GB2250445A - Board game - Google Patents

Abstract

A hexagonally shaped game board is divided into trigangular sectors. A large number of rotatable gates are located at the apexes of the sectors. The gates are attached to the board so that they can be rotated both ways, then stopped in pre-arranged positions along the sector sides. One or more markers may be moved around the board by rotating the gates. Other gates according to their position provide guides for the movement of the marker from sector to sector, or restraints, stopping the movement of the markers or rotation of gates. <IMAGE>

Description

HEXAGONALLY SHAPED BOARD GAME This invention relates to the apparatus [hereinafter referred to as the "apparatus"] for the principles hereinafter referred to as the "principle" or "principles"] of a board game (hereinafter referred to as the "game].

Board games generally fall into three categories namely a], those of skill where either physical dexterity or mental ability is required or b], those of chance or luck or c), those requiring a combination of both skill [as defined above] and chance or luck. In this respect the subject "game" is not unique and can be played under one or all of the above three mentioned categories a], b] and c].

Generally the playing board in board games is square shaped, however although the subject "game" playing board [herein after referred to as the "board"] is hexagonal in this respect it is not unique.

Other board games can be played with one or more players and again here the "game" is not unique.

The subject "game" is unique however from other board games in so far as other board games which rely on the movement of counters or pieces are played by moving the counters or pieces directly by hand contact. In the subject "game" the counter or counters [herein referred to as the "counter or "counters"] are moved indirectly by hand via a series of rotatable gates [hereinafter referred to as the "gate" or "gates".

In this respect the "apparatus" and the "principle" of the present invention differs from other board games.

Furthermore in other board games which use counters or pieces any restraints on those counters or pieces are not by physical means but are by the rules of the game or by the existing position of the other counters or pieces In the subject "game" the "gates" [other than the "gate" being rotated by hand in order to move the "counter"] form either restraints to the movement of the "counter", or guides for the movement of the "counter".

This "principle" in the present invention is different from that of other board games.

According to the present invention there is provided a playing "board", and sixty one, or more, or less rotatable "gates" and one or more "counter" or "counters" as shown in FIGURE 1.

The playing "board" is divided into one hundred and forty four triangular sectors [hereinafter referred to as "sector" or "sectors"] the apexes of which triangles exactly coincide with the centres of rotation of the "gates". The six central triangular "sectors" are numbered one to six.

The size, and composition and method of construction of both the "board" and the "gates" and the "counters" is immaterial to the "principle" of, and to the playing of the "game".

In this illustration the dimensions shown as radius "a1,, radius "b", radius "c" and the side of the triangular sector length "d" are in fixed proportions one to another. Typically they might be radius "a" equals 48mm, radius "b" equals 50mm, radius "c" equals 20mm and length "d" equals 60mm. Thus giving a clearance of 2mm between the end of the arm, denoted as Z, of a "gate" and any adjacent "gate".

All the dimensions herein discussed may be scaled up or down in the same strict proportions.

Each "gate" has its own point of rotation shown in the illustration as the point "X".

A triangular "sector" is defined as the area between the points of rotation "X" of three adjacent "Gates" A, B and C.

If "Gate" A is rotated anti-clockwise, the "counter" will move from one triangular "sector" to the next in the direction of the arrow shown as "Y", with the "Gates" B and C acting restraint guides.

In the illustration "gate" A is rotated by hand about its point of rotation and "gates" B and C form the necessary guides. With "gates" B and C in the position shown the "counter" can be made to move first to the adjacent "sector" and through further rotation of "gate" A to the adjacent "sector" but one. Reference to FIGURE 2 shows the importance of the dimensions, proportions, and the shape of the "gates" and illustrates that with minimum clearance between it and other "gates" a central "gate" such as "gate" A could if so required by a player describe a 360 degree arc, provided that all surrounding "gates", such as "gate" B and C etc.

are positioned so as to allow this to happen.

In such circumstances the "counter" in contact with one arm [hereinafter referred to as an "arm") of the "gate" would also be directed through a 360 degree arc.

Similarly reference again to FIGURE 2 will serve to illustrate the "principle" whereby "gates" act as guides to the movement of the "counter".

Had "gate" C been already in a position 60 degrees clockwise of the position shown then it would have provided a restraint such that the "counter" could only then move once to the first adjacent "section". Such circumstances illustrate the further "principle" of the "gates" forming a restraint to the movement of the "counter".

It is clear from FIGURE 2 that whilst Gate C is free as shown to be rotated 60 degrees anti-clockwise, it is not free to be rotated 60 degrees anti-clockwise since its proposed rotation in the anti-clockwise direction is effectively barred by the existing position of Gate D.

This effectively illustrates the principle whereby the positioning of adjacent "gates" can effectively bar the rotation of other "gates".

FIGURE 3 Illustrates one method whereby the "gates" are connected to the "board" and are capable of being rotated by hand in either direction and then of being stopped in predetermined positions such that the longitudinal axis of the "gate" lines up accurately with the lines on the "board" defining the sides of the "sectors".

The "gates" are inserted into the "playing board" by first squeezing the "gate" legs, denoted as "E",. together and then passing the legs through the spring washer denoted as "D".

After this the legs are then squeezed together again and are then passed through the hole in the "playing board".

Once the legs are fully inserted through the hole in the "playing board" the Vee-notches in the "playing board", denoted as "C" allow the legs to click into place during rotation to line up with the lines on the "playing board" which form the sides of the triangular "sectors".

It can be appreciated that a slight downward pressure on the gnurled knob on top of the "gate" will compress the spring washer, thus disengaging the Vee notch and allowing the "gate" to be rotated by rotating the gnurled knob between the fingers until the next Vee notch is engaged. The alignment of the Vee notches coincides exactly with the sides of the triangular "sectors" such that when the "gate" engages in a Vee notch the longitudinal axis of the "gate" automatically lines up with the sides of the triangular "sectors".

It can be appreciated that the present method shown in FIGURE 3 illustrates one method only whereby the "gates" are attached to the "board" and can rotate in the "board" whilst having the facility to be stopped automatically and accurately in line with the sides of the triangular "sectors". This is not the only arrangement to provide a], the fixing, b] the rotation and c], the stopping mechanism required under the principle of the "game". Other means of achieving these three facilities may be provided under this invention. Such other means will be dependent upon the size, and materials of the components of the "game".

By way of further example and also with reference to the accompanying three drawings FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2, and FIGURE 3, a method of playing the "game" can be described as follows. In this example an element of luck as well as skill will be introduced by means of the use of a dice.

In this example a dice is thrown to determine on which of the six triangular "sectors" the single "counter" is first placed.

After this each or all of two or more players throws a dice to determine which edge of the "board" corresponding to the numbers in the centre of the "board" the individual player is to attempt to move the "counter" to.

The player who is to move first throws one or more dice to determine how many moves he is entitled to make during his turn. Each move is represented by one rotation of one "gate" across one triangular "sector", ie. 60 degrees, in either a clockwise or an anti-clockwise direction. The intention during his turn is, by making the various moves to direct the "counter" to the edge of the "board" he was allocated at the start of the "game". This procedure is repeated for the next and subsequent players.

The object of the "game" is for the players to attempt to be the first to get the "counter" to their allocated edge of the "board".

In order to be moved a "gate" need not necessarily be in direct contact with the "counter". However a "gate" cannot be rotated to a new side of a "sector" line, if the said line is already occupied by a "gate".

To eliminate the element of chance from the "game" instead of the throw of the dice dictating the number of moves to be made, a set number of moves per player is allocated prior to the start of the "game".

Whilst a game with one "counter" only is described herein, if required each player can have his own individual "counter".

As an alternative to the aforementioned method of playing the "game", a "game" can be played whereby the intention is not to reach the edge of the "board", but where the intention is to trap the other player's "counter" in a "sector" completely surrounded by the "arms" of three "gates" as in "sector" 4 as shown in FIGURE 1.

The above two examples of the method of playing the "game" are not by way of forming any limitation as to the method or rules for playing the "game". This invention allows for all variations of and methods for playing the "game".

Claims (1)

1. A game comprising an hexagonal playing board with sixtyone or more, or less rotatable gates attached thereto and one or more moveable counters.

   A game as claimed in CLAIM 1 wherein the rotatable gates can be rotated by hand and in which the rotation can be arrested when the gate is in a certain direction coinciding with the lines on the top face of the playing board corresponding to the sides of one hundred and fortyfour, or more, or less triangular sections on the top face of the playing board.

   A game as claimed in CLAIM 1 and in CLAIM 2 whereby the mechanism used to allow a gate to be rotated but to be stopped in a predetermined line corresponding to the sides of the sectors on the top face of the board is not limited to the method described herein or to the method shown in FIGURE 3.

   A game as claimed in anyone of the preceeding claims whereby the component parts, namely the board, the gates and the counter or counters are of a fixed shape and of a fixed proportion one to another but not of a fixed size or of a fixed material or of a fixed construction.

   A game is claimed in any one of the preceeding claims where the shape and proportions of the gates are important to the extent that they allow a gate to be rotated without impinging on an adjacent gate, provided all adjacent gates are not lined up radially pointing towards the gate to be rotated.

   A game as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims whereby the counter or counters are not moved directly by hand but are moved indirectly by means of the hand rotating a gate in contact with the counter.

   A game as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims whereby the gates can form a restraint to stop the movement of the counter or counters.

   A game as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims whereby a gate or gates can form guides for the movement of the counter or counters.

   A game as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims whereby the game can be played on either the basis of skill or luck or on the basis of a combination of both.

   A game as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims whereby the method or methods of playing the game are not limited to the methods described in the examples herein.

   A game as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims whereby the number of players able to play at one time is not limited to one or two.