from the center, the base capable of spinning relative to the center. The device further has a sheet comprising sheet connection locations, the sheet attached to the base by mechanical interactions between the base at the base connection locations and the sheet at the sheet connection locations. Display elements are secured in respective positions relative to the base and the sheet.
Another exemplary embodiment provides a prize wheel that has a base having a surface with a circular circumference, a center in the middle of the surface, and radially-oriented ribs projecting above the surface and extending from positions nearer the center to positions further from the center at regularly-spaced intervals around the center of the base. The radially-oriented ribs of this exemplary prize wheel may comprise overhangs. The exemplary prize wheel further has a clear sheet having slots at locations approximately equidistant from a center of the clear sheet and at regularly-spaced intervals around that center. The radially oriented ribs of this exemplary prize wheel project through the slots such that the overhangs of the base overhang the sheet to attach the sheet to the base.
Another exemplary embodiment involves forming a base comprising a center and base connection locations separate from the center, the base capable of spinning relative to the center. The exemplary embodiment further involves forming a sheet comprising sheet connection locations. The exemplary embodiment further involves attaching the sheet to the base using mechanical interactions between the base at the base connection locations and the sheet at the sheet connection locations, the sheet attached to the base providing spaces between the sheet and base for attaching display elements.
The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.
Selection devices are provided that comprise a sheet mechanically attached above the surface of a base such that prize or other selection references can be positioned and displayed at different selectable locations on the device. The sheet may mechanically attach above the surface of the base by interacting with the base at a plurality of locations on the base. The sheet may mechanically interact with, for example, radially-oriented ribs projecting in wheel spoke-like locations above the surface of the base. Paper or cards placed between such ribs and also between the base and sheet may display information about individual selectable items that are won or otherwise selected based on a spin of the wheel. The mechanical attachment between the sheet and the base may, for example, be achieved using one or more base ribs configured to extend only partway towards the device center and a sheet shaped to interact with one or more of the ribs, for example, by having indentations with which individual ribs can interact. As a more specific example, individual ribs may have indentations to form overhangs such that the sheet can snap into place under or otherwise be secured under the overhangs of the ribs. A mechanical interaction or other attachment at the center of the wheel may also further attach the base to the sheet.
The use of one or more mechanical connections between the base and clear sheet can reduce or eliminate the need to connect such components using glue or other adhesive. Using such mechanical connections may make it easier to secure the clear sheet in a more precise location than was previously possible, for example, ensuring that the clear sheet is appropriately centered and allow even spinning of the wheel. Using such mechanical connections may reduce or eliminate the chance of glue or adhesive smearing during assembly and thus avoid the potential for associated cosmetic or functional flaws. Using such mechanical connections may reduce the care, user experience, and/or time necessary to attach a sheet to a base of a prize wheel or other selection device. Using such mechanical connections may reduce or eliminate the need to use an ultraviolet oven or other technique to cure adhesive in manufacturing a prize wheel or other selection device. Using such mechanical connections may reduce or eliminate the possibility of uneven adhesive use, the corresponding potential of uneven weight distribution, and the need to test for and correct uneven weight distribution to ensure that a wheel or device will spin as desired. Thus, generally, using such mechanical connections may reduce labor, simplify assembly, reduce the time required for manufacturing and testing selection devices, and otherwise reduce production costs. A lighter or otherwise better quality product that may be produced in less time, for less money, and/or using less material.
Referring now to the Figures,
The ribs 24A-L of the base 12 are shaped to provide overhangs at the base connection locations 28A-L for overhanging the sheet 14 at the sheet connection locations 28A-L to secure the sheet 14. The ribs 24A-L may be indented or cut to provide overhangs at the base connection locations 25A-L for overhanging the sheet connection locations 28A-L to secure the sheet 14.
Moreover, as shown in
When assembled, the hub 20 (
Structural integrity of the selection device 10 may be enhanced by using a base 12 with a surface 13 that is not flat, for example, using a base 13 that has channels such as channels 50, 52 (
In use, the exemplary selection device 10 may be placed on a stand or wall that provides a bolt or peg around which the selection device is able to spin. Specifically, the selection device 10 may be positioned so that the bolt or peg extends through a hole in the center of the hub 20 and supports the selection device 10. The hub 20, and thus the selection device 10, may be spun to revolve around the peg or bolt. A clicker or other selection indicator may interact with the selection device 10 as it spins around the peg. An exemplary clicker interacts with portions of the selection device 10, e.g., hitting edges of the ribs 24A-L as the selection device 10 spins to slow the spinning of the selection device 10 and make a clicking sound. When the selection device stops spinning, the clicker or other selection indicator may point to or otherwise identify a prize or other selected item displayed on the selection device.
Selection devices may have a variety of shapes and sizes. One exemplary selection device is a 20.5 inch diameter prize wheel. Another exemplary selection device is a 31 inch diameter prize wheel. Other sizes and shapes may also be used.
The base 12 may be formed of various materials including, but not limited to, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), rubberized styrene plastic, high-impact styrene, other forms of styrene, wood, and other materials. Using a material that resists warping and/or that has relatively high impact strength may be beneficial for some, but not all, devices. The base 12 may be formed in various ways, for example, using a mold and thermoforming or vacuum forming a precise shape for the base 12. An exemplary mold is formed of machined aluminum created from a design drawn in a computer aided design (CAD) computer application.
The sheet 14 that attaches to the base 12 may be formed of various materials including, but not limited to, ABS, styrene, and other materials. Sheets used in some devices but not all embodiments are at least partially transparent. To be at least partially transparent, the sheet 14 may be formed of various materials including, but not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), acrylic, and other materials depending upon the particular embodiment. For example, if the embodiment involves a clear sheet that is required to bend or flex to snap into its attached position relative to the base, using PETG rather than acrylic may reduce the chances of cracking during assembly. The sheet 14 may be formed in various ways, for example, by cutting or routing an existing sheet or molding a new sheet of material.
The hub 20 may be formed of Delrin® available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del. or various other materials including, but not limited to, nylon and polycarbonate. The center plate 16 and locking plate 18 may be formed of various materials including, but not limited to, ABS, rubberized styrene plastic, high-impact styrene, other forms of styrene, and other materials.
Selection devices may be formed using a variety of assembly techniques. An exemplary selection device may be formed by, for example, manually positioning a clear sheet on a base and applying pressure to snap fit the clear sheet onto the base. A hub may additionally be attached to secure a center plate and locking plate.
Another exemplary method of making a selection device involves forming a base comprising a center and base connection locations separate from the center, the base capable of spinning relative to the center. Forming the base may comprise forming radially-oriented ribs projecting above a surface of the base and extending from positions nearer the center to positions further from the center and routing slits in the radially-oriented ribs to form overhangs at the base connection locations.
The exemplary method of making a selection device further involves forming a sheet comprising sheet connection locations. Forming the sheet may involve cutting, routing, or otherwise forming slots to provide the sheet connection locations.
The exemplary method of making a selection device further involves attaching the sheet to the base by non-adhesive interactions between the base at the base connection locations and the sheet at the sheet connection locations. The sheet is attached to the base to provide space between the sheet and base for positioning display references. Attaching the sheet may be manual, automated, or a combination thereof. Attaching the sheet may involve, for example, positioning the sheet above the base, applying pressure pushing the sheet onto the base such that the sheet flexes or bends in response to engaging the radially-oriented ribs, and continuing to apply pressure pushing the bent or flexed sheet further onto the base until the sheet is positioned below the overhangs and unbends or unflexes such that the overhangs secure the sheet to the base.
The exemplary method of making a selection device may further involve attaching the sheet to the base at the center of the base, for example, using the one or more of a hub, a center plate, and a locking plate.
An example of a selection device is a prize wheel. An exemplary prize wheel has a base having a surface with a circular circumference, a center in the middle of the surface, and radially-oriented ribs projecting above the surface and extending from positions nearer the center to positions further from the center at regularly-spaced intervals around the center of the base. The radially-oriented ribs of this exemplary prize wheel comprise overhangs at the locations nearer to the center. The exemplary prize wheel further has a clear sheet having slots at locations approximately equidistant from a center of the clear sheet and at regularly-spaced intervals around that center. The radially oriented ribs of this exemplary prize wheel project through the slots such that the overhangs of the base overhang the sheet to attach the sheet to the base.
The exemplary prize wheel further has one or more display elements secured in respective positions relative to the base and the sheet. The exemplary prize wheel holds the display references in place but allows end users of the prize wheel to replace the display references between uses, for example, to change the prizes offered from one event to the next event.
Display references may be formed of a variety of materials. In one embodiment, display references are formed of paper-based cards with text and/or images printed on them to identify prizes or other selected items. The text and graphics on such cards may be designed using standard or custom electronic content development applications, printed onto an appropriate material, and, if necessary, cut into a size and shape for insertion and use as part of a selection device. The prize wheel may allow such cards, for example, to slide between and be held in place between a base and a clear sheet. Stickers may additionally or alternatively be used as display references.
The disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative. In short, the techniques and the other features described herein have uses in a variety of contexts, not to be limited by the specific illustrations provided herein. The features shown are merely illustrative and are not intended to indicate that any component, feature, or method step is essential or necessary to any embodiment or limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications and adaptations are apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, holes, slots, tabs, overhangs, pins and any or numerous other devices can be used to provide a mechanical connection between a selection device's base and its sheet. As a specific example, a hole drilled in a base may allow pins or screws to be inserted to secure the display references and/or to hold a sheet to the base.
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