U.S. patent number 3,844,567 [Application Number 05/374,077] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-29 for probe chance device having electrical signalling readout.
Invention is credited to Robert L. Marker.
United States Patent |
3,844,567 |
Marker |
October 29, 1974 |
PROBE CHANCE DEVICE HAVING ELECTRICAL SIGNALLING READOUT
Abstract
A chance device particularly useful in playing of a
chance-controlled game such as an oil well discovery game, includes
a playing board with boundaries drawn significant of property and
enclosing perforations in the surface, the perforations being
alignable with slots in movable discs supported beneath the
perforated playing board surface, the surfaces spaced from the
slots in these movable discs being electroconductive. A probe
comprising an electrode may be inserted through the perforations in
aligned slots in the discs to come into contact with an
electroconductive surface at a position having no aligned slot to
signal the particular surface contacted whereby, electrically,
according to various rules of the game, the contacted surface may
be significant of an oil discovery by the alignment of perforations
and slots to indicate the position of the probe. The game may
include means for moving playing pieces, the disposition of
property upon which perforations are located and rights to insert
the probe at regular intervals for regulating the prices to
determine chance alignment of the slots and perforations.
Inventors: |
Marker; Robert L. (Casper,
WY) |
Family
ID: |
23475174 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/374,077 |
Filed: |
June 27, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/139; 273/237;
273/243; 273/287; 273/238; 273/254 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
3/00643 (20130101); A63F 2003/00678 (20130101); A63F
2003/00649 (20130101); A63F 2009/2494 (20130101); A63F
2009/2472 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/00 (20060101); A63f 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/139,138A,142B,142H,142HA,142A,142R,143B,143R,134A,134E,134ES |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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446,388 |
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Jul 1927 |
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DD |
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7,770 |
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Aug 1896 |
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GB |
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557,646 |
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Apr 1896 |
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GB |
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474,191 |
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Sep 1952 |
|
IT |
|
Primary Examiner: Oechsle; Anton O.
Assistant Examiner: Kramer; Arnold W.
Claims
I claim:
1. A chance device comprising an electroconductive probe and
several sheets assembled in a tier, the outermost sheet having a
regular pattern of perforations with the several remaining
relatively movable sheets therebeneath having slots randomly
disposed therethrough to be alignable by chance with said
perforations by said movement, said slots being elongated in the
direction of movement and larger than said perforations, all being
sized to receive the shank of said probe inserted through any
chosen one of said perforations and capable of penetrating one or
more of said slots depending upon whether slots of said
slot-bearing sheets are aligned with said chosen perforation, and
said sheets being non-conductive with the surface area of each of
said slotted sheets being electroconductive except in the areas of
said slotted sheet inclusive of and immediately surrounding each of
said slots, whereby passage of said probe through perforations and
slots avoids electrical contact with the surrounding conductive
surfaces, an electrical signalling means, said signalling means,
probe and conductive surfaces being in circuit with a source of
electrical current completable to activate said signalling means
when the probe, inserted into a perforation, comes into contact
with a conductive surface area.
2. The chance device as defined in claim 1 wherein separate
signalling means are mounted in circuit, each with the conductive
surface of a respective one of said conductive sheets, and the
signalling means significant of only the contacted sheet is
activated by the probe inserted through a perforation into contact
with the electroconductive surface area of that sheet.
3. The chance device as defined in claim 1 wherein the several
remaining sheets are discs of plate-like thickness and are
pivotally secured together, whereby rotation of any of the discs
with respect to the others resets the positions of slots and
perforations in the assembly to a changed pattern of vertical
alignment and disalignment.
4. The chance device as defined in claim 3 wherein separate
signalling means are mounted in circuit, each with the conductive
surface of a respective one of said discs, and the signalling means
significant of only the contacted disc is activated by the probe
inserted through a perforation into contact with the conductive
surface area of that disc.
5. The chance device as defined in claim 1 wherein the said
signalling means emits both light and sound.
6. The chance device as defined in claim 1 wherein the movable
sheets are plate-like discs having arcuate slots cut therethrough
pivotally secured together, said perforations being disposed in
said outermost disc which is in the form of a stationary uppermost
surface in a pattern of concentric circles of different radii with
respect to said pivot, and the arcuate slots of the tier of said
slot bearing discs are each cut at random but spaced from said
pivot to lie in concentric circles of the same radii as said
perforations.
7. The chance device as defined in claim 6 wherein there is a
substantially greater number of perforations in said stationary
surface than slots in the tier of discs of said assembly, the
number of slots beginning with the next adjacent disc to the
perforated surface being progressively reduced in number through
the subsequent series of discs mounted therebeneath to provide
progressively fewer slots in each respective disc.
8. The chance device as defined in claim 6 including a lowermost
disc of the assembly having an electroconductive surface which is
imperforate.
9. The chance device as defined in claim 1 wherein said circuit
means is completed through a source of electrical current including
a wall connector for circuit supply of AC high voltage plug
household current, said circuit further including a rectifier for
conversion of said current to DC and a transformer for reducing
said current to low voltage.
10. The chance device as defined in claim 1 wherein said circuit
means is completed through a battery as DC current of low
voltage.
11. A game board having a stationary playing surface including
markings thereon sub-dividing said surface into areas, a pattern of
perforations in said surface passing through said surface
sub-divided by said markings into groups of several perforations in
each area, a chance device comprising a probe and several sheets
assembled into a tier of adjacent, relatively movable surfaces, the
uppermost comprising said stationary gameboard playing surface
having said markings and pattern of perforations, the assembled
sheets beneath said upper playing surface having slots therethrough
alignable with said perforations, said slots being as wide and
longer than said perforations in the direction of movement of said
sheets to receive said probe inserted through any chosen one of
said perforations and capable of penetrating one or more of said
slots when the slots in said sheets are aligned after chance
movement with said chosen perforation and with other slots of the
tier, said probe having an elongated shank terminating in a
penetrating electroconductive tip insertable through said
perforations and through any slots aligned therewith, said sheets
being non-conductive with the surface area of each of said slotted
sheets being electroconductive except in the areas of said slotted
sheet inclusive of and immediately surrounding each of said slots
whereby passage of said probe through perforations and slots avoids
electrical contact with the surrounding conductive surfaces, an
electrical signalling means, said signalling means, probe and
conductive surfaces being in circuit with a source of electrical
current to activate said signalling means to indicate completion of
said circuit when the probe inserted into a perforation comes into
contact with a conductive surface area and means in the surface of
said gameboard for manual movement of one sheet with respect to the
next to reset the same to a new pattern of alignment and
disalignment of slots and perforations.
12. The game as defined in claim 11 wherein separate signalling
means are mounted in circuit, each with the conductive surface of a
respective one of said conductive sheets, and the signalling means
significant of only the contacted sheet is activated by the probe
inserted through a perforation into contact with the conductive
surface area of that sheet.
13. The game as defined in claim 11 wherein the several sheets are
plate-like in thickness and are pivotally secured together for
rotation as discs whereby upon rotation of one with respect to the
other the slots and perforations are resettable to a changed
pattern of alignment and disalignment therebetween.
14. The game as defined in claim 13 wherein separate signalling
means are mounted in circuit, each with the conductive surface of a
respective one of said conductive sheets, and the signalling means
significant of only the contacted sheet is activated by the probe
inserted through a perforation into contact with the conductive
surface area of that sheet.
15. The game as defined in claim 11 wherein the said signaling
means emits both light and sound.
16. The game as defined in claim 11 wherein the movable surfaces
are discs pivotally secured together but separable by
non-conductive spacers, said perforations being disposed in a
pattern of concentric circles of different radii with respect to
said pivot, and the slots are arcuate extending a distance
substantially longer than said perforations in the direction of
movement of said discs and being cut at random but spaced to lie in
circles of the same radii as said perforations.
17. The game as defined in claim 16 wherein there is a
substantially greater number of perforations in said stationary
playing board surface than slots in the lower discs of said
assembly, the number of slots in the said next adjacent disc to the
perforated playing board surface being substantially greater than
the slots in the discs mounted in the subsequent series
therebeneath to provide progressively fewer slots from disc to
disc.
18. The game as defined in claim 16 including a lowermost sheet,
opposite to the stationary upper perforated playing board surface
of the assembly, having an electroconductive surface which is
imperforate.
19. The game as defined in claim 16 wherein separate signalling
means are mounted in circuit, each with the conductive surface of a
respective one of said conductive sheets, and the signalling means
significant of only the contacted sheet is activated by the probe
inserted through a perforation into contact with a conductive
surface area of that sheet.
20. The game device as defined in claim 11 wherein said circuit
means is completed through a source of electrical current including
a wall connector for circuit supply of AC high voltage plug
household current, said circuit further including a rectifier for
conversion of said current to DC and a transformer for reducing
said current to low voltage.
21. The game device as defined in claim 11 wherein said circuit
means is completed through a battery as DC current of low voltage.
Description
This invention relates to a chance-controlled device usually used
as or part of a game comprising an assembly of relatively movable
perforated or slotted plates having electrically activated and
conductive surfaces, alternately activatable by an
electroconductive probe penetrating the upper perforated surface
and identifying one of the lower surfaces by chance alignment of
the slots therein and contacting of an impenetrable surface to
complete the circuit and signal the position or identity
thereof.
More particularly, the device relates to a game in which the chance
device is incorporated, including selected indicia mounted upon a
perforated game board and playing elements. The game herein may be
a game in which oil well prospecting is played as a game with
various degrees of success, signaled by the surface contacted
according to the degree of penetration of the probe as well as the
simulated significance of that contacted surface to award the
player with an oil discovery of a selected quantity. The oil
discovery is regulated or simulated by the random alignment of
plate perforations and slots which controls the ultimate contact of
the probe with a sub-surface and in terms of the relative degree of
penetrability of the lamina by the probe inserted into one of the
perforations of the upper surface for each chance.
The sub-surfaces are upon plates, usually discs, assembled to be
relatively movable, such as rotatable about a common axis, one with
respect to the next, the uppermost surface being perforated in a
pattern of perforations and the lower sub-surfaces having elongated
slots cut therein, usually arcuate, cut through the rotatable discs
and distributed at random, but in equal radii positions, randomly
alignable with the perforations in the upper surface, whereby the
perforations and arcuate slots may become aligned or disaligned by
relative movement of the discs to receive and pass through or
prevent further passage, making contact with an electroconductive
probe as inserted through the upper perforated disc. Both the disc
surfaces and probe, being conductive, will complete the circuit at
the point of contact, whichever conductive surface impedes and
comes into electroconductive contact with the probe, to signal the
particular surface to which the probe has penetrated.
In broad aspect, several discs are assembled upon a spindle for
rotation relative to each other, such as three or four additional
discs. The stationary upper gameboard surface may be merely
perforated with holes sized to accommodate the shank for insertion
therethrough of the electroconductive probe. The perforations of
the upper playing board surface will usually be but not necessarily
be evenly spaced in a series of concentric circles forming a
pattern and the rotatable discs underlying the surface will be
slotted in elongated arcuate slots of various arcuate lengths and
randomly distributed at the same radial disposition from their axes
as the circles of perforations in the upper surface pattern. Thus,
the arcuate slots despite random arcuate spacing as well as
elongation dimension, as disposed in the same radius of spacing
from the central axis of a disc, may or may not be penetrated by
the probe inserted from the top, depending upon whether a slot
underlies the particular perforation in which the probe is
inserted. Each disc will have progressively fewer arcuate slots
ranging from the disc next adjacent to the upper perforated surface
down to that of the lowermost slotted disc. With this arrangement,
in any random disc position, the probability, following insertion
of the probe, penetrating through one or more arcuately slotted
positions vertically aligned with the entering perforation,
decreases from disc to disc, reaching a relatively scarce or rare
position of penetration of the entire group of discs. The surfaces
of the discs except in the area of the perforations and slots are
covered with electroconductive material whereby the probe completes
contact with whichever disc terminates further penetration by
having no slot aligned at that point and thereby signals the
position and depth of penetration of the probe. For each use of the
chance device or playing of the game, or if desired at some
intermediate game point, in which it is used, the discs may be
reset by movement at random by rotation upon their axes relative to
each other and to the fixed perforations upon the upper playing
surface, thus bringing into play thereby a completely different
alignment of perforations and slots.
The invention is further described with relation to the drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an assembled game having parts
broken away to show the interior;
FIGS. 2 and 2A are a plan view of FIG. 1 illustrating a gameboard
covering mounted upon the assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevational section through the center of the device
showing one way of mounting the rotary discs for chance
movement;
FIG. 4 is a modified elevational view in section similar to FIG. 3
and taken on the line 4 -- 4 of FIG. 1 showing an alternate method
of mounting the discs in said assembly;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of one of the discs showing random arcuate
positions of the slots;
FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram for the device;
FIG. 7 is a fragment illustrating play money;
FIG. 8 illustrates playing dice;
FIG. 9 is a playing piece symbolic of an oil well drilling rig;
FIG. 10 illustrates playing cards used in conjunction with the
game;
FIG. 11 illustrates playing pegs;
FIG. 12 illustrates pieces symbolic of the players; and
FIG. 13 is a modified wiring diagram to include both household 120
volt power as well as battery power alternately useful for
operation of the device.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a gameboard 10 is built with an outer
marginal portion 12 around the perimeter of a box-like container 13
having an upper playing board surface 14. The container which
houses a chance device 16 includes an upper surface 14 which
simulates an oil well drilling game comprising map-like
configurations as shown in FIG. 2 for playing the preferred game
hereof having, usually in multi-colors and lines, various plots of
land drawn upon the top surface 14 of the game container 13.
As shown in FIG. 1, numerous perforations 18 are cut into the top
surface 14 of the box, usually as circular holes cut in several
concentric circles and spaced, as shown in FIG. 2, usually divided
by the land plots with three or four per plot of land. The chance
device as shown in elevation in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises the
perforated container top playing board 14 having preferably a
continuous box closure bottom 15 in the same plane as the marginal
playing sides 12, and separated from the top 14 by square
perimetric sides 17, separably secured together as a box, which
also houses the several operating elements. In FIG. 3, beneath the
upper surface 14 are first discs 20, 22, 23 and 24 and a base or
lowermost disc 26. While four intermediate discs 20, 22, 23 and 24
are shown, this may be varied in number as desired; for instance,
as shown in FIG. 4, three discs are shown, thus increasing or
decreasing the element of chance for probing for aligned slots to
the lowermost as will appear.
Each of the discs have a coating of electroconductive substance
such as a metal film or foil 28, typically aluminum foil, upon
their upper surfaces; and the conductive film may also be present
at least upon the marginal portions 30 of the lower surfaces. The
discs may be mounted at their centers upon an inner sleeve 32
supported for rotation by a spindle 36 fastened by a nut 39 to the
bottom 15. The discs are separated by spacer-washers 34, preferably
of low friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, Teflon,
to allow rotation. A spring 38 mounted about the lower end of the
spindle 36 resiliently compresses the lowermost disc 26 together
with the intermediate discs vertically slidable as a group against
their separating washer-spacers 34 and thence against the upper
board 14. In such assembly the sleeve 32 extending outward as shown
above the board surface 14 is slidable upon the spindle 36; and, by
depressing of the outermost collar 40 manually against the
compression of spring 38, the discs and the lowermost plate 26 are
depressed downward upon the spindle 36, thus freeing the
intermediate discs 20, 22, 23 and 24 for rotation and thus
resetting of their respective slotted positions.
A hole 42 cut in the top 14 near the edge of the discs, and sized
for this purpose, allows a finger to be inserted through the top 14
for movement at random of the several discs to different angular
positions when the sleeve 32 is depressed together with the base
disc 26 against the spring 38. The threaded lower end of the
spindle 36 is secured in operative positioning by a nut 39, as
shown, tightened against the lower container bottom surface 15 of
the spindle. Upon release, the spring 38 compressed all the discs
upward into a stationary unit ready for playing.
The lowermost disc 26 carries electroconductive contact members 44,
one each to the several marginally extending conductive portions of
each disc to complete the electrical contact of the discs 20, 22,
23 and 24 with the conductive disc surface 28 of the base disc 26.
The base disc 26 is placed in ultimate circuit as further described
below, whereby each of the intermediate discs 20, 22, 23 and 24
become part of that circuit by way of the electroconductive surface
films or foils thereon.
As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface 14 has a large number of
small perforations 18 disposed in a pattern of concentric circles.
The intermediate discs 20, 22, 23 and 24 will each have numerous
elongated arcuate slots 46 cut through the surface thereof at the
same radius as the circles of perforations of the surface 14. There
will be fewer slots 46 distributed at random but corresponding to
the same circles in the same radius as the perforations 18 in the
upper surface 14. There will be the least number of slots in the
lowermost disc 24 than would be present in the next upper disc 23,
and most slots in the disc 20 adjacent to the upper surface 14. The
lowermost disc 26 has no perforations. It has only an imperforate
electroconductive upper surface 27 through which the probe can
contact, but not penetrate, as will appear.
As thus described, the assembly of discs under pressure of spring
38 are each fixed with their slots in whatever random position they
have been placed. That fixed position, on depression of the sleeve
32, can be reset from time to time after playing of the game.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 13 and 6, a probe 48 has a narrow needle-like
shank 50 sized in diameter to slidingly fit into the holes or
perforations 18 when the probe is inserted through the top surface
14. The probe is long enough to penetrate the several discs passing
through any open slots 46 that may be disposed beneath the entering
perforation and through one or more randomly aligned slots 46 of
the discs 20, 22, 23 and 24, beneath the entering perforation of
the probe and into contact with the lowest conductive surface 27.
Where the alignment of slots is discontinued, at any one disc, it
will come into contact with the unaligned surface. Thus,
penetration will be terminated at that intermediate point. The
probe through a perforation 18 will first contact any impeding
surface if slots therein are not aligned for further penetration;
or if slot alignment is present in the first disc it will pass on
through to the next disc in sequence until the probe is stopped by
a disc having no aligned slot, or will pass on through the entire
assembly of discs to contact the electroconductive surface 27. The
conductive surface may come close to any of the slots, but is
sufficiently separated from the slot edge as to avoid electrical
contact with the probe when the probe is able to penetrate the
slot. Thus the probe will complete electrical contact only against
a disc surface when it cannot be penetrated through alignment of a
slot. The probe is preferably mounted in a jack-type connector 52
through which the conductive probe 50 is connected to a conductive
wire 54 leading to a probe point through which the circuit carried
by the probe is completed.
For purposes of converting the chance assembly of FIG. 1 into a
game, suitable markings are placed upon the surface 14 as well as
upon the marginal playing edge 12.
In use of the chance device for playing the game, several
electrical signals are electrically connected to indicate by light
or sound the position of the probe 48 inserted through discovery
the perforations 18 and in contact with a conductive surface of a
disc. For this purpose, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
electroconductive surface of the first disc 20 is connected in
circuit with an electric light bulb 74 or an electric bell or
buzzer 76, and it may be preferred to use both. Consequently, when
the probe 48 is inserted and contacts the conductive surface on the
plate 20, it will actuate the light 74 or the buzzer 76 to emit
their characteristic signals, indicating that the probe has
penetrated only to that first surface. Since this first surface 20
is the most commonly intercepted, it will be designated as a dry
hole in the subsequent playing of the oil well drilling game. A
second light 78 is placed in circuit with the conductive disc
surface 22, and when the probe passes through a slot 46 in disc 20,
but contacts the conductive surface of the next disc 22
therebeneath, it will actuate the light 78, indicating that the
probe has penetrated to the second disc. For purposes of playing
the game described below in further detail, this will be the 200
barrel d iscovery level. Again, in playing the same procedure, a
light 80 in circuit with the third disc 23 will be lighted when the
probe 48 penetrates that deep to complete the circuit there. That
level in playing the game may be a 500 barrel level. The fourth
plate 24 may be omitted as shown in FIG. 4 or it may be assigned a
somewhat larger discovery level of perhaps a thousand barrel level
and a suitable light (not shown) provided for indicating this as
for lights 78 and 80. Finally, for the lowermost plate surface 27,
when this is contacted by the probe, indicating full vertical
alignment of slots in each disc with the top entering perforation
18, a light 82 and perhaps optionally, a bell 84, will be activated
by the circuit to signal a wildcat or maximum successful drilling
according to the desirable goals of the game being played.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 13, the wiring diagram illustrates the
probe 48 having a lead wire in circuit with a starting off-on
switch 56 by way of lines 54 and 55. Both outer lead wire terminals
58 will be joined to a connector leading to a suitable source of
power, and a test light 86 indicating that the circuit is active,
will light when the off-on switch 56 is closed. Usually the line 54
will connect the probe 48 by a plug-in jack 57 for ready removal of
the probe connection when the game is stored. For purpose of
wiring, each of the lights have one terminal connected to one pole
of the input circuit 88 by way of contacts 87, and thence to the
connector 58. The light 74 and buzzer 76 are connected to the input
by way of current source line 89, the light 78 by way of line 90,
the light 80 by way of line 91 and the light and bell 82 and 84 by
way of line 92. The opposite circuit completing ends of the lights
are connected to the contacts 44 in circuit with the conductive
margin of each disc; the light 74 or buzzer 76 contacting the
conductive surface of upper disc 20 by way of line 94; the light 78
completing its circuit to the conductive surface of disc 22 by way
of line 96; light 80 completing its circuit to plate 23 by way of
line 98; and the lowermost disc 24 completing its circuit to light
82 and bell 84 by way of line 100.
In the modification shown in FIG. 4, the discs are inverted so that
the larger diameter disc is lowermost and its margin consequently
extends outward a greater distance whereby the lowermost disc 24
has the larger diameter. The lowermost disc may be conductive, at
least on its upper surface, and is placed in circuit through
contact point 25. The remaining discs 20, 22 and 23 are
progressively smaller in diameter, the lowermost to the uppermost,
and need have only their upper surfaces formed of electroconductive
substance such as metal foil or plate. This allows the contacts for
the discs to be mounted upon an upper hinge plate 102 hinged to a
fixed support 104 by pivot 106. The plate 102 carries screw
contacts, these screw contacts each being adjustable by threading
and setting. The first screw 108 contacts the margin of disc 20. A
second screw 110 is adjusted to the necessary height to engage the
marginally extending portion of plate 22 for contact therewith, and
screw 112 is adjusted to contact the marginal edge of disc 23. Thus
each of the discs are contacted by lead wires 94 for disc 20 in
circuit with the contact 108; lead wire 96 in circuit with contact
110; lead wire 98 in contact with contact screw 112; and lead wire
100 in contact with screw 112. The lowermost disc 24, as above, has
its circuit completed through contact 25 by way of line 98.
FIG. 13 further includes a testing switch 114, the equivalent of
the light 86, to indicate that the circuit is operational. It
further includes a transformer 116 interconnected with a rectifier
118 whose circuit is completed through rectifier switch 119 to
reduce the 120 volt AC input line current to 6 volt DC for use with
the game. Alternately, the input current may be supplied by a
battery 120 made available by battery crossing switch 122 for
battery operation of the circuit. The modified electrical scheme of
FIG. 13 substitutes the buzzer for the light, but this is a matter
of choice, since either or both can be used. The upper playing
surface 14 of the box can be hinged at one edge so that it may be
opened for observing, connecting or repairing the circuitry or
storing of playing elements when the game is not in use.
The preferred game herein is one consisting of prospecting for oil.
For this purpose the border has markings 58 which simulate
identification of property located on the surface 14 to be acquired
and explored, each of which will correspond to a graphical area as
further outlined upon the surface 14 and as shown in FIG. 2. The
markings in the margin also will indicate positions useful to
control operation of the game. Other components of the game may
include play money 60 as shown in FIG. 7; conventional dice 62 as
shown in FIG. 8; simulated drilling rigs 64 having lower round
shank portions insertable in perforations 18 as shown in FIG. 9; a
deck of marked cards 66 indicating title to mineral rights as shown
in FIG. 10; and small pegs 68 having characteristically colored top
portions 70 and lower round peg shanks alternately insertable in
perforations 18 to identify the outcome of drilling. For instance,
several hundred perforations 18 and pegs 68 will be provided, most
of the pegs with differently colored tops 70 such as a hundred
white to indicate a dry hole; and 75 yellow to indicate successful
penetration to the second hole; perhaps 50 pegs colored blue to
indicate penetration to the third disc 23; and 25 black topped pegs
68 for indicating a successful wildcat strike. In addition, there
may be conventional small cylindrical player pieces 72, as shown in
FIG. 12, each of different colors, to designate the position on the
playing board of individual players, there being as many as may
likely play the game at any one time, such as perhaps half a dozen,
more or less. There will be a dozen or two drilling rigs and as
many cards as there are available properties.
The preferred game is simply an exercise in buying property,
searching for oil and reaping the benefits or disappointments when
the locations are drilled.
Money may be borrowed; however, interest must be paid. The most
successful players will be subjected to the higher taxes. The game
is not 100 percent luck in the drilling; the skill used to trade
and sell and buy other properties and the use of the royalty money
will no doubt be a major factor in the success of the individual
playing the game.
The following are typical suggested rules for playing the game,
which, of course, may be changed as desired:
Each player is given $10,000 to begin the game.
Each player is given mineral rights to three properties. (The cards
are shuffled prior to disposition)
The first player shakes the dice and advances on the board the
number he has rolled on the dice. The starting point is on the
Royalty square. If the mineral rights on the property he lands on
do not belong to another player, they may be purchased from the
reserve for $2,000; and if he intends to drill (insert probe in one
of the holes on the property) he must pay $200. For each hole
drilled, the amount of $200 is constant; however, only one hole per
turn is allowed.
Assuming a player decides to drill, he places the rig on the
property and must wait until he goes around the board one full
revolution from where the property is located before he may proceed
and drill. (The money must be paid before he continues on with the
required revolution). If another player lands on the property in
the meantime he may rent the rig from the first player for $100 and
drill immediately on the property. If a discovery is found, the
player renting the rig will get the initial money for discovery and
the player that holds the mineral rights and the rig will be
allowed to collect all the royalties. Each player will be allowed
to have only three rigs in play at one time.
The discovery money paid to the player by the reserve may be as
follows:
Wildcat $20,000.00 500 Barrel 6,000.00 200 Barrel 3,000.00 Dry Hole
--
Royalties from the reserve may be paid to the players when they
pass the Royalties square and may be as follows:
Wildcat $1,000.00 500 Barrel 300.00 200 Barrel 150.00
If a player lands on a property where the mineral rights have
already been purchased, the player may drill on the property with
the consent of the mineral rights holder only and after he pays the
reserve $100 to drill and the mineral rights holder $400. The
initial discovery money will go to the player drilling; the
royalties will go to the mineral rights holder.
The players take turns moving pieces clockwise upon shaking the
dice.
If a player is in financial trouble he may sell properties to
another player as negotiated or liquidate some of his holdings to
the reserve for the following amounts:
Mineral rights on undeveloped areas or areas with paying
discoveries $2,000.00 (Reduce this price by $500 per dry hole.)
Wildcats $6,000.00 500 Barrel $1800.00 200 Barrel $ 900.00
All property turned into the reserve for cash will be given free to
the first person to land on the liquidation square. That person
must keep the property for two full turns before he may re-sell it
to the reserve or another player for cash.
In the case where a discovery is liquidated, but not the mineral
rights, the royalties will go to the player ending up with the
discovery. A written recording will be required and should be kept
in the reserve.
The oil tax square taxes each person landing on the square only in
the following amounts (for each discovery they have):
Wildcat $5000.00 500 Barrel $1500.00 200 Barrel $ 750.00
Half of the tax money is placed on the liquidation square to be
given to the player landing on it and the other half is to be
placed in the reserve.
Each player may borrow from the reserve a lump sum of $10,000. The
entire amount must be borrowed at once. The player borrowing the
money must pay 10 percent interest. The $1000.00 interest is placed
on the liquidation square at the time the money is borrowed and the
person landing on that square gets to keep the money. The player
borrowing the money must pay the reserve back the $10,000 before he
may qualify to borrow another $10,000. Also, no player holding the
royalties (mineral rights) to a Wildcat will be able to qualify for
the loan.
He may agree to transfer the Wildcat to another player for a price,
but he may not receive royalties on that Wildcat while the loan is
still out to him. The other player holding the Wildcat for him must
collect the royalties and distribute them equally to the other
players, except to the original owner. When the load is paid back,
the original owner may try to get his Wildcat back, depending on
the deal he made.
The game is over when all the holes have been tested (drilled) or
if three players go broke. The winner is determined by liquidating
all property and counting the money accumulated. Debts are
obviously deducted from the totals.
The players may choose not to end the game when all the holes have
been drilled, if they are all in agreement. The plates may then be
rotated after the players have speculated what to keep and what to
liquidate. In this event the property liquidated would go back to
the reserve and would be offered as though it had never been used.
Mineral rights must accompany all property liquidated in this
fashion. The players basically now have a new game and may drill
their property they retained for $50 a hole and at a rate of three
holes per turn. Each player must always place a peg in the hole
after it has been drilled to indicate the value of the hole.
Certain modifications may occur to those skilled in the art.
Obviously other games can be played using the same chance device,
with minor changes, particularly in the game board, such as a horse
racing, gambling, or land mine game.
Accordingly, it is intended that the descriptions given herein be
regarded as exemplary and not limiting except as described in the
claims as they are appended hereto.
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