U.S. patent application number 11/110567 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for word game apparatus.
Invention is credited to Campbell, Cassandra.
Application Number | 20050230914 11/110567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35276899 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050230914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campbell, Cassandra |
October 20, 2005 |
Word game apparatus
Abstract
A game for use by a plurality of players is disclosed. The game
comprises a bag, a scoop for each player, a plurality of game
pieces and a timer. In use, and in a starting arrangement of the
game, the pieces are disposed in the bag. Each piece bears at least
one visually-perceptible letter and a corresponding Braille
representation of the letter. The pieces are sufficient in number
such that, in use, and from the starting arrangement, each player
can, in turn, manually-manipulate the scoop provided for the player
to randomly withdraw from the bag a respective group of pieces,
said group containing a sufficient number of game pieces to permit
said pieces to be arranged in at least one subgroup wherein the
letters of said pieces form a word. The timer demarcates a period
of time in which each player can arrange the pieces to form
words.
Inventors: |
Campbell, Cassandra;
(Brampton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & BASILE, P.C.
3001 WEST BIG BEAVER ROAD
SUITE 624
TROY
MI
48084
US
|
Family ID: |
35276899 |
Appl. No.: |
11/110567 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60563763 |
Apr 20, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/272 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/0001 20130101;
A63F 3/0423 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/272 |
International
Class: |
A63F 003/00 |
Claims
1. A game apparatus for use with a container, said game apparatus
comprising: one or more scoops; and a plurality of game pieces
disposed in said container in use in a starting arrangement of the
game apparatus, each game piece bearing at least one
visually-perceptible character and a corresponding tactile
representation of said at least one character, said game pieces
being sufficient in number such that, from the starting
arrangement, each of said one or more scoops can be manually
manipulated to randomly withdraw from said container a respective
group of game pieces, said group containing a sufficient number of
game pieces to permit the game pieces of said group to be arranged
in at least one subgroup wherein the characters of said pieces
collectively form a linguistic element.
2. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
visually-perceptible character is a natural-language alphabetic
letter.
3. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tactile
representation is a Braille representation of the at least one
visually-perceptible character.
4. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the linguistic
element is a word.
5. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the group
contains a sufficient number of game pieces to permit the game
pieces of said group to be arranged in a plurality of subgroups
wherein the characters of said pieces collectively form a
linguistic element.
6. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the game pieces
are sufficient in number to permit a plurality of groups of said
game pieces to be drawn from the plurality of game pieces.
7. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
scoops are provided.
8. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each game piece
is a game tile having two sides and wherein the at least one
visually-perceptible character and tactile representation of the
same character appear on each side of the tile.
9. A game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
timer.
10. A game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
time for each of said one or more scoops.
11. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
game pieces consists of 228 game pieces.
12. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 6 scoops are
provided.
13. A game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an
opaque bag which defines said container in use.
14. A game apparatus for use by a plurality of players, said game
apparatus comprising: an opaque bag; a scoop for each player a
plurality of game pieces, the game pieces, in use and in a starting
arrangement of the game apparatus, being disposed in the bag, each
game piece bearing at least one visually-perceptible letter and a
corresponding Braille representation of said at least one letter,
said game pieces being sufficient in number such that, in use, and
from the starting arrangement, each player can, in turn,
manually-manipulate the scoop provided for that player to randomly
withdraw from the bag a respective group of game pieces, said group
containing a sufficient number of game pieces to permit the game
pieces of said group to be arranged in at least one subgroup
wherein the letters of said pieces collectively form a word; and a
timer for demarcating a period of time in which each player can
arrange the pieces of the respective group into said at least one
subgroup.
15. A method whereby a plurality of players can play the game the
apparatus of claim 14, comprising the steps of: providing each
player with a scoop; placing the game apparatus in the starting
arrangement; allowing each player, in turn, to withdraw a
respective group of game pieces from the container with the scoop
provided to said each player; using the timer to provide a
predetermined period of time to each player to arrange the group of
game pieces into subgroups, wherein the letters of the game pieces
of the subgroup form a word; assigning a score to each player based
on the number of words formed by the player in a predetermined
period of time.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the score assigned to
each player is based on the number of words formed by the
player.
17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the score assigned to
each player is based on the length of the words formed by the
player.
18. A method according to claim 15, wherein sight-impaired players
and children are provided a longer predetermined period of time to
form words than adult, sighted players.
19. A method according to claim 15, comprising the steps of
choosing a predetermined target score and determining a winner on
the basis of the first player whose aggregate score attains the
predetermined target score.
20. A method according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined
period of time provided to each player is provided simultaneously.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/563,763, filed Apr. 20, 2004.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of games, and
more particularly, to word games.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Games involving words are very popular, and are ubiquitous
in the prior art, both for sight-impaired persons and signed
persons.
[0004] In one game, taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,548 (Trilling),
issued Mar. 29, 1997, a pot is provided which contains a plurality
of tiles. Each tile bears a letter or group of letters. The player
draws tiles from the pot, and attempts to build a word in a set
period of time. When a word has been built, the tiles are returned
to the pot, and new tiles are drawn. Scoring is based on word
length. As this game does not contemplate the creation of large
numbers of words in a predetermined period of time, it can suffer
in the opinion of some players in the matter of excitement. Also,
it does not lend itself to use by sight-impaired persons, since the
conventional mechanism for doing so, namely, the addition of the
Braille indicia to the tiles, would provide to sight-impaired
persons an unfair advantage when retrieving tiles from the pot.
[0005] Another word game is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,983
(Kennedy), issued Aug. 8, 2000. In the game, each player receives a
sheet of paper containing three words or word-groups. The players
are provided a period of time, fixed by an hourglass, to form as
many words as possible using the letters which form each of the
words/word groups. The words are written on the sheet in spaces
provided therefor. The player with the most words wins. This game
is known to provide for a relatively enjoyable experience, and can
easily be accommodated for use by the sight-impaired by the
addition (or substitution) of Braille letters to the sheets.
However, it can suffer in terms of the production of refuse, since
play practically demands that a plurality of game sheets be
provided, which will typically be disposed of after a single
use.
[0006] In another game, taught in U.S. Pat. No. 1,509,873 (Ordway),
issued Sep. 30, 1924, a plurality of tiles are provided; players
are provided a set period of time to pull letters from a pile using
a magnet, and a further set period of time to produce as many words
as possible using the letters pulled. This game has features which
can produce exciting, enjoyable play. However, the game is not
well-suited for use by sight-impaired persons, who would be
disadvantaged when drawing letters from the pile as compared to
sighted persons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A game apparatus for use with a container forms one aspect
of the invention. The game apparatus comprises one or more scoops
and a plurality of game pieces disposed in said container in use in
a starting arrangement of the game apparatus. Each game piece bears
at least one visually-perceptible character and a corresponding
tactile representation of said at least one character. The game
pieces are sufficient in number such that, from the starting
arrangement, each of said one more scoops can be manually
manipulated to randomly withdraw from said container a respective
group of game pieces, said group containing a sufficient number of
game pieces to permit the game pieces of said group to be arranged
in at least one subgroup wherein the characters of said pieces
collectively form a linguistic element.
[0008] A game apparatus for use by a plurality of players forms
another aspect of the invention. The game apparatus comprises an
opaque bag, a scoop for each player and a plurality of game pieces
disposed in the bag in use in a startling arrangement of the game
apparatus. Each game piece bears at least one visually-perceptible
letter and a corresponding Braille representation of said at least
one letter the game pieces are sufficient in number such that, from
the starting arrangement, in use, each player can, in turn,
manually manipulate the scoop provided therefore to randomly
withdraw from the bag a respective group of game pieces, said group
containing a sufficient number of game pieces to permit the game
pieces of said group to be arranged in at least one subgroup
wherein the characters of said pieces collectively for a word. The
game apparatus also comprises a timer for demarcating a period of
time in which each player can arrange the pieces of the respective
group into said at least one subgroup.
[0009] A method whereby a plurality of players can play the game
apparatus for use by a plurality of players forms another aspect of
the invention. The method comprises the steps of providing each
player with a scoop; placing the game apparatus in the starting
arrangement; allowing each player, in turn, to withdraw a
respective group of game pieces from the container with the scoop
provided to said each player; using the timer to provide a
predetermined period of time to each player to arrange the group of
game pieces into subgroups, wherein the letters of the game pieces
of the subgroup form a word; assigning a score to each player based
on the number of words formed by the player in the predetermined
period of time.
[0010] The invention produces exciting, enjoyable play by both
sighted and sight-impaired persons, alone or in combination, and
does not Suffer from a propensity for the production of refuse.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present
invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the
related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and
economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game piece constructed
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the additional components of
the game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] For playing the game, a plurality of game pieces or tiles 20
are provided. One or more scoops 23, at least one timer 25 and a
tile container 26 are also provided. The tiles 20 preferably are
228 in number, with each tile measuring 11/4".times.1".times.1/4."
In respect of each tile 20, a letter 24 of the alphabet is
imprinted, preferably on each of the large faces or sides of the
tile, in high contrast, large print type. Each tile also preferably
has Braille indicia 22 that corresponds to the imprinted letter 24
on each face. The scoops 23 preferably are 6 in number and
preferably take the form of collapsible cups. The timer 25 is
adapted to demarcate a predetermined period of time, preferably, a
period time that is adjustable between about 1 and about 2 minutes.
The tile container 26 is preferably an opaque bag with an
adjustable closure.
[0014] The game is preferably played by 2-6 players at a time.
[0015] Prior to playing the game, the players preferably designate
one person amongst their number to act as scorekeeper and agreed
upon a target score and, if the timer is adjustable, agree upon the
predetermined period of time.
[0016] It is suggested that sighted adult persons will find a
period of time of one minute to provide for enjoyable play;
children and sight-impaired persons may benefit from a longer
period of time, such as two minutes. A target score of 300 is
suggested.
[0017] To play a round of the game, all of the tiles 20 are placed
in the bag 26, which arrangement defines a starting arrangement of
the game apparatus.
[0018] Thereafter, in turn, each player fills his or her scoop 23
with tiles 20 by dipping it into the bag and manually manipulating
same to randomly withdraw a group of tiles.
[0019] When all players have filled their respective measuring cups
23 with tiles 20, and announced their readiness, one of the players
starts the timer and the players all empty their tiles in front of
them.
[0020] Then, each player tries to arrange his or her group of tiles
20 into as many words as possible, by arranging the tiles into
subgroups wherein the characters of the pieces collectively form a
word. Preferably, each player tries to make as many different words
as possible using the tiles they have drawn from the bag. In so
doing, each tile is preferably used only in a single word. Thus, if
a player has drawn 50 tiles from the bag using the measuring cup
23, he or she can, for example, make a maximum of ten five-letter
words, five ten-letter words, or any other combination of words
having an aggregate of 50 letters.
[0021] When the time indicates that the predetermined period of
time has elapsed, a score for each player is calculated. Scoring is
preferably based on the number of words and word length.
[0022] A preferred scoring regime is:
[0023] words two to six letters long receive two points for each
letter
[0024] Examples: CAT (3 letters.times.2 points)=6 points
[0025] HORSES (6 letters.times.2 points)=12 points
[0026] words seven to nine letters long receive a base of twenty
points for the first seven letters plus ten points for each
additional letter
[0027] Examples: IMPRINT (7 letters)=20 points
[0028] IMPRINTS (8 LETTERS) (20+10+10)=30 POINTS
[0029] IMPRINTED (9 LETTERS) (20+10+10)=40 POINTS
[0030] words ten letters or more in length receive a base of fifty
points for the first ten letters plus twenty points for each
additional letter
[0031] Examples: IMPRESSION (10 letters)=50 points
[0032] IMPRESSIONS (11 letters) (50+20)=70 points
[0033] IMPRESSIONIST (13 LETTERS) (50+20+20+20+20)=110 POINTS
[0034] Rounds of the game are preferably played until the aggregate
score of any one of the players meets or exceeds the predetermined
target score, whereupon a winner or winners is determined on the
basis of the player or players having the highest score.
[0035] From the foregoing, it will be evident that the game has
many advantages.
[0036] Firstly, it is educational; play can improve reading skills,
spelling, counting and multiplication skills.
[0037] Additionally, it is inclusive; each tile has Braille
lettering, and the high contrast and large lettering make it easy
to read. This allows seniors, young readers and visually impaired
individuals to play with any member of the family. The tiles are
also manageable sizes, making them easy to manipulate.
[0038] Further, the game is versatile. The game can be adjusted for
individuals of low literacy by allowing them to make smaller words,
and by increasing the predetermined time. As well, whereas in the
preferred embodiment described above, only a single timer is
expressly described, multiple timers can be used to give persons of
differing abilities different periods of time for word
construction. Each player could be provided with a timer, if
desirable. All players can play simultaneously, or one after
another. Players can be creative and make the game more challenging
by requiring words in any particular round to be based on a
category, for example, animals, places, etc. As well, instead of
returning tiles to the bag, players can swap hands with other
players, and attempt to beat that person's score. Further, for even
more challenge, before the round begins, players can agree to make
only words with the same amount of letters, for example,
eight-letter words. As well, whereas the preferred embodiment
contemplates the predetermination of a target score, the players
cold equally predetermine a game duration, based on time or number
of turns, and select the winner of the game on the basis of the
highest aggregate score at the end of the duration.
[0039] Moreover, the game is portable; the game requires only a
relatively flat surface.
[0040] Whereas only a single embodiment of the game is herein
described, it should be understood that variations can be made. For
example, whereas in the preferred embodiment, letters of the
alphabet are imprinted, printing is not strictly necessary. The
game contemplates the use of visually-perceptible characters of any
type. Further, whereas Braille representations are provided on the
tiles, this is not necessary; any other tactile representation of
the character could be employed. As well, whereas in the preferred
embodiment, the same character and tactile representation appears
on each side of the tile, it is possible to put different letters
on opposite sides of the tile. Tiles could also be avoided, in
favor of other styles of game pieces, such as dies or tokens. As
well, it is conceivable that the visually-perceptible character may
be put on only one side of the game piece and the tactile
representation put on the opposite side or both, to more evenly
match sighted and sight-impaired persons. Yet further, groups of
letters which appear together commonly could be put on selected
tiles, such as "qu" in the English language. Wild card game pieces,
usable for any letter, could also be provided.
[0041] In view of the foregoing, it should be understood that the
scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims,
purposively construed.
* * * * *