SYSTEM INCLUDING DICE HOLDER AND CORRESPONDING DICE

Abstract

A system including a dice holder and corresponding dice is disclosed, the dice holder having at least one aperture where the dice is configured to nest within a head and be viewable through the at least one aperture. In one embodiment, the dice holder has a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the dice can be inserted through the first aperture and is viewable through the second aperture. The first aperture has a first periphery and the second aperture has a second periphery, wherein a dice periphery of the dice is greater than the second periphery, but less than the first periphery. The first aperture can receive the dice and allow for complete translation while the second aperture will block and prevent the dice from further translation through a receptacle volume of the head, thereby retaining the dice in the head of the dice holder.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a system for holding dice; and more particularly to a system including a dice holder in the shape of a head and/or figurine, the dice holder being configured to receive and store a dice.

Description of the Related Art

Dice are a common feature in many games such as strategy, role-playing, and board games. Along with the various number of sides a dice can have, for example and without limitation, four, six, ten, or even twenty sides, there are many other characteristics of dice that an owner may desire to have for reasons of personal style and taste. These other features can be related to a game that is actively being played or for reasons outside the game that the dice owner finds to be of value.

One of the additional features that many dice owners find desirable is the dice holder. There exists a plethora of devices to hold the one or more dice during storage, transportation, and/or in between uses of a game. Some of these dice holders can be in the shape or a person, creature, or humanoid figure that integrates the dice with the dice holder in a special and differentiated way.

For example, a game action figure for use in a tabletop combat game with other game action figures is disclosed by CAMPBELL ET AL. in patent U.S. Pat. No. 9,956,475, issued May 1, 2018. CAMPBELL discloses a large humanoid figure that can hold multiple dice along with other game pieces before and after the game is played. However, the dice are not viewable or easily extractable while they are inside the dice holder. Furthermore, the integration of the dice with the dice holder is merely for storage and transportation.

Another example is a product made by Dice Heads called “RPG Dice set monster and hero dice holders” (https://www.myminifactory.com/users/DiceHeads) which includes dice holders in the shape of various figurines that allows the dice to be inserted onto the top of the dice holder. The dice is viewable and extractable while in the dice holder, but does not have any further means of integrating the dice with the dice holder.

There is an ongoing need for custom and unique solutions integrating a dice holder with its respective dice.

SUMMARY

A system including a dice holder and corresponding dice is disclosed, the dice holder comprises a head having at least one aperture where the dice is configured to nest within the head and be viewable through the at least one aperture.

In some embodiments, the dice holder comprises the head having a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the dice can be inserted through the first aperture and is viewable through the second aperture, wherein the dice is configured to nest inside a receptacle volume of the head.

In some embodiments, the dice has a dice periphery associated therewith. The first aperture has a first periphery and the second aperture has a second periphery, wherein the dice periphery is greater than the second periphery, but less than the first periphery, such that the first aperture can receive the dice and allow for complete translation while the second aperture will block and prevent the dice from further translation through a receptacle volume of the head, thereby retaining the dice in the head of the dice holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become apparent to one having the ordinary level of skill in the art upon a thorough review of the following details and descriptions, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

For purposes herein, the term “dice” means a polyhedral object designed to be rolled such that one of a plurality of sides faces directly upward when the dice is stationary. “Dice” is used interchangeably between the singular form and the plural form.

FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a system including a dice holder and a corresponding dice in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the system including a dice holder and a corresponding dice in the assembled configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a front plan view of the dice holder of the system;

FIG. 4 shows a left plan view of the dice holder of the system;

FIG. 5 shows a rear plan view of the dice holder of the system;

FIG. 6 shows a right plan view of the dice holder of the system;

FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of the dice holder of the system;

FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan view of the dice holder of the system;

FIG. 9 shows a front plan view of the dice of the system;

FIG. 10 shows a right plan view of the dice of the system;

FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of the dice of the system;

FIG. 12 shows a bottom plan view of the dice of the system;

FIG. 13 shows a left plan view of the dice of the system;

FIG. 14 shows a rear plan view of the dice of the system; and

FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of the system including a dice holder and corresponding dice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, and a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention only by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein.

General Description of Embodiments

In one embodiment, a system for holding a dice is disclosed. The system comprises a dice and a dice holder. The dice is characterized as having a cubic form comprising a first through sixth side, the first through sixth sides are each characterized as a square comprising a dice periphery. The dice holder comprises a figurine having a head and a body. The head comprises a first aperture, a second aperture opposite the first aperture, and a receptacle having a receptacle volume disposed between the first and second apertures. The first aperture includes a first periphery with four sides, the first periphery being greater than the dice periphery. The second aperture includes a second periphery with four sides, the second periphery being less than the dice periphery. The dice is configured to be inserted through the first aperture and nest within the receptacle volume of the receptacle.

In some embodiments, the head may further comprise a plurality of first apertures and a plurality of second apertures.

In some embodiments, the dice may comprise artwork disposed on at least one of the plurality of sides, wherein the artwork is viewable from at least one of the first and second apertures. Generally, the artwork comprises facial characteristics including eyes (or eye), mouth, nose, or a combination thereof. In a preferable embodiment, the at least one side comprising the facial characteristics is viewable from the second aperture such that the second aperture is disposed on a portion of the head characterized as a front portion where a face of the figurine would be located. Determination of the front portion can be accessed by shape and features of the head. Alternatively, the dice may comprise artwork on at least two sides such that the artwork is viewable from both the first and second apertures.

In some embodiments, the head may further comprise a ring configured to engage a linkage element, such as a keychain.

In a second embodiment a system holding a dice is disclosed. The system comprises a dice and a dice holder. The dice is characterized as having a polyhedral form comprising a plurality of sides, the dice having a dice periphery associated therewith. The dice holder comprises a head, the head comprising a first aperture and second aperture. The first aperture has a first periphery, where the first periphery is greater than the dice periphery. The second aperture has a second periphery. The dice is configured to be inserted through the first aperture.

In some embodiments, the dice may be characterized as having a cubic form comprising a first through sixth side, the first through sixth sides are each characterized as a square comprising the dice periphery. In other embodiments, the dice may comprise four, eight, ten, twelve, or twenty sides, or any other polyhedral dice know in the art. From dice, the dice periphery may comprise more than one side and may further include partial portions of sides.

In some embodiments, the second periphery may be less than the dice periphery such that a dice entering the first aperture can translate through the head until the second aperture is reached due to the second periphery being smaller than the dice periphery.

In some embodiments, the first periphery may comprise four sides. In other embodiments, the first periphery may comprise a number of sides equal to sides of the dice.

In some embodiments, the dice holder may further comprise a body coupled to the head, wherein the head and the body are characterized as a figurine. The body can be configured to be in a fixed position relative to the head, or may alternatively be configured to articulate relative to the head. In some embodiments, the body may comprise arms and legs such that each arm and leg is capable of independent movement from the body.

In some embodiments, the first aperture may be opposite the second aperture. In other embodiments, the second aperture is disposed at a front portion of the head and the first aperture is disposed in an alternative location on the head, such as the top or rear portions.

Generally, the head may further comprise a receptacle disposed between each of the first and second apertures, wherein the receptable comprises a receptacle volume. In some embodiments, the dice is configured to nest within the receptacle volume of the receptable.

The head may further comprise one or more tabs disposed on the receptacle at or near the first periphery, wherein the one or more tabs are configured to allow a dice to pass through and nest within the receptacle volume while also preventing the dice from accidentally exiting escaping from the dice holder. In some embodiments, the tabs comprise a taper which increases from the first aperture towards the second aperture.

In some embodiments, the head may further comprise a plurality of first apertures and a plurality of second apertures. In an alternative embodiment, the body may further comprise a second receptacle disposed below the receptacle such that a second dice is configured to nest within the body below the dice nested within the head.

In some embodiments, the dice may comprise artwork disposed on at least one of the plurality of sides, wherein the artwork is viewable from at least one of the first and second apertures. The artwork may comprise facial characteristics.

In some embodiments, the head may further comprise a ring configured to engage a linkage element. The ring may be disposed on a top or rear portion of the head. In alternative embodiments, the ring may be disposed on the body.

In a third embodiment, a system holding a dice is disclosed. The system comprises a dice and a dice holder. The dice is characterized as having a polyhedral form comprising a plurality of sides, the dice having a dice periphery associated therewith. The dice holder comprises a head. The head comprises a first shell and a second shell coupled to the first shell via a hinge. The head further comprises a second aperture disposed thereon. The first shell has a first receptacle volume and the second shell has a second receptacle volume, such that the dice is configured to nest within the first and second receptacle volumes.

The third embodiment of the dice holder can be characterized as a clamshell such that the dice holder is configured to open and allow a dice having a dice volume and dice periphery to be disposed in either the first or second shell. The dice holder is further configured to close the first shell and second shell together via the hinge, thus causing the dice to nest within the holder. The dice holder may include one or more apertures that would allow one or more sides of the dice to be viewable from an exterior. The one or more apertures each may have a periphery that is less than the dice periphery to prevent the dice from falling out.

The first and second shells can be divided in a myriad of ways including the frontal (or coronal) plane, the transverse plane, or the sagittal plane of the head. In embodiments comprising a divide at the sagittal plane, the second shell comprises the second aperture entirely and the hinge is located at a bottom or top portion of the head, or a body disposed thereon. In embodiments comprising a divide at the frontal or transverse plane, the first and second shells each comprise a portion of the second aperture when the dice holder is fully closed. In such embodiments, the hinge is located opposite the divide and may include the bottom or top portion of the head (or body coupled therewith) or a rear portion of the head.

In some embodiments, the dice may be characterized as having a cubic form comprising a first through sixth side, the first through sixth sides are each characterized as a square comprising the dice periphery. In alternative embodiments, the dice may comprise an alternative number of sides. Modification to the first and second shell may need to be may for proper fit of the dice as can be appreciated by one having skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the dice holder may further comprise a body coupled to the head, wherein the head and the body are characterized as a figurine.

In some embodiments, the dice may comprise artwork disposed on at least one of the plurality of sides, wherein the artwork is viewable from the second aperture. The artwork may comprise facial characteristics.

In some embodiments, the head may further comprise a ring configured to engage a linkage element. The ring may be disposed on a top or rear portion of the head. In alternative embodiments, the ring may be disposed on the body.

Illustrated Embodiments

Now turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a system for holding a dice (100), the system comprising a dice (200) and dice holder (300). The dice holder comprises a head (320) and a body (330). Within the head of the dice holder is a receptacle for receiving the dice, the receptacle having a receptacle volume associated therewith and the receptacle further comprises each of a first aperture (340, FIG. 2) and a second aperture (350). The first aperture comprises a first annular periphery (“first periphery 360”), and the second aperture comprises a second annular periphery (“second periphery, 370”). The dice is configured to nest inside the receptacle volume within the head with the second aperture blocking passage of the dice from further translation due to the second periphery being less than the dice periphery. One side (230) of a plurality of possible sides of the dice is exposed for viewing through the second aperture. Further coupled to the dice holder, for example at the head thereof, is a ring (315). The ring may be used to engage a linkage element for connecting the dice holder to a key ring, backpack, or other object.

In some embodiments, the exposed side of the dice may include artwork of facial characteristics possibly comprising features like eyes, mouth, nose, skin tone, or a combination thereof among other characteristics that is intended to correspond with the head and body of the dice holder.

Generally, the dice comprises of six sides. However, other polyhedral dice such as dice comprising four, eight, ten, twelve, twenty, or any other number of sides known in the art can also be used. In such embodiments, the head and receptacle portion can be adapted as would be appreciated by one having skill in the art to receive and nest such a corresponding dice.

FIG. 2 shows an alternate perspective view of the system for holding a dice (100) wherein a dice (200) has been inserted through a first aperture (340) and inside the receptacle volume within the head (320) of the dice holder (300). The head is coupled to body (330) forming a figurine (310). The first aperture is opposite the second aperture (FIG. 1, 350) on the head. The first aperture comprises a first periphery (360) associated therewith.

In an alternative embodiment, the first aperture (340) is disposed at a top portion of the head (320) such that the dice is inserted downward relative to the head. Upon sufficient translation into the head from the top portion, one or more sides of the dice may be viewable from the second aperture (350)

FIG. 3 shows a front view of dice holder (300) that is characterized as figurine (310) having head (320) and body (330). Second aperture (350) can be seen with second periphery (370) associated therewith.

FIG. 4 shows a left view of dice holder (300). The dice holder comprises head (320) and body (330). The head includes first aperture (340), and second aperture (350) that is opposite the first aperture. Disposed between the first and second apertures is receptable (380) which has a receptacle volume (390) associated therewith.

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of dice holder (300). The dice holder comprises body (330) and head (320). The head comprises first aperture (340), the first aperture having first periphery (360) associated therewith. The head further comprises second aperture (350), the second aperture having second periphery (370) associated therewith. The first periphery is greater than the second periphery. A dice (FIG. 15, 200) having a dice periphery (FIG. 15, 210) which is less than the second periphery, but greater than the first periphery, may be inserted and translated through the first aperture until the dice reaches the second aperture, at which point the dice can no longer be further translated through the head. Between the first and second aperture is receptable (380), the receptacle having receptacle volume (390), wherein the dice is configured to nest within the receptacle volume.

The dice can be retained within the holder via friction fitment, magnetic engagement, or other means known to one having skill in the art.

FIG. 6 shows a right view of dice holder (300). The dice holder includes first aperture (340) and second aperture (350). The first aperture comprises first periphery (360) and the second aperture comprises second periphery (370) such that the first periphery is greater than the second periphery. Between the first and second aperture includes receptable (380) having a receptable volume (390) wherein the receptacle volume is large enough to allow a dice (FIG. 1, 200) to be fully encompassed within a head (320) of the dice holder.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the dice holder (300) which includes head (320). First aperture (340) and second aperture (350) can be seen disposed on opposites sides of the head. Also shown is a ring (315).

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the dice holder (300) which includes a head (320) and a body (330). A first aperture (340) and a second aperture (350) opposite the first aperture are disposed to the head of the dice holder.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of a dice (200). The figure shows the dice having a first side (230) of a plurality of sides (220a; 220b (FIG. 14); 220c; 220d; 220e; and 220f) which may include artwork in substitution of a numerical representation, as shown. Here, the artwork may comprise a face that integrates with the figurine, and the artwork may be displayed through the second aperture during storage of the dice within the dice holder.

FIG. 10 shows a right plan view of the dice (200) of the system.

FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of the dice (200) of the system.

FIG. 12 shows a bottom plan view of the dice (200) of the system.

FIG. 13 shows a left plan view of the dice (200) of the system.

FIG. 14 shows a rear plan view of the dice (200) of the system.

FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of the system holding a dice (100) including the dice (200) and dice holder (300, FIG. 1). Dice holder has a first aperture (340), and a second aperture (350) opposite the first aperture. The dice, having the dice periphery (210), is configured to be inserted into and through the first aperture until the dice has reached the second aperture, at which point the side of the dice that abuts with the second aperture will be viewable through the second aperture.

Manufacturing

The dice and dice holder may be fabricated from thermoplastic material using molding or etching, or may be 3D-printed, or otherwise fabricated using these and other techniques known in the art. Alternatively, some or all of the dice and dice holder may be fabricated from metals, wood, or other composite materials.

While various details, features, and combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

FEATURE LIST

system holding a dice (100)

dice (200)

dice periphery (210)

plurality of sides (220a, 220b, 220c, 220d, 220e, 220f)

side (230)

dice holder (300)

figurine (310)

ring (315)

head (320)

body (330)

first aperture (340)

second aperture (350)

first periphery (360)

second periphery (370)

receptable (380)

receptacle volume (390)

Claims

1. A system holding a dice, comprising: a dice, the dice characterized as having a cubic form comprising a first through sixth side, the first through sixth sides are each characterized as a square comprising a dice periphery; anda dice holder, the dice holder comprising a figurine having a head and a body, the head comprising a first aperture, a second aperture opposite the first aperture, and a receptacle having a receptacle volume disposed between the first and second apertures, the first aperture having a first periphery with four sides, the first periphery being greater than the dice periphery, the second aperture having a second periphery with four sides,the second periphery being less than the dice periphery;wherein the dice is configured to be inserted through the first aperture and nest within the receptacle volume of the receptacle.

2. The system of claim 1, the dice comprising artwork disposed on at least one of the plurality of sides, wherein the artwork is viewable from at least one of the first and second apertures.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the artwork comprises facial characteristics.

4. The system of claim 1, the head further comprising a ring configured to engage a linkage element.

5. The system of claim 1, the head further comprising a plurality of first apertures and a plurality of second apertures.

6. A system holding a dice, comprising: a dice, the dice characterized as having a polyhedral form comprising a plurality of sides, the dice having a dice periphery associated therewith; anda dice holder, the dice holder comprising a head, the head comprising a first aperture and second aperture, the first aperture having a first periphery, the first periphery being greater than the dice periphery,the second aperture having a second periphery;wherein the dice is configured to be inserted through the first aperture.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the dice is characterized having a cubic form comprising a first through sixth side, the first through sixth sides are each characterized as a square comprising the dice periphery.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the second periphery is less than the dice periphery.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the first periphery comprises four sides.

10. The system of claim 6, the dice holder further comprising a body coupled to the head, wherein the head and the body are characterized as a figurine.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the first aperture is opposite the second aperture.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein the first aperture is disposed on a top portion of the head.

13. The system of claim 6, the head further comprising a plurality of first apertures and a plurality of second apertures.

14. The system of claim 6, the head further comprising a receptacle disposed between each of the first and second apertures, wherein the receptable comprises a receptacle volume.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the dice is configured to nest within the receptacle volume of the receptacle.

16. The system of claim 6, the dice comprising artwork disposed on at least one of the plurality of sides, wherein the artwork is viewable from at least one of the first and second apertures.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the artwork comprises facial characteristics.

18. The system of claim 6, the head further comprising a ring configured to engage a linkage element.