Patent Publication Number: US-6042116-A

Title: Fair, three-sided die

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention is in the field of gaming dice, and particularly relates to a fair, three-sided die. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Six-sided die are well-known for various games and playing boards. In some games, it is desirable to have a pair of dice, or a single die which has fewer than six sides. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to principles of the present invention, there is provided a die having three sides. The die is balanced equally on all sides and has uniform density throughout. This results in a die that is fair, namely the numbers 1, 2 and 3 will be randomly generated on each throw of the die. The die is preferably formed from a single piece of material, such as wood, plastic, metal or other suitable material. It has three sides, each side being generally in the shape of an ellipse and coming together with a point at each end. 
     The die includes three edges, where the respective sides meet. Each edge of the die is preferably marked with a respective number, either 1, 2 or 3. The numbers may be roman numeral, Arabic numbers, dots or other symbol showing the number of the edge. 
     The number that the dice rolls is shown at the topmost edge. Namely, the dice will always roll with one side downmost, against the surface. Opposite the side which is down, will be an edge which is up. The top edge represents the number which has been rolled. Accordingly, the number is marked near the respective edges. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the inventive die. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the inventive die. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the inventive die. 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the inventive die. 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the inventive die. 
     FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the alternative embodiment of the inventive die. 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive die, with a slightly elongated shape. 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of alternative embodiment of FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 10 is an end view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the die of FIG. 1, having roman numerals marked thereon indicating the number edge for the die. 
     FIG. 12 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 13 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 15 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 11. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the number of the die is indicated with the appropriate marking such circles at the respective edges. One edge has a single dot on either side of the edge indicating it represents the number one. Another edge has a two on either side of the edge indicating it represents a two and the third edge has three dots along either side of its edge indicating that it represents a three. When the die is rolled, at least one edge will always be upmost. A particular edge which is the highest, or the upmost is the edge which has been rolled. Since the numerical value for that edge is clearly represented on both sides, all players of the game will instantly and quickly recognize the number which has been rolled. Further, the number which has been rolled an easily be viewed from many angles and from all sides of the table. 
     From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.