US3612535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Body heat comparison game
Assignee: Pennsylvania Electroics Technology Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-30
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Granted: 1971-10-12
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Expires: 1989-01-30
Abstract
Abstract Novel game devices in which players bring a finger or other body part into contact with a thermistor-containing element, and by operation of electrical circuitry, values are observed on an ammeter. The thermistor containing element is preferably ''''thermally decoupled'''' from the chassis in which it is located. One disclosed feature involves the use of an audiofrequency oscillator and a speaker, with the thermistor being placed in the tank circuit of the oscillator, to afford an audible indication. A plurality of differently wired plugs or a keyboard, are disclosed for electrically interconnecting the thermistor members at the different stations to provide a multiperson game apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Davis
- 👤 Fred M Heddinger
- 👤 Wallace H Kirkpatrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:32
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/26; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00643; A63F2003/00678; A63F2003/00687; A63F9/00; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2448; A63F2009/247; A63F2009/2477; A63F2009/2483; A63F2009/2492; A63F2009/2494; A63F2250/00; A63F2250/10; A63F2250/1026; A63F2250/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of playing a game, using as equipment therefor at least one thermistor having a resistance change temperature substantially that of human skin, a power source connected to said thermistor, and meter means operatively connected to said thermistor to register changes in its resistance, said method comprising the steps of, having each of a plurality of players bring a body part of said player into heat transfer association with said thermistor, observing for each player the reading of said meter, and comparing the reading of one player with that of at least one other player to determine among said players a winner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of playing a game, using as equipment therefor at least one thermistor having a resistance change temperature substantially that of human skin, a power source connected to said thermistor, and meter means operatively connected to said thermistor to register changes in its resistance, said method comprising the steps of, having each of a plurality of players bring a body part of said player into heat transfer association with said thermistor, observing for each player the reading of said meter, and comparing the reading of one player with that of at least one other player to determine among said players a winner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for playing a body-part temperature comparison game comprising, a power source, a plurality of Wheatstone bridge circuits each of said Wheatstone bridge circuits having a first branch comprising first and second legs, a second branch comprising third and fourth legs, and a fifth leg joining the junction point between said first and second legs with the junction point between said third and fourth legs, said second leg containing a positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor located in a ''''frimdart'''' and having a resistance-change temperature substantially that of human skin and being exposed in such a manner that a player of the game may touch it, said third leg containing a fixed resistor, said fourth Leg containing a positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor having a resistance-change temperature substantially that of human skin, said fifth leg containing a meter, and said first leg containing a variable resistance of such value as to permit zeroing of said meter in said fifth leg, means for connecting all of said Wheatstone bridge circuits to said power source, and means for selectively interconnecting said bridge circuits one to the other for causing the thermistors in the respective bridge circuits to be electrically pitted one against another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for playing a body-part temperature comparison game comprising, a power source, a plurality of Wheatstone bridge circuits each of said Wheatstone bridge circuits having a first branch comprising first and second legs, a second branch comprising third and fourth legs, and a fifth leg joining the junction point between said first and second legs with the junction point between said third and fourth legs, said second leg containing a positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor located in a ''''frimdart'''' and having a resistance-change temperature substantially that of human skin and being exposed in such a manner that a player of the game may touch it, said third leg containing a fixed resistor, said fourth Leg containing a positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor having a resistance-change temperature substantially that of human skin, said fifth leg containing a meter, and said first leg containing a variable resistance of such value as to permit zeroing of said meter in said fifth leg, means for connecting all of said Wheatstone bridge circuits to said power source, and means for selectively interconnecting said bridge circuits one to the other for causing the thermistors in the respective bridge circuits to be electrically pitted one against another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, characterized in that said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistors in said second and fourth legs are each contained in ''''frimdarts,'''' whereby said meter in said fifth leg is caused to read directly a difference in resistance change resulting from simultaneous activation of said ''''frimdarts.''''
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises an oscillator having a tank circuit and an audiofrequency output and a loudspeaker operatively connected to the output of said oscillator, said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor in said second leg forming at least part of said tank circuit of said oscillator, whereby audible indications are produced when the resistance of said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor in said second leg changes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, characterized in that each Wheatstone bridge circuit is contained in a chassis, at least said thermistor in said second leg being contained in a ''''frimdart'''' exposed on an exterior surface of said chassis, said ''''frimdart'''' having electrically conductive thermal insulating means positioned between said thermistor and said chassis, whereby said thermistor is thermally decoupled from said chassis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, characterized in that each Wheatstone bridge circuit is contained in a chassis, and in that said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor in said fourth leg is positioned within said chassis to compensate for variations in ambient temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, characterized in that said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistors in said second and fourth legs are each contained in exposed ''''frimdarts,'''' whereby said meter in said fifth leg is caused to read directly a difference in resistance change resulting from simultaneous activation of said ''''frimdarts.''''
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises an oscillator having a tank circuit and an audiofrequency output and a loudspeaker operatively connected to the output of said oscillator, said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor in said second leg forming at least part of said tank circuit of said oscillator, whereby audible indications are produced when the resistance of said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor in said second leg changes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, characterized in that it further contains, in combination therewith, a chance selection device for indicating a body part to be placed by at least one player against said ''''frimdart.''''
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, characterized in that said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistors in said second and fourth legs are each contained in exposed ''''frimdarts,'''' whereby said meter in said fifth leg is caused to read directly a difference in resistance change resulting from simultaneous activation of said ''''frimdarts.''''
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises an oscillator having a tank circuit and an audiofrequency output and a loudspeaker operatively connected to the output of said oscillator, said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor in said second leg forming at least part of said tank circuit of said oscillator, whereby audible indications are Produced when the resistance of said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor in said second leg changes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, characterized in that said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistors in said second and fourth legs are each contained in exposed ''''frimdarts,'''' whereby said meter in said fifth leg is caused to read directly a difference in resistance change resulting from simultaneous activation of said ''''frimdarts.''''
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, characterized in that it further contains, in combination therewith, a chance selector device for indicating a body part to be placed by at least one player against said ''''frimdart.''''
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13, characterized in that said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistors in said second and fourth legs are each contained in exposed ''''frimdarts,'''' whereby said meter in said fifth leg is caused to read directly a difference in resistance change resulting from simultaneous activation of said ''''frimdarts.''''
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, characterized in that said interconnecting means comprises a keyboard consisting of a plurality of keys, each of said keys having associated therewith a switch that is normally open and serves, when closed, to effect said electrical pitting of said thermistors in a desired mode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15, characterized in that said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistors in said second and fourth legs are each contained in exposed ''''frimdarts,'''' whereby said meter in said fifth leg is caused to read directly a difference in resistance change resulting from simultaneous activation of said ''''frimdarts.''''
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises an oscillator having a tank circuit and an audiofrequency output and a loudspeaker operatively connected to the output of said oscillator, said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor in said second leg forming at least part of said tank circuit of said oscillator, whereby audible indications are produced when the resistance of said positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor in said second leg changes.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of playing a game with at least four players, using as equipment therefor at least four positive-temperature-coefficient thermistors, each having a resistance-change temperature substantially that of human skin, means for electrically pitting the resistance changes in said thermistors occasioned by players bringing body parts into operative association therewith against one another in various predetermined modes, and meter means for observing the outcome of said electrical pitting to award scores to said players, said method comprising the steps of bringing body parts of at least two players into heat transfer association with selected ones of said thermistors, activating said means for electrically pitting said resistance changes against one another to select one of said modes, and comparing said scores as observed on said meter means to determine the winner.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of playing a game with at least four players, using as equipment therefor at least four positive-temperature-coefficient thermistors, each having a resistance-change temperature substantially that of human skin, means for electrically pitting the resistance changes in said thermistors occasioned by players bringing body parts into operative association therewith against one another in various predetermined modes, and meter means for observing the outcome of said electrical pitting to award scores to said players, said method comprising the steps of bringing body parts of at least two players into heat transfer association with selected ones of said thermistors, activating said means for electrically pitting said resistance changes against one another to select one of said modes, and comparing said scores as observed on said meter means to determine the winner.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 18, characterized in that said step of activating said pitting means to select one of said modes of electrical pitting is done by chance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 19, further characterized by the inclusion of the step of selecting by chance the body part to be used by individual ones of said players.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 18, further characterized by the inclusion of the step of selecting by chance the body part to be used by individual ones of said players.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 18, characterized by all of said players bringing body parts into operative heat transfer association with respective ones of said thermistors.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 22, characterized in that said step of activating said pitting means to select one of said modes of electrical pitting is done by Chance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 23, characterized by the inclusion of the step of selecting by chance the body part to be used by individual ones of said players.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 22, further characterized by the inclusion of the step of selecting by chance the body part to be used by individual ones of said players.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |