U.S. patent application number 10/925513 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for three-dimensional game board with interlocking elements and mating accessories.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hasbro, Inc.. Invention is credited to Craig S. Van Ness.
Application Number | 20060043674 10/925513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35941994 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060043674 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Ness; Craig S. |
March 2, 2006 |
Three-dimensional game board with interlocking elements and mating
accessories
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a three-dimensional game
board that can be built by a player. The three-dimensional game
board may include a plurality of building components having at
least one integrally formed hexagonal element, wherein adjacent
hexagonal elements share a common side. The hexagonal elements may
include a raised hexagonal surface having an edge extending
upwardly from a top surface of each hexagonal element. The edges of
the hexagonal surfaces of adjacent hexagonal elements may define a
channel therebetween. A sidewall may extend downwardly from a
peripheral edge and may be defined by the integrally formed
hexagonal elements. The sidewall may be configured to be received
into the channels formed by the hexagonal surfaces of a building
component disposed below. Portions of the sidewall may engage
corresponding hexagonal surfaces of the building component disposed
below to maintain the building components in substantial vertical
alignment.
Inventors: |
Van Ness; Craig S.;
(Wilbraham, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
233 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 6300
SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Hasbro, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
35941994 |
Appl. No.: |
10/925513 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/241 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/10 20130101; A63F
2009/1083 20130101; A63F 2009/1077 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/241 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00 |
Claims
1. A three-dimensional game board, comprising: a plurality of
building components, each building component comprising: at least
one integrally formed hexagonal element, wherein adjacent hexagonal
elements share a common side; a raised hexagonal surface having an
edge and extending upwardly from a top surface of each hexagonal
element, wherein the edges of the hexagonal surfaces of adjacent
hexagonal elements defines a channel therebetween; a sidewall
extending downwardly from a peripheral edge defined by the
integrally formed hexagonal elements, wherein the sidewall is
configured to be received into the channels formed by the hexagonal
surfaces of a building component disposed below, and wherein
portions of the sidewall engage corresponding hexagonal surfaces of
the building component disposed below to maintain the building
components in substantial vertical alignment.
2. The three-dimensional game board of claim 1, wherein the
sidewall includes a plurality of portions each corresponding to a
side of a hexagonal element disposed at the peripheral edge of the
building component, and wherein each portion of the sidewall
includes connection mechanism for detachably connecting the
building component to a corresponding connection mechanism of a
portion of a sidewall of an adjacent building component.
3. The three-dimensional game board of claim 1, wherein the
connection mechanism comprises at least one dovetail and at least
one dovetail slot adapted to detachably connect to a corresponding
dovetail and dovetail slot of a portion of a sidewall of the
adjacent building component.
4. The three-dimensional game board of claim 1, wherein the
building components include a plurality of colors.
5. The three-dimensional game board of claim 1, wherein the
building components include a plurality of surface textures.
6. The three-dimensional game board of claim 5, wherein the
plurality of surface textures simulates at least one of rocks,
water, sand, and forests.
7. The three-dimensional game board of claim 1, wherein the raised
surfaces include a plurality of predefined heights.
8. The three-dimensional game board of claim 1, wherein the
sidewalls of the hexagonal elements include a plurality of
predefined heights.
9. The three-dimensional game board of claim 1, wherein a side of
the raised hexagonal surface is parallel to a side of an adjacent
raised hexagonal surface.
10. The three-dimensional game board of claim 1, further comprising
an accessory having a downwardly extending base portion, the base
portion being configured to be received within a portion of the
channel defined by the hexagonal surfaces to retain the accessory
in substantially vertical alignment with a building component on
which the accessory is disposed.
11. The three-dimensional game board of claim 1, wherein the base
portion of the accessory is configured to be receive by a portion
of the channel defined by the hexagonal surfaces defining a zigzag
path.
12. A three-dimensional game board, comprising: a plurality of
building components, each building component comprising: at least
one surface element, the surface elements being integrally formed
to define a top surface of the building component; a raised surface
having an edge extending upwardly from a top surface of each
element, wherein the edges of the surfaces of adjacent elements
defines a channel therebetween; a sidewall extending downwardly
from a peripheral edge defined by the integrally formed surface
elements, wherein the sidewall is configured to be received into
the channels formed by the raised surfaces of a building component
disposed below, and wherein portions of the sidewall engage
corresponding surfaces of the building component disposed below to
maintain the building components in substantial vertical
alignment.
13. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein the
sidewall includes a plurality of portions each corresponding to a
side of a surface element disposed at the peripheral edge of the
building component, and wherein each portion of the sidewall
includes connection mechanism for detachably connecting the
building component to a corresponding connection mechanism of a
portion of a sidewall of an adjacent building component.
14. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein the
connection mechanism comprises at least one dovetail and at least
one dovetail slot adapted to detachably connect to a corresponding
dovetail and dovetail slot of a portion of a sidewall of the
adjacent building component.
15. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein the
building components include a plurality of colors.
16. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein the
building components include a plurality of surface textures.
17. The three-dimensional game board of claim 16, wherein the
plurality of surface textures simulates at least one of rocks,
water, sand, and forests.
18. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein the
raised surfaces include a plurality of predefined heights.
19. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein the
sidewalls of the elements include a plurality of predefined
heights.
20. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein a side of
the raised surface is parallel to a side of an adjacent raised
surface.
21. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, further
comprising an accessory having a downwardly extending base portion,
the base portion being configured to be received within a portion
of the channel defined by the raised surfaces to retain the
accessory in substantially vertical alignment with a building
component on which the accessory is disposed.
22. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein each of
the surface elements has a hexagonal shape.
23. The three-dimensional game board of claim 22, wherein each of
the raised surfaces has a hexagonal shape.
24. The three-dimensional game board of claim 23, wherein each side
of a hexagonal raised surface is parallel to a corresponding side
of the corresponding hexagonal surface element.
25. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein the
channels have a shape defined by edges of the raised surfaces.
26. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein the
raised surfaces are formed in a polygon or a circular shape.
27. The three-dimensional game board of claim 12, wherein the
elements are formed in a polygon or a circular shape.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a three-dimensional game
board, and more particularly, to a three-dimensional game board
with interlocking hexagonal elements and mating accessories.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Stacking game boards having accessories such as game pieces
and building walls are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,527
issued Rosenwinkel et al. discloses a treasure game with separable
and changeable surfaces. The players construct a mansion during the
course of play using a series of separate pieces representing rooms
on different levels of the mansion. Each piece has a number of
doorway connections one of which must be aligned with a doorway
connection of another piece to interface the pieces. In addition,
each piece contains a number of locations which the player must
investigate to acquire assistance in locating a treasure and then
escape from the mansion with the treasure. Frames of different
height are provided to support the room pieces at different levels
and step pieces are also provided to interconnect rooms at
different levels.
[0003] In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,253 issued to Csoka
discloses a maze board game. The maze game includes a plurality of
game boards that have individually identified boxes and grooves
disposed peripherally between the boxes. A plurality of walls is
insertable into the grooves between each set of adjacent boxes so
as to form a wall therebetween. A series of walls define a maze on
the board. A token piece is moved stepwise from one box to an
adjacent box in the maze as the maze is being defined.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a
three-dimensional game board that can be built by a player. The
three-dimensional game board may include a plurality of building
components having at least one integrally formed hexagonal element,
wherein adjacent hexagonal elements share a common side. The
hexagonal elements may include a raised hexagonal surface having an
edge extending upwardly from a top surface of each hexagonal
element. The edges of the hexagonal surfaces of adjacent hexagonal
elements may define a channel therebetween. A sidewall may extend
downwardly from a peripheral edge and may be defined by the
integrally formed hexagonal elements. The sidewall may be
configured to be received into the channels formed by the hexagonal
surfaces of a building component disposed below. Portions of the
sidewall may engage corresponding hexagonal surfaces of the
building component disposed below to maintain the building
components in substantial vertical alignment.
[0005] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a
three-dimensional board game having a plurality of building
components with at least one surface element. The surface elements
may be integrally formed to define a top surface of the building
component. A raised surface may be formed with an edge extending
upwardly from a top surface of each element to define a channel
therebetween. A sidewall extending downwardly from a peripheral
edge defined by the integrally formed surface elements may be
configured to be received into the channels formed by the raised
surfaces of a building component disposed below. Portions of the
sidewall may engage corresponding surfaces of the building
component disposed below to maintain the building components in
substantial vertical alignment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building component having
seven hexagonal elements permanently joined together;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seven hexagonal element
building component of FIG. 1 and a three hexagonal element building
component connected thereto;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of the horizontally-connected building
components of FIG. 2;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the horizontally-connected
building components of FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upper twenty-four
hexagonal element building component vertically stacked on a lower
twenty-four hexagonal element building component;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vertically-stacked
twenty-four hexagonal element building components of FIG. 5 with a
seven-hexagonal element building component being attached adjacent
thereto;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the seven and twenty-four
hexagonal building components of FIG. 6 with a three hexagonal
element building component being attached adjacent thereto;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the plurality of building
components of FIG. 7 having additional building components and an
accessory positioned thereon;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an accessory formed to
engage the hexagonal element building components; and
[0015] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the accessory of FIG. 9 showing
a base configured to be received by the building components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Although the following text sets forth a detailed
description of different embodiments of the invention, it should be
understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the
words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The
detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does
not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since
describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not
impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented,
using either current technology or technology developed after the
filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope
of the claims defining the invention.
[0017] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited,
by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally,
unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word "means" and
a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended
that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the
application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth paragraph.
[0018] A three-dimensional game board according to the present
invention may include a plurality of building components configured
to be disposed adjacent and connected to each other, and to be
stacked and connected in multiple levels, with the building
components on adjacent levels engaging each other to maintain the
building components in vertical alignment. Referring to FIG. 1, one
example of a building component 10 for a three-dimensional game
board is illustrated. The exemplary building component 10 includes
seven hexagonal elements 12, but the three-dimensional game board
may include a plurality of building components having varying
members of hexagonal elements 12 integrally connected together to
form the building components as illustrated by the seven element
building component 10 depicted in FIG. 1. It should be understood
by one skill in the art that any desired number of hexagonal
elements 12 can be used to form a building component. Furthermore,
a plurality of building components may be connected together in
both vertical and horizontal directions to form the
three-dimensional game board in a manner illustrated and described
more fully hereinafter.
[0019] The hexagonal element 12 may include a smaller raised
hexagonal surface or shape 16 extending upwardly from a top surface
18 defined by the integrally formed hexagonal elements 12. A
recessed channel 20 may be formed by the edges 22 of the raised
hexagonal shapes 16 between the adjacent sides of the adjacent
shapes 16. Because hexagonal shapes are used in the illustrated
embodiment, the recessed channel 20 may define a zigzag path 23
between adjacent rows of hexagonal shapes 16. It should be noted
that the raised shape 16 is not limited to a hexagonal shape, and
may be any desired shape, such as circular, rectangular, and the
like. The path 23 may not be zigzag in shape if shapes other than
hexagonal shapes 16 are used. The building component 10 may further
include a sidewall 24 extending downwardly from the top surface 18
around the periphery of the building component 10. The sidewall 24
may include a plurality of portions 44 each corresponding to a side
of one of the hexagonal elements 12 disposed at the periphery of
the building components 10, and which are configured to engage a
corresponding edge 22 of a hexagonal shape 16 formed on the top
surface 18 of a vertically adjacent building component 10 to align
the building components 10 in a manner described more fully below.
The sidewall 24 and hexagonal elements 12 may define a hollow
upwardly extending recess 28 adjacent a bottom surface 26 thereof.
The upwardly extending recess 28 is configured to receive the
raised hexagonal shapes 16 of building component(s) positioned
below the building components 10 on the game board. The portions 44
and sidewall 24 of the building component 10 may engage the
corresponding raised edges 22 of the raised shapes 16 to align the
building component 10 with the building component(s) positioned
below the building component. In this manner, the building
components may be vertically stacked and aligned relative to one
another as will be described in more detail below.
[0020] The portions 44 of the sidewall 24 may include attachment
mechanisms for detachably connecting adjacent building components.
In the present embodiment, the portions 44 may include at least one
dovetail 40 and at least one dovetail groove 42 configured to mate
with corresponding dovetails 40 and grooves 42 on other portions 44
to mechanically connect the portion 44 to an adjacent hexagonal
elements 12. Each dovetail 40 may slidingly engage with a mating
dovetail groove 42 of the portion 44 of an adjacently positioned
hexagonal element 12. The dovetails 40 are engaged by the dovetail
grooves 42 to prevent movement in a horizontal direction, but may
be displaced in a vertical direction to detach the building
components as is known to those skilled in the art. Of course,
other connection mechanisms for preventing horizontal relative
movement of the building components will be apparent to those
skilled in the art and are contemplated as having use with the
present invention.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, the seven element building
component 10 and a three element building component 30 may be
stacked together in a horizontally adjacent configuration. Not only
may the building components 10 include different numbers of
hexagonal elements 12, but the hexagonal elements 12 may also
include different surface configurations on the raised hexagonal
shapes 16 and different colors representative of differing game
play characteristics of the game board, such as differing
geographies. For example, the seven element building component 14
has a crack configuration 32 representative of stone or mountain
terrain, and the three element building component 30 has a dimple
configuration 34 and may have a brown coloring representative of
beach or desert terrain. It should be understood however, by one
skill in the art that any desired surface configuration may be
incorporated into the raised hexagonal shapes 16 and/or hexagonal
elements 12 of a building components. Furthermore, the raised
hexagonal shapes 16 may extend upwardly from the hexagonal elements
12 to different heights relative to one another. For example, the
edges 22 of the dimple configuration 34 may be higher than the
edges 22 of the crack configuration 32. Further, the hexagonal
elements 12 may be configured without hexagonal shapes 16, such as
to simulate water, snow, or ice that may not be able to maintain
vertical alignment with other building components disposed
thereon.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a top view and a bottom
view, respectively, of the seven element building component 10 and
the three hexagonal element building component 30 are shown
adjacently positioned and connected by the dovetail joint 40, 42
along three portions 44 of the sidewalls 24 of the building
components 10, 30. A channel 21 may be defined between hexagonal
shapes 16 along connected portions 44 similar to the channels 20
formed between hexagonal shapes 16 on a single building component.
As seen in FIG. 4, the shape of the sidewalls 24 corresponds to the
shape of the channels 20 formed by the raised shapes 16 so the
sidewalls 24 may be disposed therein. It is contemplated by the
present disclosure that any combination of geometric shapes, such
as circles, squares, or triangles may be used for the elements 12
and the raised shapes 16 as desired while providing building
components that may be used to construct a three-dimensional game
board. Regardless of the shapes, or combination of shapes used for
the elements and upwardly extending shapes, the building components
may be configured such that the sidewalls 24 correspond to the
channels to align the building components.
[0023] Assembly of a three dimensional game board will be discussed
with respect to FIGS. 5-8. FIG. 5 illustrates a pair of twenty-four
hexagonal building components 46a, 46b being stacked in a vertical
direction. In this example, a twenty-four hexagonal element
building component 46a is stacked on a lower twenty-four hexagonal
element building component 46b. The downwardly extending sidewall
24 of the top building component 46a engages the edges 22 of the
raised hexagonal shapes 16 of the bottom building component 46b. In
this manner the sidewall 24 prevents the top building component 46a
from moving in a horizontal direction relative to the lower
building component 46b.
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates the upper 24 hexagonal element building
component 46a, and the lower twenty-four hexagonal element building
component 46b of FIG. 5, with a seven hexagonal element building
component 10 being added. The upper and lower twenty-four hexagonal
element building components 46a, 46b are interconnected together
via the sidewall 24 of the upper building component 46a engaging
the raised hexagonal shapes 16 of the lower twenty-four hexagonal
element components 46b. The seven hexagonal element building
component 14 is held in fixed relationship to the lower twenty-four
hexagonal element building component 46b via the dovetail 46 and
dovetail groove 42 mechanism described above. FIG. 7 is a view of
FIG. 6 with a three hexagonal element building component 30 being
added to a plurality of building components. It should be
reiterated that the building components may be stacked in any
manner desired by a player.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 8, additional building components may
be added to the three-dimensional game board as desired such as
smooth surface hexagonal elements 68, a cracked surface three
hexagonal elements 31, and a single hexagonal element 70 having a
raised cracked surface 16. The smooth surface hexagonal elements 68
may be used to simulate water or ice and the like for the player to
use with the fantasy three-dimensional game board. In this manner,
building components having variable numbers of hexagonal elements
12 and variable surface configurations may be utilized to form the
three-dimensional game board as desired by the player. It should be
understood that building components having different sizes and
shapes with different surface textures and colors may be used to
simulate different geographies. Variation in the building
components allows the players to construct different playing fields
for different game play experiences each time the game is played.
In addition, an accessory, such as a wall 50, may be positioned on
the building components to further enhance the game experience.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the wall 50 shown in FIG. 8
is depicted in a perspective view and a bottom view respectively.
The wall 50 may include a plurality of pillars 52 interconnected by
thin wall members 54. A plurality of stiffening ribs 56 may be
intermittently positioned along the wall 50 to provide stiffening
support to the wall 50. Referring more particularly to FIG. 9, a
base 60 may be formed on a lower portion 62 of the wall 50. The
base 60 is configured to engage the path 23 formed by the recessed
channels 20 between the raised hexagonal shapes 16 of the building
components 10. The base 60 resists horizontal movement of the wall
50 with respect to the building components 10 such that a minimal
force will not dislodge the wall 50 from the building components
10. It should be understood that raised shapes 16 having different
geometries than the corresponding element 12 may be used to create
different shaped channels 20. Accessories, such a walls 50, may
have a base 60 formed to correspond to the shape of the channels 20
formed by the hexagonal shapes 16. When hexagonal shapes 16 are
used as illustrated, the channel path 23 may be formed in a zigzag
configuration between adjacent rows of hexagonal shapes 16.
[0027] While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description
of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be
understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the
words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The
detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does
not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since
describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not
impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented,
using either current technology or technology developed after the
filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope
of the claims defining the invention.
* * * * *