U.S. patent application number 11/678902 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for foldable body with magnets and object collector.
Invention is credited to Robert Jacobs.
Application Number | 20070216095 11/678902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38516991 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070216095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacobs; Robert |
September 20, 2007 |
FOLDABLE BODY WITH MAGNETS AND OBJECT COLLECTOR
Abstract
A single piece body foldable along hinges between a
three-dimensional generally closed configuration and a generally
rectangular two-dimensional configuration. The body includes a
plurality of components. The components are foldably interconnected
through lateral and longitudinal hinges. A display face is provided
on one side of body. A number of separate permanent magnets are
embedded within the body Some of permanent magnets are positioned
to magnetically interengage one another when the body is in the
three-dimensional generally closed configuration. Some or all of
the permanent magnets serve to retain objects in various
predetermined locations on the display face when the body is in the
generally rectangular two-dimensional configuration. An object
collector is provided for collecting magnet containing playing
pieces from the display face. The object collector is designed to
be grasped by a user and dragged across the display face to
magnetically collect the playing pieces. The so collected playing
pieces may then be reused or stored.
Inventors: |
Jacobs; Robert; (Crystal
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRUCE A. JAGGER
6100 CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 630
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Family ID: |
38516991 |
Appl. No.: |
11/678902 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60783506 |
Mar 16, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/288 ;
273/239; 273/260 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/00239
20130101; A63F 2003/00943 20130101; A63F 3/0023 20130101; A63F 3/00
20130101; A63F 3/02 20130101; A63F 2003/00899 20130101; A63F
2009/1236 20130101; A63F 2003/0063 20130101; A63F 3/00694 20130101;
A63F 2003/00233 20130101; A63F 3/00214 20130101; A63F 2011/0037
20130101; A63F 11/0002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/288 ;
273/260; 273/239 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00; A63F 3/02 20060101 A63F003/02 |
Claims
1. A single piece body foldable along hinges between a
three-dimensional configuration that is substantially closed, and a
generally two-dimensional configuration, said single piece body
comprising: a plurality of components, said components being
foldably interconnected through a plurality of lateral and
longitudinal hinges; a display face area on a front side of said
plurality of components; a plurality of fastening elements situated
substantially within said single piece body, said fastening
elements being spaced from one another and located substantially
within said display face area, at least some of said fastening
elements being positioned to magnetically interengage one another
in said three-dimensional configuration, whereby said single piece
body is maintained in said three-dimensional configuration by said
magnetic interengagement.
2. A single piece body of claim 1 including a board game pattern in
said display face area and said fastening elements being located
substantially within said board game pattern at locations
substantially determined by said board game pattern.
3. A single piece body of claim 1 wherein said fastening elements
are permanent magnets.
4. A single piece body of claim 1 wherein said fastening elements
are substantially undetectable by touching said display face
area.
5. A single piece body of claim 1 including a board game pattern in
said display face area, and at least some of said fastening
elements being positioned to magnetically engage various objects in
said generally two-dimensional configuration whereby said objects
are magnetically retained at predetermined locations on said board
game pattern.
6. A single piece body of claim 5 wherein at least some of said
fastening elements are positioned to magnetically engage various
objects in said generally two-dimensional configuration and to
magnetically engage one another in said three-dimensional
configuration.
7. A single piece body of claim 1 wherein at least some of said
hinges are wide enough to bridge at least two thicknesses of said
single piece body.
8. A single piece body of claim 1 wherein said single piece body in
said generally two-dimensional configuration has a longitudinal
axis and a lateral axis and is generally symmetrical around each of
said axes.
9. A single piece body of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
components are foldable toward said display face when folded from
said generally two-dimensional configuration into said
three-dimensional configuration.
10. A single piece body foldable along hinges between a
three-dimensional configuration that is substantially closed, and a
generally two-dimensional configuration, said single piece body
comprising: a plurality of components, said components being
foldably interconnected through a plurality of lateral and
longitudinal hinges; a display face area including a game pattern
on a front side of said plurality of components; a plurality of
magnetic fastening elements situated substantially within said
single piece body, said magnetic fastening elements being spaced
from one another and located substantially within said display face
area at locations that are substantially dictated by said game
pattern, at least some of said magnetic fastening elements being
positioned to magnetically interengage one another in said
three-dimensional configuration, whereby said single piece body is
maintained in said three-dimensional configuration by said magnetic
interengagement
11. A single piece body foldable along hinges between a
three-dimensional generally square prism configuration and a
generally rectangular two-dimensional configuration, said single
piece body comprising: a plurality of components, said components
being foldably interconnected through a plurality of lateral and
longitudinal hinges, said plurality of components including a
bottom panel, first and second wall panels opposed to one another
and hingedly associated with said bottom panel along first and
second longitudinal hinges, respectively, first and second
longitudinal closure flaps hingedly associated with said first and
second wall panels, respectively, along third and fourth
longitudinal hinges, respectively, first and second end panels
opposed to one another and hingedly associated with said bottom
panel along first and second lateral hinges, respectively, each of
said wall panels being hingedly associated along said first and
second lateral hinges, respectively, with opposed first and second
end walls, and each of said end walls having an end closure flap
hingedly associated therewith along said third and fourth
longitudinal hinges, whereby in said three-dimensional generally
square prism configuration both of said first end walls
substantially overlap with said first end panel, both of said
second end walls substantially overlap with said second end panel,
and said first longitudinal closure flap and two of said end
closure flaps partially overlap, and said second longitudinal
closure flap and another two of said end closure flaps partially
overlap; a game pattern on one side of said plurality of
components; a plurality of fastening elements located substantially
within said game pattern, at least some of said fastening elements
being positioned to holdingly interengage one another in said
three-dimensional generally square prism configuration, and at
least some of said fastening elements being positioned to retain
objects in predetermined locations on said game pattern in said
generally rectangular two-dimensional configuration.
12. A single piece body foldable along hinges between a
three-dimensional generally square prism configuration that is
substantially closed, and a generally rectangular two-dimensional
configuration, said single piece body comprising: a plurality of
components, said components being foldably interconnected through a
plurality of lateral and longitudinal hinges; a display face on one
side of said plurality of components; a plurality of magnetically
active fastening elements, at least some of said magnetically
active fastening elements being positioned to magnetically
interengage one another in said three-dimensional generally square
prism configuration whereby said single piece body is maintained in
said three-dimensional generally square prism configuration by said
magnetic interengagement, and at least some of said magnetically
active fastening elements being positioned to magnetically retain
objects in predetermined locations on said display face in said
generally rectangular two-dimensional configuration.
13. A game piece scraper for collecting a plurality of game pieces
from a surface such as a surface of a game board, said game pieces
having a thickness, said game piece scraper comprising: a game
piece holding face on said game piece scraper, said game piece
scraper including a lip element generally adjacent to and
projecting generally outwardly from said game piece holding face
for a height; a game pattern displayed on said surface; said
plurality of game pieces adapted to being positioned on said
surface at locations determined at least in part by said game
pattern, said game piece scraper being adapted to being grasped by
a user and dragged across said surface with said game piece holding
face towards said surface and said lip element slidably engaged
with said surface, whereby said game piece holding face is
generally spaced from said surface by approximately said height and
game pieces positioned on said surface are scraped off of said
surface, and said game pieces and said game piece holding face
adapted to being magnetically attractive to one another, whereby
said game pieces that are scraped off of said surface are generally
magnetically attached to said game piece holding face.
14. A game piece scraper of claim 13 including permanent magnetic
material in said game pieces.
15. A game piece scraper of claim 13 including permanent magnetic
material in said game piece holding face.
16. A game piece scraper of claim 13 wherein said game piece
holding face comprises a magnetically attractive metallic
plate.
17. A game piece scraper of claim 13 wherein said game pieces have
thickness and said height is greater than said thickness.
18. A game piece scraper of claim 13 wherein said game pieces have
thickness and said height is greater than about twice said
thickness.
19. A game piece scraper of claim 13 wherein said game pieces have
thickness, and each of said game pieces has about the same
thickness.
20. A game piece scraper of claim 13 wherein said game pieces have
thickness, and the thickness of at least some of said game pieces
is substantially constant throughout the entire game piece.
21. A method of collecting game pieces from a surface of a game
board comprising: selecting a said game board having a surface with
a game pattern displayed thereon; positioning a plurality of said
game pieces on said surface at locations determined at least in
part by said game pattern; selecting a game piece scraper that
includes a game piece holding face, a lip element generally
adjacent to and projecting generally outwardly from said game piece
holding face for a height; dragging said game piece scraper across
said surface with said game piece holding face towards said surface
and said lip element generally slidably engaged with said surface,
whereby said game pieces are scraped off of said surface; providing
magnetic attraction between said game pieces and said game piece
holding face, whereby said game pieces that are scraped off of said
surface are generally magnetically attached to said game piece
holding face.
22. A method of collecting game pieces of claim 21 including
selecting game pieces comprising tiles having generally opposed
obverse and reverse sides, said obverse side having detectable
indicia that are associated with said game, said reverse side not
having said detectable indicia, said positioning including
positioning said tiles with said detectable indicia exposed,
whereby said detectable indicia are not exposed when said tiles are
magnetically attached to said game piece holding face during said
dragging.
23. A method of collecting game pieces of claim 21 including
selecting a game piece scraper that includes a generally planar
game piece holding face.
24. A single piece body foldable along hinges between a
three-dimensional generally closed configuration and a generally
rectangular two-dimensional configuration, said single piece body
comprising: a plurality of components, said components being
foldably interconnected through a plurality of lateral and
longitudinal hinges; a display face on one side of said plurality
of components; a plurality of separate magnetic elements embedded
within said single piece body, at least some of said magnetic
elements being positioned to magnetically interengage one another
in said three-dimensional generally closed configuration and retain
objects in predetermined locations on said display face in said
generally rectangular two-dimensional configuration.
25. An object collector for collecting a plurality of separate
objects from a surface, said objects having a thickness and
including permanent magnets, said object collector comprising: an
object holding face on said object collector, said object collector
including a lip element generally adjacent to and projecting
generally outwardly from said object collector for a height, said
object collector being adapted to being grasped by a user and
dragged across said surface with said object holding face towards
said surface and said lip element slidably engaged with said
surface, whereby said object holding face is generally spaced from
said surface by approximately said height and objects positioned on
said surface are scraped off of said surface, and said object
holding face including magnetically attractive metal, whereby said
objects that are scraped off of said surface are generally
magnetically attached to said object holding face.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/783,506, filed Mar. 16, 2006
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates in general to a single piece body
foldable between a three-dimensional substantially closed
configuration and an open generally two-dimensional configuration
with a plurality of generally internal fastening elements at least
some of which may function both to hold the body in the
substantially closed configuration and to hold objects on the body
in the open configuration, and to scrapers for removing the objects
from the body, more particularly, embodiments of the present
invention relate to foldable game boards, puzzle boards,
information display boards, or the like, with permanent magnets
embedded at strategic locations within the body, and to scrapers
for quickly picking up game pieces (or other objects) without risk
of lost pieces and with pieces showing a blank side ready for
reuse.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Numerous expedients had been previously proposed where a
game board serves both as a game playing surface and as a container
for game pieces and accessories. Some such prior expedients have
involved the use of magnets. See, for example, Lapham U.S. Pat. No.
509,316, Nov. 21, 1893 (a flexible checkerboard game board wound
into a cylindrical roll and inserted between inner and outer
casings, with the associated game pieces stored in the inner
casing), Kleber U.S. Pat. No. 2,399,041, Apr. 23, 1946 (a game
board for blind players that folds in half with a casing around the
edges to form an enclosed space that holds the checkers when
closed, where the board is a sheet of iron, each checker has a
magnet in it, the checkers are centered on the playing squares by
the presence of raised non-magnetic material in the non-playing
squares of the board), Lanice U.S. Pat. No. 2,667,353, Jan. 26,
1954 (a pliable cloth or leather chess board that can be folded in
half, snapped and zippered and folded again into a pouch, which
pouch holds the chess pieces), Dupuis U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,168, Feb.
1, 1983 (a pocket-sized chess set with a rim around the edge and a
fold across the middle of the board, where the board is made of a
paramagnetic material, recesses are provided on the board to hold
the chess pieces properly centered in the playing squares, the
chess pieces contain permanent magnets, and the board is held in
the folded configuration by magnetic attraction between the
chessmen and the paramagnetic board), Samansky U.S. Pat. No.
4,527,800, Jul. 9, 1985 (a game board in which multiple panels are
hinged together in a non-rectangular form so they can be folded
into a tetrahedral shaped box to serve as the container for the
playing pieces), Lyon et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,151, Mar. 31, 1992
(a foldable rectangular game board constructed from a single sheet
of material and including panels that may be folded along hinge
lines into a container for the game pieces with the board held in
the folded configuration by a fastener), Bendit U.S. Pat. No.
5,244,212, Sep. 14, 1993 (a chess set game wherein the four edges
of the game board are mechanically hinged to side members, and the
side members fold over the playing surface of the board to form a
closed container for the game pieces where there is a permanent
magnet centered under each square on the board, a sheet of steel
under the magnets, each chess piece includes a permanent magnet so
the chess piece is attracted to the centers of the squares, and
there are separate permanent magnets mounted on arms that project
from the side members and engage special magnetic receptacles on
the game board to secure the side members to the board in the
closed form), Canner et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,085, Dec. 26, 1995
(a magnetic domino set wherein magnetized dominos are attracted to
an iron playing surface, which when folded together with other case
members serves as the bottom of a carrying case for the dominos),
Vannozzi, Sr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,730, Nov. 26, 1996 (a flexible
vinyl chess mat that folds in the middle and closes around the
edges to form a carrying case for the chess pieces), and Neal U.S.
Pat. No. D204,277, Apr. 5, 1966 (a game board that hinges in the
middle and has a rim around the edges so that when folded closed it
forms a hard carrying case that holds the game pieces inside).
[0006] The attachment of playing pieces to game boards by means of
placing magnets in the playing pieces and using a ferrous board had
been proposed. See, in addition to those described above, Hlavac
U.S. Pat. No. 2,665,913, Jan. 12, 1954 (chess), Ulan U.S.
5,040,800, Aug. 20, 1991 (chess in a vertically positioned board),
and Morris U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,168, Jun. 15, 1993 (magnetic puzzle
pieces on a metal sheet).
[0007] The centering of playing pieces by means of permanent
magnets embedded below the surface of the game board and centrally
positioned in each playing square, with permanent magnets in each
game piece had been proposed by, for example, Goldsmith U.S. Pat.
No. 2,511,774, Jun. 13, 1950, Lee U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,804, Jul. 22,
1975 (permanent magnets in game pieces separated from permanent
magnets embedded in board by an iron piece), Miolo U.S. Pat. No.
4,299,389, Nov. 10, 1981, and Militello U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,047,
Mar. 26, 2002 (polarization of the adhesion material, preferably
hook and loop fasteners, on or in the game board relative to the
polarization of adhesion material on the game pieces provides the
desired orientation of the playing pieces).
[0008] The use of magnets for the purpose of latching various
containers in a closed position had been proposed. See, for
example, Peckar U.S. Pat. No. 3,749,301, Jul. 31, 1973, Peterson
U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,013, Jul. 5, 1977, Lin U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,974,
Apr. 30, 1985, Brennan U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,390, Apr. 19, 1988, and
Metzler et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,551 (flap on a single or
multi-piece container releasably sealed closed by the presence of a
magnetic gasket or magnetized paint around opening and mating
flap).
[0009] Numerous one-piece folding boxes had been proposed. See, for
example, Billing U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,683, Mar. 30, 1965, and
Schultz U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,018, Jun. 11, 2002.
[0010] Tarbell US 2001/0050461, published Dec. 13, 2001, and now
abandoned, appears at first reading to disclose a non-folding game
board, for a game such as Scrabble.RTM.. The game includes a
pattern of squares on the game board where a magnet is embedded
under each square, there is a magnet within each game piece, and a
wand with a magnet in a game piece sized face is used to collect
game pieces one-by-one off of the game board. The drawings and the
specification of Tarbell are unclear because they do not fully
correspond.
[0011] The prior art devices and methods are not without their
shortcomings. For example, a major shortcoming of typical prior art
devices and methods is that the fasteners associated with
maintaining the devices in a fully folded configuration generally
serve only one purpose and tend to interfere with the functioning
and appearance of the device when not in the folded closed
configuration. Many board games, such as word games, involve the
use of many game pieces or tiles. Such game pieces are easily lost,
and when in play they are typically all oriented with a game face
up. Performing the necessary orientation before during and after
the playing of a game involves a great deal of handling of the
pieces, which creates opportunities for losing them. Also, such
game pieces are prone to being lost during handling and
storage.
[0012] Those concerned with these problems recognize the need for
improvements.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention has been developed in response to the
current state of the art, and in particular, in response to these
and other problems and needs that have not been fully or completely
solved by currently available expedients. Thus, it is an overall
object of the present invention to effectively resolve at least the
problems and shortcomings identified herein. In particular, it is
an object of the present invention to provide a body, particularly
a one piece body, and more particularaly a game, puzzle,
information presentation board, or the like, that is foldably
transformable between a generally two dimensional open
configuration and a substantially closed three-dimensional
configuration. Associated fastening members, for example,
strategically placed magnets, function both to hold the body in the
closed configuration and to position playing pieces or other
objects in the open configuration. It is also an object of one
embodiment of the present invention to provide a tool for quickly,
reliably, and easily removing and orienting tiles and the like from
the surface of a game board. Embodiments of the present invention
are particularly suitable for use as and with game boards.
[0014] A preferred embodiment of the single piece body according to
the present invention comprises a foldable game board or the like
with a display face area on one side and an opposed back face on
the other side. A game board pattern, such as, for example, a
checkerboard pattern or the like, is applied to at least the
display face area. Various graphics, patterns, information, data,
or the like, of any nature whatsoever, may be presented on the
display face area. Preferably, anything on the display face is
two-dimensional in nature, although three-dimensional, particularly
pop-up three dimensional things may be so displayed.
[0015] Permanent magnets are embedded within the game board so that
they do not significantly interfere with either the appearance or
use of the board. The magnets are preferably embedded below the
surface of the board so that they are substantially undetectable
either visually or tactually. Permanent magnets are positioned in
the game board at locations that are dictated by the game board
pattern. For example, for a checkerboard pattern the magnets are
preferably centrally located in each of the checker squares. The
associated playing pieces are preferably provided with permanent
magnets. The magnets in the board and playing pieces are preferably
oriented so opposite poles may be positioned adjacent to and facing
one another. The attraction between the opposite poles of the
respective magnets causes the game pieces to be self-centering, for
example, in the checker squares.
[0016] The lateral and longitudinal hinges and hinge regions
through which the board folds generally extend within the display
face area. Preferably, the presence of the hinges does not
significantly interfere with the playing of a game on the game
board pattern, and does not significantly mar the appearance of at
least the display face area. The hinges are so arranged that when
the game board is in a folded three-dimensional configuration, at
least some of the permanent magnets in the game board are brought
into registry with one another in a magnetically attracted
relationship.
[0017] Typically, the magnets are arranged so that opposite poles
are facing one another in the folded three-dimensional
configuration so they magnetically engage one another. Likewise,
the magnets in the game pieces or other objects and the board are
arranged so that opposite poles are facing one another. For
example, if the permanent magnets are embedded in the folding board
with the positive poles up, the magnets in the game pieces or other
objects will have their negative poles on the sides of the game
pieces that normally engage the surface of the game board. Thus,
the magnets in the board magnetically engage various objects in the
generally two-dimensional configuration and magnetically retain
such objects at predetermined locations on the board, generally in
relation to some pattern on the supporting surface of the
board.
[0018] The embedded magnets are preferably located between the
front and back sides of the board so as to be positioned completely
within the thickness of the board. To this end, the board is
preferably thicker than the magnets, although the magnets may be
exposed on the back side, or even on the display face side, if
desired. The thickness of the board is such that the poles of the
embedded permanent magnets that face the same direction as the back
side of the game board are magnetically available to magnetically
interengage with the opposite poles of other embedded magnets that
face in the direction of the display face. The game board is
typically folded so that the display side and the back side overlap
in certain areas to bring at least some of the magnets in the
overlapped areas into registry with one another with opposite poles
facing one another.
[0019] At least some of the embedded magnets are positioned to
serve at least two purposes. They serve as fastening elements to
releasably retain the board or other body in a folded substantially
closed three-dimensional configuration. They also may serve as
fastening elements to releasably attach various objects such as
game pieces or the like to at least the display area of the single
piece body. Since the body is all of one piece, there is no risk of
losing a lid or some other part of the body. For long term storage,
shipment, or rough handling, it may be desirable to use some
additional retaining member such as a strap, a hook and loop
fastener, or the like in addition to the embedded magnets. Such
additional retaining members serve to augment the closed
configuration retention action provided by the embedded
magnets.
[0020] Each of the permanent magnets may comprise one or more
magnets. Where, for example, a flexible organic polymeric body that
contains many small magnetized particles is used, there are so many
magnets present that any attempted orientation of the permanent
magnets as to negative and positive poles is unnecessary. Magnets
may be applied in a fluid state to a body or other object, and
solidified in situ, if desired. Magnetic paints or inks typically
do not have as much magnetic strength as magnets that are formed
before being placed in a body or object.
[0021] A preferred embodiment of the present object scraper
according to the present invention comprises a game piece scraper
for collecting a plurality of game pieces from the face of a game
board with one or a few passes of the scraper across the surface of
the game board. The game piece scraper has a magnetically
attractive face with an upstanding lip along one side and enough of
a body to be grasped by the hand of a user. The face is large
enough to hold several game pieces at one time. It is intended to
be used with game pieces, particularly flat game pieces such as the
tiles in word games, checkers, or the like, where opposed sides of
the tiles have different functions in the play of a game.
[0022] Typically, during the play of a game the tiles or other
objects are positioned on the board with a game face up. At the
conclusion of the playing of a game, all of the game pieces on the
board are typically game face up. At the start of a new game they
are typically turned game face down so their value in the playing
of the game is unknown. Often, there are a great many small game
pieces, and it is easy to lose one of them. If only one piece is
lost, the game can not be played. Turning the pieces game face
down, and keeping track of all of them is time consuming and
detracts from the playing of the game. The game piece scraper
provides a simple and effective solution to these problems.
[0023] The game pieces and the game piece holding face of the
scraper are magnetically attractive to one another. The game pieces
may contain magnets while the game piece holding face may comprise
a sheet of magnetically attractive metal such as, for example,
iron. Alternatively, both the game pieces and the holding face may
contain magnets, or the game pieces may contain a magnetically
attractive metal while the holding face is composed of magnets.
[0024] The lip element of the scraper projects outwardly of the
holding face for a height that is sufficient to physically engage
the game pieces as the lip of the scraper is dragged across the
surface of a game board upon which the pieces rest. Preferably, the
height of the lip element above the holding face is greater than
the thickness of at least one and preferably two of the pieces.
Thus, when the outer edge of the lip element is engaged with and
dragged across the surface of a game board in a direction such that
the holding face projects ahead of the lip element, the pieces are
trapped between the holder face and the lip element in stacks. The
height of the stacks of game pieces is determined by the height of
the lip element. For example, if the lip element is slightly higher
than a stack of two game pieces, two such pieces will be in at
least some of the stacks. The stacks will adhere to the holding
face because of the mutual magnetic attraction between the pieces
and the holding face.
[0025] Because the pieces are typically all game face up on the
board at the end of a game, the pieces will all be oriented on the
scraper with their back sides exposed. The game face sides will be
toward the holding face. Turning the scraper over so that the
holding face with the game pieces on it is upwards presents the
game pieces in the proper position to start a new game. If playing
of the game is to be discontinued, the scraper is simply placed in
the container for the game with all of the pieces attached to
it.
[0026] Where the container is formed by folding the game board and
magnetically latching it according to the present invention, the
scraper adds an additional measure of safety in that if rough
handling of the folded board-container disengages the magnetic
latches and opens the container, the game pieces will still be
securely mounted to the scraper. Preferably, the holding face is of
sufficient size to hold all of the game pieces associated with a
particular game.
[0027] To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most
closely related to the present invention, a preferred embodiment of
a foldable game board and game piece scraper that illustrates a
best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice
is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings
that form a part of the specification. The exemplary assembly is
described in detail without attempting to show all of the various
forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.
As such, the embodiments shown and described herein are
illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the
arts, can be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit
of the invention, the invention being measured by the appended
claims and not by the details of the specification or drawings.
[0028] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
detailed description of the invention when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, or may be learned by
the practice of the invention as set forth herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The present invention provides its benefits across a broad
spectrum of foldable game, puzzle, information presentation boards,
or the like, and game piece and/or object scrapers. While the
description which follows hereinafter is meant to be representative
of a number of such applications, it is not exhaustive. As those
skilled in the art will recognize, the basic apparatus taught
herein can be readily adapted to many uses. This specification and
the claims appended hereto should be accorded a breadth in keeping
with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite
what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the
requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed.
[0030] Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of
illustrating the invention and its presently understood best mode
only and not limitation:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the game face side of
a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along
section 2-2 in FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the embodiment of
FIG. 1 showing the various components of the single piece body
separated from one another.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in
a partially folded configuration.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 2 showing an embodiment of the present invention at a fold,
but in the unfolded configuration.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 2 showing an additional embodiment of the present invention at
a fold, but in the unfolded configuration.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 5 showing the folded configuration.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 5 showing the folded configuration.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of FIG. 4
showing a somewhat further advanced partially folded
configuration.
[0040] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of the game face side of
a preferred embodiment of the invention similar to FIG. 1 showing
the embodiment slightly exploded along certain hinge lines and cuts
for ease of illustration.
[0041] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of FIG. 10
in a partially folded configuration.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of FIG. 11
in a further but still partially folded configuration.
[0043] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic isometric view of the embodiment
of FIG. 12 in a fully folded three dimensional configuration.
[0044] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of a further embodiment
similar to FIG. 10 including additional extended components.
[0045] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic plan view of an embodiment showing
the placement of a variety of different permanent magnets in a game
board.
[0046] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic plan view of a further embodiment
showing the invention as applied to a backgammon game board.
[0047] FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic plan view of the back of the
embodiment of FIG. 16 with some of the components slightly exploded
for purposes of illustration.
[0048] FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the
obverse side of a game piece that is suitable for use in practicing
the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the
reverse side of the game piece of FIG. 18.
[0050] FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a game piece
scraper according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0051] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views. It is to be understood that the drawings are
diagrammatic and schematic representations of various embodiments
of the invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the
invention in any way. The use of words and phrases herein with
reference to specific embodiments is not intended to limit the
meanings of such words and phrases to those specific embodiments.
Words and phrases herein are intended to have their ordinary
meanings, unless a specific definition is set forth at length
herein.
[0052] Referring particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated
generally at 10 a foldable game board with a checkerboard pattern
on a game pattern side 18, opposed side 16, and permanent magnets
12 embedded within the foldable game board centrally of each square
in the pattern. In addition to magnets 12 foldable game board 10
includes a board core 14, an opposed side core cover 98, a game
side core cover 94, first game pattern 96 (FIG. 1), and second game
pattern 88 (FIGS. 5-8).
[0053] For purposes of facilitating description, but without
limitation, lateral and longitudinal orientation will be assigned
to foldable game board 10. A first longitudinal edge is indicated
at 20. A second longitudinal axis is indicated at 22. A first
lateral edge 26 is opposed and generally parallel to second lateral
edge 24 and extends generally normal to the first and second
longitudinal edges. The foldable game board 10 is generally
symmetrical around a longitudinal axis (not shown), and a lateral
axis (not shown). This lateral axis extends generally parallel to
first lateral edge 26 along the juncture between the fourth and
fifth rows of game squares (see FIG. 1), and the longitudinal axis
extends generally parallel to first longitudinal edge 20 along the
juncture of the fourth and fifth columns of game squares.
[0054] In order to permit folding, eight cuts are made in the
peripheral region of foldable game board 10 between the components.
In the embodiment chosen for illustration in FIGS. 1-15, the
boundaries of the components correspond to the boundaries of the
game pattern squares. This is not the case in the embodiments of
FIGS. 16 and 17. The cuts extend from an edge inwardly to a depth
of one or two game pattern squares and serve to form components
that include, for example, various flaps, panels and walls. First
closure flap cut 40 extends between first closure flap 62 and first
longitudinal closure flap 70. Second closure flap cut 42 extends
between first longitudinal flap 70 and second closure flap 56.
Third closure flap cut 46 extends between third closure flap 60 and
second longitudinal closure flap 78. Fourth closure flap cut 44
extends between second longitudinal closure flap 78 and fourth
closure flap 58. Cuts 40, 42, 46, and 44 extend into the foldable
game board from a longitudinal edge to a depth of one game square.
First end panel cut 54 extends between first end panel 82 and first
end wall 84. Second end panel cut 52 extends between first end
panel 82 and second end wall 80. Third end panel cut 50 extends
between fourth end wall 68 and second end panel 66. Fourth end
panel cut 48 extends between second end panel 66 and third end wall
64. Cuts 48, 50, 52 and 54 extend into foldable game board 10 from
a lateral edge to a depth of two game squares.
[0055] To facilitate describing the present invention lateral and
longitudinal hinge lines have been identified. First longitudinal
flap hinge line 34 extends parallel to second longitudinal edge 22
one game square inwardly from edge 22. Fourth closure flap 58,
second longitudinal closure flap 78, and third closure flap 60 are
hingedly attached to fourth end wall 68, second wall panel 76, and
first end wall 84, respectively, along first longitudinal flap
hinge line 34.
[0056] Second longitudinal flap hinge line 28 extends parallel to
first longitudinal edge 20 one game square inwardly from edge 20.
Second closure flap 56, first longitudinal closure flap 70, and
first closure flap 62 are hingedly attached to third end wall 64,
first wall panel 72, and second end wall 80, respectively along
second longitudinal flap hinge line 28.
[0057] First longitudinal wall hinge line 32 extends parallel to
first longitudinal edge 22 three game squares inwardly from edge
22. Second wall panel 76 is hingedly attached to bottom panel 74
along longitudinal wall hinge line 32.
[0058] Second longitudinal wall hinge line 30 extends parallel to
second longitudinal edge 20 three game squares inwardly from edge
20. First wall panel 72 is hingedly attached to bottom panel 74
along longitudinal wall hinge line 30.
[0059] First lateral end hinge line 38 extends parallel to first
lateral edge 26 two squares inwardly from edge 26. Second end wall
80, first end panel 52, and first end wall 84 are hingedly attached
to first wall panel 72, bottom panel 74, and second wall panel 76,
respectively, along first lateral end hinge line 38.
[0060] Second lateral end hinge line 36 extends parallel to second
lateral edge 24 two squares inwardly from edge 24. Third end wall
64, second end panel 66, and fourth end wall 68 are hingedly
attached to first wall panel 72, bottom panel 74, and second wall
panel 76, respectively, along second lateral end hinge line 36. For
the sake of brevity and readability, the various components will
generally be described hereinafter as "components", and identified
by reference number rather than by the full name of the
component.
[0061] When folded along the respective hinge lines some of the
components are required to fold over one or two other components
depending on how close the components are to the outer edges of the
foldable game board 10. Because the board has some thickness, the
structure of the board needs to accommodate this overlapping. This
accommodation is illustrated particularly in FIGS. 5-8, and
10-13.
[0062] Referring particularly to FIGS. 5 and 6, two different
embodiments of a fold or hinge region are disclosed. In the
embodiment of FIG. 5, hinge region 86 is formed in the foldable
game board 10 by removing a section of board core 14 and forming
the opposed side core cover 98 so that it folds into the resulting
gap. For appearances sake, it is preferred that the opposed side
core cover 18 be the cover that is conformed to this gap, although
the covering on game patterns side 18 may be deformed into the gap,
if desired. The surface 92 of opposed side 12 is generally not as
significant, either for the sake of appearance or for the integrity
of the game pattern as the surface of game pattern side 18. Also,
the two side coverings may be deformed approximately equally into
this gap. The game pattern side 18 is not disturbed in the as
manufactured condition. After prolonged folding and unfolding some
indication of the hinge region 86 may appear on the game pattern
side 18. The adjacent components of foldable game board 10 may be
folded either way around hinge region 86. In the embodiment of FIG.
6, a section of the board core 14 is removed to form hinge region
102, but the resulting gap is bridged by only one of the side
coverings. In the illustrated embodiment, this gap between
components is bridged by only the opposed side core cover 98, but,
alternatively, it could be bridged by game side core cover 94.
Also, hinge region 102 could be bridged by both core covers with
neither one extending into the gap. As with the embodiment of FIG.
5, the components in the embodiment of FIG. 6 may be folded either
way around hinge region 102.
[0063] The embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 are shown in one possible
folded configuration in FIGS. 7 and 8. In both FIGS. 7 and 8 the
components are shown folded over the game pattern side 18, but the
components could be folded over opposed side 16, if desired. FIG. 7
is illustrative of a two component fold while FIG. 8 shows a three
component fold.
[0064] FIGS. 4 and 9 are illustrative of the embodiment of FIG. 1
in different stages of being folded. Both FIGS. are illustrative of
partially folded conditions.
[0065] FIG. 10 is a further view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 where
the hinge regions have been exploded slightly to illustrate them.
For purposes of avoiding confusion between the cuts and the hinge
regions, the cuts are not shown. For example, components 82 and 74
simply fold to form a generally normal angular relationship without
the necessity for overlapping any other components. For example,
components 60 and 68 must each fold over another component. The
necessary expanded hinge regions that permit this are indicated at
104 and 106, respectively (FIG. 10). Components 70 and 78 must each
fold over two other components, as indicated by expanded hinge
lines 100 and 108, respectively. FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 illustrate
how the various hinge regions are involved in various stages of the
folding process. Note, for example, in FIG. 13 how components 70,
60 and 62 are stacked together. Also, components 80 and 84 are
shown stacked together. Additional hinge regions are identified in
FIG. 14. This include hinge region 112 between components 61 and
84, 105 between components 61 and 84, 120 between components 80 and
72, 118 between components 80 and 62, 101 between components 71 and
72, 114 between components 64 and 72, 116 between components 56 and
64, and 110 between components 68 and 58.
[0066] In FIG. 13, for example, the components are folded together
into a generally square prism configuration so that the game
squares are generally in registry with one another. It is apparent
from, for example, FIGS. 1 and 3 that bringing the game squares
into substantial registration with one another causes the magnets
that are substantially centered in the game squares to come into
substantial registration with one another. That is, for example,
the permanent magnets in components 70, 60, and 62 are all stacked
along substantially a common axis so that together these magnets
would generally define a cylinder. The provision of hinge regions
such as 100 allows the components to adjust positions relative to
one another so that these magnets tend to be aligned substantially
along a common axis. Also, the provision of hinge regions of
sufficient width to accommodate folding where two or more
components are folded together avoids any significant tendency of
the various components to resiliently return to their unfolded
configurations. The force of the magnetic attraction does not have
to overcome any significant unfolding bias in the folds.
Preferably, there is no significant resilience in the folds.
[0067] The magnets are preferably embedded so that all of the poles
are facing in one direction. That is, for example, all of the
magnets may be embedded in a particular folding game board
embodiment with their positive poles facing up. The nature of the
folds are such that the magnets are generally brought together with
the positive poles adjacent to negative poles. This assures that
the magnets will attract one another to latch the folded unit
together in the folded configuration.
[0068] When it is desired that some additional fastening elements,
such as hook and loop or snap fasteners, be provided to prevent the
folded container from opening under rough handling, extra
structures may be appended to foldable game board 10 to support
such fasteners. Examples of such extra structures are shown at 71
and 61 in FIG. 14. In the embodiment chosen for illustration such
extra structures take the form of extensions to the outer
peripheries of components 70 and 60. Other forms of structure may
be employed, if desired. Also, the extra fasteners may be applied
to the board 10 without adding extensions or other structures, so
long as the fasteners do not interfere with the use of the
board.
[0069] FIG. 15 is illustrative of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the
game pattern and game side core cover 94 removed to expose the
surfaces of the permanent magnets. Various physical shapes of
magnets are illustrated, for example, at 122 (square), 124 (plural
magnets), 126 (ring), and 128 (disk). The disk form (permanent
magnets 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 146, 130, 142, and 144) is
convenient to make and handle, and provides a good magnetic pattern
for centering game pieces. Also, in the folded configuration
permanent magnets such as 128 and 138 or 130 and 140, will overlap
other magnets with opposite poles adjacent to one another. This
will tend to bring the magnets in to close registry with one
another, which tends to pull the folded game board into the desired
folded configuration. As will be understood by those skilled in the
art various other shapes are possible and may be used in practicing
the present invention. Where no useful purpose is served by their
presence, there may be areas of the board where there are no
magnets. That is, the pattern of magnets on the board need not be
regular or symmetrical. The functions of playing the game and
latching the board together in a folded container configuration
generally dictate the placement and number of magnets.
[0070] The magnets function to hold playing pieces for a game in
the desired locations on the board. The playing pieces preferably
contain permanent magnets close to their bottoms so that there is
mutual magnetic attraction between the magnets in the board and
those in the game pieces. The respective magnets should be oriented
so that the magnets present opposite poles to one another. If, for
example, the magnets in the board are oriented with the positive
poles adjacent to the game pattern side of the board, the magnets
in the game pieces should be oriented so that the negative poles
are adjacent to the bottom surfaces of the game pieces. The magnets
serve to center the game pieces over the magnets in the game board.
Generally, the magnets in the game board are located at positions
that are dictated by the game pattern on the game board. Where the
game pattern is, for example, a checkerboard pattern, the magnets
are preferably located centrally of the game squares in the
pattern. Thus, the magnetic attraction between the two magnets
tends to center and hold the game pieces in the game squares. This
is of considerable significance in games such as, for example,
chess where the centering of the chessmen is significant to the
play of the game.
[0071] With particular reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, there is
illustrated generally at 148 a foldable backgammon game board. Cuts
are provided in the periphery of game board 148 for purposes of
allowing the various components to fold as described at length
hereinabove with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 1. Attention
is invited to this previous description for an understanding of
such cuts and their functions. These cuts are not illustrated in
FIGS. 16 and 17, to avoid confusion with the eight expanded hinge
regions that are illustrated here at 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172,
174, and 176, respectively. These expanded hinge regions are
provided for the same purposes and serve the same functions as
those described previously with respect to the embodiment of FIG.
1, and these purposes and functions will not be further elaborated
here. In the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17 the folded container,
which results from folding the various components along
longitudinal axes 150, 152, 154, and 156, respectively, and lateral
axes 158, and 160, is formed as a square around bottom component
178.
[0072] With particular reference to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, there is
illustrated generally at 180 a scraper for quickly and accurately
collecting game pieces off of the playing surface of a board game,
particularly at the conclusion of play. In many games, for example,
scrabble, the orientation of the game pieces on the game board
surface has significance in the play of the game. For example, a
game piece may have one value, an unknown value or no value when
positioned on a reverse side, and a different value or a known
value when turned over and laid on its obverse side. Typically,
during the course of playing a game, the playing pieces are all
turned over to expose their obverse sides. Often the value or lack
thereof of a game piece is determined, for example, by some
detectable indicia on the obverse side, and an absence of game
playing significant indicia on the reverse side. Thus, by the end
of the game their obverse sides with the detectable indicia thereon
are exposed for visual or tactile detection. The game pieces may
take different forms, and are often in the form, for example, of
tiles. In order to restart the game the game pieces all need to be
turned over so that their reverse sides are facing up.
[0073] Scraper 180 serves to quickly and accurately collect the
game pieces and to reorient them with the reverse sides up. Scraper
180 also holds the pieces so that transportation and storage of the
game pieces can be accomplished with minimal risk of losing one or
more game pieces.
[0074] After play is concluded, if there are unused game pieces
left obverse face down on, for example, a table or counter top that
is supporting the game board, the scraper may be used to collect
and orient them for reuse. If obverse side down game pieces are
collected from a surface by scraping them off, the scraper may be
inverted so that the collected game pieces are obverse side up. The
game pieces are then swept off of the scraper (preferably by hand)
onto a surface where they will rest obverse side up. The scraper
may then be inverted and used to scrape the same just deposited
game pieces off the surface. The unused game pieces then have the
same orientation (obverse face hidden) as the game pieces that were
scraped off of the game board at the conclusion of play.
[0075] In the embodiment chosen for illustration, scraper 180
includes a handle composed of a panel 195 with a lip element
projecting outwardly therefrom. The lip element is in the form of a
boss that includes a wall 193, an edge 194, and a face 196. A game
piece holding face 200 is mounted on a surface of panel 195 that is
adjacent to face 196. Panel 195 is preferably generally planar so
as to accommodate the generally flat playing surfaces presented by
typical game boards. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, the
lip element is shown on one edge of the panel 195. As will be
understood by those skilled in the art, other configurations are
possible. For example, the lip element may be located intermediate
the opposed edges of panel 195, if desired.
[0076] Game pieces that are particularly suited for use with
scraper 180 typically include flat opposed sides of which obverse
side 184 and reverse side 186 are typical. Such game pieces are
sometimes described as "tiles". Obverse side 184 generally includes
some game significant detectable indicia of which the letter "A"
indicated at 188 is typical. A permanent magnet of which 190 is
typical may be embedded in game piece 182. Magnet 190 may be
exposed on one or both of the sides of the game piece, or it may be
partially or completely embedded between the opposed sides.
[0077] Wall 193 is of sufficient width to cause edge 194 to be
spaced from the adjacent surface of game piece holding face 200 by
a height that is equal to the thickness of at least one and
preferably at least three game pieces. Typical game pieces are
shown, for example, at 182 and 198. Wall 193 is also preferably of
sufficient width to provide a convenient location for the finger
tips of an operator of scraper 180 to engage the scraper. With the
finger tips resting against wall 193 it is possible for the
operator to drag the scraper across a game piece supporting surface
in a direction that is roughly parallel to the direction indicated
by the headed arrow that is associated with reference numeral 180.
With a little practice an operator easily learns to drag the
scraper across a supporting surface that is populated with game
pieces with the edge 194 slidably engaged with that supporting
surface. The game piece holding face 200 faces towards and is
spaced from the game board surface by approximately the height of
wall 193. The game pieces engage face 196 and are trapped there
between face 196 and the adjacent surface 192 of game piece holding
face 200. A few sweeps of the scraper 180 over the supporting
surface is generally sufficient to collect all of the game pieces
from the surface onto the scraper 180. In the embodiment chosen for
purposes of illustration, the edge 194 is a surface with some
significant area. Having a surface at 194 to rest the scraper on
aids somewhat in manipulating and stabilizing the scraper 180 as it
is dragged across a surface. As those skilled in the art will
understand, edge 194 may be a relatively sharp edge without any
significant area, if desired.
[0078] The game pieces are conveniently removed from the scraper
180 by sweeping them off by hand. Preferably, handle 195 is
relatively thin so that when game pieces are swept of off of the
face 200, they drop only a short distance to some other supporting
surface such as a game board. Preferably, the distance they drop is
so short relative to the width of the game pieces that the game
pieces do not have the opportunity to turn over. Preferably the
scraper should be no thicker than approximately three quarters, and
preferably no more than approximately one half the width of the
game pieces with which it is intended to be used. If desired, the
edge of scraper 180 that is opposed to the lip element on the side
that is opposed to face 200 may be rounded as shown in FIG. 19. The
handle 180 is rolled over this rounded edge so as to bring the face
200 closer to the surface that is to receive the game pieces. This
minimizes the risk that the game pieces will be turned over as they
are removed from scraper 180 and permits the use of a somewhat
thicker handle, if desired.
[0079] The game pieces, of which 182 and 198 are typical, and the
game piece holding face 200 enjoy a magnetic attraction for one
another. At least one of them is or includes a permanent magnet.
The other, if not itself permanently magnetized, is composed of or
includes a metallic material that is capable of being magnetically
attracted. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, the game
pieces include an embedded permanent magnet, of which 190 is
typical. The game piece holding face 200 comprises a plate of
metallic material of such a nature that while being magnetically
attractive, generally does not form a permanent magnet. As will be
understood by those skilled in the art, many different variations
are possible, including game pieces that are composed entirely or
substantially of one or more permanent magnets or magnetically
attractive materials, and/or game piece holding faces that are
comprised of one or more permanent magnets, or magnetically
attractive materials, or the like. The game piece scraper is
particularly suited for use with substantially planar tiles or game
pieces.
[0080] More generally the present invention provides an object
collector for collecting a plurality of separate three-dimensional
objects from a surface. The objects preferably include permanent
magnets. The object collector has an object holding face and a lip
element generally adjacent to and projecting generally outwardly
from the object collector for a height. The object collector is
adapted to being grasped by a user and dragged across a surface
with the object holding face towards the surface, and the lip
element slidably engaged with the surface. The object holding face
is generally spaced from the surface by approximately the height.
Objects positioned on the surface are scraped off of the surface by
the lip and held by the object holding face. The object holding
face preferably includes magnetically attractive metal, and the
objects that are scraped off preferably comprise permanent magnets.
The objects that are scraped off of the surface are thus generally
magnetically attached to the object holding face.
[0081] What have been described are preferred embodiments in which
modifications and changes may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. It is therefore to be
understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described.
* * * * *