Airstream Supported Asymmetric Battling Spheres Toy

Abstract

A table top game uses two or more light-weight balls that are staged within an open enclosure overtop of a fan or other pneumatic source that generates a vertical air stream of sufficient flow rate to suspend the balls. Toy weapons are selectively attached to each light-weight ball as part of game play to vary the aerodynamic oscillation, simulating attacking movements that may cause a given light-weight ball to fly out of the air stream or to knock another opponent light-weight ball out of the air stream. Each round of the game concludes with one light-weight ball remaining suspended. The enclosure may advantageously funnel a fallen light-weight ball back into the air stream if not propelled laterally a significant distance out of play. Interactive elements that vary the air stream or inject a lateral air stream or projectile may also be included.

1 . A toy, comprising: 
 a base;    an air stream producing device supported by the base;    a nozzle attached to the air stream producing device directing an air flow from the air stream producing device generally upward;    a basket having a bottom aperture aligned with the nozzle;    a plurality of light-weight objects supportable within the air stream by Bernoulli's effect; and    a plurality of projecting elements each attached to respective one of the plurality of light-weight objects to interact with the air flow and other ones of the plurality of light-weight objects.    
   
   
       2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the light-weight objects comprise generally spherical objects.  
   
   
       3 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of launchers operable to project the plurality of light-weight objects into the air flow.  
   
   
       4 . The toy of  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of launchers is attached to the basket.  
   
   
       5 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of attachments sized to receive respective ones of the projecting elements.  
   
   
       6 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising an air flow control operable to adjust the air flow for a desired interaction with the light-weight objects.  
   
   
       7 . The toy of  claim 6 , wherein the air flow control comprises a throttle lever controlling an amount of air flow through the nozzle.  
   
   
       8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the air flow control comprises a plurality of air fins manually inserted into the air flow to induce turbulent air flow.  
   
   
       9 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the light-weight objects comprise a hollow shell having a plurality of holes sized to receive the projecting elements.  
   
   
       10 . A game assembly, comprising: 
 a game board divided into a plurality of territories, each territory associated with a numeric point value;    an apparatus, comprising: 
 a base,  
 an air stream producing device supported by the base,  
 a nozzle attached to the air stream producing device directing an air flow from the air stream producing device generally upward,  
 a basket having a bottom aperture aligned with the nozzle,  
 a plurality of light-weight objects supportable within the air stream by Bernoulli's effect, and  
 a plurality of projecting elements each attached to respective one of the plurality of light-weight objects to interact with the air flow and other ones of the plurality of light-weight objects;  
   wherein the numeric point value is awarded to a particular player based upon an assigned one of the plurality of light-weight objects remaining aloft in the air stream longer than another one of the plurality of light-weight objects.    
   
   
       11 . The game assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising an arm indicia associated with a selected one of the plurality of light-weight objects indicating a maximum number of projecting elements attachable thereto prior to being inserted into the air flow.  
   
   
       12 . The game assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a disarm indicia associated with a selected one of the plurality of light-weight objects indicating a number of projecting elements removed from a light-weight object after failing to remain aloft in the air stream.  
   
   
       13 . The game assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising an ability indicia associated with a selected one of the plurality of light-weight objects adjusting a number of times of failing to remain aloft in the air stream for being deemed eliminated.  
   
   
       14 . The game assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a special rule indicia associated with a selected one of the plurality of the territories adjusting a number of times of failing to remain aloft in the air stream for being deemed eliminated.  
   
   
       15 . The game assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of launchers operable to hold the plurality of light-weight objects and to inject each into the air stream.  
   
   
       16 . The game assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of air fins operable to be manually positioned in the air stream to induce turbulence.  
   
   
       17 . The game assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a special rule indicia associated with a selected one of the plurality of the territories adjusting a number of projecting elements to be attached to a selected one of the plurality of light-weight objects.  
   
   
       18 . The game assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the light-weight objects comprise generally spherical objects.  
   
   
       19 . The game assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a special rule indicia associated with a selected one of the plurality of the territories adjusting a number of light objects of each player to be placed in the air stream in a contest for the numeric point value.  
   
   
       20 . A method of playing a game, comprising: 
 assigning at least one of a plurality of uniquely identifiable light weight objects to each of a plurality of players;    providing an upward air stream sized to support the plurality of light-weight objects by Bernoulli's effect; and    assigning a score to at least one of the plurality of players based upon an assigned light-weight object remaining in the air stream longer than another one.