CA1037509A - Game board with illuminated checking means - Google Patents
Game board with illuminated checking meansInfo
- Publication number
- CA1037509A CA1037509A CA235,653A CA235653A CA1037509A CA 1037509 A CA1037509 A CA 1037509A CA 235653 A CA235653 A CA 235653A CA 1037509 A CA1037509 A CA 1037509A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- game
- connector plate
- information
- information sheet
- illuminating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
- A63F3/00643—Electric board games; Electric features of board games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
- A63F3/00003—Types of board games
- A63F3/00075—War games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
- A63F3/02—Chess; Similar board games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
- A63F3/02—Chess; Similar board games
- A63F3/022—Recording or reproducing chess games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
- A63F3/04—Geographical or like games ; Educational games
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
- G09B19/00—Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
- G09B19/22—Games, e.g. card games
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Educational Technology (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Educational Administration (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A game device which is readily adaptable to a variety of purposes, such as, for example, textile design planning, battle games, board games such as chess, checkers, Chinese checkers, Go, and the like is provided, wherein the player matches his wits against data cards which contain selective information depending upon the game which is being played. The game playing device contains a game board which, in the case of chess, would have sixty-four positions, a light source associated with each of the game positions, and data cards which contain information punched thereon and which, when fed into the game playing device, cause the light source to be illuminated beneath the game board to indicate the various moves to be contemplated by the player.
A game device which is readily adaptable to a variety of purposes, such as, for example, textile design planning, battle games, board games such as chess, checkers, Chinese checkers, Go, and the like is provided, wherein the player matches his wits against data cards which contain selective information depending upon the game which is being played. The game playing device contains a game board which, in the case of chess, would have sixty-four positions, a light source associated with each of the game positions, and data cards which contain information punched thereon and which, when fed into the game playing device, cause the light source to be illuminated beneath the game board to indicate the various moves to be contemplated by the player.
Description
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rL~is invention relates to a game playing device.
Many ~ames have keen developed wherein special kc~rds are utilized in connection with the placing and moving o~ pieces or pawns ~or a particu-lar purpose, such as, for example, in the case of the game of chess. Some of the games are particularly difficult to learn and require special solu-tions to prohlems which entail difficul-t learning meth~ds. 'mie present available leal~ng methods are frequently slow and tedious and thus, are quite tiring to the average person who therefore frequently abandons his pursuit of the game. Furthermore, many of the existing learning methods are very expensive, theireby seriously limiting their market bility to the general public.
Accordingly, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a game playing device which possesses the flexibility to make it adaptable to a variety of different types of games.
An object of another aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved game playing machine which has associated therewith an inex-pensive and easy-to-learn teaching systemO
An object of a further aspect o:E the present invention is to pro-vide a game playing device which enables a player to strategically select his particular moves or position and compare said moves with the optimum ;~
poss~ble moves which should have been made. The operator or player by com~
paring his particular decision or move with the optimum solution can thereby learn the game much more readily.
An object of still another aspect of the present inve~tion is to provide a game playing device which enab]es the player to repeat games such -~
- as checkers, chess, Go, Chinese checkers, Muhle, and the like which h~ve -~
keen preplayed or predetermined; to repeat positions to develop strategies in ~amous battles and to enable the player or operator to perform and learn ~`
tex~ile design planning. ~ `
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An object c~ astill further aspect of the present invention is to provide a game playing d~vice which is economical -to manufacture, and p~s~
sesses a gcod, sturdy, aesthetic a~pearance.
In a variation of an aispect of the invention, the connector plate means extends across the housiny suhstantially perpendicular to the path of the information sheet and provides a comn~n electrical contact for all of the sensing means and a spring means is associated with the connector plate means fcr msuring a contact bet~teen the connector plate means and the sensing means.
lG In another variation of an aspect of the inven~ion, the number of sensing means corresp~nds to the number of illuminating ele~ents.
; In a further variation oi an aspect of the invention the informa-tion sheets are provided with engaging slots and the advancing means is adapted to engage the slots for conveying the information sheet.
In yet another variation of an aspect of the invention the advanc-ing means comprises gear-type elements and gear-ty~e wheels mounted on a connion axle, push rods which are adapte~ to engage the gear-type wheels and control buttons which extend from~exte~d from the top surface of the housing and are attached to the push rods, whereby the pushing of said control buttons actuates the push rods which engage the gear-type wheels which in turn causes the gear-type elements to m~ve the information sheet by engage-mRnt with the islots disposed therein.
In yet a further variation of an aspect of the invention the push rods are spring loaded so that they return to their original position after the control buttons attached thereto are released.
In a still further variation of an aspect of the invention, a microswitch is provided in the electrical circuit and positioned in :~' ' ~ ~ 3 ~ ~
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close association ~ith ~le control buttons so that when the control buttons for advancing or reversing -the ln~ormation sheet are depressed, closing of the electrical circuit and illumination oE the appropriate areas as dictated by the contact ke~tween the connector plate means and the sensing means are achieved.
In another v~riant of an aspect of the invention, the engaging slots are laterally disposed on both sides of the information sheet.
In a further variant of an aspect of the invention, the informa- 1.
tion sheet is a data card or a data tape In a still further variant of an aspect of the invention, the in- ~ -fo.rmation sheet is a data card containing at least twelve sets of columns with sixty-four bits of information produced in each column.
In another variant of an aspect of the invention, the top surface is translucent and lattice means are provided for separating the illuminating elements from each other.
In yet another variant of an aspect of the invention, the illumin-ating means is a calcium cyanide crystal or a light buLb.
In the broadest aspect oE the present inventi.on, the game playing device disclosed herein comprises a game playing aevice comprising a housing having a top game playing surface, said game playing surface defining a plurality of game positions, an illumlnating element disposed below each of ~ .:
said.game positlons, connector plate m~ans dlsposed in said housingj a pl~r-ality of sensing means disposed a~ove said connector plate means, means for ~
progressively .introducing a sheet containing punched information bit loca-~
tions into said housing between said connector plate means and said plurality of sensing means, each of said sensing means heing adapted to contact said connector plate means through said ~lt locations, and electrical circuit means providing electrical connection between said c~nnector plate mans and -~
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said illuminating m~ans, so that when the -?
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SenS.Lng means contacts saicl colmcctor pla-te thro~l~h th~ bit locations in the information shee-t one or more illununating elements is act~ted.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 sh~s a perspective view of the gam~ playing device of an aspect of the present invention wherein, vc~ri-ous positions of the device are separated from each other for clarity;
Figure 2 is an end view of the device of Figure l;
Figure 3A is a perspective view of the lighting system for the board utilized in the device of an aspect of the present invention;
Figure 3B is an enlarged plan view of a portion of Figure 3A;
Figure 4 is a plan view of ~e data card which contains the plurality of bits of information ~hich is used to tell the operator or .
player the optimum moves which should be made;
Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C show the driving or advancing mechanism for conveying the data card through the game playing device;
Figure 6 is a perspec-tive view of the electrical sensing system utilized to transmit the bits of information on the data card to the playing surface of the device; ~
Figure 7 is a schematic view o:E the electric system utilized in ~he device of an aspect of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a perspective view in com~osite form of one embodiment of the game playing device of an aspect of the present invention. ~
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ReferrinCJ IIOW to the c~awings, wherein identical reference numer-als are used throuc3hout various views to indicate identical elements, the yame playing device of an aspect of -the present invention according to Figure 1, comprises a top assembly 1 which contains an opaque transparent plate 2 on which a design can be printed which, in this particular illus-tration, is a combination of sixty-four light and dark squares 3 and 4, which can be used for playing checkers or chess. A middle section 5 is ~' disposed u~derneath and attached to the top plate 2 and contains illuminat-ing cells 6, each of said cells being separated from each other in accord-ance with the requirements, design and purpose of the game. Figure 1 shows sixty-four individually ligh-ted sqwares, that is, thir~y-two light squares 3 and thirty-t~ dark sq~ares 4 which are closed on their lower sides by a plate 7. The lower portion of the device 8 contains the data card entrance slot 9, the data card exit 10, the advancement mechanism (see Figure 5A, 5B and 5C) and the electrical sensing system shown in Figures 6 and 7.
Space is also provided in the lower section of the device to house the ele-ments of the power supply including the batteries and the like. Figure 1 also shows the control buttons 11 and 12 for providing the for~ard and backward mDtion of the data card, respectively. When operating these con- ~ ~
trol buttons, the electrical circuit is actuated and the advancing mechan- ~ -- ~,, . ~
ism is placed into operation. Figure 2 merely shows Figure 1 from an end ~ -view and in a more compact state.
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Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the various illuminating cells 6, each containing an electrical lead 13. An illuminating cell 6 is disposed beneath each one of the squares printed on the top plate l, each one of said cells being separated from the surround-ing cells by walls prov;ded by the lattice structure 5. Each illuminating cell is connected on one side directly to the power supply and on the other side to the sensing finger 16 (see Figure 6). The illuminating element 6, which can be, for example, a light bulb, a calcium cyanide crystal, or the like, recei~es elec--~o trical current from a power supply source as shown in ~igure 7 by closing the circuit which causes the electrical current to pass from the connector 15, through the holes in ~he data cards to the ; sensing fingers 16 and in turn, through the electrical leads 13 to the appropriate illuminating cells 6.
~lS The data card shown in Figure 4 is a standard card approxi-; ma~ely 9 inches long by 3-114 inches wide. The card is provided with a number of spaces 17 or punching holes for storing specific inormation. In this particular illustration, the card is adapted for a board containing sixty-four squares, and accordingly, the card is provided with two columns with thirty-two bits of infor- -mation for each position of the readout mechanism. The data card 20 is also provided with a number of evenly spaced-apart slots 18 ; and l9 disposed on opposite sides of said card, said slots being adapted to engage with the advancing mechanism of the game play-~25 ing device. In place of data cards, tapes, which can be merely ~ considered as a continuous card, can also be used in the same .' manner as the data cards to register the programs for the position `
and movements of the various pieces utilized in the particular I game being played. The operator or player himself can prepare his own cards by punching appropriaLe places on the cards or can ~" 5 ' ''' ,,, . .
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purchase prepunclled cards ~rom the manufacture. Each card is adapted to contain a mlnimum of 1,960 bits of information.
The data card 20 preferentially contains twelve or more sets of columns with sixty-four bits of information provided in each column. The data card is inserted in the slot 9 of the device, is guided through two rails 21 provided with lips 22 ~see Figure 6) ,~
, and is advanced by the mechanism shown in Figure 5. The data card passes beneath the sensing fingers 16 and the connector 15 and ~, emerges through the slot 10. , '~10 The advancing mechanism of FIgures 5A, 5B and 5C comprises gear-type drive wheels 23 which are mounted on an axis 24 which ~' is moved by the action of a push rod 25 on the cricket wheels 26, ~ '~
also attached to the axis 24. The cricket wheels 26 are activated ~', by depressing either one o the control buttons 11 or 12, depend- ~
ing upon whether forward or reverse movement of the data card is ~, ;'~' ;
desired. Since the action o the control buttons 11 and 12 is spring loaded, said buttons will always return to their original ~ resting position when they are released, When one of the control ,~ buttons 11 or 12 is actuated, this action in turn actuates a -~ ' '~20 microswitch 27 and an activating rod 25. When the microswitch ,~
contact point 27a is engaged, the electrical system is activated.
,~ The activating rod 25 s,imultaneously engages the appropriate '~, cric~et wheel for either advancing or reversing the direction of , he data card as discussed above. The information from the data ~
;~ card is read by the sensing fingers 16 as shown in Pigure 6 and ''~' is relayed to the illuminating cells 6 through the electrical ,YI, circuit illustrated in Figure 7. ',~ Data card or tape reading means are provided as illustrated ; in Figure 6 by the sensing fingers 16 which are hel'd together '~30 y an armature 28., The sensing fingers, are made of a spring-type .~ . ~ ;~
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rnaterial ~hich provi-lcs the nccessary spring action to press them against the card 20 which passes beneath said sensing fingers and the top of the contact plate 15. The data cards or tape is - conveyed on the top of the holding plate 29 and is guided by thetwo rails 21 which are provided with guiding lips 22. Each sen-sing finger 16 is connected directly by its individual connecting cable 30 in Figure 6, indicated as cable l3 in Figures 3A and 3B, to its corresponding luminescent cell 6. One sensing finger cor-responds to each one of the illuminating elements. The contact plate 15 is mounted on a spring 31 so that said plate is constantl~
being pushed against the opposing action of the sensing fingers 16 This provides good contact between the sensing fingers and the contact plate. The advancing mechanism illustrated in Figure 5 causes the data card to move one ~osition, either in the forward or backward direction from one set of information bits to another set of information bits by the manipulation o the control buttons ~ 11 and 12.
`1 Figure 7 illustrates that the power supply can be provided `` by live voltage used in combination with a step-down transformer ;
`~j 20 32 or batteries 33. The selection of the source of the power ;~ supply is made by switch 34. Switch 27 is-the on-off switch which -opens and closes the circuit. One side of the transformer output and the negative polarlty of the batteries is connected directly to one side o the illuminating cells through the connecting cable 30. Each one of the sensing fingers 16 is connected in the circuit as illustrated in Figure 6 and establishes contact with ` ;~
~, the contact plate 15 through openings punched in the data card -~' and no insulation is provided by the introduction of the card or ;~ tape into the device. The sensing system or card reading system illustrated in Figure 5 is designed to simultaneously read from .. , . . . `:
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two or more adjoining col~s at each readout. It can read as many bits of information as necessary and in the case of the game of Go, for examplet this will be up to 28g bits of information, but of course, the amount may vary laryly de ~ding u~on the yame or application for which the ~oard is designed. As stated above, the sensing finyers establish electrical con- ~-tact with ~he contact plate 15 through the punched-out holes in the tape or card, thus closing the circuit. The appropriate l~lminescent elements are ` then illuminated indicating the positions where the game pieces are to be . .i ~ moved.
-~ 10 The normal methcd of operation of the device of an aspect of the present invention is as follows: The data card 20 is prepunched with cer~
tain holes 17 being punched-out. The game playing machine or device is .. .
;~ connected to the power supply, that is, either batteries 33 or to the line transformer 32 through the use o the selection switch 34. me device is then turned~on by means of the switch 27. When the optional transformer is ;
used, the selection switch 34 must be turned to "line", which automatically disconnects the batteries 33. The data card 20 is inserted into slot 9 and , .. . . .
;i pushed manually ~mtil its first slots 18 and 19 engage with the drive , l , wheel 23 of the advancing mechanism. With the first move of the control button 11, the card or tape is placed beneath the sensing fingers 16 and ` thus is ready for the first readout. The cont~ol button or lever ll is connected through the connecting rod 25 to the cricket system 26 and the :-:
drive or star wheel 23. Alternately, a triangular plate could be used in-.. ,. :: ~.
~ stead of the cricket and wheel system described a~ove. me drive wheel 23 -`s - engages in the slots 18 and 19 of the data card or tape for moving said card or tape either in the forward or backward direction as desired. me -~
-~ drive mechanism descriked above advances the card or tape ~hich is !
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guided ~y rai:l.s 21 benedt~l the sensi.ng .~:i.ngers 16 and between said sensing ~.ingers and the pla-te 15. Each sllccess.ive posi-tion o.f the data card is obtained by ' - one full movemen-t of the control bu-tton or lever 11 or , 12.
` If the game playing device of an aspec-t of the ;, .', present invention is applied -to chess, -the player places sixty-four game pieces in their s-tar-ting assembly on the transparen-t upper plate 2. The player then makes his first decision as to where the first piece is to be moved. To compare -this decision against a master game imprinted on the data card or tape, the pIayer .. actuates the control lever or bu-tton which moves the data card one position and at the same time, closes '1~ the electric circui-t and ligh-ts the appropriate specific .l, cells 6 beneath the transparen-t board 2~ The actua-tion .~ of the control button or lever 5 or 6 triggers the readout ¦ of the card or -tape. The sensing fingers 16 establish ~ ~, ~ contact through the holes in the card or tape with :~ 20 the contact pla-te 15 and curre:nt flows, as -the circuit ~ is closed, lighting the cells 6. The light will be ~ .
~ noticeable through the -top plate 2, indicating to the ,~ ~
player which pieces should be moved in what position.
;~ The player can thereafter correct and/or adjust his previous.movement in accordance with the instructions ~ . received from the--ata card., Thus, the player can compare ,~ his strategy with the strategy of the masters.as recorded .-`' on the data card, or any other previously prepared plan , .,~
~ of ac-tion which is registered on the data card or tape. i~
,.l 30. After making his initial move, the player -then can , i .~ decide a possible move for his opponent and then can , `;
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~ ~375~ , press tlle cc~lltrol. button t(> cletermi.ne whe-tller or not : -the correet rnove was made. 'L'he player w:ill then again . take his own posi-tion and rep:ly to -the move previously made by the opponent. Thus, the third pressing of , . ~
~ -the con-trol bu-tton will indicate the second movement of ., ~ '.
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175V~9 second moven~rlt of the first player. I'he releasing of the oontrol button will return i-t to its res-ting position which also cuts-off the flow of cur-rent by the action of the switch 27 and prepares the advancing mechanism for its next for~Jard move. Either button 11 or 12 can be used for moving the data card in either the forward or reverse direction, the only impor-tant factor being that each of said buttons provide opposite functions.
The advancing mechanism is actuated by the button 11 or 12 through the con-necting rod 25 on the cricket 26 which in turn moves the axis 24 and drives the wheels 23 which ~ngage in the holes 18 and 19 at the side of the data card or tape 20. At any tirne when releasing the control button 11 or 12, the card or tape can be pulled out bac]~ward or forward through slots 9 or ~ -10 and adjusted to any position as desired. When pressing the control but- ~`
ton 11, for example, the light circuit will be closed through switch 27.
It will remain closed as long as the button is depressed and will be cut-off when the button is released. As a variation in this procedure, a timer can be interposed in the circuit, thereby delaying the power cut-off by a predetermined time. A firmer pressure on the button will engage the ad-vancing mechanism and push the card or tape to the next readout position.
-~ By continuously actuating the button the player can complete a set of posi-tions for a game or a teaching sequence. It is readily apparent that the -~
present invention can be applied to many different types of games by merely I changing the transparent plate and the number of sensing elements.
e game playing device of an aspect of the present invention dif~
fers substantially from the more complicated prior art devices, such as ` for example, the chess machine disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,395,463 issued August, 1968 to ~brden et al. Although this patent is concerned with a similar type of device wherein information is c~mmunicated to players by :. ` `
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means of a c~lta card, -the p~esent invention in its various aspects differs in operation from the U.S. patent ko-th furctionally ancl applicahly. Firs-t oE all, the device of the patent inclicates with one lighting and movement of the cdata card, the present position of the piece to be moved and with a seco~d lighting and movement of the da-ta card, the position to where said piece is to be moved. In other ~rds, t~ card indications and two mDve-ments of the advance button are required to indicate ~ne chess movement.
mis is to be compared with the device of aspec-ts of the present invention which will be limited, for comparison reasons, to the game of chess wherein with only one pressing of the advance and light button, a light indication is made on the board showing what piece is to be moved and to ~hat position it is to be moved, thereby giving both the present and next future positions, simultaneously. m e device of the Wbrden et al patent does not contain the electrical circuitry which would permit this type of indication. Further-more, utilizing the device of aspects of the present invention, the squares ~;
of the board can be selectively lighted one by one or simultaneously, as many as desired, such as, ~or example, two for a comnon move in chess, three for "En Passant", for castling~ up to n me for chess-mate and sixty-four in case of "Pat", "undecided" and end of game. In this connection, it should be noted that the ~Jorden et al patent requires auxiliary lights as an inde-pendent and necessary indicator group to show the progress of the game whereas -the device of the present invention has no such requirement. As a -practical matter, the W~rden et al patent, because of its complicated con- -struction, can only b directed to the game of chess whereas the device of aspects of the present invention, because of its simplified construction can be easily~adapted to many games by making a couple of minor modifications.
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For e~mple, the gar~ of Go, rt~liring 324 squares ins~ead of sixty-four squares, can be readily adapted t~ the device of the present invention.
A further distinction hetween the present invention in its vari-ous aspects and the chess machine of the ~orden e-t al patent is in the ~an ner in which -the data card is fed into the device. As noted in the Wbrden et al patent, the data card reader 25 is disposed on the top and adjacent one end of the housing whereas the data card of the present invention is actually inserted into the housing. Plso, the advancing m~chanism utilized in the Worden et al patent does not register each position clearly and thus, each sequential movement must be adjusted visually using the visual hair-line 41. m en, after the card has been advanced one position through said visual adjustm~nt, a button or switch ~MlSt then be pressed.to actuate the lighting system. In contradistinction thereto, according to the device of aspects of the present invention~ when the button 11 or 12 is pushed, not only is the data card automatically moved one position, without any visual check being required, but also, the depression of said button also automa-tically lights the appropriate positions on the board.
As noted in column 3, lines 29-36, the Worden et al patent, their ;~
data card, which is adapted to contain 960 bits of information per card is divided into ten working areas, thereby providing an indication for only ten moves or positions on the board per card. The reason for this is that the electrical contacts require a large amount of space. In the device oE
aspects of the present invention, the data card provides for over thirty in~
dications or moves due to a much more simplified indicator system as shown in Figure 6. Thus, in the case of chess, in most normal games, only one data card would be necessary to oomplete a game. Also, in using thie -: ' '`, ' ~L037~
yame playing dev:ice of aspects of the present invention, e~bossed cards can be used in place o~ perforated cal-ds.
The ~brden et al device is also designed ~or 110 volt A.C. opera-tion with a transEonmer and a rectifier, plus complicated electronic cir-cuits and protective devices to avoid elec-trical interference. As noted in colurnn 4, lines 5-8, undesirable current flow can occur and, accordingly, to avoid such a problem and to proteict the circuit, a number of diodes must bei utilized. In spite of this precaution, when the contacts are closed in the extreme portions of the circuit, said contacts close several circuits rather than lighting thie squares individually. me game playing device of aspeicts of the present invention, in ccmparison with the Wbrden et al patent, is designed for a very 1GW voltage, that is, a battery providing 1.6 to 6 volts, and also low arnperage, thereby substantially avoiding all of the complicated circuitry and security and safety devices required by the Worden et al patent. mus, the device of aspeicts of the present invention has substantially elim mated all electronic devices and costly materials leaving merely a versatile garne playing device which can be operated by simple mech~nism manipulations and simple electrical elements.
In reading the Wbrden et al patent, it will be noted that it is primarily directed to the use of photoeIectric cells in transferring the ---information from the data card to the chess koard. Thus, 22 photoelectria cells 53 are positioned beneath the twenty-tw~ information bits in the data card and twenty two lights 55 are positioned above the twenty-two inflnma-tion bits in the data card at each readout. If the card has been punched in one of its bits, light will shine through the bit to energize the photoelectric cell therebeneath which, in turn, makes the appropriate in-dication on the chess board. As can be seen by referring to ~V;~75~
Figure 4 of the Wbrclen et al patent, the pho-toelectric cell circuit is very complicated and obviously very costly, thereby making -the chess device very expensive to produce. Furthermore, the use of a photoelectric system is conceptually differen-t fr~m the system utilized in the game playing device of the present invention and as best shown in Figure 6 wherein the in-forma-tion punched into the data card is conveyed to -the chess koard by sensing n~ans 16 which merely complete and electrical circuit in those areas of the data card which have been punched out. The Wbrden et al patent also shows in Figure 5 that i-ts photoelectric system can be replaced by mechanical switches. However, in referring to Figures 5 to 7, it can be readily seen that mechanical switching system disclosed therein is equally as complicat_d as the photoelectric system and does not even remotely compare with the sim-plified system utilized in the game play.ing device of aspects of the present invention. For example, as noted in Figure 6, twen-ty-tw~ terminals 115 are positioned over twenty-two information b:its on the card and twenty-tw~
spring loaded contact pins 117 are positioned below the twenty-tw~ informa~ -~
tion bits. When any of the bits are punched out, pin 117 makes contact with the termlnal 115 to energize a part:icular light. Also, as shown in Figure 7, twenty-two spring contacts 119 could be positioned at one side of the data card and the switches could be closed upon the spring contact pin extending through a punched hole in the card and engaging a terminal 121.
As can be seen, the mechanism disclosed in Figures 6 and 7 of the Worden et ;~
al patent together with the complicated electrical system shown in Figure 5, clearly illustrates that the alternate mechanical switch system of the Worden et al patent is much more cumplicated tha~ that utilized in the de- ~` ~
vice of aspects of the present invention and specifically shown in Figure 6 ~ -of the present . .
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application. :[n view of the akove comparisons, it is believed that the present invention in its various aspects represents a significant patenta-ble improvem~nt over the Wbrden et al patent and any other known devices known to be presently available in the prior art.
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rL~is invention relates to a game playing device.
Many ~ames have keen developed wherein special kc~rds are utilized in connection with the placing and moving o~ pieces or pawns ~or a particu-lar purpose, such as, for example, in the case of the game of chess. Some of the games are particularly difficult to learn and require special solu-tions to prohlems which entail difficul-t learning meth~ds. 'mie present available leal~ng methods are frequently slow and tedious and thus, are quite tiring to the average person who therefore frequently abandons his pursuit of the game. Furthermore, many of the existing learning methods are very expensive, theireby seriously limiting their market bility to the general public.
Accordingly, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a game playing device which possesses the flexibility to make it adaptable to a variety of different types of games.
An object of another aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved game playing machine which has associated therewith an inex-pensive and easy-to-learn teaching systemO
An object of a further aspect o:E the present invention is to pro-vide a game playing device which enables a player to strategically select his particular moves or position and compare said moves with the optimum ;~
poss~ble moves which should have been made. The operator or player by com~
paring his particular decision or move with the optimum solution can thereby learn the game much more readily.
An object of still another aspect of the present inve~tion is to provide a game playing device which enab]es the player to repeat games such -~
- as checkers, chess, Go, Chinese checkers, Muhle, and the like which h~ve -~
keen preplayed or predetermined; to repeat positions to develop strategies in ~amous battles and to enable the player or operator to perform and learn ~`
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An object c~ astill further aspect of the present invention is to provide a game playing d~vice which is economical -to manufacture, and p~s~
sesses a gcod, sturdy, aesthetic a~pearance.
In a variation of an aispect of the invention, the connector plate means extends across the housiny suhstantially perpendicular to the path of the information sheet and provides a comn~n electrical contact for all of the sensing means and a spring means is associated with the connector plate means fcr msuring a contact bet~teen the connector plate means and the sensing means.
lG In another variation of an aspect of the inven~ion, the number of sensing means corresp~nds to the number of illuminating ele~ents.
; In a further variation oi an aspect of the invention the informa-tion sheets are provided with engaging slots and the advancing means is adapted to engage the slots for conveying the information sheet.
In yet another variation of an aspect of the invention the advanc-ing means comprises gear-type elements and gear-ty~e wheels mounted on a connion axle, push rods which are adapte~ to engage the gear-type wheels and control buttons which extend from~exte~d from the top surface of the housing and are attached to the push rods, whereby the pushing of said control buttons actuates the push rods which engage the gear-type wheels which in turn causes the gear-type elements to m~ve the information sheet by engage-mRnt with the islots disposed therein.
In yet a further variation of an aspect of the invention the push rods are spring loaded so that they return to their original position after the control buttons attached thereto are released.
In a still further variation of an aspect of the invention, a microswitch is provided in the electrical circuit and positioned in :~' ' ~ ~ 3 ~ ~
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close association ~ith ~le control buttons so that when the control buttons for advancing or reversing -the ln~ormation sheet are depressed, closing of the electrical circuit and illumination oE the appropriate areas as dictated by the contact ke~tween the connector plate means and the sensing means are achieved.
In another v~riant of an aspect of the invention, the engaging slots are laterally disposed on both sides of the information sheet.
In a further variant of an aspect of the invention, the informa- 1.
tion sheet is a data card or a data tape In a still further variant of an aspect of the invention, the in- ~ -fo.rmation sheet is a data card containing at least twelve sets of columns with sixty-four bits of information produced in each column.
In another variant of an aspect of the invention, the top surface is translucent and lattice means are provided for separating the illuminating elements from each other.
In yet another variant of an aspect of the invention, the illumin-ating means is a calcium cyanide crystal or a light buLb.
In the broadest aspect oE the present inventi.on, the game playing device disclosed herein comprises a game playing aevice comprising a housing having a top game playing surface, said game playing surface defining a plurality of game positions, an illumlnating element disposed below each of ~ .:
said.game positlons, connector plate m~ans dlsposed in said housingj a pl~r-ality of sensing means disposed a~ove said connector plate means, means for ~
progressively .introducing a sheet containing punched information bit loca-~
tions into said housing between said connector plate means and said plurality of sensing means, each of said sensing means heing adapted to contact said connector plate means through said ~lt locations, and electrical circuit means providing electrical connection between said c~nnector plate mans and -~
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said illuminating m~ans, so that when the -?
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SenS.Lng means contacts saicl colmcctor pla-te thro~l~h th~ bit locations in the information shee-t one or more illununating elements is act~ted.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 sh~s a perspective view of the gam~ playing device of an aspect of the present invention wherein, vc~ri-ous positions of the device are separated from each other for clarity;
Figure 2 is an end view of the device of Figure l;
Figure 3A is a perspective view of the lighting system for the board utilized in the device of an aspect of the present invention;
Figure 3B is an enlarged plan view of a portion of Figure 3A;
Figure 4 is a plan view of ~e data card which contains the plurality of bits of information ~hich is used to tell the operator or .
player the optimum moves which should be made;
Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C show the driving or advancing mechanism for conveying the data card through the game playing device;
Figure 6 is a perspec-tive view of the electrical sensing system utilized to transmit the bits of information on the data card to the playing surface of the device; ~
Figure 7 is a schematic view o:E the electric system utilized in ~he device of an aspect of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a perspective view in com~osite form of one embodiment of the game playing device of an aspect of the present invention. ~
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ReferrinCJ IIOW to the c~awings, wherein identical reference numer-als are used throuc3hout various views to indicate identical elements, the yame playing device of an aspect of -the present invention according to Figure 1, comprises a top assembly 1 which contains an opaque transparent plate 2 on which a design can be printed which, in this particular illus-tration, is a combination of sixty-four light and dark squares 3 and 4, which can be used for playing checkers or chess. A middle section 5 is ~' disposed u~derneath and attached to the top plate 2 and contains illuminat-ing cells 6, each of said cells being separated from each other in accord-ance with the requirements, design and purpose of the game. Figure 1 shows sixty-four individually ligh-ted sqwares, that is, thir~y-two light squares 3 and thirty-t~ dark sq~ares 4 which are closed on their lower sides by a plate 7. The lower portion of the device 8 contains the data card entrance slot 9, the data card exit 10, the advancement mechanism (see Figure 5A, 5B and 5C) and the electrical sensing system shown in Figures 6 and 7.
Space is also provided in the lower section of the device to house the ele-ments of the power supply including the batteries and the like. Figure 1 also shows the control buttons 11 and 12 for providing the for~ard and backward mDtion of the data card, respectively. When operating these con- ~ ~
trol buttons, the electrical circuit is actuated and the advancing mechan- ~ -- ~,, . ~
ism is placed into operation. Figure 2 merely shows Figure 1 from an end ~ -view and in a more compact state.
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Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the various illuminating cells 6, each containing an electrical lead 13. An illuminating cell 6 is disposed beneath each one of the squares printed on the top plate l, each one of said cells being separated from the surround-ing cells by walls prov;ded by the lattice structure 5. Each illuminating cell is connected on one side directly to the power supply and on the other side to the sensing finger 16 (see Figure 6). The illuminating element 6, which can be, for example, a light bulb, a calcium cyanide crystal, or the like, recei~es elec--~o trical current from a power supply source as shown in ~igure 7 by closing the circuit which causes the electrical current to pass from the connector 15, through the holes in ~he data cards to the ; sensing fingers 16 and in turn, through the electrical leads 13 to the appropriate illuminating cells 6.
~lS The data card shown in Figure 4 is a standard card approxi-; ma~ely 9 inches long by 3-114 inches wide. The card is provided with a number of spaces 17 or punching holes for storing specific inormation. In this particular illustration, the card is adapted for a board containing sixty-four squares, and accordingly, the card is provided with two columns with thirty-two bits of infor- -mation for each position of the readout mechanism. The data card 20 is also provided with a number of evenly spaced-apart slots 18 ; and l9 disposed on opposite sides of said card, said slots being adapted to engage with the advancing mechanism of the game play-~25 ing device. In place of data cards, tapes, which can be merely ~ considered as a continuous card, can also be used in the same .' manner as the data cards to register the programs for the position `
and movements of the various pieces utilized in the particular I game being played. The operator or player himself can prepare his own cards by punching appropriaLe places on the cards or can ~" 5 ' ''' ,,, . .
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purchase prepunclled cards ~rom the manufacture. Each card is adapted to contain a mlnimum of 1,960 bits of information.
The data card 20 preferentially contains twelve or more sets of columns with sixty-four bits of information provided in each column. The data card is inserted in the slot 9 of the device, is guided through two rails 21 provided with lips 22 ~see Figure 6) ,~
, and is advanced by the mechanism shown in Figure 5. The data card passes beneath the sensing fingers 16 and the connector 15 and ~, emerges through the slot 10. , '~10 The advancing mechanism of FIgures 5A, 5B and 5C comprises gear-type drive wheels 23 which are mounted on an axis 24 which ~' is moved by the action of a push rod 25 on the cricket wheels 26, ~ '~
also attached to the axis 24. The cricket wheels 26 are activated ~', by depressing either one o the control buttons 11 or 12, depend- ~
ing upon whether forward or reverse movement of the data card is ~, ;'~' ;
desired. Since the action o the control buttons 11 and 12 is spring loaded, said buttons will always return to their original ~ resting position when they are released, When one of the control ,~ buttons 11 or 12 is actuated, this action in turn actuates a -~ ' '~20 microswitch 27 and an activating rod 25. When the microswitch ,~
contact point 27a is engaged, the electrical system is activated.
,~ The activating rod 25 s,imultaneously engages the appropriate '~, cric~et wheel for either advancing or reversing the direction of , he data card as discussed above. The information from the data ~
;~ card is read by the sensing fingers 16 as shown in Pigure 6 and ''~' is relayed to the illuminating cells 6 through the electrical ,YI, circuit illustrated in Figure 7. ',~ Data card or tape reading means are provided as illustrated ; in Figure 6 by the sensing fingers 16 which are hel'd together '~30 y an armature 28., The sensing fingers, are made of a spring-type .~ . ~ ;~
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rnaterial ~hich provi-lcs the nccessary spring action to press them against the card 20 which passes beneath said sensing fingers and the top of the contact plate 15. The data cards or tape is - conveyed on the top of the holding plate 29 and is guided by thetwo rails 21 which are provided with guiding lips 22. Each sen-sing finger 16 is connected directly by its individual connecting cable 30 in Figure 6, indicated as cable l3 in Figures 3A and 3B, to its corresponding luminescent cell 6. One sensing finger cor-responds to each one of the illuminating elements. The contact plate 15 is mounted on a spring 31 so that said plate is constantl~
being pushed against the opposing action of the sensing fingers 16 This provides good contact between the sensing fingers and the contact plate. The advancing mechanism illustrated in Figure 5 causes the data card to move one ~osition, either in the forward or backward direction from one set of information bits to another set of information bits by the manipulation o the control buttons ~ 11 and 12.
`1 Figure 7 illustrates that the power supply can be provided `` by live voltage used in combination with a step-down transformer ;
`~j 20 32 or batteries 33. The selection of the source of the power ;~ supply is made by switch 34. Switch 27 is-the on-off switch which -opens and closes the circuit. One side of the transformer output and the negative polarlty of the batteries is connected directly to one side o the illuminating cells through the connecting cable 30. Each one of the sensing fingers 16 is connected in the circuit as illustrated in Figure 6 and establishes contact with ` ;~
~, the contact plate 15 through openings punched in the data card -~' and no insulation is provided by the introduction of the card or ;~ tape into the device. The sensing system or card reading system illustrated in Figure 5 is designed to simultaneously read from .. , . . . `:
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two or more adjoining col~s at each readout. It can read as many bits of information as necessary and in the case of the game of Go, for examplet this will be up to 28g bits of information, but of course, the amount may vary laryly de ~ding u~on the yame or application for which the ~oard is designed. As stated above, the sensing finyers establish electrical con- ~-tact with ~he contact plate 15 through the punched-out holes in the tape or card, thus closing the circuit. The appropriate l~lminescent elements are ` then illuminated indicating the positions where the game pieces are to be . .i ~ moved.
-~ 10 The normal methcd of operation of the device of an aspect of the present invention is as follows: The data card 20 is prepunched with cer~
tain holes 17 being punched-out. The game playing machine or device is .. .
;~ connected to the power supply, that is, either batteries 33 or to the line transformer 32 through the use o the selection switch 34. me device is then turned~on by means of the switch 27. When the optional transformer is ;
used, the selection switch 34 must be turned to "line", which automatically disconnects the batteries 33. The data card 20 is inserted into slot 9 and , .. . . .
;i pushed manually ~mtil its first slots 18 and 19 engage with the drive , l , wheel 23 of the advancing mechanism. With the first move of the control button 11, the card or tape is placed beneath the sensing fingers 16 and ` thus is ready for the first readout. The cont~ol button or lever ll is connected through the connecting rod 25 to the cricket system 26 and the :-:
drive or star wheel 23. Alternately, a triangular plate could be used in-.. ,. :: ~.
~ stead of the cricket and wheel system described a~ove. me drive wheel 23 -`s - engages in the slots 18 and 19 of the data card or tape for moving said card or tape either in the forward or backward direction as desired. me -~
-~ drive mechanism descriked above advances the card or tape ~hich is !
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guided ~y rai:l.s 21 benedt~l the sensi.ng .~:i.ngers 16 and between said sensing ~.ingers and the pla-te 15. Each sllccess.ive posi-tion o.f the data card is obtained by ' - one full movemen-t of the control bu-tton or lever 11 or , 12.
` If the game playing device of an aspec-t of the ;, .', present invention is applied -to chess, -the player places sixty-four game pieces in their s-tar-ting assembly on the transparen-t upper plate 2. The player then makes his first decision as to where the first piece is to be moved. To compare -this decision against a master game imprinted on the data card or tape, the pIayer .. actuates the control lever or bu-tton which moves the data card one position and at the same time, closes '1~ the electric circui-t and ligh-ts the appropriate specific .l, cells 6 beneath the transparen-t board 2~ The actua-tion .~ of the control button or lever 5 or 6 triggers the readout ¦ of the card or -tape. The sensing fingers 16 establish ~ ~, ~ contact through the holes in the card or tape with :~ 20 the contact pla-te 15 and curre:nt flows, as -the circuit ~ is closed, lighting the cells 6. The light will be ~ .
~ noticeable through the -top plate 2, indicating to the ,~ ~
player which pieces should be moved in what position.
;~ The player can thereafter correct and/or adjust his previous.movement in accordance with the instructions ~ . received from the--ata card., Thus, the player can compare ,~ his strategy with the strategy of the masters.as recorded .-`' on the data card, or any other previously prepared plan , .,~
~ of ac-tion which is registered on the data card or tape. i~
,.l 30. After making his initial move, the player -then can , i .~ decide a possible move for his opponent and then can , `;
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~ ~375~ , press tlle cc~lltrol. button t(> cletermi.ne whe-tller or not : -the correet rnove was made. 'L'he player w:ill then again . take his own posi-tion and rep:ly to -the move previously made by the opponent. Thus, the third pressing of , . ~
~ -the con-trol bu-tton will indicate the second movement of ., ~ '.
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175V~9 second moven~rlt of the first player. I'he releasing of the oontrol button will return i-t to its res-ting position which also cuts-off the flow of cur-rent by the action of the switch 27 and prepares the advancing mechanism for its next for~Jard move. Either button 11 or 12 can be used for moving the data card in either the forward or reverse direction, the only impor-tant factor being that each of said buttons provide opposite functions.
The advancing mechanism is actuated by the button 11 or 12 through the con-necting rod 25 on the cricket 26 which in turn moves the axis 24 and drives the wheels 23 which ~ngage in the holes 18 and 19 at the side of the data card or tape 20. At any tirne when releasing the control button 11 or 12, the card or tape can be pulled out bac]~ward or forward through slots 9 or ~ -10 and adjusted to any position as desired. When pressing the control but- ~`
ton 11, for example, the light circuit will be closed through switch 27.
It will remain closed as long as the button is depressed and will be cut-off when the button is released. As a variation in this procedure, a timer can be interposed in the circuit, thereby delaying the power cut-off by a predetermined time. A firmer pressure on the button will engage the ad-vancing mechanism and push the card or tape to the next readout position.
-~ By continuously actuating the button the player can complete a set of posi-tions for a game or a teaching sequence. It is readily apparent that the -~
present invention can be applied to many different types of games by merely I changing the transparent plate and the number of sensing elements.
e game playing device of an aspect of the present invention dif~
fers substantially from the more complicated prior art devices, such as ` for example, the chess machine disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,395,463 issued August, 1968 to ~brden et al. Although this patent is concerned with a similar type of device wherein information is c~mmunicated to players by :. ` `
~ '75~ :
means of a c~lta card, -the p~esent invention in its various aspects differs in operation from the U.S. patent ko-th furctionally ancl applicahly. Firs-t oE all, the device of the patent inclicates with one lighting and movement of the cdata card, the present position of the piece to be moved and with a seco~d lighting and movement of the da-ta card, the position to where said piece is to be moved. In other ~rds, t~ card indications and two mDve-ments of the advance button are required to indicate ~ne chess movement.
mis is to be compared with the device of aspec-ts of the present invention which will be limited, for comparison reasons, to the game of chess wherein with only one pressing of the advance and light button, a light indication is made on the board showing what piece is to be moved and to ~hat position it is to be moved, thereby giving both the present and next future positions, simultaneously. m e device of the Wbrden et al patent does not contain the electrical circuitry which would permit this type of indication. Further-more, utilizing the device of aspects of the present invention, the squares ~;
of the board can be selectively lighted one by one or simultaneously, as many as desired, such as, ~or example, two for a comnon move in chess, three for "En Passant", for castling~ up to n me for chess-mate and sixty-four in case of "Pat", "undecided" and end of game. In this connection, it should be noted that the ~Jorden et al patent requires auxiliary lights as an inde-pendent and necessary indicator group to show the progress of the game whereas -the device of the present invention has no such requirement. As a -practical matter, the W~rden et al patent, because of its complicated con- -struction, can only b directed to the game of chess whereas the device of aspects of the present invention, because of its simplified construction can be easily~adapted to many games by making a couple of minor modifications.
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For e~mple, the gar~ of Go, rt~liring 324 squares ins~ead of sixty-four squares, can be readily adapted t~ the device of the present invention.
A further distinction hetween the present invention in its vari-ous aspects and the chess machine of the ~orden e-t al patent is in the ~an ner in which -the data card is fed into the device. As noted in the Wbrden et al patent, the data card reader 25 is disposed on the top and adjacent one end of the housing whereas the data card of the present invention is actually inserted into the housing. Plso, the advancing m~chanism utilized in the Worden et al patent does not register each position clearly and thus, each sequential movement must be adjusted visually using the visual hair-line 41. m en, after the card has been advanced one position through said visual adjustm~nt, a button or switch ~MlSt then be pressed.to actuate the lighting system. In contradistinction thereto, according to the device of aspects of the present invention~ when the button 11 or 12 is pushed, not only is the data card automatically moved one position, without any visual check being required, but also, the depression of said button also automa-tically lights the appropriate positions on the board.
As noted in column 3, lines 29-36, the Worden et al patent, their ;~
data card, which is adapted to contain 960 bits of information per card is divided into ten working areas, thereby providing an indication for only ten moves or positions on the board per card. The reason for this is that the electrical contacts require a large amount of space. In the device oE
aspects of the present invention, the data card provides for over thirty in~
dications or moves due to a much more simplified indicator system as shown in Figure 6. Thus, in the case of chess, in most normal games, only one data card would be necessary to oomplete a game. Also, in using thie -: ' '`, ' ~L037~
yame playing dev:ice of aspects of the present invention, e~bossed cards can be used in place o~ perforated cal-ds.
The ~brden et al device is also designed ~or 110 volt A.C. opera-tion with a transEonmer and a rectifier, plus complicated electronic cir-cuits and protective devices to avoid elec-trical interference. As noted in colurnn 4, lines 5-8, undesirable current flow can occur and, accordingly, to avoid such a problem and to proteict the circuit, a number of diodes must bei utilized. In spite of this precaution, when the contacts are closed in the extreme portions of the circuit, said contacts close several circuits rather than lighting thie squares individually. me game playing device of aspeicts of the present invention, in ccmparison with the Wbrden et al patent, is designed for a very 1GW voltage, that is, a battery providing 1.6 to 6 volts, and also low arnperage, thereby substantially avoiding all of the complicated circuitry and security and safety devices required by the Worden et al patent. mus, the device of aspeicts of the present invention has substantially elim mated all electronic devices and costly materials leaving merely a versatile garne playing device which can be operated by simple mech~nism manipulations and simple electrical elements.
In reading the Wbrden et al patent, it will be noted that it is primarily directed to the use of photoeIectric cells in transferring the ---information from the data card to the chess koard. Thus, 22 photoelectria cells 53 are positioned beneath the twenty-tw~ information bits in the data card and twenty two lights 55 are positioned above the twenty-two inflnma-tion bits in the data card at each readout. If the card has been punched in one of its bits, light will shine through the bit to energize the photoelectric cell therebeneath which, in turn, makes the appropriate in-dication on the chess board. As can be seen by referring to ~V;~75~
Figure 4 of the Wbrclen et al patent, the pho-toelectric cell circuit is very complicated and obviously very costly, thereby making -the chess device very expensive to produce. Furthermore, the use of a photoelectric system is conceptually differen-t fr~m the system utilized in the game playing device of the present invention and as best shown in Figure 6 wherein the in-forma-tion punched into the data card is conveyed to -the chess koard by sensing n~ans 16 which merely complete and electrical circuit in those areas of the data card which have been punched out. The Wbrden et al patent also shows in Figure 5 that i-ts photoelectric system can be replaced by mechanical switches. However, in referring to Figures 5 to 7, it can be readily seen that mechanical switching system disclosed therein is equally as complicat_d as the photoelectric system and does not even remotely compare with the sim-plified system utilized in the game play.ing device of aspects of the present invention. For example, as noted in Figure 6, twen-ty-tw~ terminals 115 are positioned over twenty-two information b:its on the card and twenty-tw~
spring loaded contact pins 117 are positioned below the twenty-tw~ informa~ -~
tion bits. When any of the bits are punched out, pin 117 makes contact with the termlnal 115 to energize a part:icular light. Also, as shown in Figure 7, twenty-two spring contacts 119 could be positioned at one side of the data card and the switches could be closed upon the spring contact pin extending through a punched hole in the card and engaging a terminal 121.
As can be seen, the mechanism disclosed in Figures 6 and 7 of the Worden et ;~
al patent together with the complicated electrical system shown in Figure 5, clearly illustrates that the alternate mechanical switch system of the Worden et al patent is much more cumplicated tha~ that utilized in the de- ~` ~
vice of aspects of the present invention and specifically shown in Figure 6 ~ -of the present . .
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application. :[n view of the akove comparisons, it is believed that the present invention in its various aspects represents a significant patenta-ble improvem~nt over the Wbrden et al patent and any other known devices known to be presently available in the prior art.
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Claims (12)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A game playing device comprising a housing having a top game playing surface, said game playing surface defining a plur-ality of game positions, an illuminating element disposed below each of said game positions, connector plate means disposed in said housing, a plurality of sensing means disposed above said connector plate means, means for progressively introducing a sheet containing punched information bit locations into said housing be-tween said connector plate means and said plurality of sensing means, each of said sensing means being adapted to contact said connector plate means through said bit locations, and electrical circuit means providing electrical connection between said con-nector plate means and said illuminating means, so that when the sensing means contacts said connector plate through the bit loca-tions in the information sheet one or more illuminating elements is actuated.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the connector plate means extends across the housing substantially perpendicular to the path of the information sheet and provides a common electrical contact for all of the sensing means and a spring means is associated with said connector plate for insuring contact between said connector plate and the sensing means.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the number of sensing means corresponds to the number of illuminating elements.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the information sheets are provided with engaging slots and the advancing means is adapted to engage said slots for conveying said information sheet.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the advancing means com-prises gear-type elements and gear-type wheels mounted on a common axle, push rods which are adapted to engage the gear-type wheels and control buttons which extend from the top surface of the housing and are attached to said push rods, whereby the pushing of said control buttons actuates the push rods which engage the gear-type wheels which in turn causes the gear-type elements to move the information sheet by engagement with the slots disposed therein.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the push rods are spring loaded so that they return to their original position after the control buttons attached thereto are released.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein a mciroswitch is provided in the electrical circuit and positioned in close association with the control buttons so that when the control buttons for advancing or reversing the information sheet are depressed, closing of the electrical circuit and illumination of the appropriate areas as dictated by the contact between the connector plate and the sens-ing means is achieved.
8. The device of claim 4, wherein the engaging slots are laterally disposed on both sides of the information sheet.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the information sheet is a data card or a data tape.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the information sheet is a data card containing at least twelve sets of columns with sixy-four bits of information in each column.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the top surface is trans-lucent and lattice means are provided for separating the illuminating elements from each other.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the illuminating means is a calcium cyanide crystal or a light bulb.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US516086A US3923306A (en) | 1974-10-18 | 1974-10-18 | Educational game playing device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1037509A true CA1037509A (en) | 1978-08-29 |
Family
ID=24054078
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA235,653A Expired CA1037509A (en) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-09-17 | Game board with illuminated checking means |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3923306A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS5177444A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1037509A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2533851A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2287931A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1514997A (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5212049A (en) * | 1975-07-15 | 1977-01-29 | Nippon Kogaku Kk <Nikon> | Recording and reproducing unit for games |
| US4228596A (en) * | 1978-03-30 | 1980-10-21 | Jerry W. Daniel | Illuminated teaching device and board game |
| US4359222A (en) * | 1978-10-30 | 1982-11-16 | Smith Engineering | Hand-held electronic game playing device with replaceable cartridges |
| CA1144648A (en) * | 1980-01-28 | 1983-04-12 | Andrew Tarc | Display tile for electronic chess game |
| US4391447A (en) * | 1980-11-20 | 1983-07-05 | Raymond Dudley | Electronic chess game |
| JPS6029173A (en) * | 1983-07-29 | 1985-02-14 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Electronic game apparatus |
| US5462281A (en) * | 1994-06-30 | 1995-10-31 | Gaito; Andre A. | Electrified board game |
| US5636840A (en) * | 1996-01-02 | 1997-06-10 | Gardner; Mary J. | Occult device |
| US6460855B2 (en) | 2000-08-03 | 2002-10-08 | Albert Shinderovsky | Alphabetic chess puzzles and games |
| US20050048459A1 (en) * | 2003-08-29 | 2005-03-03 | Gubitosi Domenic T. | Educational toy with actuators and correlated audible and visual output |
| US20100001464A1 (en) * | 2008-07-02 | 2010-01-07 | John Wesley Walker | Black light board game |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2647749A (en) * | 1950-03-20 | 1953-08-04 | George F Wales | Instruction accessory for chess games |
| US3395463A (en) * | 1966-04-21 | 1968-08-06 | Donald G Worden | Chess machine |
| US3579856A (en) * | 1968-07-22 | 1971-05-25 | Frederick L Way | Auto-chess apparatus and punched card therefor |
-
1974
- 1974-10-18 US US516086A patent/US3923306A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1975
- 1975-07-23 GB GB30858/75A patent/GB1514997A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-07-29 DE DE19752533851 patent/DE2533851A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1975-08-08 FR FR7524815A patent/FR2287931A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1975-09-17 CA CA235,653A patent/CA1037509A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-09-17 JP JP50113114A patent/JPS5177444A/ja active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2533851A1 (en) | 1976-04-29 |
| US3923306A (en) | 1975-12-02 |
| FR2287931A1 (en) | 1976-05-14 |
| GB1514997A (en) | 1978-06-21 |
| JPS5177444A (en) | 1976-07-05 |
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