U.S. patent application number 11/982724 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for games' board, assembly of a games' board and a first number of game pieces, and game piece.
Invention is credited to Adar Golad.
Application Number | 20080203664 11/982724 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39714988 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080203664 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Golad; Adar |
August 28, 2008 |
Games' board, assembly of a games' board and a first number of game
pieces, and game piece
Abstract
Games' board wherein the games' board comprises two identical
games' board segments that are detachably attachable to each other.
Assembly of a games' board and a first number of game pieces,
wherein the games' board has a games' board side on which game
pieces can be placed, which games' board side is provided with a
second number of at least almost identical games' board recesses
divided uniformly into rows and columns, wherein each game piece
has a rectangular front surface bearing game marks and a support
surface situated opposite the front surface for supporting the game
piece on the games' board side, wherein the support surface is
provided with at least one game piece protrusion which projects
above the support surface and can be placed in a games' board
recess. Game piece comprising a rectangular front surface bearing
game marks and a support surface situated opposite the front
surface, wherein the support surface is provided with at least one
game piece protrusion projecting above the support surface.
Inventors: |
Golad; Adar; (KH Hattem,
NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY LLP
26 WEST 61ST STREET
NEW YORK
NY
10023
US
|
Family ID: |
39714988 |
Appl. No.: |
11/982724 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60856677 |
Nov 3, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/287 ;
273/282.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/00381
20130101; A63F 3/00 20130101; A63F 2003/00372 20130101; A63F
2003/00583 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/287 ;
273/282.1 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00 |
Claims
1. Games' board (1) wherein the games' board (1) comprises two
identical games' board segments (1a) that are detachably attachable
to each other.
2. Games' board (1) according to claim 1, wherein the games' board
(1) has a games' board side (3) having a number of games' board
recesses (7) divided uniformly into rows and columns.
3. Games' board (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of the
games' board segments (1a) has four sides (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), and
wherein one side (4d) is provided with an attachment protrusion (5)
and an attachment recess (6), wherein in the condition in which the
games' board segments (1a) are attached to each other the
attachment protrusion (5) of the one games' board segment (1a) is
situated in the attachment recess (6) of the other games' board
segment (1a).
4. Games' board (1) according to claim 3, wherein at least one of
the attachment protrusion (5) of the one games' board segment (1a)
positively engages into the attachment recess (6) of the other
games' board segment (1a); each games' board segment (1a) comprises
two attachment protrusions (5) and two attachment recesses (6); the
attachment protrusion (5) comprises a convex-shaped thickening (5b)
which is connected to the games' board segment (1a) via a stem pail
(5a); or the sides (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of the support side (2) of the
games' board (1) situated opposite the games' board side (3) are
provided with a raised edge (16), wherein the raised edge (16b)
also bounds the attachment recess (6) in the inward direction of
the games' board segment (1a), wherein the side (4d) of the games'
board segment (1a) is edge free at the location of the recess
(6).
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. Games' board (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
games' board recesses (7) have a round shape, particularly the
shape of a convex segment; the games' board (1) is made of
synthetic material; or distance between the games' board recesses
(7) in a column equals distance between the games' board recesses
(7) in a row.
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. Assembly of a games' board (1) and a number of game pieces
(10), wherein the games' board (1) has a games' board side (3) on
which game pieces (10) can be placed, which games' board side (3)
is provided with a second number of at least almost identical
games' board recesses (7) divided uniformly into rows and columns,
wherein each game piece (10) has a rectangular front surface (11)
bearing game marks (9) and a support surface (12) situated opposite
the front surface (11) for supporting the game piece (10) on the
games' board side (3), wherein the support surface (12) is provided
with at least one game piece protrusion (13) which projects above
the support surface (12) and can be placed in a games' board recess
(7).
12. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein the support surface
(12) is provided with at least two at least almost identical game
piece protrusions (13) that can each be placed in a games' board
recess (7) concerned.
13. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein the support surface
(12) is provided with three at least almost identical game piece
protrusions (13).
14. Assembly according to claim 13, wherein the game piece
protrusions (13) are placed one behind the other.
15. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein a game piece protrusion
(13) comprises a rounded-off, particularly convex-shaped part as
free end.
16. Assembly according to claim 15, wherein the game piece
protrusion (13) comprises a cylindrical part having the
rounded-off, particularly convex-shaped part as free end.
17. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein the games' board (1)
comprises two identical games' board segments (1a) that are
detachably attachable to each other.
18. Assembly according to claim 17, wherein each of the games'
board segments (1a) has four sides (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), and wherein
one side (4d) is provided with an attachment protrusion (5) and an
attachment recess (6), wherein in the condition in which the games'
board segments (1a) are attached to each other the attachment
protrusion (5) of the one games' board segment (1a) is situated in
the attachment recess (6) of the other games' board segment
(1a).
19. Assembly according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the
attachment protrusion (5) of the one games' board segment (1a)
positively engages into the attachment recess (6) of the other
games' board segment (1a); each games' board segment (1a) comprises
two attachment protrusions (5) and two attachment recesses (6); the
attachment protrusion (5) comprises a convex-shaped thickening (5b)
which is connected to the games' board segment (1a) via a stem part
(5a); or the sides (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of the support side (2) of the
games' board (1) situated opposite the games' board side (3) are
provided with a raised edge (16), wherein the raised edge (16b)
also bounds the attachment recess (6) in the inward direction of
the games' board segment (1a), wherein the side (4d) of the games'
board segment (1a) is edge free at the location of the recess
(6).
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. Assembly according to claim 15, wherein the games' board
recesses (7) have a round shape, particularly the shape of a convex
segment.
24. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein the games' board (1) is
made of synthetic material.
25. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein the front surface (11)
of a game piece (10) is provided with a line pattern (9).
26. Assembly according to claim 25, wherein at least a part of the
first number of game pieces (10) has a line pattern (9) that
differs from the line pattern (9) of another part of the first
number of game pieces (10).
27. Assembly according to claim 26, wherein a first and a second
game piece can be chosen from the first number of game pieces (10),
so that when said game pieces are placed adjacent to each other on
the games' board side (3), the line patterns of said game pieces
are at least partially continuous.
28. Assembly according to claim 12, wherein the distance between
the games' board recesses (7) in a column equals the distance
between the games' board recesses (7) in a row.
29. Assembly according to claim 28, wherein said distance equals
the distance between the game piece protrusions (13).
30. Game piece (10) comprising a rectangular front surface (11)
bearing game marks (9) and a support surface (12) situated opposite
the front surface (11), wherein the support surface (12) is
provided with at least one game piece protrusion (13) projecting
above the support surface (12); optionally wherein at least one of
the support surface (12) comprises at least two at least almost
identical game piece protrusions (13); a game piece (10) is
provided with three game piece protrusions (13); or the game piece
protrusions (13) are placed one behind the other.
31. (canceled)
32. (canceled)
33. (canceled)
34. Game piece (10) according to claim 30, wherein a game piece
protrusion (13) comprises a rounded-off, particularly convex-shaped
part as free end.
35. Game piece (10) according to claim 34, wherein the game piece
protrusion (13) comprises a cylindrical part having the
rounded-off, particularly convex-shaped part as free end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a games' board for playing
a game thereon.
[0002] Such a games' board is generally known.
[0003] It is among others an object of the present invention to
provide a games' board which for reasons of transportation or
portability of such a games' board can be reduced to a more compact
shape than the one the games' board has when in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] For that purpose the invention provides according to a first
aspect a games' board, wherein the games' board comprises two
identical games' board segments that are detachably attachable to
each other. In the detached condition of the games' board segments,
such a games' board takes up little room and is highly suitable to
be used as a travel games' board.
[0005] In one embodiment the games' board has a games' board side
having a number of games' board recesses divided uniformly into
rows and columns.
[0006] A games' board that is particularly simple as regards
construction can be achieved when each of the games' board segments
has four sides, and wherein one side is provided with an attachment
protrusion and an attachment recess, wherein in the condition in
which the games' board segments are attached to each other the
attachment protrusion of the one games' board segment is situated
in the attachment recess of the other games' board segment.
[0007] In a further embodiment of a games' board according to the
invention wherein the attachment protrusion of the one games' board
segment positively engages into the attachment recess of the other
games' board segment, a mutual attachment of the games' board
segments is achieved that will not be ended until exerting a force
exceeding a certain threshold, namely the one wherein the positive
engagement force is overcome. As a result the attachment of the two
games' board segments is quite insensitive to bumping and such.
[0008] When each games' board segment comprises two attachment
protrusions and two attachment recesses, the attachment of the
games' board segments in nearly all cases suffices in order for the
games' board to be used as a travel game.
[0009] Extensive research proved that in practice the attachment of
the games' board segments can be secured when the attachment
protrusion comprises a convex-shaped thickening which is connected
to the games' board segment via a stem part.
[0010] In one embodiment of a games' board according to the
invention a particularly simple and compact games' board is
achieved when the sides of the side of the games' board situated
opposite the games' board side are provided with a raised edge,
wherein the raised edge also bounds the attachment recess in the
inward direction of the games' board segment, wherein the side of
the games' board segment is edge free at the location of the
recess.
[0011] In certain cases it will be advantageous when the games'
board recesses have a round shape, particularly the shape of a
convex segment.
[0012] In one embodiment the games' board is made of synthetic
material. As a result the games' board is lightweight, and the
edges and the games' board recesses and the attachment protrusions
and attachment recesses can be made in one moulding process.
[0013] Although the mutual distance between the games' board
recesses in a row and in a column may differ, optionally depending
on the game to be played with the assembly, it is preferred among
others for playing the game of Tayu, that the distance between the
games' board recesses in a column equals the distance between the
games' board recesses in a row.
[0014] The invention furthermore relates to an assembly of a games'
board and a first number of game pieces, wherein the games' board
has a games' board side on which game pieces can be placed.
[0015] Such an assembly is generally known, for instance for
playing the game of Tayu. A known drawback of such an assembly is
that when the game pieces have been placed on the games' board side
it is possible that the game pieces can be inadvertently displaced,
for instance by bumping against the games' board. Particularly when
the assembly is used during travelling for instance by train, boat,
car or airplane, there is a risk of inadvertent displacement of the
game pieces.
[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an assembly of a games' board and a first number of game pieces
wherein the risk of inadvertent displacement of the game pieces by
bumping is at least partially reduced.
[0017] For that purpose the present invention according to a second
aspect provides an assembly of a games' board and a first number of
game pieces, wherein the games' board has a games' board side on
which game pieces can be placed, which games' board side is
provided with a second number of at least almost identical games'
board recesses divided uniformly into rows and columns, wherein
each game piece has a rectangular front surface bearing game marks
and a support surface situated opposite the front surface for
supporting the game piece on the games' board side, wherein the
support surface is provided with at least one game piece protrusion
which projects above the support surface and can be placed in a
games' board recess. Because the game pieces can be placed in the
games' board recesses by means of the game piece protrusions, the
game pieces are less susceptible to inadvertent displacements as a
result of bumping and such.
[0018] In actual practice it turned out that when the support
surface is provided with at least two, particularly three, game
piece protrusions that can each be placed in a games' board recess
concerned, the game pieces in nearly all cases are highly
insensitive to inadvertent displacement as a result of bumping.
[0019] Although the game piece protrusions of one single game piece
can be placed in any position with respect to each other, it is
preferred, particularly in case of elongated rectangular game
pieces, that the game piece protrusions are placed one behind the
other.
[0020] In case a game piece protrusion comprises a rounded-off,
particularly convex-shaped part as free end, it is ensured that in
case of a possible slight displacement of the game piece from the
games' board recesses, the game piece as a result of the
rounded-off shape, particularly the convex shape of the free end,
will be able to gradually slide back into the games' board recess
due to gravity.
[0021] An even better locking of the game piece in the games' board
recess will be achieved when the game piece protrusion comprises a
cylindrical part having the rounded-off, particularly convex-shaped
part as free end.
[0022] Particularly when the assembly is used as a travel game it
would be advantageous when the assembly could assume a compact
shape. In an advantageous embodiment of the assembly according to
the invention this is realised because the games' board comprises
two identical games' board segments that are detachably attachable
to each other.
[0023] An assembly that is particularly simple as regards
construction can be achieved when each of the games' board segments
has four sides, and wherein one side is provided with an attachment
protrusion and an attachment recess, wherein in the condition in
which the games' board segments are attached to each other the
attachment protrusion of the one games' board segment is situated
in the attachment recess of the other games' board segment.
[0024] In a further embodiment of an assembly according to the
invention wherein the attachment protrusion of the one games' board
segment positively engages into the attachment recess of the other
games' board segment, a mutual attachment of the games' board
segments is achieved that will not be ended until exerting a force
exceeding a certain threshold, namely the one wherein the positive
engagement force is overcome. As a result the attachment of the two
games' board segments is less sensitive to bumping and such.
[0025] When each games' board segment comprises two attachment
protrusions and two attachment recesses, the attachment of the
games' board segment in nearly all cases suffices in order for the
assembly to be used as a travel game.
[0026] Extensive research proved that in practice the attachment of
the games' board segments can be secured when the attachment
protrusion comprises a convex-shaped thickening which is connected
to the games' board segment via a stem part.
[0027] In one embodiment of an assembly according to the invention
a particularly simple and compact games' board is achieved when the
sides of the support side of the games' board situated opposite the
games' board side are provided with a raised edge, wherein the
raised edge also bounds the attachment recess in the inward
direction of the games' board segment, wherein the side of the
games' board segment is edge free at the location of the
recess.
[0028] Particularly in case the free end of the game piece
protrusions comprises a rounded-off shape, particularly a convex
shape, as free end, it is advantageous when the games' board
recesses have a round shape, particularly the shape of a convex
segment.
[0029] In one embodiment of an assembly according to the invention
the games' board is made of synthetic material. As a result the
games' board is lightweight, and the edges, the games' board
recesses, the attachment protrusions and attachment recesses can be
made in one moulding process.
[0030] In one embodiment of an assembly according to the invention
which is particularly suitable for playing the game of Tayu, the
front surface of a game piece is provided with a line pattern. In
that case it is particularly advantageous when at least a part of
the first number of game pieces has a line pattern that differs
from the line pattern of another part of the first number of game
pieces. It is furthermore advantageous when a first and a second
game piece can be chosen from the first number of game pieces, so
that when said game pieces are placed adjacent to each other on the
games' board side, the line patterns of said game pieces are at
least partially continuous.
[0031] Although the mutual distance between the games' board
recesses in a row and in a column may differ, optionally depending
on the game to be played with the assembly, it is preferred among
others for playing the game of Tayu, that the distance between the
games' board recesses in a column equals the distance between the
games' board recesses in a row. When the support surface of a game
piece has at least two game piece protrusions, said distance
between games' board recesses preferably equals the distance
between the game piece protrusions.
[0032] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides
a game piece comprising a rectangular front surface bearing game
marks, particularly a line pattern, and a support surface situated
opposite the front surface, wherein the support surface is provided
with at least one game piece protrusion projecting above the
support surface. It has turned out to be advantageous when a game
piece is provided with at least two, particularly three game piece
protrusions. Especially in case of elongated, rectangular game
pieces its is advantageous when the three game piece protrusions
are placed one behind the other. In one embodiment of a game piece
according to the invention a game piece protrusion comprises a
rounded-off, particularly convex-shaped part as free end, wherein
preferably the game piece protrusion comprises a cylindrical part
having the rounded-off, particularly convex-shaped part as free
end.
[0033] The aspects and measures described in this description and
the claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this
application may where possible also be used individually. Said
individual aspects, such as an assembly of a games' board and a
first number of game pieces and game piece and games' board, and
other aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications
relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and
aspects described per se in the sub claims.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of
exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:
[0035] FIG. 1A shows a top view of an assembly of a games' board
consisting of two identical games' board segments having game
pieces according to the invention placed on the games' board
side;
[0036] FIG. 1B shows a bottom view of the assembly according to
FIG. 1A;
[0037] FIG. 1C shows a side view in cross-section of a part of the
assembly shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;
[0038] FIG. 2 shows a view on an enlarged scale in perspective of a
part of a games' board segment showing an attachment recess;
[0039] FIG. 3A shows a top view of the front surface of a game
piece according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 3B shows a side view of the game piece shown in FIG.
3A;
[0041] FIG. 3C shows a bottom view of the game piece shown in FIGS.
3A and 3B;
[0042] FIG. 3D shows a front view of the game piece shown in FIGS.
3A, 3B and 3C;
[0043] FIG. 4A shows a bottom view of a games' board segment as
shown in FIG. 1A showing the attachment protrusions and attachment
recesses; and
[0044] FIG. 4B shows a top view of the games' board segment shown
in FIG. 4A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] FIG. 1A shows a top view of an assembly of a games' board 1
consisting of two identical games' board segments 1a, having two
game pieces 10 according to the invention placed on the games'
board side 3 (FIG. 4B). It will be clear that the number of game
pieces 10 placed on the games' board 1 depends on the progress of
the game played on the games' board 1. The overall (first) number
of game pieces 10 depends on the game to be played on the games'
board.
[0046] The games' board side 3 is oriented towards the players when
playing the game, and it is provided with a (second) number of at
least almost identical games' board recesses 7 uniformly divided
into rows and columns.
[0047] Each game piece 10 has a rectangular front surface 11
bearing game marks (as shown in top view in FIG. 3A) and a support
surface 12 situated opposite the front surface (FIGS. 3B, 3C, 3D)
for supporting the game piece 10 on the games' board side 3 of the
games' board 1.
[0048] According to the invention the support surface 12 is
provided with at least one game piece protrusion 13 (FIGS. 3B, 3C,
3D) projecting above the support surface 12, which game piece
protrusion can be placed in a games' board recess 7. In FIGS. 3B
and 3C the currently most preferred embodiment of the game piece 10
is shown, wherein three game piece protrusions 13 are placed one
behind the other in series. However, it will be clear that the
invention also applies to any other number of game piece
protrusions, and to other mutual positionings of the game piece
protrusions, as long as the game piece protrusions can be placed in
the games' board recesses. Although the game piece protrusions may
have shapes that differ from one another, wherein it is also of
importance that the game piece protrusions have to be placeable in
the games' board recesses, it is preferred for reasons of
production efficiency that the game piece protrusions are at least
almost identical to each other. In the currently preferred
embodiment, the distance between the games' board recesses 7 in a
column equals the distance between the games' board recesses 7 in a
row, and said distance equals the distance between the game piece
protrusions 13.
[0049] FIG. 3 also shows the currently preferred embodiment of a
game piece 10 in which the game piece protrusions 13 comprise a
rounded-off, particularly convex-shaped part as free end. In that
case the games' board recesses 7 have a matching round shape,
particularly the shape of a convex segment, so that the game piece
protrusions 13 can be fittingly accommodated in the games' board
recesses 7, so that when bumping against the games' board 1 the
game pieces 10 will be difficult to displace.
[0050] It will be clear that the game piece protrusions may have
another shape than shown in the drawing. For instance in order to
prevent inadvertent displacement caused by bumping against the
games' board further, it is possible to provide the game piece
protrusion with a cylindrical part having the rounded-off,
particularly convex-shaped part as free end. The shape of the
games' board recesses then has to be adapted accordingly.
Optionally the game piece protrusions (or at least one of them) can
be provided with friction increasing elements, as schematically
shown by the concentric rings of the centre game piece protrusion
13 in FIG. 3C.
[0051] As schematically shown in FIG. 3A, according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the game marks arranged on a game
piece 10 are formed by a line pattern 9. At least a part of the
first number of game pieces has a line pattern that differs from
the line pattern of another part of the first number of game
pieces.
[0052] When playing the game of Tayu, the intention is that a
player starting at one side of the games' board 1, places game
pieces adjacent to each other such that a line pattern continuous
to the opposite side of the games' board is realised (hindered in
the process by the opponent). The assembly according to the
invention is particularly suitable for playing this game of Tayu
during travelling when the game pieces (and the related line
patterns) are made such in advance, that a first and a second game
piece can be chosen from the first number of game pieces, so that
when said game pieces are placed adjacent to each other on the
games' board side, the line patterns of said game pieces are at
least partially continuous.
[0053] The games' board 1 shown in FIG. 1A consists of two
identical detachably attachable games' board segments 1a. In FIG.
4A and FIG. 4B a bottom view and a top view of one games' board
segment 1a are shown respectively. The games' board segment 1a has
four sides 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d. In the exemplary embodiment shown,
one side 4d is provided with two attachment protrusions 5 and two
attachment recesses 6. It will be clear that the present invention
is not limited to the shown number of attachment protrusions and
attachment recesses, but that each other number can be used within
the scope of the invention. In the condition in which the games'
board segments 1a are attached to each other, the attachment
protrusions 5 of the one games' board segment 1a are sitting in the
attachment recesses 6 of the other games' board segment 1a, as
shown in the bottom view of FIG. 1B.
[0054] In the currently preferred embodiment the attachment
protrusion 5 comprises a convex-shaped thickening 5b which is
connected to the games' board segment 1a via a stem part 5a. The
attachment recess 6 has a corresponding convex-shaped recess part
6b and a stem-shaped recess part 6a, so that the attachment
protrusion 5 fits positively in the attachment recess 6 for
improving the mutual attachment of the games' board segments 1a. It
will be clear that a positive placement of an attachment protrusion
in an attachment recess can be achieved by other shapes of
attachment protrusions and attachment recesses.
[0055] The sides 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d of the support side 2 of the
games' board 1 situated opposite the games' board side 3 are
provided with a raised edge 16 (FIGS. 2 and 4A), wherein the raised
edge 16 also bounds the attachment recess 6 in the inward direction
(the part of raised edge with reference number 16b in FIG. 2) of
the games' board segment, as shown in FIG. 2. This part 16b of the
raised edge confines the convex-shaped part of the attachment
protrusion, wherein the part 16a of the raised edge confines the
stem-shaped part of the attachment protrusions. In order to be able
to easily place the attachment protrusion in the attachment recess,
the side 4d of the games' board segment 1a is edge free at the
location of the recess 6. In FIG. 1C in an assembled games' board,
the mutual placement of the attachment protrusion 5 and the
attachment recess 6 is shown in more detail in cross-section,
wherein all this is dimensioned such that the plane 17 of the
attachment recess 6 (also see FIG. 2) abuts the plane 18 of the
attachment protrusion (also see FIG. 4B).
[0056] In the currently most preferred embodiment, the games' board
1 is made of synthetic material. In this way the weight of the
games' board 1 can be kept low, and the edges 16, the games' board
recesses 7, the attachment protrusions 5 and attachment recesses 6
can be made in one moulding process. The games' board recesses at
the support side 2 of the games' board 1 can be recognised as round
bulges 8 (FIG. 1C).
[0057] The above description is included to illustrate the
operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to
limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above
explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the present invention, particularly as defined by the attached
claims, will be evident to an expert.
* * * * *