Gaming Dice Coupling Studs for Indicia Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gaming dice configurations that allow for mounting of indicia-carrying elements often alter the probability distribution of the dice when thrown, and the components may not be robust enough to withstand frequent assembly and disassembly.

Innovation Solution

The gaming dice features coupling studs with complementary flanges that extend from the sides, allowing for robust and easy mounting of indicia-carrying elements with frictional or geometrical locking, while maintaining minimal influence on the probability distribution, using different plastics materials for the studs and flanges, and incorporating angled and convex surfaces for enhanced exchange and rolling properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If indicia-carrying elements are mounted on the dice sides, then the dice can provide varied outcomes and be adapted to different games, but the probability distribution of the dice is altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of dice outcomesVSAvoidprobability distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dice is divided into a base structure and separate indicia-carrying elements that can be mounted on or removed from the dice sides. This segmentation allows the indicia elements to be attached in a way that does not significantly alter the dice's weight distribution or rolling characteristics, thereby maintaining probability distribution while enabling varied outcomes through different indicia configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling studs are positioned at specific locations on the dice sides (typically at the corners or edges) rather than distributed across the entire surface. This localized mounting approach minimizes the impact on the dice's overall mass distribution and rolling properties, allowing adaptability of outcomes while preserving the probability distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If coupling mechanisms are added to mount indicia-carrying elements, then the dice can be adapted to different games, but the complexity of the dice structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of dice outcomesVSAvoidstructure of dice
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling studs are designed to be compatible with multiple types of indicia-carrying elements and can be used across different dice configurations. This universal coupling mechanism allows the same basic structure to support various indicia types (numbers, symbols, colors) and enables the dice to be adapted to different games without requiring different mounting mechanisms for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of integrating the coupling mechanism into the indicia-carrying elements themselves, the coupling studs are integrated into the dice base structure. This inversion allows the indicia elements to remain simple, lightweight components that can be easily manufactured and attached, thereby adding adaptability while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If mounting means are added to the dice sides, then indicia-carrying elements can be attached, but the dice structure becomes more complex and less robust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting of indicia elementsVSAvoidrobustness of dice
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is segmented into discrete coupling studs that are integrated into the dice mold rather than being separate components. This segmentation allows the studs to be seamlessly incorporated into the dice structure, maintaining the integrity and robustness of the dice while providing functional mounting points for indicia-carrying elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling studs are merged with the dice base structure during manufacturing, creating a unified component where the mounting features are an integral part of the dice itself. This merging eliminates weak points that would arise from separate attachment mechanisms, thereby maintaining the robustness and reliability of the dice while enabling the mounting of indicia elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration provides durable and versatile gaming dice with minimal alteration to the probability distribution, enabling a wide range of outcomes and easy exchange of indicia-carrying elements, while maintaining the dice's rolling properties and durability.

Implementation Method 1

allow mounting of the indicia-carrying elements onto the dice by the complementary coupling parts being interconnected frictionally or by geometrical locking to the coupling studs on the sides of the dice

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2249933B1A gaming dice
Publication Date: 2013.04.24 LEGO AS
  • EP2249933B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2249933B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A gaming dice for a game, such as a board game or a card game, said gaming dice comprising a body part comprising a number of sides, wherein at least one or more of those sides is/are provided with coupling studs. Hereby it is possible to mount indicia-carrying elements that have a bottom side on which complementary coupling means are provided and a top side which is opposite relative to the bottom side and is provided with indicia.