Toys and games using super-hydrophobic surfaces
AssigneeMichael Ebert
InventorFranklin G. Reick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A toy, game or other play device wherein a trackway, slide, maze or other play surface is coated with superhydrophobic material that is highly water repellent, whereby a drop of water applied thereto forms into a ball that can then be manipulated by a player to carry out predetermined play activities. Alternatively, a tiny vehicle or other toy body having a hydrophilic coating thereon may be wetted with water and placed on the super-hydrophobic surface whereby the slightest force applied thereto causes the body to skim at high speed over the surface. The toy body may be in the shape of an arrow which can be caused to move along the playing surface, when tilted, and come to rest at a particular number, word or symbol provided on the playing surface.
Claims7
A toy or game device comprising:
- A a dry playing board having an exposed planar face layer formed by hydrophobic material that repels water;
- and
- B a play element set in motion by a player to slide on the face layer of said board, said play element having an underface formed by hydrophilic material having an affinity for water, said underface being planar and being wettable by water which is repelled by said planar face layer to create a minute air film between the face layer and the play element whereby said element effectively floats on said dry board with virtually no slide resistance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.