U.S. patent application number 12/007326 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-09 for gameboard.
This patent application is currently assigned to Winning Moves Inc.. Invention is credited to Philip C. Orbanes, Philip E. Orbanes.
Application Number | 20090174144 12/007326 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40843939 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090174144 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orbanes; Philip E. ; et
al. |
July 9, 2009 |
Gameboard
Abstract
A gameboard including a top surface configured to accommodate
the playing of a game thereon and a bottom surface configured to be
disposed on a gameboard support surface and to include means for
smooth movement thereon.
Inventors: |
Orbanes; Philip E.;
(Gloucester, MA) ; Orbanes; Philip C.;
(Newburyport, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG LLP
750-17TH STREET NW, SUITE 900
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-4675
US
|
Assignee: |
Winning Moves Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40843939 |
Appl. No.: |
12/007326 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/285 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/00264
20130101; A63F 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/285 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00 |
Claims
1. A gameboard comprising: an upper portion having top surface
configured to accommodate the playing of a game thereon; and a
lower portion including a bottom surface, the bottom surface
including means for allowing substantially smooth movement of the
gameboard along a gameboard support surface in rotational and
radial directions.
2. The gameboard of claim 1, wherein the means includes a plurality
of movers arranged in a pattern on and extending downwardly from
the bottom surface to contact the gameboard support surface and
allow movement of the gameboard in the rotational and radial
directions along the gameboard support surface.
3. The gameboard of claim 2, wherein each mover includes a first
portion coupled to the bottom surface and a second portion
extending from the first portion and configured to contact and move
smoothly along the gameboard support surface.
4. The gameboard of claim 3, wherein the second portion includes a
roller ball extending therefrom to contact and move smoothly along
the gameboard support surface.
5. The gameboard of claim 2, wherein the pattern includes at least
one of the movers displaced from a center point of the bottom
surface.
6. The gameboard of claim 2, wherein the pattern includes at least
some of the plurality of movers being formed in a circular
arrangement.
7. The gameboard of claim 2, wherein the pattern includes at least
some of the plurality of movers being formed in a rectangular
arrangement.
8. The gameboard of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface further
includes a plurality of ribs arranged on and extending downwardly
from the bottom surface, the ribs having an upper portion coupled
to the bottom surface and lower edge lying in a plane essentially
parallel to and between a plane of the bottom surface of the
gameboard and a plane of the gameboard support surface.
9. The gameboard of claim 8, wherein the plurality of ribs are
formed as a concentric series of geometric patterns.
10. The gameboard of claim 9, wherein the concentric series of
geometric patterns are circles.
11. The gameboard of claim 10, wherein the circles include a
plurality of radii formed as ribs arranged on and extending
downwardly from the bottom surface.
12. The gameboard of claim 9, wherein the concentric series of
geometric patterns are rectangles.
13. The gameboard of claim 8, wherein at least one of the movers is
formed as a unitary part of the bottom surface.
14. The gameboard of claim 1, further comprising a first half, a
second half and a hinge coupling the first and second halves for
rotational movement of the halves about a pivot axis relative to
one another between a use position and a folded position of the
gameboard, the pivot axis lying in a plane essentially parallel to
and above a plane of the top surface.
15. The gameboard of claim 8, wherein one of the movers is formed
as a unitary part of one of the ribs.
16. A bottom surface of a gameboard, the bottom surface comprising:
a plurality of movers arranged in a pattern on and extending
downwardly from the bottom surface of the gameboard to contact a
gameboard support surface and allow movement of the gameboard in
rotational and radial directions along the gameboard support
surface; and wherein each mover includes a first portion coupled to
the bottom surface of the gameboard and a second portion extending
from the first portion and configured to contact and move
substantially smoothly along the gameboard support surface in the
rotational and radial directions.
17. The bottom surface of claim 15, wherein the second portion
includes a roller ball at least partially contained therein, the
roller ball being configured for movement along the gameboard
support surface.
18. The bottom surface of claim 16, wherein the pattern includes at
least one of the movers displaced from a center point of the bottom
surface.
19. The bottom surface of claim 16, wherein the bottom surface
further includes a plurality of ribs arranged on and extending
downwardly from the bottom surface, the ribs having an upper
portion coupled to the bottom surface and lower edge lying in a
plane essentially parallel to and between a plane of the bottom
surface of the gameboard and a plane of the gameboard support
surface.
20. A gameboard comprising: a first half of the gameboard having a
top surface and a bottom surface; a second half of the gameboard
having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a hinge coupling the
first half and the second half for rotational movement of the two
halves relative to one another between a use position and a folded
position of the gameboard, the rotational movement being about a
pivot axis lying in a plane essentially parallel to and above a
plane of the top surfaces of the gameboard in the use position.
21. The gameboard of claim 17, further including a plurality of
movers arranged in a pattern on and extending downwardly from the
bottom surface to contact and move smoothly along a gameboard
support surface in rotational and radial directions.
22. The gameboard of claim 21, wherein the bottom surface further
includes a plurality of ribs arranged on and extending downwardly
from the bottom surface, the ribs having an upper portion coupled
to the bottom surface and a lower portion having a surface lying in
a plane essentially parallel to and between a plane of the bottom
surface of the gameboard and a plane of the gameboard support
surface.
23. A gameboard comprising: a first portion of the gameboard
including a top surface configured to accommodate the playing of a
game thereon; and a second portion of the gameboard including a
bottom surface, the bottom surface including means for allowing
smooth movement of the gameboard along a gameboard support surface
in a rotational direction and a radial direction, the means being
displaced from a center point of the bottom surface.
24. The gameboard of claim 23, wherein the means includes a
plurality of movers arranged in a pattern on and extending
downwardly from the bottom surface to contact the gameboard support
surface and allow movement of the gameboard in the rotational and
radial directions along the gameboard support surface.
25. The gameboard of claim 24, wherein at least one of the movers
is formed as a unitary part of the second portion.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to gameboards, and
particularly to a gameboard having a top surface configured to
accommodate the playing of a game thereon and a bottom surface
configured to be disposed on a gameboard support surface. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to a gameboard movable
on the gameboard support surface.
SUMMARY
[0002] In accordance with the present disclosure, a gameboard
includes an upper portion and a lower portion. In an illustrative
embodiment, the upper portion includes a top surface that is
configured to accommodate the playing of a game thereon and the
lower portion includes a bottom surface having means for allowing
smooth movement of the gameboard along a gameboard support surface
in rotational and radial directions.
[0003] In an illustrative embodiment, the means includes a
plurality of movers. The movers include, for example, roller balls
which contact and move along the gameboard support surface.
[0004] In an illustrative embodiment, the gameboard includes two
halves coupled to one another by a hinge. The hinge includes a
hinge axis lying in a plane above a plane of the top surface of the
gameboard and configured to allow rotation of the two halves
relative to one another between a use position and a folded
position of the gameboard.
[0005] Other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent
from the following descriptions when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The detailed description particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view, with portions broken away,
of a gameboard, in accordance with the present disclosure, showing
the gameboard including two halves and each half including an upper
portion having a top surface configured to accommodate a game
thereon and a lower portion having a bottom surface including a
plurality of movers configured to allow movement of the gameboard
along a gameboard support surface in rotational and radial
directions, as suggested by the movement arrows.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the gameboard of FIG.
1, showing the plurality of movers arranged in a pattern on and
extending from the bottom surface of the gameboard, and the
gameboard further including a plurality of ribs arranged in a
pattern on and also extending from the bottom surface.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view, with portions
broken away, showing one of the movers including a housing having
an upper portion coupled to the bottom surface and a lower portion
extending downwardly from the lower portion and including a roller
ball contained therein, the roller ball being configured to contact
and also move smoothly along the gameboard support surface.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of the gameboard
of FIG. 1 showing the gameboard in a use position and further
showing a hinge coupling the two halves of the gameboard, the hinge
including a hinge axis lying in a plane above and substantially
parallel to a plane of the top surface of the gameboard, and the
hinge being configured to allow each half of the gameboard to
rotate relative to the other half, as suggested by the movement
arrows.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view, similar to FIG.
4, showing the gameboard in a folded position.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a
gameboard, according to the present disclosure, showing ten movers
arranged in a pattern on the bottom surface of the gameboard and a
plurality of ribs arranged in a circular and radial pattern on the
bottom surface.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a
gameboard, according to the present invention, showing fourteen
movers arranged in a pattern on the bottom surface of the gameboard
and a plurality of ribs arranged in a circular and radial pattern
on the bottom surface.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a
gameboard, according to the present disclosure, showing twelve
movers arranged in a pattern on the bottom surface of the gameboard
and a plurality of ribs arranged in a rectangular and diagonal
pattern on the bottom surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] A gameboard 10, according to a first embodiment of the
present disclosure, is shown in FIGS. 1-5. Gameboard 10 includes an
upper portion 12 having a top surface 14 configured to accommodate
the playing of a game thereon, as represented by, for example,
rectangular slots 16 having ridges 17 and tiles 18, shown, for
example, having the letter E thereon. The tiles 18 are configured
to be inserted in slots 16 and to be contained therein by ridges
17. Gameboard 10 further includes a lower portion 20 having a
bottom surface 22. Bottom surface 22 includes means 24 for allowing
a substantially smooth movement of gameboard 10 along a gameboard
support surface 26 in rotational and radial directions, as
suggested by movement arrows R.sub.O, R.sub.R, respectively, as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] Means 24 are shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-5 as a plurality
of movers 28 arranged in a pattern on and extending downwardly from
bottom surface 22. Movers 28 are configured to contact gameboard
support surface 26 to allow the movement of the gameboard 10 in the
rotational and radial directions R.sub.O, R.sub.R, respectively, as
suggested in FIG. 1.
[0017] Each mover 28 includes a housing 30 having an upper portion
32 coupled to bottom surface 22 and a lower portion 34 extending
downwardly from upper portion 32. Each mover 28 further includes a
roller ball 36 contained within housing 30 and configured to extend
beyond lower portion 34 to contact and move smoothly along
gameboard support surface 26, thereby making it easier and more
convenient for a user or game-player to move the gameboard 10 in
any direction along gameboard support surface 26 and place it, for
example, in front of another game-player.
[0018] Movers 28 are arranged in a selected pattern on bottom
surface 22. At least one mover 28, and shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 1 as all twelve movers 28, is displaced from a center point
C.sub.P of bottom surface 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the pattern of
the plurality movers 28 on bottom surface 22 includes at least some
of the plurality of movers 28 being formed in a circular
arrangement on an inner portion I.sub.P of gameboard 10, while
other movers 28 are arranged in an essentially rectangular pattern
along an outer periphery O.sub.P of gameboard 10, as shown in FIG.
2 and the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7. The embodiments of FIGS. 6
and 7 will be discussed later herein. The pattern of the plurality
of movers 28 on bottom surface 22 may include at least some of the
plurality of movers 28 being formed in a rectangular arrangement
along an inner portion I.sub.P and an outer periphery O.sub.P, as
shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8, which embodiment is discussed
later herein. Movers 28 may be formed as a unitary part of lower
portion 20. That is, movers 28 may be formed monolithically,
integrally, or otherwise coupled to bottom portion 20.
[0019] Bottom surface 22 includes a plurality of ribs 38 arranged
on and extending downwardly from bottom surface 22. Each rib 38
includes an upper portion 40 coupled to bottom surface 22 and a
lower edge 42 lying in a plane P.sub.L essentially parallel to and
located between a plane P.sub.B of bottom surface 22 and a plane
P.sub.S of gameboard support surface 26, as shown in FIG. 3. Ribs
38 may be formed in a variety of geometric patterns, as suggested
in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 6, 7 and 8. For example, ribs
28 may be formed as a concentric series of circles having radii
R.sub.i emanating from center point C.sub.P, as shown in FIGS. 2,
6, 7 and 8. Also, for example, ribs 28 may be formed as a
concentric series of rectangles having radii R.sub.i emanating from
center point C.sub.P. Ribs 38 may be formed as a unitary part of
lower portion 20. That is, ribs 38 may be formed monolithically,
integrally, or otherwise coupled to lower portion 20. In addition,
movers 28 may be formed as a unitary part of ribs 28. That is,
movers 28 may be formed monolithically or integrally with or
otherwise coupled to one of the ribs 38.
[0020] Gameboard 10 may further include a first half 44, a second
half 46 and a hinge 48 coupling the first and second halves 44, 46
for rotational movement of the halves 44, 46 about a pivot axis 50
relative to one another, as suggested by the rotational arrows
A.sub.R in FIGS. 1 and 4. First and second halves 44, 46 are
rotated relative to one another to move the gameboard 10 between a
use position U.sub.P, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, and a folded
position F.sub.P, as shown in FIG. 5. Pivot axis 50 lies in a plane
P.sub.A that is essentially parallel to and above a plane P.sub.T
of top surface 14.
[0021] As suggested above, another embodiment of the present
disclosure, gameboard 110, is shown in FIG. 6. Gameboard 110
includes all of the features of gameboard 10 except that there are
ten (10) movers 28 arranged in a combination of circular and
rectangular patterns of movers 28 on bottom surface 22, which
patterns are differently configured from the patterns of gameboard
10 regarding the location and number of movers 28.
[0022] As suggested above, another embodiment of the present
disclosure, gameboard 210, is shown in FIG. 7. Gameboard 210
includes all of the features of gameboard 10 except that there are
fourteen (14) movers 28 arranged in a combination of circular and
rectangular patterns of movers 28 on bottom surface 22, which
patterns are differently configured from the patterns of gameboard
10 regarding the location and number of movers 28.
[0023] As suggested above, another embodiment of the present
disclosure, gameboard 310, is shown in FIG. 8. Gameboard 310
includes all of the features of gameboard 10 except that there are
twelve (12) movers 28 arranged in a series of essentially
rectangular patterns of movers 28 on bottom surface 22, which
patterns are differently configured from the patterns of gameboard
10 regarding the location and number of movers 28.
[0024] Lower portion 20 of gameboard 10 includes a plurality of
flaps 21 coupled to bottom surface 22 as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.
Thus, when gameboards 10, 110, 210 and 310 are moved to the use
position U.sub.P, support flaps 21 limit the rotation of first and
second halves 44, 46 relative to one another.
[0025] The patterns and thus, the location of movers 28 in each of
the embodiments 10, 110, 210 and 310, according to the present
disclosure, serves to enhance the smooth movement of gameboards 10,
110, 210 and 310 along gameboard support surface 26 and to prevent
or significantly reduce the likelihood of gameboards 10, 110, 210
and 310 tilting when they are placed in the use position U.sub.P,
particularly during the playing of a game when gameboards 10, 110,
210 and 310 are moved along gameboard support surface 26 from one
game-player to another. Ribs 38 provide additional stability to
gameboards 10, 110, 210 and 310 by adding a degree of stiffening to
lower portion 20. Other patterns of movers 28 and ribs 38 are
conceivable to provide stability, prevention of tilting and smooth
movement of gameboards 10, 110, 210 and 310 along gameboard support
surface 26.
[0026] Gameboards 10, 110, 210 and 310 including movers 28 and ribs
38 may be made of plastic via a molding process or a laminate
process or made of other equivalent materials and processes to
achieve the embodiments disclosed herein.
[0027] Although the present disclosure has been described and
illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that this is
done by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken
by way of limitation. The scope of the present disclosure is to be
limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *