U.S. patent application number 10/140028 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for multi-level game board apparatus.
Invention is credited to Lundberg, James R..
Application Number | 20020125636 10/140028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25112004 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020125636 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lundberg, James R. |
September 12, 2002 |
Multi-level game board apparatus
Abstract
A multi-level game board apparatus has a plurality of
transparent, planar game boards each having a plurality of marker
seats arranged in a pattern for receiving game markers, and a
plurality of support shaft assemblies extending at spaced intervals
through the peripheral edges of the game boards to secure the game
boards together and hold them apart at a predetermined vertical
spacing during game play. The apparatus is movable between an
upright, deployed position in which each support shaft assembly is
in a vertically extended position holding the game boards apart,
and a collapsed, storage position in which each support shaft
assembly is collapsed downwardly between each adjacent pair of
boards to allow the boards to move closer together into a more
compact, storage configuration. A locking device releasably secures
the boards together in the collapsed, storage position. A biasing
device biases each support shaft assembly into the vertically
extended position so that the boards are automatically moved into
the vertically spaced, deployed position on release of the locking
device.
Inventors: |
Lundberg, James R.; (Bonita,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWN, MARTIN, HALLER & MCCLAIN LLP
1660 UNION STREET
SAN DIEGO
CA
92101-2926
US
|
Family ID: |
25112004 |
Appl. No.: |
10/140028 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10140028 |
May 6, 2002 |
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09778008 |
Feb 6, 2001 |
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6382627 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/241 ;
273/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/00406
20130101; A63F 2003/00362 20130101; A63F 3/00214 20130101; A63F
2003/00217 20130101; A63F 2003/00955 20130101; A63F 3/00094
20130101; A63F 2003/00223 20130101; A63F 2003/00388 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/241 ;
273/271 |
International
Class: |
A63F 003/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A multi-level game board apparatus, comprising: a plurality of
transparent, planar game boards each having a plurality of marker
seats arranged in a pattern for selectively receiving a series of
game markers, each game board having a peripheral edge; a plurality
of support shaft assemblies extending at spaced intervals through
the peripheral edges of the game boards to secure the game boards
together, the game boards and support shaft assemblies being
movable between an upright, deployed position in which the game
boards are horizontal and each support shaft assembly is in a
vertically extended position holding the game boards apart at a
first vertical spacing, and a collapsed, storage position in which
each support shaft assembly is collapsed downwardly between each
adjacent pair of boards to allow the boards to move closer
together; a locking device for releasably securing the boards
together with the support shaft assemblies collapsed in the
collapsed, storage position; and each support shaft assembly
including a biasing device for biasing the support shaft assembly
into the vertically extended position to move the game boards
automatically into the vertically spaced, deployed position when
the locking device is released.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each game board has
a series of spaced connector openings around its periphery for
alignment with corresponding connector openings in the other boards
in the upright, deployed position, and each support shaft assembly
comprises a series of rigid spacer rods each having a through bore,
each spacer rod being positioned between an adjacent pair of game
boards in alignment with the remaining spacer rods in the
vertically extended position, a resilient, extensible cord
extending through the bores in the spacer rods and an aligned set
of connector openings in the game boards, the game boards including
an upper board and a lower board, and the flexible cord having
opposite ends secured to the upper and lower boards, the spacer
rods being collapsed into a generally horizontal orientation when
the boards are moved together into the collapsed, storage
condition, whereby the extensible, resilient cord comprises said
biasing device, the cord being stretched into an extended,
non-straight condition on collapse of the boards and spacer rods,
and being biased into a less-extended, straight vertical condition
on release of the locking device.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each support shaft
assembly includes a pair of end stops secured to opposite ends of
the flexible cord above the upper board and below the lower board,
respectively, to secure the cord at a predetermined extension and
to secure the game boards and spacer rods together.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the game boards
include an upper game board and a lower game board, and at least
one additional game board between the upper and lower board, the
apparatus further including a base for supporting the game boards
on a support surface with the lower game board spaced above the
surface.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base includes a
turntable for allowing rotation of the game boards while playing a
game.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base comprises
a storage container for storing a plurality of game pieces and a
lid for closing the container, the lower game board being mounted
on the lid.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base includes a
base plate mounted on the lid, and a spacer for spacing the lower
game board above the base plate.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lid includes a
lower part and an upper part rotatably mounted on the lower part
for allowing rotation of the game boards relative to the upper
part.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a base member,
the game boards include an upper game board, a lower game board,
and at least one intermediate board between the upper and lower
boards, each game board having a series of spaced connector
openings around its periphery for alignment with corresponding
connector openings in the other boards in the upright, deployed
position, and each support shaft assembly comprising a series of
rigid spacer rods each having a through bore, each spacer rod being
positioned between an adjacent pair of game boards in alignment
with the remaining spacer rods in the vertically extended position,
and a lower spacer rod positioned between the lower game board and
the base member, a resilient, extensible cord extending through the
bores in the spacer rods and an aligned set of connector openings
in the game boards, and the flexible cord having opposite ends
secured to the upper board and base member, respectively, each of
the spacer rods apart from the lower spacer rods being collapsed
into a horizontal orientation when the boards are moved together
into the collapsed, storage condition, whereby the extensible,
resilient cord is stretched into an extended, non-straight
condition on collapse of the boards and spacer rods, and is biased
into a less-extended, straight vertical condition on release of the
locking device.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the game boards
and base member have aligned, central openings, and the base member
has a threaded nut aligned with said central openings, the locking
device comprising a bolt for extending through said aligned central
openings and threadably engaging said nut to releasably secure the
apparatus in the collapsed, storage position.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the boards are
each of square shape with four corners which are aligned with
corresponding corners of the other boards when the apparatus is in
the upright, deployed position, and each support shaft assembly
extends through respective aligned corners of the boards.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein each game board
has a connector opening at each corner for alignment with
corresponding connector openings in the other boards in the
upright, deployed position, and each support shaft assembly
comprises a series of rigid spacer rods each having a through bore,
each spacer rod being positioned between an adjacent pair of game
boards in alignment with the remaining spacer rods in the
vertically extended position, a resilient, extensible cord
extending through the bores in the spacer rods and the aligned set
of connector openings at the respective corner of the game boards,
the game boards including an upper board and a lower board, and the
flexible cord having opposite ends secured to the upper and lower
boards, whereby the peripheral edges of the boards are aligned and
the spacer rods are vertical in the upright, deployed position and
the boards are rotated relative to one another in the collapsed,
storage position such that each peripheral edge extends at an angle
to the edge of the next adjacent board and the spacer rods are
collapsed into a horizontal orientation, whereby the extensible,
resilient cord is stretched into an extended, non-straight
condition on collapse of the boards and spacer rods, and is biased
into a less-extended, straight vertical condition on release of the
locking device.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein each game board
has a series of side edges, each side edge having an arcuate indent
extending along at least a major part of its length for allowing
access to said marker seats.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said marker seats
comprise circular openings.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are five
spaced game boards and each board has a five-by-five square grid of
marker seats.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including an outer storage
container for housing the collapsed game boards and support shaft
assemblies in the storage position.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, including a base having a
lower container for storing game pieces and a lid, the game boards
including a lower game board secured to the lid, and the base
supporting the lower game board at a spacing above a support
surface during play, the outer storage container comprising a lower
tray having an opening for seating the lower container of the base,
the tray being of larger dimensions than the container and
comprising a storage tray for game pieces while playing a game, and
a removable lid for seating on the tray to enclose the game boards
in the collapsed, storage position.
18. A multi-level game board apparatus, comprising: a plurality of
transparent, planar game boards each having a plurality of marker
seats arranged in a square grid pattern for selectively receiving a
series of game markers, each game board having a peripheral edge; a
plurality of support shaft assemblies extending at spaced intervals
through the peripheral edges of the game boards to secure the game
boards together, the game boards and support shaft assemblies being
movable between an upright, deployed position in which the game
boards are horizontal and vertically spaced and each support shaft
assembly is in a vertically extended position holding the game
boards apart, and a collapsed, storage position in which each
support shaft assembly is collapsed downwardly between each
adjacent pair of boards to allow the boards to move closer
together; a locking device for releasably securing the boards
together with the support shaft assemblies collapsed in the
collapsed, storage position; and each support shaft assembly
comprising a set of spacer members, each spacer member extending
between an adjacent pair of game boards, and incorporating biasing
means for biasing the spacer members between a collapsed condition
in which the respective pair of game boards is at a first spacing
and a vertically extending condition in which the game boards are
spaced apart by the spacer member at a second spacing greater than
the first spacing.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said biasing
means comprises a resilient, extensible cord extending continuously
through each set of spacer members and the boards, the cord being
secured to the outermost boards at a predetermined first extension
when the boards and spacer members are in the upright, deployed
condition in which the cord and spacer members extend vertically,
whereby the spacer members are collapsed downwardly into a
horizontal orientation and the cord is stretched beyond said first
extension in said collapsed position.
20. A multi-level game board apparatus, comprising: a plurality of
transparent, planar game boards each having a plurality of marker
seats arranged in a square grid pattern for selectively receiving a
series of game markers, each game board having a peripheral edge,
the game boards including an upper game board, a lower game board,
and at least one intermediate game board between the upper and
lower boards; a plurality of support shaft assemblies extending at
spaced intervals through the peripheral edges of the game boards to
secure the game boards together and hold them apart at a
predetermined vertical spacing; and a base for supporting the game
boards on a support surface with the lower game board spaced above
the support surface; the base including a fixed lower part and an
upper part rotatably mounted on the lower part, the lower game
board being secured to the upper part, whereby the base comprises a
turntable allowing rotation of the game boards relative to the base
during play.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to game board
devices and is particularly concerned with a multi-level game board
apparatus of the type used for playing multi-dimensional
tic-tac-toe and similar games.
[0002] The traditional game of tic-tac-toe is played on a
one-dimensional surface having a square grid configuration. In each
turn, a player places a mark in a selected one of the squares,
attempting to make a line in an x, y or diagonal direction. Play
proceeds until a player has made a line or no further possible
lines remain.
[0003] Various multi-level game board devices have been proposed in
the past for playing three dimensional strategy games such as
tic-tac-toe or the like, permitting placing of game markers in a
straight line or row in any one of three available dimenions, i.e.
x, y or z, as well as diagonals in any horizontal or vertical
plane. These devices typically comprise a series of three or more
transparent boards with apertures arranged in a square grid, and a
suitable vertical support assembly for supporting the boards
horizontally at a selected vertical spacing. For example, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,085,440 of Van Dam describes a multiplanar board game having
transparent boards supported at spaced intervals along a central
support shaft. Cylindrical spacers or tubes are engaged over the
support rod or shaft between the board in order to hold the boards
horizontally at the desired vertical spacing. Other multi-level
game assemblies of a similar nature are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,883,278 of Scott, 3,884,474 of Harper, and 4,348,027 of
Escamilla-Kelly. U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 387,390 of Seiler shows
a multi-level game board with vertical support rods permanently
secured at the four corners of the boards.
[0004] One problem with such multi-dimensional board games is the
amount of storage space required when they are not in use. Even
though it may be possible to separate the various parts of some of
the prior art boards for storage purposes, re-assembly is
relatively complex, and one or more of the separate parts may
easily become lost, making future re-assembly impossible without
replacement. Another problem is that it is sometimes difficult for
players to reach between the boards to place a game marker at a
desired location
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved multi-level game board apparatus.
[0006] According to the present invention, a multi-level game board
apparatus is provided, which comprises a plurality of transparent,
planar game boards each having a plurality of marker seats arranged
in a pattern for receiving a series of game markers, and a
plurality of support shaft assemblies extending through the
peripheries of the respective boards at spaced intervals to secure
the boards together in a vertically spaced arrangement, the
apparatus being movable between an upright, deployed position, and
a collapsed, storage condition in which each support shaft assembly
is collapsed downwardly to allow the boards to move adjacent one
another, a locking device for releasably securing the boards and
support shaft assemblies in the collapsed condition, and a biasing
device for biasing each support shaft assembly from the collapsed
position into a vertically extended position, moving the game
boards apart into the vertically spaced, deployed position.
[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, each support shaft assembly
comprises a series of rigid spacer rods each having a through bore,
each spacer rod being positioned between an adjacent pair of game
boards, a flexible cord extending through the bores in the spacer
rods and aligned mounting openings in the game boards, the flexible
cord having opposite ends, and a pair of end stops secured to
opposite ends of the flexible cord to secure the cord at a
predetermined extension and to secure the game boards and spacer
rods together, the extended cord comprising a biasing device for
biasing the support shaft assembly and boards into the upright,
deployed position in which the spacer rods and cord extend
vertically and the boards are oriented horizontally at a vertical
spacing equal to the length of a spacer rod.
[0008] The boards may each be of square or rectangular shape,
having four corners, with mounting openings provided at the
respective corners of the boards, and each support shaft assembly
extending through the openings at a respective aligned corners of
the boards. The boards may alternatively be of other shapes such as
circular, polygonal and the like. In order to collapse the
apparatus, downward pressure is applied to the uppermost board to
urge it towards the lowermost board, while rotating the uppermost
board. This causes the underlying spacer rods to collapse
downwardly into a generally horizontal orientation while the
uppermost board is moved down towards the next board, at an offset
position relative to the next underlying board. The process
continues with each new level of spacer rods collapsing downwardly
in turn, until all the boards are moved into the collapsed
condition. This process also acts to stretch or extend the
resilient cord. The locking device is then engaged. On release of
the locking device, the spring tension in the flexible cord will
cause the spacer rods to spring back upwardly into the vertical
condition, simultaneously forcing the boards apart and into the
upright, deployed condition ready for playing the game.
[0009] Any suitable locking device may be used. In one embodiment,
each board has a central locking opening, and the locking device
comprises a threaded post or bolt for extending through the aligned
openings from one outer board through the opposite outer board of
the apparatus, and a nut for releasably securing to a projecting
end of the bolt.
[0010] A base may be provided for supporting the boards in the
upright, deployed condition. The base may incorporate a turntable
for rotating the deployed boards for convenience when playing the
game. Additionally, the nut may comprise a threaded opening in the
center of the base for receiving the bolt or locking device.
[0011] The multi-level game board apparatus of this invention is
collapsible into a compact condition for storage or transportation
when not in use, and may be readily deployed into an upright
condition for playing a game simply by releasing a locking device,
without having to assemble various parts. This also avoids the risk
of losing any one of a plurality of separate assembly parts, since
all of the parts of the apparatus are linked together, apart from
the locking device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will be better understood from the
following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the
invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a multi-level
game board apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled apparatus in
an upright, deployed condition, with the game piece storage box of
the apparatus mounted in a support tray;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus in the deployed
condition;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the apparatus with the
turntable lid of the storage box removed from the box and rotatably
supporting the game boards;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial vertical cross-section on the lines 5-5
of FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an
optional storage container for the apparatus, incorporating a tray
which may be used to store playing pieces or marbles while playing
a game;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-section illustrating a spacer rod
starting to collapse downwardly as the upper board is urged
downwardly and rotated relative to an underlying board;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrating a
subsequent stage during collapse of the apparatus from its upright
condition to its storage condition;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the apparatus in its
fully collapsed and locked storage condition, with the game box
storage box mounted in the support tray or base and a removable lid
for placing over the base tray to hold the entire apparatus;
and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the apparatus in its collapsed
condition, excluding the outer tray and lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIGS. 1 to 10 of the drawings illustrate a multi-level game
board apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The apparatus 10 basically comprises a series of
spaced, transparent boards or plates 12 supported horizontally at a
selected vertical spacing by a series of spacer rod assemblies 14
each extending through a respective corner 15 of the apparatus, and
a storage base or pedestal 16 for supporting the boards 12 such
that the lowermost board is spaced above a support surface for the
apparatus.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, each board 12 is of generally
square shape with an arcuate cut-out or indent 18 along each side
edge, and has a series of openings or seats 20 arranged in a square
array for alignment with corresponding openings 20 in the other
boards 12 when the board is in the upright, deployed condition of
FIGS. 1 to 4. Each board 12 also has a mounting or support opening
22 at each corner through which the spacer rod assembly extends, as
described in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. It
will be understood that boards of other shapes may be used, such as
rectangular, hexagonal, or other multi-sided shapes, or rounded
shapes, and the spacer rod assemblies 14 may be provided at
suitable spacings around the periphery of the boards and not
necessarily at each corner. Also, the openings 20 may be arranged
in different patterns, depending on the game to be played. In the
illustrated embodiment, a series of five spaced game boards are
provided, with each board having a five-by-five array of openings
20. However, it will be understood that a greater or lesser number
of boards may be provided in alternative embodiments, with the
openings in each array being adjusted accordingly. The boards are
of any suitable transparent, durable material such as transparent
plastic material or the like.
[0025] The storage base 16 basically comprises a box or container
24 for containing a plurality of spherical game pieces such as
balls or marbles 25, which will typically be provided in two
different colors, and a multi-part lid 26 for the container. The
lid 26 has a first, stationary part 28 with a rim for fitting over
the box 24, and an upper part 30 rotatably secured to part 28 to
provide a turntable. The upper part 30 includes an enlarged base
plate 32 of shape and dimensions matching those of the game boards
12. Plate 32 has no game playing openings 20, but has connector
openings 34 at its corners for providing an anchor for the spacer
rod assemblies 14, as discussed in more detail below. The upper
part 30 is rotatably mounted on the stationary part 28 of the lid
via bearings 35. Upper part 30 also has a threaded central opening
31 which is aligned with central openings 20' in each of the game
boards 12 and a central opening 33 in base plate 32, which is
secured to the upper, rotatable part of the lid by adhesive or the
like.
[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, each spacer rod
assembly basically comprises a series of four aligned spacer rods
36 each having a through bore 38 and extending between a respective
pair of game boards, a lower, shorter spacer rod 40 extending
between the lowermost game board and the base plate 32, and a
resilient cable or cord 42 extending through the aligned rods 36
and 40 and aligned corner openings 22 and 34 and secured to a
respective ball stop member 44,45 at its opposite ends. The cord 42
may be of any suitable material such as elastic or "bungee" type
elasticated cord. The arrangement is such that the cord must be
extended in order to be secured to the ball stop members, such that
each ball stop member is biased inwardly against the respective
uppermost game board 12 or the base plate 32, respectively. It can
be seen from FIG. 5 that each spacer rod 36 has a diameter greater
than that of the respective corner opening 22 or 34, so that each
adjacent pair of plates or boards will be held apart at a spacing
equal to the length of the spacer rod 36. The lowermost spacer rod
40 is shorter, so that the lowermost game board 12 is spaced above
base plate 32 by a short distance sufficient to permit game pieces
or balls to be readily placed in the openings in the lower
board.
[0027] Each ball stop member 44,45 has a through bore 46 of stepped
diameter, with a larger diameter upper portion 47 forming a seat
for a knot 48 at the upper or lower end of the respective cord.
Thus, in the extended or deployed condition of FIGS. 2 and 4, the
four spacer rod assemblies act to hold the five game boards or
plates 12 and the base plate 32 horizontally at spaced vertical
intervals determined by the length of the spacer rods 36 and 40,
respectively, with the elastic bungee-type cords 42 biasing the
respective end stops 44 and 45 against the uppermost game board 12
and the base plate 32 to prevent separation of the boards and to
hold the assembly in its deployed condition during playing of a
game. The spacer rods may be of a similar, transparent plastic
material to the boards 12 and plate 32, or of any other suitably
rigid material which may be transparent or opaque. The ball stops
44,45 may also be of any suitable material such as wood, metal,
plastic or the like.
[0028] Optionally, an outer storage container or box may also be
provided for holding the game board apparatus 10 when not in use.
This comprises a base tray 50 of rectangular shape having a
central, circular opening 52 in which the marble container 24 may
be seated, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 6, and a rectangular lid 54
for fitting over the base tray 50 when the apparatus is collapsed
for storage purposes, as described in more detail below in
connection with FIGS. 7 to 10. If desired, the lid 26 may be placed
over the container 24 while it is seated in the base tray, after
first removing the playing pieces or marbles and placing them in
the tray 50, as indicated in FIG. 2, and the game may then be
played. Alternatively, the marbles 25 may be left in the container
24, and the lid 26 may be placed on a suitable support surface such
as a table, as indicated in FIG. 4, in order to play the game. The
tray may have openings 55 at its corners for placing a suitable
marker to indicate the current player's turn. The outer container
may be of cardboard or the like.
[0029] When play is complete, the apparatus can be readily
collapsed for storage purposes, after first returning the marbles
or game pieces 25 to the container 24. The apparatus is collapsed
simply by holding the base and pressing the uppermost game board 12
downwardly towards the base plate and at the same time rotating the
board 12 in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, as
indicated by the arrows in FIG. 8. This will cause the underlying
posts or spacer rods 36 to start to collapse or tilt sideways, as
indicated in FIG. 7, until eventually all four rods lie
horizontally between the two uppermost boards 12, which are now at
a spacing equal to the diameter or width of each spacer rod 36. The
uppermost boards 12 will also be skewed at an angle relative to one
another, as seen in FIG. 8. At this point, continued rotation of
the upper two boards 12 will cause the next set of rods 36 to
collapse in the same way, and the process continues until all
spacer rods 36 have collapsed downwardly. At the same time, each of
the elastic or resilient cords or cables 42 will be extended and
moved into a non-straight, stepped path through the respective
horizontal and tilted spacer rods and the various, now offset,
board openings 22, in order to accommodate the tilting of the posts
42. Once all of the boards 12 have been collapsed, a threaded peg
or bolt 56 is inserted through the aligned central openings 20' in
each of the game boards 12, the aligned central opening 33 in base
plate 32, and into the threaded hole or nut 31 in the upper part 30
of the lid. The bolt 56 is tightened as far as possible, and locks
the apparatus in the collapsed storage position illustrated in FIG.
9. The container lid 54 may then be placed over the tray in order
to enclose the collapsed apparatus.
[0030] The apparatus can be readily returned to its upright,
deployed condition ready for playing a game, simply by removing the
bolt 56 from the nut 31 and game boards. As soon as the bolt is
removed, due to the spring tension in the extended bungee cord 42,
the posts or spacer rods 36 will all be biased upwardly into their
vertical orientation, simultaneously forcing the game boards 12
apart, and returning the cord 42 to its vertical, less stretched
condition. Although the support assembly connecting the boards
together in the exemplary embodiment comprises a series of spacer
rods interconnected by a resilient or elastic cable such as a
bungee-type cord, it may alternatively comprise a series of springs
extending between the corners of each adjacent pair of plates. The
springs would be of sufficient strength to hold the plates apart
during game play, and would be compressed for storage, with the
same locking bolt securing the plates and springs together in the
compressed condition.
[0031] Many different possible games may be played using this
apparatus. One possibility is a simple tic-tac-toe game, in which
each player takes a turn placing a marble in any of the available
game piece openings 20, as indicated in FIG. 2. The center openings
20' may be used in the game or may be left as free spaces. The
winner is the first person to arrange five marbles in a straight
line, either horizontally or diagonally across any board,
vertically through all five boards, or diagonally through all five
boards. The turntable base allows players to rotate the apparatus
to view the current game status readily from all directions, and
also to move the apparatus into the most convenient position for
placing the next marble at a selected opening. The arcuate indents
or cut outs 18 on the side edges of the board make it easier for
the player to access the innermost openings 20 on each level of the
apparatus.
[0032] The multi-level game board apparatus of this invention is
readily movable between an upright deployed position in which the
game boards are spaced apart for playing, and a collapsed condition
in which the game boards are moved adjacent one another for storage
or transportation purposes. Only one part needs to be inserted or
removed to lock the apparatus in its storage position, or to allow
the apparatus to extend automatically into its deployed condition.
Thus, unlike prior art multi-level game board devices, the
apparatus of this invention may be readily collapsed for storage,
so that it does not take up excessive amounts of space, and does
not involve multiple separable parts which would make assembly or
disassembly difficult and inconvenient. The turntable base also
makes play much easier, permitting a player to rotate the apparatus
to more easily determine the best position for the next game piece
or marble, and to place the apparatus in the optimum location for
reaching the desired opening.
[0033] Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been
described above by way of example only, it will be understood by
those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the
disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope of the
invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *