BACKGROUND ART For many years it was customary to conduct lotteries in which participants purchased tickets which were all numbered consecutively so that when the lottery was "drawn", the winner was the person whose ticket number came out of the "drawing apparatus" of whatever type was employed - either mechanical or electronic. This system had a number of disadvantages which led to diminishing popularity, a principal disadvantage being the inability of a participant to acquire a desired number or series of numbers unless the ticket-selling agent had the pertinent ticket or tickets within his stock of tickets. In consequence there was devolved an alternative system in which the participant or player chose his own group of numbers, digits or data pieces for a game having a specific number of digits or data pieces within a set range, as for example the choosing of six or ten numbers from a group numbered 1 to 45.

The player can then pay an agent to lodge his selection or post in a printed card bearing his selecting, along with his entry fees, and he then waits to see whether the modern number- drawing machine employed by the promoters will by good fortune produce his selected combination.

Games of this type using number selection are achieving ever-increasing popularity and fall generally within the term "lotto" as opposed to the earlier "lotteries" involving printed tickets. In particular the lotto game drawing is ideally

suited to television viewing which gives the player an added bonus in being able td watch to see "whether his numbers come up. There is a further attraction in the fact that there is one only of each number and not confined to groups within the "zero to nine" range, since the drawn numbers can suitably be embossed on balls drawn from a machine and bearing whatever numbers are required, usually up to 45 although there is no strict limit and only practical considerations tend to set restrictions.

It will be appreciated that lotto games are particularly suitable for the participation of syndicates or groups of players, each member of the group thinking of or otherwise providing one or a plurality of numbers for the "ticket", and this feature is sales-inducing in itself. However, the filling in of a ticket by selecting the appropriate set of numbers can be a cause of uncertainty if not difficulty, and for this reason a number of forms of apparatus have been devised in the past so that a number or a set of numbers may be selected at random for entering on the ticket to avoid delay or procrastination or even disagreement between a number of players, or fear by a single player that his mental processes are tuned to such likes or dislikes of particular numbers that his interests are not best served without the use of apparatus for selecting numbers at random, hereinafter referred to for convenience as "random number selecting apparatus".

Various types of random number selecting apparatus have been devised, but all appear to display certain disadvantages.

For example, United States patent specification No. 4136876 to "Kaplan" illustrates random number selecting apparatus combined with a pen in which six balls are free to move about in a casing or chamber on an elongate board having two rows of numbered recesses thereon for location in any six of the recesses upon shaking of the pen. However, the elongate nature of the board, in appearance at least, results in a less random selection of numbers than is desired, the balls being inclined to locate nearer to the ends than the middle. Furthermore, the balls are permanently contained in the chamber so that they are allowed to rattle whenever the pen is moved and also

continually wear the board.

Soviet Union patent specification No. 1570739 to "Goefizika Cons Bur" illustrates a random number selecting device which is bulky and therefore not readily portable in a persons pocket. The apparatus has a plurality of balls which are stored in one chamber and released directly into a second chamber to fall onto a circular board for random location in complementary numbered recesses in the board. Although the apparatus has a separate storage chamber, it does not constrain the balls from movement when not in use and thus they are allowed to rattle. Furthermore, the apparatus is unsuitable for selecting different numbers of numbers as it is intended for use with a predetermined number of balls only and arranged for all balls to fall onto the board at the same time. Soviet Union patent specification No. 1768201 to the same applicant suffers from the same drawbacks.

French patent specification No. 2399701 to "Bellaton" illustrates a random number selecting apparatus which has a plurality of balls which are stored in one chamber and released into a second chamber onto a board with numbered recesses for playing. Once in the second chamber, the apparatus is shaken whereupon the balls move freely about on the board for location in the recesses. Whilst a predetermined number of balls can be released into the second chamber, the apparatus does not allow easy control of ball release. Additionally, the second chamber is rectangular in form with right angle corners which could prevent free movement of the balls upon shaking so that all balls in the chamber may not readily locate in a recess.

It is an object of the present invention to provide random number selecting apparatus which overcomes or at least ameliorates one or more of the problems of the prior art apparatuses as aforementioned or at least provide an attractive and useful alternative. In particular, one object of the invention is to provide a random number selecting apparatus which will be compact in form and easily portable as a personal possession of any player especially in a persons pocket, is robust, durable and easily stored when not in use and which does not have protrusions which could cause damage to clothes

or persons. It is another object to provide number selecting apparatus which can be carried without undesirable rattling.

It is still another object to provide apparatus which can be easily utilised for different number selecting games requiring the selection of a different number of numbers. it is yet another object to provide apparatus which tends towards more random selection of numbers than prior art apparatus.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention in one aspect resides broadly in random number selecting apparatus including: a casing defining a number selection compartment and a ball stowage compartment in selective communication with each other and a ball-supporting board in said number selection compartment; a plurality of balls in said casing, said balls being movable from said ball stowage compartment to said number selection compartment for traversing said ball-supporting board; a plurality of locating means arranged in a predetermined pattern on said ball-supporting board for locating each said ball in a respective one of a plurality of predetermined locations defined by said locating means, each location being identified by a distinct number or other symbol and said casing having a transparent viewing face disposed over said ball- supporting board whereby the respective locations of said balls on said ball-supporting board may be identified, and release means adapted to be actuated from outside said casing for selectively releasing said balls from said stowage compartment whereby they may traverse said ball-supporting board, characterised in that said number selection compartment is substantially cylindrical or part cylindrical in form and said stowage compartment is substantially coplanar with said number selection compartment. In such form of the invention it is preferred that the base of the number selection compartment forms the ball-supporting board and is co-planar with the base

of the stowage compartment. It will be appreciated that such cylindrical or part cylindrical form allows the balls to traverse the ball-supporting board relatively freely so that they may be shaken or swirled about the periphery of the number selection compartment and come to rest at any location defined by said locating means in a suitably random manner.

In another aspect the invention resides broadly in random number selecting apparatus including: a casing defining a number selection compartment and a ball stowage compartment in selective communication with each other and a ball-supporting board in said number selection compartment; a plurality of balls in said casing, said balls being movable from said ball stowage compartment to said number selection compartment for traversing said ball-supporting board; a plurality of locating means arranged in a predetermined pattern on said ball-supporting board for locating each said ball in a respective one of a plurality of predetermined locations defined by said locating means, each location being identified by a distinct number or other symbol and said casing having a transparent viewing face disposed over said ball- supporting board whereby the respective locations of said balls on said ball-supporting board may be identified, and release means adapted to be actuated from outside said casing for selectively releasing said balls from said stowage compartment whereby they may traverse said ball-supporting board, characterised in that said ball-supporting board is concave.

In another aspect the invention resides broadly in random number selecting apparatus including: a casing defining a number selection compartment and a ball stowage compartment in selective communication with each other and a ball-supporting board in said number selection compartment; a plurality of balls in said casing, said balls being movable from said ball stowage compartment to said number selection compartment for traversing said ball-supporting

board; a plurality of locating means arranged in a predetermined pattern on said ball-supporting board for locating each said ball in a respective one of a plurality of predetermined locations defined by said locating means, each location being identified by a distinct number or other symbol and said casing having a transparent viewing face disposed over said ball- supporting board whereby the respective locations of said balls on said ball-supporting board may be identified, and release means adapted to be actuated from outside said casing for selectively releasing said balls from said stowage compartment whereby they may traverse said ball-supporting board, characterised in that said release means is adapted to release only one ball at a time.

The term "communication" used herein means communication to the extent necessary to allow movement of a ball from one compartment to another compartment or chamber and vice versa and includes indirect communication via an intermediate compartment or chamber wherein the number selection compartment may directly communicate with an intermediate chamber which subsequently communicates with the stowage compartment and vice versa so that a ball may move from one compartment to an intermediate compartment and then to the other compartment.

Preferably, said release means is adapted to move a predetermined distance to release a ball from said stowage compartment into said number selection compartment and is arranged such that a subsequent ball can only be released upon additional movement of said release means. In a preferred form said release means includes a transfer chamber and is movable from a first disposition in which said transfer chamber is in direct communication with said ball stowage compartment but not said number selection compartment and may receive a ball from said ball stowage compartment and a second disposition in which said transfer chamber is in direct communication with said number selection compartment but not said ball stowage compartment and may release the ball to the number selection compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation of number selecting apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the release plunger in the normal retracted position; Fig. 3 is a sectional front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the release plunger in the depressed position; Fig. 4 is a sectional end elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 along line 2-2; Fig. 5 is a pictorial representation of another apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 6 is a sectional front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 5 with the release plunger in the normal retracted position; Fig. 7 is a sectional front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 5 with the release plunger in the normal retracted position; Fig. 8 is a sectional front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 5 with the release plunger in the normal retracted position; Fig. 9 is a pictorial representation of another number selecting apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a sectional front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 9 with the release plunger in the retracted position; Fig. 11 is a sectional front elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 9 with the release plunger in the depressed position; and Fig. 12 is a sectional end elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 9 with the release plunger in the retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The number selection apparatus 10 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 has a casing 11 which defines a number selection compartment 12 and a ball stowage compartment 13 which is separated from the number selection compartment by a plunger compartment 14 provided therebetween. It will be seen that the casing is formed by two plastic components which are joined along a seam line 15 and is substantially cylindrical in form having a flat rear wall 16 and a front wall 17 parallel to the rear wall and joined by a curved wall 18, the seam line extending medially around the curved wall which is indented on opposite sides to provide recesses 18a and 18b, one of which provides a recess for a plunger as will be described later. An insert panel 16a is fitted to the outside of the rear wall and is imprinted with advertising material. Suitably one component is constructed of a transparent plastics material so that the front wall 17 is transparent for viewing the inner face of the rear wall which forms a ball-supporting face or board at the back of the number selection compartment 12.

The plunger compartment 14 is separated from the number selection compartment by a partition 19 which extends almost diametrically across the casing adjacent the recesses 18a and 18b so that the number selection compartment appears somewhat like a flattened cylinder. The ball stowage compartment 13 is separated from the plunger compartment by a partition 21 extending across the casing in spaced apart relation to the partition 19 and a plurality of balls 24 (in this case eight in number) are stowed in the ball stowage compartment.

A plurality of indentations 26 is formed on the inner face of the rear wall 16 for locating the balls 24 therein for playing a game. The indentations are identifiable by a series of numbers 1 to 45 in this case which are imprinted on the transparent wall 17 in alignment with the respective indentations.

The release plunger 20 is slidably mounted in the plunger chamber 14 for movement tangentially to the partition 19 and the ball selection chamber and extends through an aperture 23 formed in the wall 18 in the region of the recess 18a and

terminates outside the plunger chamber in a thumb or finger knob 25. The plunger chamber and the plunger are substantially rectangular in end cross-section so that rotation of the plunger in the chamber is prevented. The plunger is biassed towards a retracted or outward position as shown in Fig. 2 by a spring 27 which is engaged between the inner end of the plunger and the inner face of the wall 18 of the casing in the region of the recess 18b. It will be seen that a player can depress the plunger against the bias of the spring and the plunger is prevented from sliding out of the plunger chamber by a collar 28 which abuts the inner face of the wall 18 adjacent the aperture 23. A through bore 36 is provided in the plunger extending from one side to the other and is sized to allow a ball to roll or slide therethrough. It will be seen that when the release plunger is in the retracted or outer position shown in Fig. 2, the though bore 36 aligns with an aperture 37 provided in the partition 21 so that a ball 24 can slide or roll into the through bore 36. Upon depression of the plunger to the position shown in Fig. 3, the through bore 36 aligns with an aperture 38 provided in the partition 19 so that the ball can slide or roll from the through bore into the number selection chamber 12. It will be seen that in this disposition the remaining balls in the ball stowage chamber 13 are prevented from moving into the number selection chamber. It will be appreciated that the balls can be transferred from the number selection chamber back to the ball stowage chamber by reverse operation of the release plunger upon inversion of the apparatus.

It will be seen that the wall 18 is curved in form so that no sharp corners are formed in the number selection chamber and the balls are free to move about for locating in the indentations 26 at random.

The apparatus is of a size which is suitable for use as a key-ring holder and an aperture 39 is provided in the casing for attachment of a key-ring. Furthermore, the apparatus is suitably sized for placement in a persons pocket or handbag and can be easily carried at any time for the purpose of selecting lotto numbers or numbers for any other lotto type game. In this

embodiment, the ball stowage compartment 13 is sized to hold 8 balls in such a manner that only very limited movement of the balls is allowed thereby inhibiting rattling.

In use, a person wishing to play a game of lotto or other number selection game depresses the plunger 20 by pressing the thumb or finger knob 25 whereby one ball 24 is released into the number selection chamber. Upon release of the plunger, the through bore aligns with aperture 37 and a second ball enters the though bore. Upon depression of the plunger again the second ball is transferred to the number selection chamber through aperture 38 and so on until a desired number of balls has been transferred. The player can then hold the apparatus so that the rear wall 16 which forms the ball supporting board is in a substantially horizontal disposition and shake the apparatus to allow the balls to roll about. The player can then hold the apparatus steady or set it on a table or similar place so that the balls can settle at random in respective indentations. The selected numbers are then read from the numbers printed on the transparent front wall.

The apparatus 100 illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 ,7 and 8 is very similar to the apparatus of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and operates in the same manner. Accordingly, corresponding components are referenced by the same numbers but prefixed with a 1. It will be seen that the number selection compartment of this embodiment is larger than in the earlier embodiment and in fact is arranged for selection from a pattern of 80 numbers.

The apparatus 200 illustrated in figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in many respects and where appropriate, corresponding components are referenced by the same numbers but prefixed by a 2. The apparatus is much like a fob pocket watch in appearance and has a casing 211 which is cylindrical in form except for a boss- like radial extension portion which forms the ball storage compartment 213, the number selection compartment 212 being formed by the cylindrical part of the casing. A release plunger 220 is slidably mounted in the ball stowage chamber and extends through an aperture 223 provided in the casing wall at the end of the boss-like portion and terminates at its outer end in a

thumb or finger knob 225. At its inner end the release plunger terminates in a circular cap portion 241 which is adapted to close the ball stowage compartment and separate it from the number selection compartment when the release plunger is in the retracted or outer position shown in Fig 10. The plunger is biassed to the retracted position by a spring 227 which encompasses the plunger shaft between the boss-like portion and the thumb knob.

The balls 224 shown in the stowage compartment in Fig. 10 may be released by simply depressing the release plunger to the position shown in Fig. 11 to move the closure cap 251 away from the casing thereby allowing the ball stowage compartment to directly communicate with the number selection compartment whereupon the balls will roll directly into the number selection compartment. It will be seen that this embodiment does not readily allow transfer of only one or some of the balls from the stowage compartment to the number selection compartment as do the other embodiments described.

The apparatus 200 is different from the other embodiments described also in that a ball supporting board 216b is mounted in the casing and rests against the rear wall 216. Notably the ball supporting board 216a is concave in form for the purpose of improving or otherwise upsetting the randomness of number selection provided by a flat ball supporting board as in the other embodiments. It will be appreciated that a similar ball supporting board could be mounted in the apparatus of the other embodiments in a similar manner if desired.

If desired the apparatus could be "double-sided" to increase its range of uses and in such form the thickness of the apparatus from the rear wall to the front wall would simply increase.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing description has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.