Random selector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION (i) Aims of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved chance selector device for randomly selecting a small set of numbers from a larger set of numbers.
Another object of this invention is to provide embodiments of a "three-drop" variant (in which three channels are provided), of a "two-drop" variant (in which two channels are provided), and a further embodiment of a "four-drop" variant (in which four channels are provided), whether the numbered indicia are consecutively or randomly displayed.
(ii) Statement of Invention By this invention, a selector device is provided for the random selection of a small set of elements from a larger set of elements comprising: (a) a flat, generally rectangular parallelepiped enclosure including a base, two side walls, two end walls, and a transparent cover; (b) a rectangular upper chamber having an upper wall, two parallel side walls and a lower wall provided in the enclosure, situated in the space between the base and the cover, the upper chamber containing a plurality of balls therein, the plurality of balls being equal in number to the larger set of elements, a smaller plurality of such balls, equal in number to the smaller set of elements, having a significantly different appearance from the first plurality of balls; (c) a plurality of discrete longitudinally-extending parallel channels connected to the upper chamber through a like plurality of apertures in the lower wall, the channels being disposed in the lower portion of the enclosure, the channels being slightly wider than the diameter of the balls, the lower edges of the parallel side walls of the upper chamber being connected to the lower wall by means of rounded corners of approximately the same diameter as the balls, the apertures leading to the channels being provided with rounded corners, thereby providing each channel with an unimpeded entry mouth from the upper chamber; and (d) a like plurality of spaced-apart, different indicia arranged in longitudinal rows each along a respective selected one of the channels, such indicia being spaced apart a distance equal to the diameter of the balls