Patent documents contain some of the most valuable, insightful information about how to make and use any technology or science.¹  Why?  Because in order to be granted a patent, inventors are REQUIRED by law to describe in detail the best way of making and using the invention claimed by the patent.  Patents tell you everything there is to know about an invention:

• who invented it
• when it was invented
• for what company (if any)
• what type of technology it is
• what problem it seeks to solve
• the background of how the invention came about
• a list of similar patents that predate the invention
• drawings, diagrams, schematics, and illustrations of the invention
• the specific innovations and improvements claimed by the inventor
• a detailed description of how to create and use the technology or science

Our trained specialists will perform a unique patent search and create a custom CD with at least 50 patents similar to the invention entitled "Game apparatus."  We'll load your CD full with the most recent, relevant patents² in high-resolution PDF format.  With our quick turn-around, your custom CD will typically arrive on your doorstep within 5-7 business days.

This custom CD contains a wealth of information that is interesting to researchers, hobbyists, students, teachers, librarians, scientists, inventors, and other knowledge-hungry people.  Order yours today!

Following is a sample of the information contained on the CD:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game apparatus, and more particularly to a game apparatus having a spherical shape.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Various kinds of toys and games have developed, for example, spherical game apparatus have been designed for a long time, however, the game apparatus are provided as puzzle games and the playing method can not be easily figured out such that the game apparatus can not be widely accepted.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional game apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus which can be easily played with children and adults.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the game apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the game apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the game apparatus which can be used as a decorative means; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating the operations of the game apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 to 3, a game apparatus in accordance with the present invention is generally spherical and comprises a body 10 including two halves 20, 21 coupled together so as to form a body having six surfaces including three pairs of opposite surfaces, in which the sides opposite to one another are parallel in orientation, an opening 22 formed in the center of each of the six surfaces, each of the two halves 20, 21 includes two posts 28, 29 which are coupled together by bolts 27 such that the two halves 20, 21 can be coupled together, the first half 20 includes two lugs 25 engaged with the notches 26 formed in the second half 21, and the second half 21 also includes two lugs engaged with the notches formed in the first half such that the two halves 20, 21 can further be solidly coupled together. Six caps 11 each includes a shaft 30 extended radially inwards thereof for engaging with the respective openings 22 such that the caps 11 are rotatable about the respective shafts 30. The outer surfaces of the caps 11 can be printed with various kinds of patterns, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, four curves of different diameters are formed or printed on the outer surface of each of the caps 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the spherical game apparatus can be supported on a support 24 as a decorative means when it is not being used.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrated are schematic views showing three adjacent caps 11 which are expanded for illustration purposes. When the three adjacent caps 11 are rotated separately, various kinds of patterns may be formed among the patterns formed on the caps 11.

Accordingly, the game apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a simplified configuration and can be easily played with children and adults.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

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¹ US and international copyright laws prohibit a person from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale, or otherwise making or using (even for personal use only) any invention claimed by a patent that has not yet expired, which may include patents included on this CD.  This CD is for informational purposes only.  Contact a licensed patent attorney for more information.

² This CD is not intended to replace a patentability opinion or novelty search by a licensed patent attorney.  We do not guarantee the scope or completeness of the patent search or the patents included on this CD.  Your CD will contain only a sample of related patents.