Device for the random selection of letters and game utilizing same

A device for the random selection of letters, and a game utilizing same, is disclosed which comprises a container with at least a transparent top wall. The container has an inner cavity which is separated by a plate which has a plurality of holes therethrough. The plate separates the inner chamber into a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The inner chamber is filled with a fluid. A plurality of balls, which are filled with a solid or a liquid substance, or a gas, or air, which substance, gas or air has a lower specific gravity than the specific gravity of the fluid, are submerged in the fluid. The balls may have letters ascribed thereon, or they may be blank. When it is desired to randomly select a set of letters, the device is shaken and/or agitated and then placed in an upright position whereupon a ball will at least partially enter each of the holes in the plate thereby providing for a random selection of balls having letters or blanks. The randomly selected letters or blanks may be used in playing word and/or letter games. Various word and/or letter games which may be played with the device are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention pertains to a device for the random selection of 
letters and a game utilizing same. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Word games and/or letter games are known in the prior art wherein words may 
be formed from letters, or letter combinations may be made, from randomly 
selected letters. These word games and letter games are popular, come in 
many varieties and are enjoyed by children as well as by adults of any age 
and any intelligence level. 
Some of the known prior art word games and letter games are played in 
conjunction with a game board or boards upon which loose individual game 
pieces or tiles, having letters printed thereon, may be placed and/or 
arranged. Games such as these may be restrictive as to the number of 
players allowed to participate in them. Further, these prior art games 
usually require a specific playing area, which is typically a flat 
surface, and usually requires room for the players to gather around the 
game. 
Such games also require the use of loose individual game pieces, which may 
be relatively small and which may require a direct manual handling and 
mixing of the these game pieces. In this regard, these prior art games 
require a sufficient amount of playing room as well as care so as not to 
lose the game pieces. Where small children are involved, it is also 
undesirable to have loose game pieces within their reach as they could be 
injured by swallowing these loose game pieces. In this manner, some of 
these prior art games may be unsafe for use in the vicinity of small 
children. 
Word games and/or letter games are also known which utilize devices which 
have mechanical parts. In these games, these mechanical parts may 
malfunction, which many render the game devices unusable. 
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks and disadvantages which are 
associated with the prior art word games and/or letter games. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides for a device for the random selection of 
letters and to a game utilizing same, which overcomes the shortcomings of 
the prior art word and/or letter games. 
The device of the present invention may take the form of a rectangular 
container which has a front wall, a back wall and side walls. The device 
also has a bottom wall and a top wall. Of the above walls, at least the 
top wall must be transparent. While the device is described as having a 
rectangular shape, it is important to note that the device may be of a 
cylindrical shape or of any other shape which is suitable for, and which 
is consistent with, the use and functioning of the device. While the 
device of the present invention is typically of a hand-held size, the 
device may be of any size. 
The device has an inner chamber which is hollow and which is partially 
filled with a fluid. The container of the device must be water-tight as 
well as air-tight. The container must be water-tight so as to prevent the 
escape of the fluid from the device as well as being air-tight so as to 
prevent any evaporation of the fluid. 
The device also comprises a display plate, which is located within the 
inner chamber and which is located at a location somewhat closer to the 
top end wall. The display plate serves to divide the inner chamber into a 
lower chamber and an upper chamber. The display plate also has a plurality 
of circular holes therein which holes facilitate the selection of the 
random letters. The plate is also utilized so as to define the height of 
the fluid which is to be filled into the device. In this manner, the level 
of the fluid should coincide with the location of the plate. 
A plurality of balls are located in the lower chamber and are submerged in 
the fluid. While most of the balls have letters ascribed thereon, some of 
the balls may also be blank. The ascribed balls may have a letter ascribed 
thereon in a multitude of locations around the ball so that the letter may 
be discernable from any viewing point. The balls may be hollow or may be 
solid and may be either filled with a substance, a gas, or air, which must 
have a lower specific gravity than the specific gravity of the fluid. This 
will facilitate the floating of these balls to the top of the fluid when 
the device is placed upright. The size of the balls must be slightly 
larger than the radius of the holes in the plate so as to keep the balls 
within the lower chamber. The device may also be capable of being opened, 
so as to replace the balls, if they should become water-logged or damaged, 
or so as to replace the fluid, if necessary. 
When the device is rotated or agitated, the fluid may freely flow through 
the holes in the plate and enter into the upper chamber. Due to the fact 
that the size of the balls are slightly larger than the holes of the 
plate, the balls will remain in the lower chamber. The free flow of fluid 
between the upper chamber and the lower chamber provides a means by which 
to agitate the balls and to facilitate their random movement about the 
fluid in the lower chamber. 
When a selection of a random set of letters is desired, a user simply 
rotates, shakes or agitates the device. This may or may not include 
actually turning the device upside-down. After a sufficient amount of 
shaking and/or agitation has been performed, the user or player places the 
device in the upright position. 
While in the upright position, the balls will float toward the surface of 
the fluid thereby causing a ball to enter each of the holes in the plate. 
Since the balls are marked with letters in multiple locations, the letter 
ascribed thereon may be easily discerned by viewing the plate through the 
transparent top wall. 
Since the balls have a size which is slightly larger than the holes of the 
plate, they will not enter into the upper chamber, but rather, they will 
be partially retained within the holes of the plate. The device may need 
to be further agitated slightly so as to ensure that a ball enters into 
each of the holes. 
The user(s) or player(s) may then utilize the randomly selected letters 
such as in the course of a game. When it is desired to obtain a new set of 
letters, the user or player may simply repeat the above process. The 
device of the present invention provides for the random selection of 
letters on a continuing basis and may be utilized in a wide variety of 
word and/or letter games. 
The device may be used to play games which have the object of forming as 
many words and/or letter combinations as possible, within a given time 
period, by utilizing the randomly selected letters. The game of the 
present invention may be played by a solitary player or by a group of 
players. Further, the fact that the device may be portable, self-contained 
and hand-held, and require no special playing surface or area, allows for 
the device to be utilized in games which may be played anywhere and by any 
number of players. 
The game of the present invention, in addition to comprising the device, 
should also comprise a game pad, a score pad, writing instrument(s) and a 
timer. The quantity of each letter utilized may be specifically determined 
in order to provide for an appropriate mix of vowels and consonants which 
may allow for maximum word and/or letter combination formation for the 
given number of balls utilized in the device. Blank balls may also be 
utilized which may be given special significance, or no significance, in 
the game. In this regard, a blank could be a "joker" or a "wild card 
letter" which could be used to represent any letter in a word or words or 
it may not be utilized in forming words. 
An object of the game may be to make as many words and/or letter 
combinations from the selected letters as possible. If played by a 
solitary player, the game may have the objective of forming as many words 
and/or letter combinations as possible and/or creating the longest word 
and/or letter combination. Scoring and point values may be chosen 
depending upon the type of word and/or letter game played. 
If played by a group of players, the object of the game may be to be the 
first player to achieve a pre-determined score or to be the player with 
the highest score after a pre-determined interval. Scoring and point 
values may be chosen depending upon the type of word and/or letter game 
played. 
The games which may be played by utilizing this device may be governed by 
any appropriate guidelines and/or rules. 
As noted above, the device may be of a hand-held size, or it may be large 
enough to be utilized in front of an audience, such as in a television 
game show, or at public events such as carnivals or fairs, where players, 
or teams of players, may participate. Audience participation may or may 
not be permitted. 
The device of the present invention provides for a self-contained hand-held 
game device which requires a minimal playing area and playing surface and 
which has no small and/or loose game pieces which may be lost or 
misplaced, or which may be hazardous to small children. There are no 
mechanical parts which could break or malfunction. 
The game of the present invention provides for an enjoyable and a 
competitive word game which can be played and enjoyed by all age groups. 
The device and the game are highly portable and are ideal for travel and 
for use and enjoyment in any location or situation. The device and game 
require no large or specific playing surface or playing area which also 
makes it adaptable for various locations. The present invention has no 
limits as to the number of players which may play the game. The game may 
also be played in front of an audience with or without audience 
participation. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device 
for the random selection of letters which is self-contained and which 
requires a minimal playing area and/or surface. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for the 
random selection of letters which has no small and/or loose game pieces. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for the 
random selection of letters which requires no mechanical parts. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a word 
and/or letter game which has no small or loose game pieces. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a word 
and/or letter game which requires no mechanical parts. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a word and/or 
letter game, which is competitive and which may be enjoyed by all age 
groups. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a word and/or 
letter game which requires no specific playing area and/or surface and 
which is adaptable for use at any location. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a game which 
is highly portable and which is ideal for travel. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a word 
and/or letter game which may be played by a solitary player, a group of 
players and/or with audience participation. 
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent 
to those persons skilled in the art upon a review of the Detailed 
Description of the Preferred Embodiment taken in conjunction with the 
drawings which follow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 illustrates the device of the present invention, which is designated 
generally by the reference numeral 1, in a 3-D perspective view. The 
device 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in an upright position. The device 1, as 
illustrated in FIG. 1, is a rectangular container 1A having front and back 
walls 2 and side walls 3. The device 1 also has a bottom wall 4 and a top 
wall 5. Of the above walls of the rectangular container 1A, at least the 
top wall 5 must be transparent. While the device 1, in the preferred 
embodiment, is illustrated and described as having a rectangular shape, it 
is important to note that the device 1 may be of a cylindrical shape, or 
may be of any other shape which is suitable for, and which is consistent 
with, the use and functioning of the device 1 as will be described below. 
While a device 1, which is of a hand-held size, is desired in the 
preferred embodiment, the device 1 may be of any size and may be large 
enough to be used before an audience. 
Referring once again to FIG. 1, the device 1, has an inner chamber 6 which 
is hollow and which is partially filled with a fluid 7. In this regard, it 
is important to note that the container of the device 1 must be 
water-tight as well as air-tight. The container 1A must be water-tight so 
as to prevent the escape of the fluid 7 from the device 1 as well as being 
air-tight so as to prevent any evaporation of the fluid 7. 
The device 1 also comprises a display plate 8 which is located within the 
inner chamber 6 and which is located at a location closer to the top end 
wall 5. The display plate 6 serves to divide the inner chamber 6 into a 
lower chamber 9 and an upper chamber 10. The display plate 8 has a 
plurality of circular holes therethrough which holes facilitate the 
selection of the random letters in the manner which will be described 
below. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the device 1. FIG. 3 illustrates 
a top view of the device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the plate 8 contains 10 
holes. The plate 8 is also utilized to define the height of the fluid 7 
which is to be filled into the device 1. In this manner, the level of the 
fluid 7 should coincide with the location of the plate 8. 
A plurality of balls 11 are located in the fluid 7. In the preferred 
embodiment, 79 balls 11 are utilized. While most of the balls 11 have 
letters ascribed thereon, some of them may also be blank. In the preferred 
embodiment, each of the balls 11, which have a letter ascribed thereon, 
have letters placed on a multitude of locations around the ball so that 
the letter may be discernable from any viewing point. The balls 11 may be 
hollow or may be solid and may be filled with a solid or a liquid 
substance, a gas, or air, which substance, gas or air, must have a lower 
specific gravity than the specific gravity of the fluid 7. This will 
facilitate the floating of these balls 11 to the top of the fluid 7 when 
the device 1 is placed in an upright position. The size of the balls 11 
must be slightly larger than the radius of the holes in the plate 8 so as 
to keep the balls within the lower chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the 
balls 11 may be miniature ping-pong balls. 
When the device is not in an upright position, the fluid 7 may freely flow 
through the holes in the plate 8 and enter into the upper chamber 10. Due 
to the fact that the size of the balls are slightly larger than the holes 
of the plate 8, the balls 11 will be partially retained within the holes 
and within the lower chamber 9. The free flow of fluid 7 between the upper 
chamber 10 and the lower chamber 9 provides a means by which to facilitate 
the random movement of the balls 11 about the lower chamber 9 which will 
further facilitate the mixing of the balls within the chamber. The device 
1 may also be capable of being opened so as to replace the balls 11, if 
they should become water-logged or damaged, or so as to replace the fluid 
7. 
When a selection of a random set of letters is desired, a user or player 
simply shakes and/or agitates the device 1. After a sufficient amount of 
shaking and/or agitation has been performed, the user or player places the 
device in the upright position as shown in FIG. 1. 
When the device is in the upright position, the balls 11 will float to the 
surface of the fluid 7 so that a ball 11 will enter each of the holes in 
the plate 8. Since the balls 11 are marked with letters in multiple 
locations, the user, player or other individual may discern the letter on 
each ball by viewing the top of the plate 8 through the transparent top 
wall 5. In this manner, 10 randomly picked balls having letters or blanks 
may be obtained. 
FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the plate 8 of the device 1 after the 
balls 11 having letters or blanks thereon, have been randomly selected. 
Since the balls 11 have a size which is slightly larger than the holes or 
the plate 8, the balls 11 will not enter the upper chamber 10, but rather 
will be restrained by, and partially received within, the holes in the 
plate 8. A continued shaking or agitation of the device 1 may be required 
in order to have a ball 11 received in each of the 10 holes. 
The user(s) or player(s) may then utilize the randomly selected letters in 
order to play the word and/or letter game. When it is desired to obtain a 
new set of randomly selected letters, the user(s) or player(s) simply 
repeat the above procedure. The device 1 of the present invention provides 
for the random selection of letters on a continuing basis and may be 
utilized in a wide variety of word and/or letter games. 
Examples of games with which the device of the present invention may be 
played, in a preferred embodiment, are described as follows. These games 
have the object of forming as many words as possible within a 
pre-determined time period by utilizing the letters which are randomly 
selected by the device 1. 
The games may be played by a solitary player or by a group of players. 
Further, the fact that the device is portable and self-contained, thereby 
requiring no special playing area and/or surface, allows for the game to 
be played by any number of players at any location. 
The game of the present invention, in addition to requiring the device 1, 
should also comprise a game pad, a score pad, writing instrument(s) and a 
timer. The timer may be a small mechanical or electrical timer and may be 
an hour glass filled with sand. As noted above, in the preferred 
embodiment, 79 balls are utilized in the device 1. Of these 79 balls, 77 
are lettered and 2 are blank. In order to provide for an appropriate mix 
of vowels and consonants so as to allow for a random selection of letters, 
while allowing for maximum word formation from the number of balls 
utilized, the number of each letter used in the device may be as follows: 
______________________________________ 
Number of Balls 
Containing This 
Letter Letter 
______________________________________ 
A 6 
B 2 
C 2 
D 3 
E 10 
F 2 
G 2 
H 2 
I 6 
J 1 
K 1 
L 3 
M 2 
N 4 
O 4 
P 2 
Q 1 
R 4 
S 4 
T 4 
U 3 
V 2 
W 2 
X 1 
Y 2 
Z 2 
TOTAL NUMBER LETTERED BALLS 
77 
______________________________________ 
As noted above, the blank balls which may be utilized, may be given special 
significance, or no significance, in the game. In the preferred 
embodiment, a blank could be a "joker" or a "wild card letter" which 
could represent any letter in a word or words or it may not be utilized in 
forming words. 
SOLITARY PLAYER EMBODIMENT 
If played by a solitary player, the game may be played in the following 
manner: 
1. The player shakes and/or agitates the device 1, such as by turning it 
upside down, and if necessary, by a continued shaking and/or agitation, 
until 10 balls enter the 10 holes (one ball for each hole). The player 
then writes the letters down. 
2. Once the letters or blanks are obtained, a timer is started and the 
player must attempt to form as many words as possible from the letters. 
3. Blanks which are obtained for blank balls are "jokers" or "wild card 
letters" and can be used to represent any letter. 
4. Slang and/or foreign words and/or proper names receive no points. 
5. A point value is allocated for each word formed depending upon the 
number of letters contained in that word. The more letters utilized in a 
word, the higher the score. 
6. The solitary player then tries to better his or her present score by 
each subsequent score obtained by a next random letter selection. 
MULTIPLAYER EMBODIMENT #1 
If played by a group of players, the game may be played as follows: 
1. The player, whose turn it is pick the letters, shakes and/or agitates 
the device 1, such as by turning it upside down, and, if necessary, by a 
continued shaking and/or agitation, until 10 balls enter the 10 holes (one 
ball for each hole). The letters or blanks are then written down on a game 
pad. 
2. Once the letters, or blanks are obtained, a timer is started whereupon 
each of the players must attempt to form as many words as possible from 
the letters. 
3. Blanks which are obtained from blank balls are "jokers" or "wild card 
letters" and can be used to represent any letter. 
4. Words must have a minimum of three (3) letters. 
5. Upon the completion of the time period, the players, or a judge, must 
determine how many points each player has earned by the above word 
formation exercise. Scoring may be by each of the following guidelines or 
rules or by any combination thereof. 
6. For each word formed from fewer than 10 letters the player gets 1 point. 
7. For each word formed from all 10 letters the player gets 6 points. 
8. The number of points the player gets may also equal the total number of 
letters in all of the formed words. 
9. Slang and/or foreign words and/or proper names receive no points. 
10. The first player to reach a score of 21 points wins the game. 
11. If the player wishes, he or she may pass his or her turn to pick the 
letters or to form words therefrom. 
MULTIPLAYER EMBODIMENT #2 
1. The judge or non-player shakes and/or agitates the device 1, such as by 
turning it upside down, and if necessary, by a continued shaking and/or 
agitation, until 10 balls enter the 10 holes (one ball for each hole). 
The players then write the letters down. 
2. Once the letters or blanks are obtained, a timer is started and the 
players must attempt to form as many words as possible from the letters. 
3. Blanks which are obtained from blank balls are "jokers" or "wild card 
letters" and can be used to represent any letter. 
4. Words must have a minimum of three (3) letters. 
5. Upon the completion of the time period, the player, the players, or the 
judge or non-player, must determine how many points each of the players 
has earned by the above word formation exercise. 
6. For each word formed from all 10 letters the player gets 6 points. 
7. The number of points each player gets may also be equal to the number of 
letters in all of the formed words. 
9. Slang and/or foreign words and/or proper names receive no points. 
10. The first player to reach a score of 21 points wins the game. 
11. If the player wishes, he or she may pass his or her turn to pick the 
letters or to form words therefrom. 
While the device 1 has been described as being of a hand-held size, it is 
important to note that the device 1 may come in any size and may be large 
enough to be utilized in front of an audience, such as in a television 
game show, or at public events such as carnivals and/or fairs, where 
players, or teams of players may participate. Audience participation may 
also be allowed. 
While several game embodiments have been described, it is important to note 
that any variety of games may be played with the device of the present 
invention. In this regard, it is possible to modify the game rules as to 
the number of players, the number of letters used, the quantity of each 
letter used, the allowed use or prohibited use of "joker" or "wild card 
letter" balls, the time period allowed for forming words, scoring methods, 
scores needed to win, and any other game objectives and/or guidelines or 
rules. 
While the present invention has been described in a preferred embodiment 
such is merely illustrative of the present invention and is not to be 
construed as a limitation thereof. Accordingly, the present invention may 
include all modifications, variations and/or alternate embodiments with 
the scope of the present invention limited only by the claims which 
follow.