GB2131591A

GB2131591A - Educational game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2131591A
Application number: GB08328819A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Thomas Fowler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-02
Filing date: 1983-10-28
Publication date: 1984-06-20
Also published as: GB8328819D0; GB2131591B

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a counter (3) and a plurality of sheets (2) which are hinged together, preferably in book form, the sheets having slots (5) through which the counter (3) may pass from one side to the other. The sheets preferably bear illustrations and textural matter which, when taken in succession, tell a story in which the counter, representing a character, takes part. Alternatively, the apparatus may take the form of a question-and- answer device in which, after passage through a slot in the page on which the question is posed or through one of a number of slots each adjacent respective alternative answers, the positions of the counter on the next page indicates the answer in the text or illustration or indicates whether the chosen answer was correct. The slots may be provided with upstanding flaps, blind embossing along a side, or bevelling of their forward and/or trailing edges to form guide means for the counter. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A game The present invention relates to a game.

According to the present invention there is provided a game comprising a counter and a plurality of sheets bearing illustrations and/or textural matter, each of which is hinged with respect to a neighbouring sheet and at least one of which has a slot through which the counter may pass from one side of the sheet to the other.

The sheets are preferably hinged together at one side to form a book. In one such embodiment, each of the sheets has a slot through which the counter may pass.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheets bear illustrations which, when taken in succession, tell a story. The sheets preferably also bear a text. The counter may represent one or more of the characters who take a part in the story portrayed. In passing through a slot in one sheet, the or each character is moved from the surface of one page to that of another bearing, for example, an illustration of a different location from that of the previous page. In one embodiment, on passing through a slot, the counter moves from the surface of the sheet bearing that slot to the surface of the next sheet. In an alternative embodiment, the counter passes from one surface of a sheet to its other surface on passing through the slot in that sheet.

The game may have an educational content or take the form of an educational aid. In one such case, after passing through the slot in a page on which a question is posed, the position adopted by the counter in the text or illustration of the next page indicates the answer to that question. In another such case, the page bearing the question is provided with a plurality of slots, each adjacent a respective alternative answer. After passing through the chosen slot, the position of the counter in the next page indicates whether the answer given was correct.

The or each slot is preferably provided with guide means for directing the passage of the counter through the slot. Such guide means preferably also facilitate the entry of the counter into the slot. The guide means are preferably provided by an upstanding flap located along that side of the slot opposite that from which the counter is to enter. Alternatively, the guide means may be formed by blind embossing the sheet along the appropriate side of the slot. Additionally or alternatively, the forward and/or trailing edges of the slot may be bevelled to provide such guide means.

In one embodiment, counter retaining means are provided at the exit of one or more slots. Such means may comprises a sleeve or a pocket formed on that side surface of the sheet on which the counter exits the slot.

Such a sleeve preferably extends across the slot opening. However, in the case of a pocket, its entrance lies adjacent the forward or downstream side edge of the slot and a flap is preferably provided which extends from this entrance across the slot opening.

One or more of the slots may be provided with a cover flap which extends across and conceals the entrance to the slot to give variety to and enhance the amusement value of the game.

The top and bottom surfaces of the counter are preferably smooth so as to facilitate its passage through the or each slot. In one embodiment of the invention, the counter is composed of stiff paper coated or covered on both sides with a plastics material. In an alternative embodiment, the counter is entirely composed of a sheet of flexible, but stiff, plastics material. In a further embodiment, the counter is provided with a portion or member which in itself inhibits or can be used to inhibit the smooth passage of the entire counter through a slot. This allows a page to be turned with the counter lodged in the slot. In one such example, the counter consists of a smooth, flat body having a tail constituted by a piece of thick string.

A pocket, optionally with a transparent front panel, is preferably provided on the front of the first or front cover sheet of the plurality of sheets. In addition, a further pocket may be provided on the last or back cover sheet.

These pockets are provided to contain the counter when not in use. Prior to playing the game, the counter is located in the front pocket and afterwards, in the back pocket.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 to 4 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention; Figures 5A and 5B illustrate counter retaining means of further embodiments of the present invention, and Figures 6 to 8 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention.

A book 1 composed of a plurality of sheets 2 is illustrated in Figs 1 to 4 together with a counter 3. In Fig. 1, the counter 3 which is in the form of a space craft, is shown located in a transparent front pocket 4 provided on the front cover sheet of the book 1. This cover sheet also has a slot 5 provided with a projecting guide flap 6 along one of its sides.

Similar slots 5 having guide flaps 6 are provided in each sheet 2 of the book 1 as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4. The guide flaps 6 direct and facilitate both the entry and passage of the counter 3 through the slots 5.

The slots 5 and flaps 6 are formed simultaneously in the sheets 2 by cutting along three sides of a rectangle and folding, with or without scoring as appropriate, along the fourth side. The flap formed is then raised with respect to that surface of the sheet 2 viewed first in the page sequence of the book.

The page sheets of the book 1 are of stiff paper whereas the cover sheets are formed from cardboard. Such sheets may optionally be covered with a plastics coating.

The sheets 2 bear illustrations and a text which tell a story and direct the passage of this counter 3 across the sheets and through the slots 5 such that the counter 3 plays a part in the telling of this story.

Fig. 4 shows the inside of the back cover sheet of the book 1 showing the counter 3 in a back pocket 7. This figure also shows a cover flap 8 which conceals a slot 5 in the back cover. The flap 8 consists of shaped, stiff paper, which, in this case, is attached to the surface of the back cover along its upper edge and is folded over to form a hinge. This flap 8 is raised prior to inserting the counter in the slot 5. In this case, the slot 5 does not have a guide flap 6 but is provided with bevelled forward and trailing edges to facilitate and guide the entry and passage of the counter 3 upwards through the slot.

Although in this embodiment the slots 5 and flaps 6 are of the same dimensions, the slots 5 may, in fact, be wider than their associated guide flaps 6. This may be necessary in the case of slots 5 provided in thick cardboard, for example, in the cover sheets, in order that the counter 3 may pass through.

The slots in such thick sheets are preferably also provided with bevelled forward and/or trailing edges to facilitate and direct its passage through the slots.

As an alternative to the guide flaps 6, slot guide means may be formed by blind embossing the sheet along the appropriate edge of the slot. Such blind embossing may raise the trailing edge of the slot or recess its forward edge with respect to that surface of the sheet through which the counter is to enter.

To commence play, the counter 3 is removed from the front pocket 4 and inserted, as directed, through the slot 5 in the front cover sheet. This cover sheet is then turned to reveal the counter 3 on the surface of the next right-hand page (as viewed in the Figs.). The counter 3 then proceeds across that page along a path instructed, to the slot provided in that page. The counter 3 enters and is pushed through this slot 5 prior to turning the page.

Fig. 3 shows the turning of this page and the position of the counter 3 immediately after its passage through that slot 5.

Play proceeds in this manner until the counter 3 passes through the slot 5 in the last page of the book when its passage is then directed to the pocket 7 in the back cover sheet at the end of the story. In this embodiment, the counter is returned to the front pocket 4 via the slot 5 in the back cover sheet.

In the above embodiment, the counter 3 moves through a slot 5 from the surface of one sheet to that of the next. Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate the counter retaining means which cause the counter 3 to proceed from one surface to the other of the same sheet on passing through the slot 5.

The counter retaining means shown in Fig.

5A comprise a sleeve 10 which extends perpendicular to and across the exit of the slot 5.

The dimensions of the sleeve 10 are such that when the entire counter 3 has passed through the slot 5, a portion of it protrudes from the downstream end of the sleeve 11 sufficiently to allow the counter 3 to be grasped for removal.

In Fig. 8B, the counter retaining means comprises a pocket 11, having a flap 12 which extends across the exit of the slot 5.

The pocket is so arranged with respect to the slot 5 and is of such dimensions as to permit the entire counter 3 to pass through the slot.

The flap 1 2 acts to guide the counter 3 into the pocket where it is retained while the page is turned. After turning the page, the flap 1 2 is raised to reveal a portion of the counter by which it can be removed from the pocket.

The sleeve 10 and pocket 11 with flap 1 2 may be formed from a suitably shaped piece of, for example, stiff paper or transparent plastics material, glued along the appropriate side edges to the sheet 2.

Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention. The book 1, save for its illustrations and text, is similar to that shown in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4.

However, in this case, the counter 3, which is in the form of a mouse, comprises a flat body 9 and a tail 10. The flat body 9 is made of a smooth, flexible plastics material and the tail is of a length of comparatively thick string.

In Fig. 7, this counter 3 is shown entering a slot 5 in a sheet 2. Once the body of the counter 3 has been pushed through the slot 5, till only the tail remains visible, the page is turned. Thus, in this case, the counter 3 remains in the slot while the page is turned.

This is achieved by virtue of the tail whose weight and/or cross-section in relation to that of the slot 5 retains the counter 3 in the slot 5. Optionally, or alternatively, the tail 10 may be held against the page by the reader while it is being turned, so as to secure the counter 3 in the slot. As a result, the counter 3 is located not on the right-hand page, as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, but on the lefthand page after the page is turned.

As alternatives to a string tail 10, the counter 3 may comprise a strip of piled fabric or a projection on the tail end of the counter body for inhibiting its passage through the slots 5.

Although in the above described embodiments, only a single counter is employed, the game of the present invention may employ a plurality of counters. Further, one or more sheets 2 of the game may have a plurality of slots 5.

Claims

1. A game comprising a counter and a plurality of sheets bearing illustrations and/or textural matter, each of which is hinged with respect to a neighbouring sheet and at least one of which has a slot through which the counter may pass from one side of the sheet to the other.

2. A game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the path taken by the counter indicates a viewing order for the illustrations and/or textural matter.

3. A game as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the counter is adapted to interact with said illustrations so as to portray a story.

4. A game as claimed in claim 3 wherein the counter is in the form of a character or object taking part in the story portrayed.

5. A game as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheets are hinged together at one side edge to form a book.

6. A game as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each slot is provided with guide means for directing the passage of the counter therethrough.

7. A game as claimed in claim 6 wherein the guide means comprise a raised flap located along that side of the slot opposite that from which the counter is to enter.

8. A game as claimed in claim 6 wherein the forward and/or trailing edge of the slot is embossed so as to raise or depress the respective edge to form said guide means.

9. A game as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the forward and/or trailing edge of the or each slot is bevelled to direct the passage of the counter through the slot.

10. A game as claimed in any preceding claim wherein counter retaining means are provided on said other side of the sheet in the region of the or each slot for holding said counter after passage through the slot.

11. A game as claimed in claim 10 wherein said retaining means comprise a sleeve attached to said other side of the sheet which extends across and perpendicular to the slot.

12. A game as claimed in claim 10 wherein said retaining means comprise attached to said other side of the sheet, the opening of which of pocket lies adjacent the forward edge of the slot

1 3. A game as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or at least of the slots is provided with a cover flap.

14. A game as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the counter has means adapted to or for use in hindering the free passage of the entire counter through the or each slot.

15. A game as claimed in claim 14 wherein the counter consists of a smooth, flat body member which has a tail whose depth and/or weight is greater than that of the body member.

16. A game as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a pocket is provided on the first or front cover sheet and/or on the last or back cover sheet of the plurality of sheets.

1 7. A game substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, or Figs.

6 to 8 with or without reference to Figs. 5A or 5B of the accompanying drawings.