U.S. patent application number 13/968208 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for self regulating chessboard.
This patent application is currently assigned to Summerville-New England LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Summerville-New England LLC. Invention is credited to Andrew Goodwin Summerville, JR..
Application Number | 20150014930 13/968208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52276522 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150014930 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Summerville, JR.; Andrew
Goodwin |
January 15, 2015 |
SELF REGULATING CHESSBOARD
Abstract
A chessboard having a playing platform and a stage or table
which together maintain the flatness of the playing platform
despite changing humidity conditions is disclosed. The playing
platform is fabricated from a plurality of wooden pieces that are
cut to exhibit a radial grain, and adhered to adjacent wooden
pieces so that the radial grain has a mirrored image to the
immediately adjacent wooden piece. The playing platform is allowed
to expand and contract without placing undue pressure on the stage
or table, and vice versa (i.e., unconstrained).
Inventors: |
Summerville, JR.; Andrew
Goodwin; (Goshen, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Summerville-New England LLC |
Goshen |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Summerville-New England LLC
Goshen
CT
|
Family ID: |
52276522 |
Appl. No.: |
13/968208 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61844264 |
Jul 9, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/260 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
A63F 3/00261 20130101; A63F 3/02 20130101; A63F 2003/00542
20130101; A63F 3/00533 20130101; A63F 2003/00457 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/260 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/02 20060101
A63F003/02 |
Claims
1. A chessboard comprising: a playing platform having a plurality
of square pieces of wood arranged in a square configuration, the
plurality of square pieces of wood being laterally attached to each
other to form a flat chessboard playing surface; a stage having
four sides disposed on four sides of the playing platform, an
interior side of the stage having a groove; a first clip attached
to a bottom surface of the playing platform on a first side of the
playing platform with a first tab of the first clip slideably
disposed within the groove of the stage on a first side of the
stage; a second clip attached to the bottom surface of the playing
platform on a second side of the playing platform with a second tab
of the second clip slideably disposed within the groove of the
stage on a second side of the stage; a third clip attached to the
bottom surface of the playing platform on a third side of the
playing platform with a third tab of the third clip slideably
disposed within the groove of the stage on a third side of the
stage; a fourth clip attached to the bottom surface of the playing
platform on a fourth side of the playing platform with a fourth tab
of the fourth clip slideably disposed within the groove of the
stage on a fourth side of the stage. wherein the first, second,
third and fourth clips permit expansion and contraction of the
playing platform due to environmental changes while maintaining
flatness of the playing surface of the playing platform.
2. The chessboard of claim 1 wherein the plurality of square pieces
of wood includes sixty-four squares pieces of wood, thirty-two
square pieces of wood having a first color, thirty-two square
pieces of wood having a second color which is different from the
first color.
3. The chessboard of claim 1 further comprising four corner clips
with each corner clip disposed within grooves of two adjacent sides
of the stage, each of the corner clips attached to the bottom
surface of the playing platform.
4. The chessboard of claim 1 wherein each of the pieces of wood
define a longitudinal grain direction which are aligned parallel to
each other.
5. The chessboard of claim 4 wherein lateral pieces of wood are
adhered to each other so that adjacent pieces of wood are
positioned with the transverse grains in a mirrored
orientation.
6. The chessboard of claim 5 wherein all of the pieces of wood are
cut to exhibit a radial grain in their transverse sections.
7. The chessboard of claim 6 wherein the radial grain is defined as
an average slope of the tangential grain being 30 degrees or less
to a perpendicular line drawn from a major surface of the
transverse section of the piece of wood.
8. The chessboard of claim 1 wherein the groove of the stage is
formed in an inner peripheral side of the stage.
9. The chessboard of claim 1 wherein the stage has a platform
engaging surface upon which the playing platform engages.
10. The chessboard of claim 1 wherein at least two first clips, at
least two second clips, at least two third clips and at least two
fourth clips are connected to the stage and the playing
platform.
11. The chessboard of claim 1 wherein the plurality of square
pieces of wood are fabricated from first and second wood materials
which are different from each other and the radial shrinkage
between the first and second wood materials is less than 2
percentage points and the tangential shrinkage is less than 2.5
percentage points.
12. A method of manufacturing a chessboard, the method comprising
the steps of: selecting sixty-four square pieces of wood; attaching
the sixty-four square pieces of wood together in a 8.times.8 square
configuration to form a playing platform; forming a stage that
peripherally surrounds the playing platform; and securing the
playing platform to the stage while allowing for lateral expansion
and contraction of the playing platform at a different rate
compared to the stage to mitigate warping of the playing platform
due to environmental changes.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the selecting step includes the
step of selecting only wood pieces that exhibit a radial grain on
their major surfaces.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the attaching step includes the
step of aligning the radial transverse grains in a minor
configuration with the immediately adjacent piece of wood.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the securing step includes the
step of attaching a clip to the playing platform and inserting a
tab of the clip into a groove formed in an interior side of the
stage.
16. A playing platform of a chessboard, the platform comprising:
sixty four square pieces of wood cut to provide a radial grain in
the lateral direction of the transverse sections, the pieces being
arranged in an 8.times.8 pattern with the longitudinal grains
parallel to each other, adjacent pieces of wood being arranged so
that the radial grains are in a mirror configuration, the pieces of
wood being attached to each other.
17. The platform of claim 16 wherein thirty two of the sixty four
square pieces of wood have a first color and thirty two of the
sixty four square pieces of wood have a second color and the sixty
four pieces of wood are arranged to have alternating first and
second colors.
18. The platform of claim 16 wherein the sixty four square pieces
of wood are adhered to each other to form the playing platform.
19. The platform of claim 16 wherein the thirty two of the sixty
four square pieces of wood is fabricated for a first wood material
and the remaining thirty two of the sixty four square pieces of
wood is fabricated from a second wood material wherein the radial
shrinkage between the first and second wood materials is less than
2 percentage points and the tangential shrinkage is less than 2.5
percentage points.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Pat. App.
Ser. No. 61/844,264 filed on Jul. 9, 2013, the entire contents of
which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] The various embodiments discussed herein relate to a
chessboard.
[0004] Chessboards are fabricated from various materials. High end
chessboards are preferably fabricated from wood. Unfortunately,
wood expands and contracts as a function of humidity, grain
direction and type of wood. As such, the chessboard fabricated from
wood may warp or buckle as the chessboard experiences changing
humidity conditions.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved chessboard.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] The various embodiments and aspects discussed herein address
the needs discussed above, discussed below and those that are known
in the art.
[0007] A chessboard having a playing platform and a stage is
disclosed which maintains the flatness of the playing platform
despite changing humidity conditions. The playing platform may be
fabricated from a plurality of square wooden pieces with major
surfaces exhibiting radial grain. Each adjacent wooden piece is
oriented in a mirror fashion so that any lateral, upward, and/or
downward movement in each wooden piece is reflected by equal and
opposite expansion and contraction of the immediately adjacent
wooden piece. The playing platform may be mounted to the stage with
a plurality of clips secured to the playing platform and inserted
into a groove formed on the interior of the stage so that expansion
and contraction of the playing platform does not place undue
pressure on the stage, and the stage does not place undue pressure
on the playing platform which might cause buckling or the loss of
flatness.
[0008] More particularly, a chessboard having a playing platform,
stage and first through fourth clips is disclosed. The playing
platform may have a plurality of square pieces of wood arranged in
a square configuration. The plurality of square pieces of wood may
be laterally attached to each other to form a flat chessboard
playing surface. The stage may have four sides disposed on four
sides of the playing platform. An interior side of the stage may
have a groove. The first clip may be attached to the bottom surface
of the playing platform on a first side of the playing platform
with a first tab of the first clip slideably disposed within the
groove of the stage on a first side of the stage. The second clip
may be attached to the bottom surface of the playing platform on a
second side of the playing platform with a second tab of the second
clip slideably disposed within the groove of the stage on a second
side of the stage. The third clip may be attached to the bottom
surface of the playing platform on a third side of the playing
platform with a third tab of the third clip slideably disposed
within the groove of the stage on a third side of the stage. The
fourth clip may be attached to the bottom surface of the playing
platform on a fourth side of the playing platform with a fourth tab
of the fourth clip slideably disposed within the groove of the
stage on a fourth side of the stage.
[0009] The first, second, third and fourth clips permit
unconstrained expansion and contraction of the playing platform in
the X-Y plane, due to environmental changes to maintain flatness of
the playing platform. One or more first, second, third and fourth
clips may be used to connect the stage and the playing
platform.
[0010] The plurality of square pieces of wood may include
sixty-four squares pieces of wood. Thirty two square pieces of wood
of the sixty-four pieces may have a first color. Thirty two square
pieces of wood of the sixty-four pieces may have a second color
which is different from the first color.
[0011] In addition to or in lieu of the first through fourth clips
or multiples thereof, four corner clips may be disposed at the four
corners of the stage and playing platform. Each of the corner clips
may be disposed within the grooves formed in the interior sides of
each corner of the stage. Also, each of the corner clips may be
attached to the bottom surface of the playing platform.
[0012] Each of the sixty-four pieces of wood define a longitudinal
grain direction which are aligned parallel to each other. Lateral
pieces of wood may be bonded to each other so that immediately
adjacent pieces of wood are positioned with the grains of the
exposed surface in a mirrored orientation. The pieces of wood may
be cut to exhibit a radial grain. The radial grain is herein
defined as an average slope of the tangential grain being 30
degrees or less (preferably 20 degrees or less) to a perpendicular
line drawn from a transverse section of the piece of wood.
[0013] The groove of the stage is formed at an inner peripheral
side of the stage. The stage may have a platform engaging surface
upon which a mating portion of the playing platform engages (i.e.,
rests upon).
[0014] In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a chessboard is
disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of selecting
sixty-four square pieces of wood; attaching the sixty-four square
pieces of wood together in a 8.times.8 square configuration to form
a playing platform; forming a stage that peripherally surrounds the
playing platform; and securing the playing platform to the stage
while allowing for unconstrained lateral expansion and contraction
of the playing platform to mitigate warping of the playing platform
due to environmental changes.
[0015] The selecting step may include the step of selecting only
wood pieces that exhibit a radial grain in the lateral transverse
sections. The attaching step may include the step of aligning the
radial grains in a mirror configuration with the immediately
adjacent piece of wood. The securing step may include the step of
attaching a clip to the playing platform and inserting a tab of the
clip into a groove formed in an interior side of the stage.
[0016] In another aspect, a playing platform of a chessboard is
disclosed. The platform may comprise sixty four square pieces of
wood cut to expose a radial grain upon its surface. The pieces may
be arranged in an 8.times.8 pattern with the longitudinal grains
parallel to each other. Adjacent pieces of wood may be arranged so
that the radial grains of the exposed grain surface are oriented in
a mirror configuration. The pieces of wood may be attached (e.g.,
bonded) to each other.
[0017] Thirty two of the sixty four square pieces of wood may have
a first color. Thirty two of the sixty four square pieces of wood
have a second color. The sixty four pieces of wood may be arranged
to have alternating first and second colors.
[0018] The sixty four square pieces of wood of alternating color
may be bonded to each other to form the playing platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a chessboard;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a playing platform of the
chessboard shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the chessboard shown in
FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of a corner of a stage of the
chessboard shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the chessboard shown
in FIG. 1; and
[0025] FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom view of a corner of the stage
of the chessboard.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Referring now to the drawings, a wooden chessboard 10 is
shown. The wooden chessboard 10 may undergo changes between humid
and dry conditions yet still maintain a flat playing surface 12.
The chessboard 10 includes a playing platform 14 and a stage 16.
The playing platform 14 is designed and mounted to the stage 16 so
that expansion and contraction in the lateral grain direction "X"
is unconstrained while movement in the vertical direction is
constrained so that regardless of whether the chessboard 10
undergoes changes in humidity, the expansion and contraction of the
playing platform 14 is minimized and any expansion and contraction
that does occur is regulated to maintain flatness of the playing
surface 12. Expansion and contraction transverse to the lateral
grain direction "Y" is minimized by selection of the wood and the
grain, as discussed below.
[0027] More particularly, referring now to FIG. 1, the chessboard
10 may have two major sections, namely, the (1) playing platform 14
which is secured to the (2) stage 16 in such a manner tha the
playing platform 14 remains unconstrained in the X-Y plane while
the Z axis is constrained. The playing platform 14 may be
fabricated from a plurality of square shaped wooden pieces 18. For
a chessboard 10 having a standard chessboard pattern, the playing
platform 14 is fabricated from sixty-four square shaped wooden
pieces 18. Thirty-two of the square shaped wooden pieces 18 may
have a first color. The remaining thirty-two square shaped wooden
pieces 18 may have a second color. The first color may be lighter
than the second color, or vice versa. The first and second colors
may be determined by the type of wood selected for the first and
second sets of square wooden pieces 18. By way of example and not
limitation, the light-colored wooden pieces 18 may be fabricated
from white ash or maple. The dark colored wooden pieces 18 may be
fabricated from black walnut. Additionally or alternatively, the
difference in colors between the first and second sets of wooden
pieces 18 may be derived from a staining process. In this event,
the first and second sets of wooden pieces 18 may be fabricated
from the same type of wooden material but stained differently to
achieve the first and second colors. Preferably, the first and
second sets of square wooden pieces 18 are fabricated from two
different types of wooden material that produce a light-colored set
of wooden pieces 18 for the first set of thirty-two wooden pieces
18 and a darker colored set of wooden pieces 18 for the second set
of wooden pieces 18.
[0028] The types of wood selected for the first and second sets of
square wooden pieces 18 may be selected so that radial shrinkage
between the first and second sets of square wooden pieces 18 is
less than 2 percentage points (preferably 1% or less) to each other
and tangential shrinkage is less than 2.5 percentage points
(preferably 2.1% or less). The following data is the approximate
shrinkage as a percent of green dimension, from green to oven-dry
moisture content. Black walnut has a tangential shrinkage of 7.8%
and a radial shrinkage of 5.5%. White ash has a tangential
shrinkage of 7.8% and a radial shrinkage of 4.9%. Hard maple has a
tangential shrinkage of 9.9% and a radial shrinkage of 4.8%. Any
two of these types of wooden materials may be used for the first
and second sets of square wooden pieces 18. Preferably, the first
set is fabricated from black walnut which has a tangential
shrinkage of 7.8% and a radial shrinkage of 5.5%. The second set is
fabricated from white ash which has a tangential shrinkage of 7.8%
and a radial shrinkage of 4.9%.
[0029] The individual wooden pieces 18 are aligned to each other so
that the longitudinal grains are parallel with respect to each
other. In FIG. 2, directional arrow 19 indicates the direction of
the longitudinal grain of the wooden pieces 18. All of the
individual wooden pieces 18 are arranged so that the longitudinal
grains are oriented in the same direction. The first and second
sets of wooden pieces 18 are arranged in a standard chessboard
fashion. Additionally, the wooden pieces 18 are cut so as to
exhibit a radial grain exposure. To determine if the wooden piece
18 has a radial grain exposure, the end (transverse section) 20 is
inspected. If the average tangential grain is within 30.degree.
from perpendicular, and more preferably within 20.degree. from
perpendicular, then the wood piece 18 may be categorized having an
exposed radial grain. By selecting and/or cutting the wood pieces
18 to have a radial grain exposure, lateral contraction and
expansion of the wood pieces 18 in the X-Y plane is minimized
compared to wood pieces 18 having a tangential grain exposure or
rift grain exposure.
[0030] The wooden pieces 18 may be arranged so that the radial
grain exposures of immediately adjacent wooden pieces 18 have a
minor orientation. In particular, wooden piece 18a has a radial
grain that curves to the right, whereas, wooden piece 18b has a
radial grain that curves to the left. Wooden piece 18c has a radial
grain that curves to the right. Wooden piece 18d has a radial grain
that curves to the left. By arranging the wooden pieces 18 to have
a mirror image configuration, the playing surface 12 remains flat
despite movement of the wooden pieces 18 when the chessboard 10
experiences changes in humidity. More particularly, any upward or
downward movement within transverse section 18a is oppositely
matched and reflected in 18b in such a manner as to minimize shear
stress at the bonding interface. Similarly, shear stresses are
minimized at all bonding planes throughout the entire platform.
[0031] Preferably, each adjacent wooden piece 18 is oriented so
that the grain is mirrored to the immediately adjacent wooden piece
18. However, it is also contemplated that the grains may be
mirrored for every two or more wooden pieces 18. By way of example
and not limitation, the first and second wooden piece 18 may have
the grains in the same orientation. The third and fourth wooden
pieces 18 may have the grains in the mirrored orientation compared
to the first and second wooden pieces 18.
[0032] The wooden pieces 18 may be attached to adjacent wooden
pieces. By way of example and not limitation, the wooden pieces 18
may be laterally attached to adjacent wooden pieces with adhesive
or other attaching or bonding technologies known in the art or
developed in the future. The upper and lower surfaces of the
playing platform 14 may be sanded to a particular flatness. Also,
nest 22 may be formed so that a periphery of the playing platform
14 may overhang the stage 16.
[0033] The stage 16 may be fabricated from four pieces of wood
24a-d. The opposed ends of the wood pieces 24 may be mitered and
joined to each other with glue (i.e. adhesive) and a spline 26 (see
FIG. 4). The exterior surface of the stage 16 is shown in FIG. 4 as
having a unique carving for aesthetic purposes but the exterior
surface may also have any other shape such as a square off shape
shown in FIG. 1. Each of the pieces of wood 24 of the stage 16 may
have a corresponding nest 28 (see FIG. 3). The nests 22, 28 may be
formed on all four exterior sides of the playing platform 14 as
well as on all four interior sides of the stage 16.
[0034] The bottom surface 30 of the playing platform 14 contacts an
upwardly directed surface 32 of the stage 16. The interface
therebetween defines the contacting surfaces 34, 36 of the playing
platform 14 and the stage 16. The playing platform 14 rests upon
the contact surface(s) 36 of the stage 16 defined by the upwardly
directed surface 32 of the nest 28 in the stage 16. In FIG. 3, a
downwardly directed surface 38 of the nest 22 is shown as being in
contact with an upper surface 40 of the stage 16. However, this is
not necessary. A gap may also exist therebetween so that the only
contact between the playing platform 14 of the stage 16 is at the
contacting surfaces 34, 36.
[0035] The playing platform 14 may be secured to the stage 16 to
allow for unconstrained expansion and contraction in the X and Y
directions by securing the playing platform 14 to the stage 16 with
a plurality of clips 42 that engage the bottom surface 30 of the
playing platform and a groove 44 formed in the stage 16. As shown
in FIG. 5, the clips 42 may be secured to all four sides of the
playing platform 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the clips 42 may have an
S-shaped configuration and be secured to the bottom surface 30 of
the playing platform 14 with the screw or other mechanical fastener
46. The other end of the clip 42 is slidingly disposed within the
groove 44.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 5, one or more first clip, second
clip, third clip, fourth clip 42a-d may be secured to the first
side, second side, third side, fourth side of the playing platform
14 and the stage 16. Preferably, each of the sides of the playing
platform 14 and the stage 16 has two equally spaced apart first
through fourth clips 42a-d, as shown. Additionally, it is also
contemplated that only the first and third clips 42a, c or the
second and fourth clips 42b, d may be used to secure the playing
platform 14 to the stage 16.
[0037] The distal end 56 of the clip 42 does not contact the inner
surface 58 of the groove 44. This allows the playing platform 14 to
expand and not place pressure on the stage 16, and vice versa. The
stage 16 does not place pressure on the playing platform 14 which
may cause the playing platform 14 to buckle (i.e., lose its
flatness).
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 6, the playing platform 14 and the
stage 16 may be attached to each other with a corner clip 48. The
corner clip 48 may have a flat triangular configuration that fits
within the groove 44 formed in the inner periphery of the stage 16.
After inserting the corner clip 48 into the grooves 44 of the stage
16, a screw 50 is inserted into a hole 52 of the corner clip 48.
The screw 50 is tightened until light pressure is applied to the
stage 16 by the corner clip 48. The space between the playing
platform 14 and the corner clip 48 has a gap where the threads of
the screw 50 are visible. To hide the threads, a grommet 54 may be
used to hide the threads from view. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the
four corners of the stage 16 has a corner clip 48. The distal edges
60 of the clips 48 and the inner surface 58 of the groove 40 do not
contact each other to allow for the playing platform 14 to expand
and not place pressure on the stage 16, and vice versa. The stage
16 does not place pressure on the playing platform 14 which may
cause the playing platform to buckle (i.e., lose its flatness).
[0039] The playing surface 12 may hold to a flatness measured by
the following technique. If there is a minor rise in the central
area of the playing surface 12, a straight edge may be laid upon
the playing surface 12, corner to corner diagonally and/or corner
to corner parallel, to and 1/2 inch inside the outer edges. One
side of the straight edge contacts the playing surface 12, while
the other end is lifted up due to the minor rise. A measurement of
a gap between the straight edge and the playing surface 12 may be
taken. The measured dimension of the gap may be divided by two to
determine the minor rise. If there is a minor dip in the central
area of the playing surface 12, the straight edge may be laid upon
the playing surface 12, corner to corner diagonally and/or corner
to corner, parallel to and 1/2 inch inside the outer edges of the
playing platform 14. The gap between the straight edge and the
central area is then measured directly. By implementing or
incorporating the various aspects discussed herein in relation to
the chessboard 10, a flatness of within 1 mm is achieved, even
despite transporting the chessboard 10 between humid and arid
conditions.
[0040] The various aspects and embodiments discussed herein are
discussed in relation to a standalone chessboard 10. However, the
various aspects and embodiments discussed herein may be applied to
a chessboard integrated into a table wherein the upper surface of
the table forms the stage 16. The playing platform 14 is mounted to
the table top (i.e., stage) in the manner discussed above.
Additionally, the various aspects and embodiments may be applied to
other wood projects requiring a flat surface or a flat surface
incorporated into a frame (stage, table, etc.).
[0041] It is also possible to mount the wooden platform as
described above to a stage 16 or table constructed of materials
other than wood such as various metals or composites.
[0042] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein, including various ways of attaching
adjacent pieces of wood. Further, the various features of the
embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying
combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to
the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the
claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
* * * * *