GB2427829A

GB2427829A - Tiltable board game and game pieces of different weights

Info

Publication number: GB2427829A
Application number: GB0513508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Daniel David Jeffreys
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-01
Filing date: 2005-07-01
Publication date: 2007-01-10
Also published as: GB0513508D0

Abstract

A board game comprises a board 1 balanced on a central pivot 2, so that it may tilt in any direction. Numbered counters (fig 2) with weights which increase proportionally to the numbers thereon are placed on the board. A counterweight (fig 4) is placed on one side of the board while the counters are placed and is removed when all the counters are in place. If the solution of the puzzle is correct the board will be balanced on the central pivot.

Description

A MECHANiCAL NUMBER PUZZLE BOARD GAME BASED ON THE

EFFECTS OF THE MASS OF ITS COMPONENT PARTS AND THE

REQUIREMENT FOR EQUILIBRUM UNDER GRAVITY

This invention relates to a mechanical number puzzle board game based on the mathematical principles discovered by the Swiss mathematician Euler, utilizing the effects of the mass of the components used and the equilibrium of forces generated through gravity.

Euler's discoveries relating to number patterns within a square grid have been attributed to the development of the popular number puzzle game Su Doku. Su Doku is generally played on paper utilizing a 9x9 square grid drawn out such that numbers, or digits, can be written or placed in each of the 81 squares within the grid. Furthermore, the 9x9 grid is subdivided into nine regions of 3x3 squares. After a number of clue' numbers have been placed at various locations on the grid by the puzzle setter, the objective for the puzzle solver is to place any one of the digits I to 9 in the remaining empty grid spaces such that each row, each column and each 3x3 sub-divided region contains only the numbers I to 9.

A physical mechanical board game version of this type of puzzle, which would have an automatic mechanism of proving when the puzzle was successfully solved, would enable two teams, or two individuals, to compete against each other with respect to time, and for it to be obvious when one team or individual had successfully solved the puzzle first.

According to the present invention, there is provided a three dimensional mechanical puzzle board game comprising a board with four planes of symmetry depicting a 9x9 grid arranged in a square formation, with a plurality of separate counters numbered from I to 9 with an equal quantity of each number and each with a mass that is in direct proportion to its numerical value, and with the board being mounted on a central pivot.

When viewed from above, the rigid board has four axes of symmetry and the position of its centre of gravity in this view is coincident with the intersection of these four axes. Its actual three dimensional centre of gravity position, however, will be directly underneath this point, as the board will have depth perpendicular to the plan form shape of the board.

In plan view, the intersection of the four axes of symmetry coincides with the centre point of the square at the geometric centre of the 9x9 grid, and when the board is placed on a central support pivot directly underneath this centre point, the rigid board will balance through the equilibrium of its own symmetrically distributed mass.

The rigid board, placed on the central support pivot will be restrained in its three translational degrees of freedom by the support pivot but free in its three rotational degrees of freedom.

The puzzle is set by the puzzle setter who places separate clue' weighted numbered counters on the board grid at pre-defined locations. The mass of each counter is directly proportional to the numerical value that the counter represents (e.g. a counter numbered 9 weighs nine times the amount of a counter numbered I and a counter numbered 4 weighs half the amount as a counter numbered 8). The placement of these clue' counters will then cause the rigid board to become out of balance'. To prevent the board becoming unstable, a counter-weight is used during play to hold the board assembly against a playing surface that the whole assembly is resting on, such as a table. With the counter- weight in place, the assembly of the rigid board, the weighted counters and the counter- weight, is stabilized by the edge of one side of the board reacting against the playing surface and the underside of the board reacting against the top of the central pivot support.

The objective for the puzzle solver is to place separate weighted numbered counters in the remaining free spaces on the rigid board's grid such that each row, each column and each 3x3 sub-divided region contain only the numbers I to 9.

The purpose of the weighted counters becomes evident when a correct solution to a particular puzzle is found. A correct solution to the puzzle (and only a correct solution), with the counter-weight removed, will cause the combined centre of gravity of the rigid board and all the correctly placed weighted numbered counters to be aligned with the intersection of the axes of symmetry of the board when viewed from above i.e. the centre of gravity of the assembly is coincident with the position of the central support in plan view. In this condition all forces acting on the board through the mass of the counters under gravity are in equilibrium. Furthermore, due to the three dimensional shape and mass distribution of the rigid board, the three dimensional centre of gravity position of the board is lower than that of the point of contact between the central support pivot and the underside of the board; hence the whole structure becomes stable.

In this state, with the counter-weight removed, the board and weighted counters will reach equilibrium and balance in a flat and horizontal manner about the central support, giving an instant visual confirmation of a successfully solved puzzle. This effect, caused by the scientific principle of first moments', is of special relevance to a head-to-head' competitive version of a game that can be played by two teams or two individuals using two sets of equipment; trying to solve the same puzzle in the shortest possible time. It is also of benefit to a lone player who needs confirmation of a correct solution.

In order to more understand the invention, one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a plan view of a typical rigid board structure (item 1) with four axes of symmetry. Two of them are indicated by the section lines A-A and B-B. It also shows the corresponding section through the rigid board and central pivot support (item 2). This cross section is applicable for both sections A-A and B-B due to the symmetry of the board. This particular example shows the rigid board with a square-shaped geometry around the 9x9 grid. This outer square geometry is convenient but not essential. What is essential is that the board has four planes of symmetry and the planes intersect, perpendicular to the plan view, along the section lines A-A, B-B and diagonally across the corners of the grid. Feature C depicts positions where a counter-weight (ref figure 4) would be placed to stabilize the board during play. Feature D shows that the position of the overall centre of gravity of the rigid board and weighted counters is below that of the point of contact between the centre support pivot and the underside of the board. This ensures stability for the overall assembly.

Figure 2 shows a typical numbered weighted counter. There would be 81 of these counters for a completed puzzle with numerical values on each ranging from I to 9 (i.e. 9 items of each numerical value I to 9). The mass of each counter is in direct proportion to its numerical value, such that if a counter numbered I is of unit mass a counter numbered 9 would have a mass of 9 units.

Figure 3 shows sections through two typical counters. Item 3 represents a counter of numerical value I and a mass of unity. Item 4 represents a counter of a higher numerical value with an in-built mass in proportion to its numerical value. The in-built mass may be achieved by adding more material of the same density as the unit mass material, or by adding material of a higher density to that of the unit mass material as a composite.

Figure 4 shows a possible counter-weight that could be placed in features C in figure 1 to stabilize the assembly during play.

Claims

1) A three dimensional mechanical puzzle board game comprising a board with four planes of symmetry depicting a 9x9 grid arranged in a square formation, with a plurality of separate counters numbered from 1 to 9 with an equal quantity of each number and each with a mass that is in direct proportion to its numerical value, and with the board being mounted on a central pivot.

2) A puzzle game as claimed in claim I, wherein the individual counters of differing weight are manufactured from either a homogeneous material or a composite of materials to achieve the required masses.

3) A puzzle game as claimed in either previous claim, wherein the grid on the board is made up of pockets that individually receive the counters.

4) A puzzle game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a counter weight can be placed on one side of the board to stabilize it prior to all the counters being placed on the board.

5) A puzzle game substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.