U.S. patent application number 10/059357 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for coin-like game playing aide.
Invention is credited to Kost, Pete M., Wiencek, Donald C., Zajeski, Robert B..
Application Number | 20030141662 10/059357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27609785 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030141662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kost, Pete M. ; et
al. |
July 31, 2003 |
Coin-like game playing aide
Abstract
Our invention consists of a metal cast or machined coin-like
generally flat playing piece with a provision to accept a pressure
sensitive adhesive backed label. The label is printed with high
quality artwork, which can represent characters, creatures and
objects related to the game being played. The label, when adhered
to the coin-like playing piece, provides a high quality, rugged and
robust playing aid for use in role playing and other type games.
The generally heavy weight of the metal and flatness of the playing
piece provides a very stable playing aid that will not fall over
like cast or molded miniatures or get blown away like paper plating
pieces and is very easy to carry.
Inventors: |
Kost, Pete M.; (Lockport,
IL) ; Zajeski, Robert B.; (Lockport, IL) ;
Wiencek, Donald C.; (Tinley Park, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Donald C Wiencek
16529 S 84th Ave
Tinley Park
IL
60477
US
|
Family ID: |
27609785 |
Appl. No.: |
10/059357 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/288 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/00791
20130101; A63F 3/00697 20130101; A63F 2003/00785 20130101; A63F
2003/00842 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/288 |
International
Class: |
A63F 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1) A game-playing aide for identifying game player characters,
creatures or objects in role playing type games comprising: a
generally flat coin-like piece with a recessed surface on at least
one side of the said coin-like piece with the shape of the said
coin-like piece being of any of a variety of regular or irregular
geometric shapes such as round or hexagon or octagon, along with a
label preprinted with artwork representing a variety of fantasy
characters and creatures on one side and pressure sensitive
adhesive on the other side and which is pre-cut to match the said
recessed surface of the said coin-like piece, the said label
attaching to the said coin-like piece in the said recessed surface
to form a final assembly of the said label and said coin-like
piece.
2) The game-playing aide as defined in claim 1 wherein the said
labels are provided on a label sheet comprising a backing sheet and
the said pre-printed adhesive backed label for packaging purposes,
where the said label is pre die-cut to the shape that matches the
said recessed surface of the said coin-like piece, and the said
backing sheet is coated to allow easy release of the said
label.
3) A game-playing aide for identifying game player characters,
creatures or objects in role playing type games comprising: a
generally flat coin-like piece with a recessed surface on at least
one side of the said coin-like piece with the shape of the said
coin-like piece being of any of a variety of regular or irregular
geometric shapes such as round or hexagon or octagon, the said
recessed surface having undercuts on the inner side walls of the
said recesses surface, along with a label preprinted with artwork
representing a variety of fantasy characters and creatures on one
side and which is pre-cut to match the said recessed surface of the
said coin-like piece, the said label attaching to the said
coin-like piece being held in place by the said undercuts in the
said recessed surface inner side walls to form a final assembly of
the said label and said coin-like piece.
4) The game-playing aide as defined in claim 3 wherein the said
labels are provided on a pre-printed paper or cardboard stock,
where the said label is die-cut to the shape that matches the said
recessed surface of the said coin-like piece, the said die-cut
around the said label being such as to keep the said label attached
to the said paper or cardboard stock during handling while allowing
for easy tear away when desired.
5) A game-playing aide for identifying game player characters,
creatures or objects in role playing type games comprising: a
generally flat coin-like piece with a recessed surface on at least
one side of the said coin-like piece with the shape of the said
coin-like piece being of any of a variety of regular or irregular
geometric shapes such as round or hexagon or octagon, along with a
label preprinted with artwork representing a variety of fantasy
characters and creatures on one side and which is pre-cut to match
the said recessed surface of the said coin-like piece, the said
label attaching with externally applied adhesive to the said
coin-like piece in the said recessed surface to form a final
assembly of the said label and said coin-like piece.
6) The game-playing aide as defined in claim 5 wherein the said
labels are provided on a pre-printed paper or cardboard stock,
where the said label is die-cut to the shape that matches the said
recessed surface of the said coin-like piece, the said die-cut
around the said label being such as to keep the said label attached
to the said paper or cardboard stock during handling while allowing
for easy tear away when desired
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to game playing aides and
specifically to game playing aides for role playing games where the
game playing piece is used to represent the player or creature, to
assist in the playing of the game, and to represent unique
characteristics of the player or player character themselves.
[0002] In many games particularly role-playing games like Dungeon's
and Dragons the players use unique playing pieces to represent
their character or creature in a game. These miniatures are used to
assist in the playing of the game and represent unique features and
characteristics of the player's or creature's characteristics.
These characteristics include fantastical races such as orcs,
dwarves, elves; gender, age; skill set such as fighter, wizard,
cleric; clothing and weaponry. In addition, in these type games the
player character can be an extension of the player's personality
making the choice and quality of the playing piece a very personal
decision. This results in a great demand for wide variety of unique
high quality playing pieces.
[0003] One solution to this need is a sculpted miniature-playing
piece offered in great variety. These miniatures are typically made
from cast metal and are of great detail. They are typically sold as
cast and not finished or painted, are fragile and at times are not
stable when placed on a table top or other playing surface. They
are difficult to carry around without a special box to protect them
or using great care.
[0004] Other pieces used include printed pictures on small pieces
of paper or cardboard. These come ready to use and do not require
painting offering the player high quality art renditions of
characters for their use. However by being made of paper they are
of lessor quality then the cast pieces, get easily blown around and
do not last long. They are inexpensive and easy to carry.
[0005] Another solution is plastic molded miniature playing pieces.
They offer great detail like the metal cast figures, are not as
fragile as the metal pieces but are less stable than the metal
pieces.
[0006] Finally, lacking any of the above, players will use any
thing that is handy such as dice, baubles, and coins to represent
the player or creature. These obviously add no uniqueness or fun to
the game but are cheap, accessible and easy to carry.
[0007] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved game
playing piece of high quality, be robust and long lasting, be easy
to carry, provide a variety of high quality artistic value to
represent the playing character or creature, and be easy to play
with.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Our invention consists of a metal cast or machined
coin-like, generally flat playing piece with a provision to accept
a pressure sensitive adhesive backed label. The label is printed
with high quality artwork, which can represent characters,
creatures and objects related to the game being played. The label,
when adhered to the coin-like playing piece, provides a high
quality, rugged and robust playing aid for use in role playing and
other type games. The generally heavy weight of the metal and
flatness of the playing piece provides a very stable playing aid
that will not fall over like cast or molded miniatures or get blown
away like paper playing pieces and is very easy to carry.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a top view of a representation of the
coin-like playing piece
[0010] FIG. 2 is a drawing of a back view of a representation of
the coin-like playing piece
[0011] FIG. 3 is a drawing of a cross-section of the coin-like
playing piece illustrating the recess for the label.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a drawing of a label sheet with multiple dies cut
labels attached
[0013] FIG. 5 is a drawing of an individual label
[0014] FIG. 6 is a drawing of a label, as it appears adhered to the
coin-like playing piece.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Our invention consists of a metal coin-like playing piece
(1) generally flat in nature with provisions to accept a pressure
sensitive adhesive backed label (5). The coin-like playing piece
(1) can be made in a variety of shapes such as a hexagon, circle,
octagon. FIG. 1 illustrates an octagonal design. The coin-like
playing piece can vary in size between approx. 1 inch to 2 inches
across the flats and in thickness from about {fraction (1/16)} of
an inch up to {fraction (3/16)} of an inch. On the surface of the
coin-like playing piece (1) is a label indentation (2) for
accepting the label (5) as shown in FIG. 3 so as to provide
guidance for the label (5) and protection from damage and
accidental removal. The border (3) around the label indentation (2)
can be of minimal width as limited by the production process chosen
or thicker to add ornamental design element (4) as shown in FIG.
1.
[0016] The coin-like playing piece (1) can be made from a variety
of processes including spin casting, metal injection molded,
stamped or investment cast. However while it is the preferred
embodiment that the coin-like playing piece be made of metal, it is
also acceptable to produce the coin out of plastic with sufficient
density to simulate the weight and feel of metal.
[0017] The label (5) as shown in Drawing 5 is cut to match the
desired shape of the coin-like playing piece (1), i.e. round for a
round coin, hexagon for a hexagon coin, etc. The label (5) contains
high quality artwork representing characters, creatures and objects
related to the game being played. The label (5) also contains a
pressure sensitive adhesive used to adhere the label (5) in a
permanent manner on the label indentation (2) on the coin-like
playing piece (1). The label (5) material is made of sufficient
quality to allow high quality near photograph type printing that is
also long lasting.
[0018] The label (5) is provided to the user as label sheets (6) as
shown in Drawing 4. The individual labels (5) are die cut (7) for
easy removal from the label sheet (6). The user removes the label
(5) and places it in the label indentation (2) on the coin-like
playing piece (1) to create the final assembly as shown in Drawing
6.
[0019] While the preferred embodiment of the label (5) is to be
adhesive backed other embodiments are possible including designing
a press fit between the label (5) and the coin-like playing piece
(1), or providing a separate adhesive applicator with a
non-adhesive backed label (5) to attach the label (5) to the
coin-like playing piece (1). Additionally while it is preferred
that the label (5) is preprinted ready to be applied it is also
possible to provide software and blank labels (5) where the user
can print any picture of their liking for their use.
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