U.S. patent application number 10/969551 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for game apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Genie Toys, plc, a corporation of the United Kingdom. Invention is credited to Gamlin, David, Norman, Casey, Thatcher, Tony.
Application Number | 20050116419 10/969551 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29559570 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050116419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Norman, Casey ; et
al. |
June 2, 2005 |
Game apparatus
Abstract
A game including a frame of substantially constant, e.g.,
circular, cross-section, having guides running along the frame and
spaced at regular intervals around the frame. Playing pieces are
guided into positions between the guides, the positions being
arranged continuously around the frame. The pieces may be of
different colors and/or may bear letters, numbers and/or other
symbols. A lid may be provided so that the pieces can be stored
within the frame.
Inventors: |
Norman, Casey; (Cheltenham,
GB) ; Thatcher, Tony; (Wickwar, GB) ; Gamlin,
David; (Bath, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IP GROUP OF DLA PIPER RUDNICK GRAY CARY US LLP
1650 MARKET ST
SUITE 4900
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Genie Toys, plc, a corporation of
the United Kingdom
Cheltenham
GB
|
Family ID: |
29559570 |
Appl. No.: |
10/969551 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/294 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/20 20130101; A63F
2009/0815 20130101; A63F 2009/1022 20130101; A63F 3/00261 20130101;
A63F 2003/00637 20130101; A63F 2011/0081 20130101; A63F 2003/00406
20130101; A63F 9/0098 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/294 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 20, 2003 |
GB |
GB 0324460.5 |
Claims
1. A game comprising: a frame of substantially constant
cross-section; and a plurality of guides each running along the
frame and spaced at regular intervals around the frame that guide
playing pieces into positions between the guides, the positions
being arranged continuously around the frame.
2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a
substantially circular cross section.
3. The game according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent
outer wall associated with the frame.
4. The game according to claim 3, wherein the guides extend between
the outer wall and an inner wall associated with the frame.
5. The game according to claim 4, wherein the inner wall is
transparent.
6. The game according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a
hollow tube.
7. The game according to claim 6, further comprising a base and a
removable lid associated with the frame.
8. The game according to claim 1, wherein positions between the
guides are accessible at one end only of the frame and the frame is
shaped and sized to sit substantially vertically on a surface with
an accessible end uppermost so that playing pieces can be dropped
into the positions.
9. The game according to claim 1, wherein the guides comprise rails
running along the frame.
10. The game according to claim 1, further comprising a set of
playing pieces sized and shaped to move between adjacent
guides.
11. The game according to claim 10, wherein the playing pieces are
of different colors.
12. The game according to claim 10, wherein the playing pieces bear
letters, numbers or other symbols.
13. The game according to claim 10, wherein the playing pieces each
bear part of a picture which can be assembled by inserting the
tiles into the frame in a selected order or position.
14. The game according to claim 10, wherein the frame has a curved
wall and the pieces are tiles curved to fit into the frame.
15. The game according to claim 10, wherein the pieces are
contained within an inner enclosed space of the frame.
16. The game according to claim 1, wherein the frame and the guides
are formed by removing portions of a wall of a hollow tube.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of British Application
Serial No. 0324460.5, filed Oct. 20, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a strategy game apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A wide variety of known games involve the placement of tiles
or other pieces in desired combinations. The object of such games
may be to form a line of pieces of a particular color, to create
words from lettered tiles or to create particular numbers from
numbered tiles. The tiles or pieces are generally placed on a
board, but vertical frames for holding the pieces are also known.
It would, however, be advantageous to provide a game apparatus of a
novel type, which stretches players' imaginations in a new
direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to a game including a frame of
substantially constant cross-section, and a plurality of guides
each running along the frame and spaced at regular intervals around
the frame that guide playing pieces into positions between the
guides, the positions being arranged continuously around the
frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] In order that the invention may be more readily understood,
specific embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame according to aspects
of the invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative frame of FIG.
1 with a set of tiles; and
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative frame in
accordance with aspects of the invention with an alternative set of
tiles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] It will be appreciated that the following description is
intended to refer to specific embodiments of the invention selected
for illustration in the drawings and is not intended to define or
limit the invention, other than in the appended claims.
[0010] This invention provides game apparatus comprising a frame of
substantially constant cross-section, the frame having rails each
running along the frame and spaced at substantially regular
intervals around the frame, for guiding playing pieces into
positions between the rails, the positions being arranged
continuously around the frame. In this way, horizontal or diagonal
lines of pieces can be formed which extend around the frame.
[0011] In one particular embodiment, the frame has a substantially
circular cross section. If the frame has a transparent outer wall,
the pieces may be viewed therethrough. The rails may extend between
the outer wall and an inner wall, which may also be transparent. If
the frame comprises a hollow tube, playing pieces can conveniently
be stored inside it prior to use. For this purpose, the frame may
be provided with a base and a removable lid. In another embodiment
of the invention, the positions between the rails are accessible at
one end only of the rails, the frame being intended to sit
substantially vertically with the accessible end uppermost so that
playing pieces can be dropped into the positions.
[0012] The game apparatus may include a set of playing pieces, in
particular, of different colors or bearing letters, numbers or
other symbols. The pieces may be tiles and may be curved to fit
into a frame having a curved wall. The pieces may be contained
within an inner enclosed space of the frame.
[0013] Turning to the Drawings, FIG. 1 shows a generally
cylindrical, hollow frame 1 formed from clear plastics material.
The frame comprises an inner cylindrical wall 3 and an outer
cylindrical wall 5 and is closed at its lower end by a base 7. A
number of parallel, radial rails 9 join the inner and outer walls
3, 5. In this example there are six rails defining six slots 11
between adjacent pairs of rails, the slots being open at an upper
end of the frame 1.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a frame similar to that of FIG. 1, together
with a set of colored tiles 13. The tiles are generally square, but
are curved to fit into the slots 11. The tiles 13 are provided in
at least two contrasting colors. In particular, the number of
different colors can correspond to the number of players for which
the game is intended. The tiles can be translucent to enhance the
aesthetic qualities of the game.
[0015] FIG. 2 also shows a lid 15, which fits snugly over the top
of the cylindrical frame 1 so that the tiles 13 can be stored
either in the central cavity of the frame or in the slots 11. Thus,
the game apparatus is remarkably compact and portable.
[0016] The apparatus of FIG. 2 can be supplied with a set of rules
stating that each player inserts a tile 13 of his or her color into
one of the slots 11. The first tile inserted into any slot 11
slides down to the bottom of the slot. The players continue in turn
to insert their tiles 13, the second and subsequent tiles in any
slot 11 coming to rest on the uppermost tile present in that slot.
The object of one game in accordance with one aspect of the
invention is to form a line of a given number of tiles (e.g., four)
in one's color in any direction, i.e., vertically in one slot 11 or
horizontally or diagonally around the frame 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows an alternative apparatus comprising the frame
of FIG. 2 and tiles 17 bearing letters of the alphabet. Optionally,
the tiles or letters can be of contrasting colors to distinguish
one player's tiles from another's. In use, players take turns to
draw a tile, for example, from a store of tiles in the upturned
lid, and insert the tile into one of the slots 11. The first player
to make a word (e.g., a four-letter word) in any direction,
vertically, horizontally or diagonally, wins the game.
[0018] The invention can include tiles bearing symbols other than
letters. For example, the tiles can bear numbers. In a game in
which the numbers one, two and three are used and the tiles or
numbers are of different colors, the winner is the first player to
make a line of numbers in his or her color adding up to seven and
extending in any direction.
[0019] In another aspect of the apparatus, each tile depicts a
section of piping which may be straight, angled or branched. Again,
the tiles are in sets of contrasting colors. Players take turns to
insert their tiles into the slots such that subsequent tiles appear
to connect a further piping section to the existing pipe of the
same color. If a player cannot do this, the opponent(s) continue(s)
to play. The object of the game is to create the longest pipe or
pipes, and thus to have the fewest tiles remaining.
[0020] An alternative set of tiles depicts playing cards or poker
dice so that a game similar to poker can be played.
[0021] It will be appreciated from the above-mentioned examples
that a wide variety of games, suitable for different age groups,
can be played using the invention. As one example, the tiles can
resemble dominoes and a similar game play made. As another example,
tiles can be parts of a picture puzzle so that the whole puzzle is
built as the tiles are inserted into the apparatus. Memory games
can be played with the tiles facing down and players are able to
use the tiles in the apparatus in the correct sequence if they
remember where they are according to a game play.
[0022] The invention involves a frame in which it is possible to
place lines of tiles extending continuously around the frame, but
the frame does not have to be circular in cross-section for this
purpose. If the frame is polygonal (e.g., hexagonal or the like) in
cross-section, the tiles do not have to be curved, and can be used
reversibly by printing on both sides. In a circular frame, the
rails and slots can extend spirally instead of straight and the
tiles can be circular, allowing them to roll down the rails.
[0023] As an alternative to a frame with a transparent wall, the
frame can define apertures through which the playing pieces are
visible. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with a game board
made of plastic, card or fabric so that the players may move their
tiles over a pattern on the game board to reach the apparatus where
they may be inserted as normal.
* * * * *