US3534963A - Bingo-type game apparatus with numbers selected by race results - Google Patents

Description

W. F. WEIMER -TYPE GAME APPARATUS WITH NUMBERS Oct. 20, 1970 BINGO SELECTED BY RACE RESULTS Filed Sept. 11, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 53m 0 O QIMO O O mmv pm 2 MN w 0 O WMO O O C. 211 E m 0 O O O 0 wwwwfi mm I O O MO 0 O 0N. mm m Q m MO HO m0 m0 m0 W am m M INVENTOR. WIN/am E Weimer H/S ATTORNEYS V Filed Sept. 11, 1967 Oct. 20, 1970 w. F. WEIMER 3,534,963

BINGO-TYPE GAME APPARATUS WITH NUMBERS SELECTED BY RACE RESULTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

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William E We/m er 8 2/114, Mmm gz/w hI/S ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,534,963 BINGO-TYPE GAME APPARATUS WITH NUMBERS SELECTED BY RACE RESULTS William F. Weimer, 10305 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235 Filed Sept. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 666,611 Int. Cl. A63f 3/00 US. Cl. 273-135 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game for a plurality of players in which each player is provided with a card bearing indicia selected from a group of indicia sufiicient to include indicia unique to each entry in a race. In the game, that indicia identifying a winner of the race is compared with indicia on a card held by a player. Those indicia associated with entries which finish the race in a winning position, of which there may be more than one, become playing indicia in a series of indicia constituting an arrangement on a card. The manner of winning the game is pre-established and comprises a particular arrangement of playing indicia on a card, each card embodying a plurality of arrangements. Each card comprises a matrix divided into zones which are further divided into spaces, and each space contains an indicia from the group. lndicia identifying winning entries in one or a plurality of races and which are associated in the particular pre-established arrangement on a card define a winning card; a player holding such a card is a winner of the game. The game apparatus includes a means for displaying the assignment of indicia of those entries which complete the race or races in one of the winning positions.

This invention relates to a game of chance, and particularly to a game of chance associated with an event or series of events, such as horse or dog races. The game is designed for play by a plurality of players which may number in the thousands and presents an opportunity for one or more of such players to become winners of the game.

In describing my game, I have used the term race as exemplary of the event or events to which the game is applicable. In this connection, it should be understood that the event or race is a contest between two or more entries, the object of which is to first reach a predefined goal. The entries may be human-s or animals, such as horses.

The game apparatus comprises a card on which there is a matrix. A plurality of horizontal and vertical zones define the matrix, each zone being further divided into a plurality of spaces. In each space, there is one indicia selected from a large group of indicia which is at least as large as the total number of entries in the races associated with the game.

Each entry in the series of races which is associated with a game is identified by indicia unique to it alone among the entries. The manner of winning the game is established by game officials prior to the start of the game and prior to the first of the series of races related to the game, and constitutes a particular arrangement of indicia selected from the group and appearing on a card. To become a winner of the game, a player must control a card on which appears in the matrix a series of indicia corresponding to a plurality of entries which completed one or more of the races in a winning position and appear in the pre-established order or arrangement of said indicia which has been established prior to the start of the game; a player holding such a card is a winner. There may, of course, in the play of my game be a number of winning "ice players of a single game since more than one player may hold a card bearing indicia in the pre-established arrangement, although such indicia may be different.

Essential to my game is a card bearing a matrix including a plurality of horizontal and vertical zones, each zone being divided into spaces in which one of the indicia selected from the group appears. Associated with either the horizontal or vertical zones is a means of identifying the zone to distinguish it from any other zone running in the same direction of the card. For example, each space in the matrix may be coordinated by letter and number and is easily identified thereby.

The card or game board resembles that used in playing familiar board games involving numbers and letters which are associated by coordinates, such as Bingo, Lucky and other games similarly played. In view of this, it will be useful to point out, preliminarily, differences between my game and those identified. My game is played in combination with a race in which there are a number of entries. A winning entry in a race is identified by a number selected from a definite group of indicia. So far, this is not unlike balls carrying numbers which are randomly exhausted from a cage, where such balls make up a definite group of balls carrying indicia. However, in each race associated with my game, there is a predetermined number of eligible winning positions in which an entry may complete the race; hence, of, or example, nine entries in the race, there may be one, two, or more winners if it is pie-established that the first, second or other finishing entry is a winning position. Accordingly, not every entry in the race and identified by unique indicia constitutes a playable entry and its indicia may be void at the end of that race and eliminated from the game.

The card used in playing my game bears a plurality of indicia selected from a predetermined group. Again, this may be thought to be similar to a card used in playing Bingo, Lucky, etc. However, in the latter games, the chance of playing or marking a particular indicia on the card is equally spread over the odds of selecting at random, a single ball from those balls remaining in the cage from which the balls are exhausted. In my game, this is not the case, since the group of indicia from which the indicia identifying entries are selected may be larger than the number of entries in the series of races. In such case, indicia not associated with entries in the series of races are not available for play in my game; therefore, one holding a card bearing indicia which have not been used to identify entries has no chance of matching such number or indicia on his card, thereby reducing the chances of that particular card becoming a winning card.

A clearer understanding of my invention will be obtained by reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an illustrative card according to my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a master sheet showing all of the indicia appearing on all available cards;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a race track showing the location of demonstration means which form part of my game apparatus; and

FIG. 4 is illustrative of an area of the demonstration means in which the indicia of my game are shown.

Referring to FIG. 1, I have illustrated a ticket or card 10 used in connection with my game. The card 10 consists of three defined areas, the first being the letters which appear across the top of the card, the second being the body of the card which carries the indicia and the third being a space below the indicia carrying area for use in identifying the game or displaying rules of play. Referring first to the central area of the card, I have shown a series of horizontal zones 12- 16 and a series of vertical zones 17-21. Each zone is divided into a plurality of spaces. For example, in FIG. 1, zone 12 includes five space-s numbered 2226, and zone 19 includes five spaces marked 24, 2730.

Each space includes one of a plurality of indicia, such as those shown in vertical column 20, namely, the indicia 60, 56, 46, 48 and 57. Optionally provided is a free space, identified in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 28, which represents one of the spaces to be filled on the card. The circles below each of the indicia in the spaces on the card are provided for marking the card. These circles represent either punch locations, checking locations, or other means by which the indicia included in the space can be played. Such punching, marking or the like is done as the game is played in the manner to be set forth hereinafter.

The third and lowest area on the card is provided for use by the ofiicials of the game. For example, where a series of such games is contemplated, this area may be used to identify the number of the game in relation to all other games played, or the date on which the game card is valid, and/or the place where the game card is used. Other information may be provided in the third area, such as the manner of winning the particular game, to be described later.

Across the top or uppermost portion of the card is a series of letters or other identifying marks associated with five vertical zones; here, the letters enable each zone to be separately identified. Of course, these letters may be associated with the horizontal zones as well. In FIG. 1, I have shown the letters PARLE, whereby the various spaces provided in the card are each identifiable by coordination of the horizontal and vertical zones. For example, space number four in line number four, taken from the upper left of the card, is identified on FIG. 1 as L48. Similarly, space number five in line number two is identified as E70. On any single card, no indicia appearing in a space is duplicated.

The indicia appearing on all of the cards and constituting a group of indicia from which indicia identifying the entries are selected appear on the master sheet shown in FIG. 2. In the master sheet, there are a series of vertical columns each associated with a letter of the word PARLE; for example, vertical column two, which con sists of identifying indicia 16-30, is associated with the letter A of the word PARLE. Again, each indicia in a space on the master sheet can be identified coordinately; for example, the fourth space in the line seven is known as L52. Again, the second space in line thirteen is identified as A28. The master sheet is used to verify the playable indicia on the plurality of cards controlled by the players of the game. The master sheet may include more or less than the 75 indicia shown in FIG. 2. An alternative to the master sheet is a checking board, which may be electrical, mechanical, etc., wherein only the winning indicia are posted.

The manner of winning the game is established by the ofiicials of the game and may comprise any one of a number of specified arrangements on the cards, for example, one may win the game by marking all indicia appearing in any horizontal zone, optionally including a free space; a vertical zone, optionally including a free space as under letter R in FIG. 1, and/or a diagonal, such as in FIG. 1, marking the indicia P2, A18, the optional free space, L48 and E62. Obviously, the other diagonal of the X identified by P6, A21, the optional free space, L56 and E66 could equally constitute a winning arrangement.

Other well-known arrangements on a card of the type shown in FIG. 1 are the four corner arrangement which comprises, in the case of FIG. 1, P2, E66, E62 and P6. Of course, any arrangement previously established by the olficials of the game as a winner is possible.

I prefer a game, such as that described above, which enables one to become a winner by marking indicia in any one of the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal zones. If

a free space is included on a card, it is to be considered an indicia and within the group.

Each indicia on the card is selected from a group of indicia which includes indicia used in identifying entries in a race or in a series of races. To make this clear, the description will be continued in relation to a well-known sporting event called Flat Racing in which a number of horses are entered in a single race, wherein each horse carries a particular number, usually beginning with the number 1 and and continuing seriatim through the number of entries in a single race. The second race is numbered similarly, beginning with the number 1 and continuing through the number of entries in the second race. The process is continued through a predtermined race or series of races and can be applied to the usual number of races, such as seven or nine, which constitutes a day, more or less at the discretion of the game ofiicials.

In playing my game, prior to the beginning of the race, the race track or game ofiicials, under supervision, randomly assign to each entry in the predetermined race or races a number selected from the group of indicia, such as those identified on the master sheet shown in FIG. 2, but not limited to those indicia. The game officials also identify the manner in which the game is won; that is, the arrangement of indicia on the cards which will constitute a winning arrangement, such as the marking of the horizontal zones, the vertical zones, and/or the diagonal zones.

Having assigned one of the indicia, such as those on the master sheet of FIG. 2, to a particular entry in the race, such as a horse in a horse race, the race is run in the customary manner. Presently, it is usual for the numbers of four horses in a race or four places to be identified to the track observers by means of tote board or other mechanical demonstration devices. One or more of these may be previously indicated as possible winning entries, either on the third or lowest area of each card and/or by public announcement prior to the beginning of a race. For example, the first three horses to cross the finish line will carry different numbers, each of which is associated with indicia unique among the group of indicia used in playing the game. For example, the horse bearing number three in race one having been declared a winning entry may have randomly been associated with the game indicia L48. A player holding a card having the indicia L48, such as shown in FIG. 1, would thereafter mark, punch or otherwise provide an indication on the card, for example, by punching through the hole beneath the indicia 48 in the fourth space of the vertical zone L, in the circle provided for that purpose. In the same race, for instance, race one, a horse bearing the number nine may have been identified randomly prior to the beginning of the race as P2 for the purpose of the game. A player holding a card bearing that number P2, would similarly mark the card in the space provided, if that horse is officially declared to have finished in one of the possible winning positions. As in FIG. 1, such player would punch, mark or otherwise indicate the playing indicia P2 in space one in the vertical zone P or 17. Over a series of races, a plurality of entries will have been declared winners and the card so marked when the card has an indicia associated with an entry which has been declared a Winner. Identifying each such winner, for the purpose of my game, is a unique indicia among entries, in this case horses, which will be used in playing the game. For example, over a series of races, horses bearing numbers corresponding to identifying indicia P2, A19, R42, L60 and E66 may have been declared winners. A player holding the card shown in FIG. 1 is thereby made a winner of my game, provided no other player prior to the beginning of the race in which the horse bearing identifying indicia corresponding to the last declared one of the preceding five indicia has announced himself a winner.

Due to the large number of players which is contemplated, I also provide, in connection with my game, means for demonstrating which horses are associated with which identifyig indicia, in order that the winner may be conveniently determined, such as a large mechanical or electrical board, along with checking boards which correspond to the master sheet shown in FIG. 2 located within visual access of each of the players. The demonstration means, or board 32, as shown in FIG. 3, is positioned adjacent the track 34 and opposite to the stands 36 for spectators including players of my game. The indicia presented on the demonstration means are shown in the area 38 (FIG. 4) of the board 32 and are observable by those spectators in the stands. Further, in connection with a horse race, horses entered in the races in a particular day can be associated with indicia selected from a defined group shown in the master sheet by public announcement prior to each race.

The card shown in FIG. 1 can be of basic design, though I prefer that it be a preprinted ticket or card which may be mechanically ejected as tickets are called for by players.

To prevent duplication or falsification of a card, the card may be watermarked, colored, dated and/or serial numbered.

I prefer that my game be played in a specified series of events or races as previously defined. It is possible for a player to win my game as a result of the first race, thereby ending that series and that game. It is similarly possible for no winner to emerge after a series and my game provides for that contingency in that the game can be carried over into a subsequent series. In the former case, all cards held by players from the previous series and game would be invalid.

My game enables players to fully participate in a series of racing events without having knowledge or skill in selecting potential winners of the races. It will certainly enable those who have limited knowledge of racing events to enjoy a race played in connection with my game.

I claim:

1. In combination with a track for holding a racing event in which a plurality of entries compete for a plurality of winning positions and in which each entry is assigned an indicia selected from a group of indicia, and unique among the indicia in the group, adjacent one portion of which track there are stands for spectators of the event,

(A) a plurality of cards,

(1) each card bearing a plurality of such indicia;

(2) said indicia being located on the card so as to present a matrix including a plurality of horizontal and vertical zones;

(3) each zone being divided into a plurality of spaces;

(4) each space carrying one of said indicia;

(5) a number of said spaces in the matrix constituting an arrangement; and

(B) means for displaying the indicia assinged to entries which complete the event in one of the winning positions,

(C) said displaying means being located with respect to the stands such that indicia displayer thereon are observable by those of the spectators who are in the stands.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicia are letters and numbers and each of one of said groups of zones is defined by a letter unique among said group of zones, whereby each space in said matrix is coordinated by letter and number.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 and includmg:

(D) a master sheet divided into hornzontal and vertical zones, each zone being further divided into spaces;

(E) each space common to a horizontal and vertical zone being identified by an indicia selected from said group including a letter and a number;

(F) each vertical zone being identified by a letter unique among such zones so that each space can be coordinated by letter and by number; and

(G) said master sheet including all of the indicia in said group.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 3/ 1961 Great Britain.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated October 20 1970 Patent No. 3, 534, 963

InventoflQ William F. Weimer It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Claim 1, Column 6 Line 13 --ass'1nged should read --assigned--. In Claim 1, Column 6 Line 17 --clisplayer-- should read --displayed--. In Claim 3, Colunnl 0 Line 27 --hornz0nta.1-- should read --horizontal--.

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