U.S. patent application number 13/278527 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for adjustable three-dimensional multi-level game play area apparatus and method of play.
Invention is credited to Dana Roberts.
Application Number | 20120098196 13/278527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45972342 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120098196 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roberts; Dana |
April 26, 2012 |
ADJUSTABLE THREE-DIMENSIONAL MULTI-LEVEL GAME PLAY AREA APPARATUS
AND METHOD OF PLAY
Abstract
A game apparatus having a generally horizontally disposed base
unit used to support or contain a plurality of independently hand
movable blocks of one or more colors and two or more heights, for
use in the playing of board games, such as chess and checkers or
any other game utilizing a user modifiable multiple height three
dimensional playing area. The rules and or method of play of any
such game may be modified with the use of this apparatus due to the
independently mobile, multi height, and potentially multi-colored
blocks that make up the playing area and create the topography of
the board.
Inventors: |
Roberts; Dana; (Claremont,
NH) |
Family ID: |
45972342 |
Appl. No.: |
13/278527 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61405399 |
Oct 21, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/287 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/00397
20130101; A63F 3/00533 20130101; A63F 3/02 20130101; A63F
2003/00359 20130101; A63F 3/00214 20130101; A63F 2003/00542
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/287 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/06 20060101
A63F009/06 |
Claims
1. An apparatus usable as a game board, said apparatus comprising:
a base unit having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper
surface of said base unit including a plurality of block support
locations; and a plurality of individual movable blocks configured
for being arranged in a user configurable arrangement on said upper
surface of said base unit, wherein each of said plurality of
individual movable blocks is configured to fit onto any one of said
plurality of blocks support locations, and wherein each of said
plurality of individual movable blocks includes a top surface
configured to serve as a playing surface for a game, and wherein
said top surface is configured to accept a game piece.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of
individual movable blocks include a height which is different than
a height of at least one other of said plurality of individual
movable blocks.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said
base unit includes two or more vertical dividers and two or more
horizontal dividers, wherein said two more vertical dividers and
said two more horizontal dividers form a plurality of spaces
forming said plurality of blocks support locations.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of individual
movable blocks feature a cuboid shape.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first quantity of said
plurality of individual movable blocks are generally entirely of a
first color while a second quantity of said plurality of individual
movable blocks are generally entirely of a second color.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of individual
movable blocks are in the form of a plurality of different
shapes.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of individual
movable blocks are constructed to display a first color on a first
half of each of said plurality of individual movable blocks, and a
second color on a second half of each of said plurality of
individual movable blocks, wherein each of said plurality of
individual movable blocks is reversible such that either said first
color on said first half or said second color on said second half
can form a top surface that serves as a playing surface for a
game.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each space on said base unit
is labeled in order to assist a user in setting up said game board
in a user predetermined configuration.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each space is of uniform
size.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base unit is constructed
from at least one material selected from the group consisting of
wood, plastic, ceramic and composite material.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base unit features nine
horizontal dividers and nine vertical dividers, wherein said nine
horizontal dividers and said nine vertical dividers form sixty four
spaces.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sixty four spaces are
identical in shape and size.
12. An apparatus usable as a game board, said apparatus comprising:
a generally horizontal base unit having an upper surface and a
lower surface, said upper surface of said base unit including a
plurality of block support locations, said base unit including at
least four perimeter members disposed around a perimeter of said
upper surface of said base unit, at least two latching mechanisms
located on said at least four perimeter members each of said at
least two latching mechanisms operable in one of an engaged or a
disengaged position; and a plurality of individual movable blocks
configured for being arranged in a user configurable arrangement on
said upper surface of said base unit, wherein each of said
plurality of individual movable blocks is configured to fit onto
any one of said plurality of block support locations, wherein each
of said plurality of individual movable blocks include a height
which is different than a height of at least one other of said
plurality of individual movable blocks, and wherein each of said
plurality of individual movable blocks includes a top surface
configured to serve as a playing surface for a game, and wherein
said top surface is configured to accept a game piece, and wherein
said at least two latching mechanisms are configured to securely
hold said plurality of individual moving blocks in place on said
upper surface of said generally horizontal base unit, such that
said plurality of individually movable blocks are not movable when
said at least two latching mechanisms are engaged.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/405,399 titled "Adjustable
Three-Dimensional Multi-Level Game Play Area Apparatus And Method
of Play" filed on Oct. 21, 2010 and incorporated fully herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to three dimensional game boards and
game playing areas for use with games such as, but not limited to,
chess and checkers.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] A traditional chess or checker board is a single two
dimensional, one level, horizontal, square board with its playing
surface consisting of sixty-four (64) uniform squares. The
sixty-four (64) squares are separated into two colors, thirty-two
(32) of one color and thirty-two (32) of a second color. The
squares are positioned with the two (2) colors in alternating
positions on the board as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a side view of
a conventional flat chess/checker board.
[0004] Although such game boards and games played thereon are
enjoyable, what is needed is a reconfigurable game board that
allows the user(s) to design a multi-dimensional game board playing
area of various heights, thereby allowing for more interesting
games and games with various and/or additional rules.
[0005] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a
three dimensional game board and game playing area that may be
modified to provide the players with the option to have a different
three dimensional playing area every time they play or even between
every move they make during a game.
[0006] It is a further object of this invention to allow the artful
arrangement of the individual blocks for both aesthetic and
functional purposes. Setting up the board may be challenging,
enjoyable and satisfying as should be the act of playing a game on
it.
[0007] It is a still further object of this invention to allow the
endless modifications of the rules of playing chess or checkers or
any other game that utilizes this adjustable three dimensional
playing area. The modification of standard rules may result in a
greater challenge, use of imagination and additional enjoyment as
well as being a catalyst for some potential players to
participate.
SUMMARY
[0008] The game apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of
present invention includes an optional square shaped base grid with
sixty-four (64) (more or less) identical square spaces to support
sixty-four (64) (more or less) independent and movable square
cuboid or cube shape blocks of varying colors (single color blocks
or "half and half" colored blocks) and multiple heights, all such
blocks preferably having a uniform square base corresponding to the
size of the square spaces in the base grid, for use in the playing
of games such as chess and checkers and any other game that
utilizes a modifiable, multiple block playing area wherein the
playing area may include an alternating color and/or multiple
height three dimensional playing surface. The upward facing plane
or surface of each block serves as a support space in which to
place the individual playing pieces of the game being played.
[0009] The present invention features, in a first embodiment, an
apparatus usable as a game board, the apparatus comprising a base
unit having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface
of the base unit including a plurality of block support locations
and a plurality of individual movable blocks configured for being
arranged in a user configurable arrangement on the upper surface of
the base unit, wherein each of the plurality of individual movable
blocks is configured to fit onto any one of the plurality of blocks
support locations, wherein each of the plurality of individual
movable blocks include a height which is different than a height of
at least one other of the plurality of individual movable blocks,
and wherein each of the plurality of individual movable blocks
includes a top surface configured to serve as a playing surface for
a game, and wherein the top surface is configured to accept a game
piece.
[0010] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the base unit may
include two or more vertical dividers and two or more horizontal
dividers, wherein the two more vertical dividers and the two more
horizontal dividers form a plurality of spaces forming the
plurality of blocks support locations. The plurality of individual
movable blocks may feature a cuboid shape.
[0011] A first quantity of the plurality of individual movable
blocks may be generally entirely of a first color while a second
quantity of the plurality of individual movable blocks may be
generally entirely of a second color. The plurality of individual
movable blocks may be in the form of a plurality of different
shapes.
[0012] In this embodiment, the plurality of individual movable
blocks may be constructed to display a first color on a first half
of each of the plurality of individual movable blocks, and a second
color on a second half of each of the plurality of individual
movable blocks, wherein each of the plurality of individual movable
blocks is reversible such that either the first color on the first
half or the second color on the second half can form a top surface
that serves as a playing surface for a game.
[0013] Further, in this embodiment, each space on the base unit may
be labeled in order to assist a user in setting up the game board
in a user predetermined configuration. Each space may be of uniform
size. The base unit may be constructed from at least one material
selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, ceramic and
composite material. The base unit may feature nine horizontal
dividers and nine vertical dividers, wherein the nine horizontal
dividers and the nine vertical dividers form sixty four spaces. The
sixty four spaces may be identical in shape and size.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus
usable as a game board comprises a generally horizontal base unit
having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of
the base unit includes a plurality of block support locations, the
base unit includes at least four perimeter members disposed around
a perimeter of the upper surface of the base unit, at least two
latching mechanisms are located on the at least four perimeter
members each of the at least two latching mechanisms are operable
in one of an engaged or a disengaged position and a plurality of
individual movable blocks are configured for being arranged in a
user configurable arrangement on the upper surface of the base
unit, wherein each of the plurality of individual movable blocks is
configured to fit onto any one of the plurality of block support
locations, wherein each of the plurality of individual movable
blocks include a height which is different than a height of at
least one other of the plurality of individual movable blocks, and
wherein each of the plurality of individual movable blocks includes
a top surface configured to serve as a playing surface for a game,
and wherein the top surface is configured to accept a game piece,
and wherein the latching mechanism is configured to securely hold
the plurality of individual moving blocks in place on the upper
surface of the generally horizontal base unit, such that the
plurality of individually movable blocks are not movable when the
latching mechanism is engaged.
[0015] It is important to note that the present invention is not
intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one
or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is
also important to note that the present invention is not limited to
the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described
herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in
the art are considered to be within the scope of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be better understood by reading the following
detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a top view drawing of a prior art game board;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view drawing of a prior art game board;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a game board and plurality
of individual game board blocks in accordance with the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a top view of a game board according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of the game board and individually
movable game board blocks according to one embodiment of the
present invention configured in a first configuration;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of the game board and individually
movable game board blocks according to one embodiment of the
present invention configured in a second configuration;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a side view of the game board and individually
movable game board blocks according to one embodiment of the
present invention configured in a third configuration;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a side view of the game board and individually
movable game board blocks according to one embodiment of the
present invention configured in a fourth configuration;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a side view of the game board and individually
movable game board blocks of according to one embodiment of the
present invention each having two different colors; and
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view the game board and
individually movable game board blocks according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The present invention features an adjustable, three
dimensional multi-height game board 10, FIG. 3. The game board
includes an optional base grid or base unit 12 and a plurality of
individually movable blocks 14 having various heights, colors and
perhaps even shapes or sizes. Each of the blocks 14 is configured
to fit into any one of a number of locations or spaces 16, FIG. 4,
located in the base grid 12. The individual spaces 16 may be formed
by dividers or simply a location or space, perhaps numbered or
otherwise labeled if necessary or desired, to assist in setting up
a game board having a particular configuration, although dividers
as well as labels and numbers are optional.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment, each of the spaces 16 is of
uniform size although this is not a requirement of the present
invention. Each of the spaces 16 may be separated by a horizontal
divider 20 and vertical divider 18, which forms the individual
spaces 16. The base unit 12 may be made from wood, plastic, ceramic
or any other suitable material.
[0029] In one embodiment, the blocks 14 may be all the same height
or all blocks a different height, although in the preferred
embodiment, the blocks 14 are of a number of (at least two)
different heights, such as seven (7) different heights and two (2)
or more different colors. However, this is not a limitation of the
present invention as there may be a greater or fewer number of
varying block heights as well as colors. The individual blocks may
be of one color, or the blocks may be of one color at their top
region and another color at the bottom region allowing the block to
be "flipped over" for presenting a different color to the user.
Blocks may also be made of more than one color and may be striped
or any other varying color and design configuration as desired.
[0030] The top surface or plane 22, FIG. 3 of each of the
individual blocks 14 serves as the playing surface for a game. Any
individual block 14 (of any height and or color) may be placed in
any space 16 reserved for a block 14. Various game pieces 24 may be
arranged on the top surface 22 of any block 14. The staggered and
varying heights of the individual blocks 14 allows traditional
games such as chess or checkers to become more interesting and have
additional rules written taking into account the various heights
(and color(s)) of the blocks (for example rules may allow two
unoccupied blocks to exchange/change location during the playing of
a game between moves or player's turns. In addition, new rules for
other existing games as well as new games may be created utilizing
the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a side view of a single level row of blocks 14
supported by an optional square shape base grid 12 with sixty-four
(64) identical square spaces 16 to be used with square blocks 14.
The blocks 14 may be arranged with a gap 28 between them that is
determined either by the presence of the vertical dividers 18 and
horizontal dividers 20 in the base grid 12 or by simply arranging
the blocks with a space in between them. Alternatively, there may
be no space 28 between the blocks. This can be the design of any
row in any board design as an option.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a side view of a multi-level row of blocks 14
supported by a square shaped base grid 12 with sixty-four (64)
identical spaces 16. The blocks 14 have a gap or space 28 between
them that is determined by the base grid 12. This can be the design
of any row in any board design as an option. One row of eight (8)
blocks 14 with each of the blocks 14 being of different height than
any of the other seven (7) blocks 14 in the row or of a different
height than any of the other three (3) blocks 14 of that same color
yields 576 different optional design setups. (4!.times.4!=576)
(((1.times.2.times.3.times.4=24).times.(1.times.2.times.3.times.4=24)=576-
).
[0033] FIG. 7 is a side view of a multi-level row of blocks 14
supported by a square shaped base grid 12 with sixty-four (64)
identical spaces 16. The blocks 14 have a gap 28 between them that
is determined by the base grid 12. This can be the design of any
row in any board design as an option. This row of eight (8) blocks
14 has but is not limited to every two blocks 14 being of different
height then any of the other six (6) blocks 14.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a side view of a multi-level row of blocks 14
supported by a square shaped base grid 12 with sixty-four (64)
identical spaces 16. The blocks 14 have a gap 28 between them that
is determined by the base grid 12. This can be the design of any
row in any board design as an option. This row of eight (8) blocks
14 has but is not limited to every two blocks 14 being of different
height then any of the other six (6) blocks 14.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a side view of a multi-level row of "half &
half" colored blocks 14 supported by a square shaped base grid 12
with sixty-four (64) identical spaces 16. A "half and half" block
14 has a first color on a first half 30 of the block and a second
color on a second half 32 of the block. Only two (2) colors are to
be used in each board design for the blocks 14. A "half and half"
block 14 is reversible and may be turned upside down in order to
have a chosen color (either the first color or the second color) as
the top half or usable space in the playing of the game. The use of
`half and half` blocks 14 in the board increases the amount of
different board arrangement and game rule possibilities. The blocks
14 have a space or gap 28 between them that is determined by the
vertical dividers 18 and horizontal dividers 20. This design can be
the design of any row in any board design as an option. This row of
eight (8) blocks 14 has but is not limited to every two blocks 14
being of different height then any of the other six (6) blocks
14.
[0036] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the base grid or
unit 12 may have no dividers but may instead include at least four
perimeter members 34 (only three of the four shown in the drawing)
disposed around a perimeter of the upper surface of the base unit
12. At least two latching mechanisms 26 are located on the at least
four perimeter members, and wherein each of the at least two
latching mechanisms are operable in one of an engaged or a
disengaged position. There is no space between the individual
blocks and the latching mechanism(s) 26 secure the individual
blocks 14 together by pressure such that the plurality of
individually movable blocks are not movable when the latching
mechanism 26 is engaged. Further, although the base grid has been
shown as a square, this is not a limitation of the present
invention as any shape or configuration is contemplated by the
present invention.
[0037] Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel and
non-obvious game apparatus having a base grid or support for
containing a plurality of generally uniform, independent, hand
movable cuboid or cube shape blocks of one or more colors and
heights, for the use in the playing of board games such as chess
and checkers and any other game utilizing a user modifiable
multiple height three dimensional playing area. The rules and or
method of play of any such game may be modified to no end with the
use of this apparatus due to the independently mobile, multi height
blocks that make up the playing area and create the topography of
the board.
[0038] The present invention is not intended to be limited to a
device or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or
implied objects or features of the invention and should not be
limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s)
described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of
ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of
the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the
allowed claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *