US2627374A - Game scoring device and ash tray - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 3, 1953 R. G. MULDER 2,627,374

GAME SCORING DEVICE AND ASH TRAY Filed April 6, 1950 Inga mmdy/mw Patented Feb. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE GAME SCORING DEVICE AND ASH TRAY Raymond G. Mulder, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 6, 1950, Serial No. 154,385

(o1. 2s5 11s) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved type of an ash tray particularly adapted for card players. More specifically it is directed to an ash tray having in combination therewith an information containing means which will constantly remind all players impartially throughout the entire game of all facts pertaining to the particular game under way.

In playing card games as a pastime or even as an avocation, the successful bidder selects a trump which in his estimation will be most useful in obtaining the number of tricks or points for which he is obligated. In course of the game, particularly if it is a very close and exciting contest. one or more of the participants may forget the number of tricks bid or points to be accumulated and upon completion of the game, oftentimes challenges the bidder in this respect. Such challenge not only causes a loss of time used in settling the disputed question but also occasionally leads to altercations and even fisticuffs among the players.

Even if the game shall be very friendly such as is commonly referred to as a social game of cards, the lapse of memory occurs particularly if the spell of interjected social conversation may be of unusual interest. Then all participants including the successful bidder will look blankly at each other in hapless confusion and bewilderment to determine what is the trump or what is the amount played.

Such moments of forgetfulness on the part of one or more players are very likely to occur on more than one occasion during an evenings play of cards. They are embarrassing not only to the players but also particularly to the successful bidder who should at all times be alert mentally during the progress of a game.

It, therefore, is an object of my invention to provide a useful article of manufacture that will constantly remind all participants in the game of the exact nature of the trump card and the amount of tricks or points to be scored during the game.

A further object of my invention is to provide an article of manufacture that will facilitate card playing and assist the participants thereof in settling amicably any disputes.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an article of manufacture that will not only constantly remind participants of a card game but also function as a useful collecting device for ashes and other table debris normally accumulated during card games.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an article of manufacture which is not only utilitarian but also aesthetically desirable on or about a card table top.

These and other objects, adaptations, variations, extensions and modifications will become readily apparent to one skilled in this art particularly in light of the clear, lucid and accurate description given hereinbelow of the principles underlying my invention and the application of such principles as incorporated in a specific embodiment of the preferred form or type of my invention which are further clearly illustrated in the annexed drawing forming a part of this disclosure in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken in the direction of the arrows through the lines 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a section along line 44 of the portion of the edge of the device of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a segment of the device showing in perspective the trump indicator wheel, while Figure 6 is a perspective of the indicator wheel.

For sake of clarity and definitiveness, the elements in my invention as disclosed in the drawings, will be identified with characters which will be used in identically the same office hereinafter to refer to the same in the drawing.

My improved device is a base In preferably substantially annular in shape and having a beveled edge [2. In the central portion of said base It] is an annular opening M which has formed therein female threads is which engage the male threads [8 formed on the annular projection 22 of the cup 20. The annular projection 22 fits snugly within the opening I 4 and is threadedly engaged by means of the threads is and 18 to form a fixed unit, or threads may be omitted and parts pressed together.

The cup 20 has an extending peripheral lip 24 which forms a retaining collar 26 to retain between it and the upper surface I I of the base is an annular ring 39, whose outer edge is substantially a curved beveled surface 28. Spaced about the periphery or curved beveled surface 28 of the ring 30, are a series of depressions 32 separated from each other by means of projecting ridges or dividers 34 to form therebeteween an indicia receiving surface. Various indicia like 66, '70, 75, etc. as indicated in the drawings, or others depending on the nature of the card game that is being played, can be adhesively or located along the edge of the base [-2.

otherwise attached, embossed, etc. within the depressions 32. Clearly, the configuration of the said indicia receiving surfaces 32 can be varied considerably and still be within the spirit of the fundamental concepts underlying my invention. For instance, they may be circular, oval, etc. instead of rectangular as shown in the preferred embodiment. Likewise, these may be raised above the surface in cameo-like fashion and the dividers 34 may be depressed instead of being elevated as shown in the preferred embodiment. It is self evident that one skilled in the art may vary this element quite freely and still be within the spirit of the entire invention.

It should be noted that the ring 30 is to revolve about the cup 20 as a shaft. As it revolves, any of the indicia marking spaces 132 can .bestopped selectively over a window 35 out into the base l2. This window 36 is shown as being substantially rectangular in shape though clearly it can be varied widely by one skilled in the art.

This window 36 provides access to an indicia carrying wheel 38 mounted within the recess v 20 V A screw 42 of a special wide flange head type is fitted into the base I 2 to hold in place the wheel 38 which revolves freely about the projection 44 of the base 12.

As the wheel 38 has spaced equidistantly apart along its edge 66 a number of desired indicia 48 to indicate the character of the trump in the card game, While the indicia like 166, '70, 75, etc. on the ring '30, show the amount played.

In use, the dealer sets the number of points tube-obtained on play over the window 36 and then adjusts the trump indicator wheel '30 to show the-properindicia '48 in the window '36. During the course of play or upon its conclusion, every player including the kibitzing onlookers knows exactly what the trump is and what points are needed to win the game.

To render the article more utilitarian, I provide a large capacity recess 50 to receive therein ashes, stubs, matches, etc. A series of notches 52 are also provided to prevent cigars and cigarettes from falling off the rim 24.

It is clearly apparent that the various elements of the fundamental concepts underlying 4 my invention can be varied widely by one skilled in the art and still be within the ambit of the spirit of my invention as defined by the hereunto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A game scoring device comprising a base, a shaft mounted thereon, means to mount said shaft on said base, an annular ring mounted on said shaft, a means on said shaft to retain said annular ring in juxtaposition between :said base and about said shaft, game indicia spaced about the periphery of said ring, a recess within a section of the edge of said base, an indicia bearing wheel mounted within said recess and a means to retain said wheel in juxtaposition within said recess, whereby a portion of said wheel will be visible through Opening of said recess.

2. In the article of claim 1, wherein said annular ring is free to revolve about said shaft, a lateral collar extending beyond and over the upper edge of said shaft to restrain upward displacement of said annular :ring.

3. In the product of claim 1, wherein the said annular ring has surface depressions about its periphery, and the said game indicia disposed about in said depressions.

RAYMOND G. MULDER.

REFERENCE-S CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED .STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 610,910 Mathews Sept. 20, 1898 648,800 Schlief May 1, 1900 1,159,133 Thomson Nov. 2, 1915 1,756,760 Reich Apr. 29, 1930 1,965,068 Chesler July 3, 1934 2,150,525 'Stutz Mar. 14, :1939 2,211,635 Barteaux Aug. 13, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 3,368 Switzerland Mar. 25, 1891 464,278 France Jan. 9, 1914 465,563 France Feb. 9, 1914

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