GB2456208A

GB2456208A - Three-dimensional puzzle game form by plurality of blocks

Info

Publication number: GB2456208A
Application number: GB0900020A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kim Wimbury
Original assignee: MAIN STREET DETAIL Co Ltd
Current assignee: MAIN STREET DETAIL Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-01-04
Filing date: 2009-01-02
Publication date: 2009-07-08
Also published as: GB0900020D0

Abstract

A game apparatus comprising: a plurality of blocks 102, each face of said blocks having a portion of an image thereon, where the image may be a picture or a pattern, sequence or series of symbols, numbers or letters, wherein the blocks 102 are arrangeable in a disbandable structure comprising a three dimensional array of blocks, (e.g. a cube), said structure having a plurality of external faces, such that each block within the array sits adjacent at least one further block with the array. The blocks are alignable within the array such that the image portions on the block faces create an image on each external face of said structure once formed. The block alignment may also create images on faces of two dimensional structures formed by disbanding the block structure. The image portions may comprise discreet portions of an image or individual components, e.g. letters, numbers, symbols, of a sequence, pattern or series of components forming the image. Also disclosed are: method of manufacturing game apparatus comprising applying an image to a two dimensional array of blocks and; a retail article comprising game apparatus and a container.

Description

Game Apparatus The present invention relates to a game apparatus and more specifically, although not exclusively, to a game apparatus in the form of a three-dimensional puzzle.

The appeal of a puzzle game is largely dependent on whether the game is readily accessible to new players. Thus in order to avoid deterring new players, the object of the game or puzzle should ideally be understandable without a lengthy explanation.

However, once a game is underway, a player will typically want the game to provide a challenge such that the game is involving to play over a period of time. This requirement often conflicts with the need for the game to be accessible to new players and thus a balance needs to be struck between the design of a game which is easily accessible and one which displays sufficient longevity.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus which is visually appealing and simple to play whilst offering a suitable challenge for a player.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a game apparatus comprising a plurality of blocks, at least some faces of said blocks having a portion of an image thereon, wherein the blocks are arrangeable in a disbandable structure having a plurality of external faces and comprising a three dimensional array of blocks, such that .. each block within the array sits adjacent at least one further block with the array, and the *...

portions of said images on said block faces are alignable within the array to create an image on each external face of said structure once formed. ** * S * * * 0S**

The object of the game may be to simply arrange the blocks in the correct array so as to create a three dimensional structure having complete images formed on each face thereof. Typically the player will start with the blocks in a random and/or scattered arrangement such that a player is required to arrange the blocks into the correct array in order to solve the puzzle.

The images may comprise any or any combination of pictures, illustrations, photographs, graphics and/or patterns formed by the aligned image portions on the block faces.

The blocks may be hexahedral in shape and are typically cuboid. The blocks may have perpendicular faces, which are typically rectangular in shape.

Preferably the disbandable array of blocks comprises a plurality of two-dimensional arrays therein, said two-dimensional arrays having a plurality of rows and/or columns.

The two dimensional arrays may comprise a plurality of horizontally or vertically aligned slices or sections through said three-dimensional array In one preferred embodiment, each two-dimensional array such as a horizontal or vertical slice has a complete image on each major face thereof. Thus the two-dimensional arrays define a three-dimensional array or structure having a plurality of external faces and a plurality of internal faces, each of the external and internal faces displaying an image thereon.

The image portions on one face of each block typically forms a part of a different image to that of the image portion of a second face of said block. Each face of the block may relate to a different image. A block may have image portions of six different images on its faces.

The blocks in the array may simply comprise a plurality of stacks of blocks, said structure being formed by location of each stack of blocks against one or more stacks. The player may build the structure however they see fit such as by arranging one level or face, or stack at a time. Preferably the blocks have substantially flat faces such that they can be stacked in a number of orientations. * * * * ** *

In a preferred embodiment, the graphics or patterns may comprise one or more symbols, *.** such as numerals, letters and/or other characters. The graphics or patterns may * ** : * comprise a sequence, pattern or arrangement of symbols. Preferably each face of each of said plurality of blocks has a symbol, such as a numeral or letter thereon such that, when the structure is correctly formed, each symbol appears only once within each face. *. ** * * *

* * Typically all symbols, numerals or letters are arranged in the same orientation when the structure is correctly formed.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous since the symbols are typically repeated on a number of surfaces of the structure such that it is not immediately evident to a user which symbol is intended to appear in which face. This is in contrast to a structure having images in the form of photographs or other pictures, for which it is generally more straightforward for a user to determine the face in which the image portion belongs due to the shapes and colours of the image portion on each surface of the block.

Thus a structure in which the faces comprise sequences or patterns of symbols can pose a much greater challenge than that of a structure having recognisable pictures or photographs thereon According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retail article for a game comprising a game apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention and a container, said container being formed of a container blank having a base section and a plurality of side wall sections depending therefrom, said side wall sections being foldable relative to said base section between a storage condition and a usage condition, wherein in said storage condition the side walls portions are substantially angled relative to said base portion so as to form an enclosure for said apparatus, and in the usage condition the side walls are substantially coplanar with said base section.

The side wall sections preferably have player indicia thereon such that a player can view the indicia whilst attempting to construct the structure on said base section. The indicia may comprise images, which correspond to the images on one or more faces of the : structure. * S *SSS

In one embodiment, one or more of said side walls may have a lid section depending S. *S * . therefrom. In one embodiment, one or more of said side walls may have a handle section depending therefrom. One or more side walls may have a lid section which adjoins a handle section. The lid section may also have user indicia thereon. S. ** * S S * *

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The lid and/or side wall sections may have opposing faces defining inner and outer faces of the container in the storage format. The user indicia may be provided on the inner faces. Thus the indicia will become visible to a player when the container is opened out.

Preferably the base is rectangular and each side thereof has a side wall section depending therefrom.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacture of a game apparatus according to the present invention comprising the steps of arranging a plurality of blocks in a two-dimensional array, applying an image to the array of blocks such that a portion of said image is applied to a face of each block within the array and separating the blocks from the array for application of a further image portion to a further face of the blocks.

Particular embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of the structural elements for a game apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the structural elements for a game apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a game apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows the arrangement of figure 3 when exploded in a vertical direction; Figure 5 shows the arrangement of figure 3 when exploded in a horizontal direction; *I Figure 6 shows the arrangement of figure 3 when partially assembled; * * * S * * Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional view of the structural elements for a game apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; *SSS Figure 8 shows a three-dimensional view of the structural elements for a game apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 shows a plan view of container blank for the game apparatus; Figure 10 shows an exploded three-dimensional view from a first side of a game apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 11 shows an exploded three-dimensional view from an opposing side of the game apparatus of figure 10; and, Figure 12 shows a three-dimensional view of the game apparatus once correctly assembled.

Turning firstly to figure 1, there is shown the structural elements of a game apparatus 10.

The game apparatus comprises a series of blocks 12 which are arranged in a three dimensional array so as to form a disbandable structure 14. In this embodiment, the blocks 12 are cubes which may be formed of plastic, wood or any other suitable material.

The blocks 12 have substantially flat rectangular faces which are symmetrical about a centreline through the block parallel to any edge thereof. Thus each block 12 can be rested on any one of its six faces. In this embodiment, four blocks 12 are arranged to form a cube-shaped structure 14, which is two blocks wide by two blocks tall by two blocks deep.

The cube structure 14 is formed of four stacks of blocks, each stack being two blocks tall, which stacks are arranged such that two adjoining faces of each stack are located immediately adjacent a face of another stack within the structure 14. thus each block S* within the structure abuts against three other blocks. The blocks are simply stacked and * : * * located adjacent each other without any additional securing means such that the blocks can be easily removed and replaced from the structure. The blocks are thus loose within the structure 14. ** I. * * S * * **S.

.... 30 When viewed end on, the structure 14 has two rows and two columns of blocks.

Whilst figure 1 shows a cube structure of 2 x 2 x 2 blocks, it will be appreciated that any size and shape of right angled hexahedral structure can be assembled using the blocks 12, such as for example a 3 x 3 x 3 cube, a 4 x 4 x 4 cube, a larger cube or else a structure in which the width of the structure differs from the length and/or height of the structure.

Figure 2 shows a structure 16 which has blocks arranged in a three-dimensional array which is five blocks high by five blocks wide by five blocks deep. It will be appreciated that this structure 16 is formed of one hundred and twenty five blocks arranged in twenty five stacks, which stacks are positioned in an abutting relationship with adjacent stacks so as to form the cube shaped structure 16.

It will be appreciated that each corner block (for example block 18) has three exposed faces and three faces which abut against adjacent blocks. Each mid-edge block (for example block 20) has four faces which abut against adjacent blocks. Each mid-side block (for example block 22) has five faces which abut against adjacent blocks, whereas each block within the interior of the structure abuts against adjacent blocks on all six sides thereof.

Turning now to figure 3, there is shown one embodiment of a game apparatus 100 in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the blocks 102 each display image portions on each side thereof. The blocks 102 of the apparatus 100 are arranged in an array or structure 104 which is four blocks wide by four blocks tall by four blocks deep.

In the arrangement shown in figure 3, the puzzle has been completed such that the image portions shown on each face of each block have been aligned such that all external faces of the structure 104 display a recognisable picture. In this embodiment, * ..* the images take the form generic pictures of for example people, flowers, buildings, ** ** : * * wildlife, scenery or the like. However it will be appreciated that themed images relating *. to for example to a film, a country, a celebrity or the like may be used to increase the appeal to individuals wishing to play the game. *. ** 1 * * * ***

**,,. 30 In figure 4, an exploded view of the structure 104 is shown such that the three dimensional array has been split into a series of two-dimensional arrays, labelled 106 to 112. The two-dimensional arrays represent horizontal slices or levels of the array, each being one block deep. Thus each 20 array 106 to 112 represents an array which has four columns and four rows, relating to the width and depth of the 3D array 104.

As can be seen in figure 4, within the completed puzzle structure 104, not only the outer structure faces display a complete image but also the interior faces represented by the faces of the two-dimensional arrays 106 to 112.

In a preferred embodiment, each block displays a portion of a different image on each face thereof This is exemplified in figure 5, in which it can be seen that, the array can be exploded in a different direction to create a series of alternative two dimensional arrays 114 to 120. The arrays 114 to 120 take the form of vertically oriented slices through the structure 104. The images on the faces of the arrays 114 to 120 differ from the images of arrays 106 to 112.

However in an alternative embodiment some or all of the images on the surfaces of any or all faces of the two or three-dimensional arrays may be identical. Such an embodiment ma be used to simplify the puzzle for a player. Alternatively, for a more difficult puzzle, the images on each face may differ subtly from images provided on other faces such that it is more difficult to spot to which images each block face belongs.

Such subtle differences may comprise for example, different poses by the same individual or different views of the same setting, object, building or individual.

Figure 6 shows a partially disbanded structure in which it can be seen that individual blocks 102, stacks 122 or slices 118, 120 can be removed and replaced by juxtaposing the relevant block 102, stack 122 or slice 118, 120 relative to the other parts of the structure. Typically the structure is not fixed in any way other than the blocks achieving **** a stable equilibrium position due to the flat faces thereof. *. ** * * S * *

* Although not shown above it will be appreciated that the array 104 could be split into slices in a third orientation which is perpendicular to the direction of the slices shown in S. ** : * * figures4and5. *.SS

S *SS*

In figures 7 and 8, alternative embodiments are shown in which the blocks may take different forms. In figure 7, all bocks 124 are elongate in form such that the array 126 is two blocks wide and two blocks tall but only one block deep. Structures having varying heights and widths but only one block depth can be created according to this principle by varying the numbers and lengths of the blocks 124 accordingly.

In figure 8, certain blocks 130 are elongate in shape (having a length dimension which is greater than the height and width dimensions) whilst others have all sides of equal length. Thus the structure 132 in figure 8 is formed of a combination of differing shapes of blocks. Typically all of such blocks will be hexahedral although other shaped blocks may be made to fit into a suitably shaped free-standing structure which does not require additional support or fixation.

It will be appreciated that the manufacture of blocks having the correct image portions thereon is not straightforward since each block within the array must be individually provided with different image portions thereon than the image portions provided on the faces of the other blocks. Accordingly it is proposed to provide a complete image on each face of a two dimensional array at once. Thus one complete two-dimensional array (a slice or level) of the structure can be presented for application of an image thereto, which slice can then be disbanded such that the rows or columns thereof can be arranged within another two-dimensional array for application of a further image to said other array. This is typically repeated until all faces of the blocks have image portions thereon.

It will be appreciated that each two dimensional array can have an image on opposing major faces thereof. Thus in one method of manufacture, a two-dimensional array has an image applied to both the front and reverse faces thereof before being reconfigured for printing of alternative arrays within the structure. This is repeated for all two-dimensional arrays in the structure. I. *. *

All two dimensional arrays within having the same orientation (i.e. vertical slices, horizontal slices and cross slices) may be printed in succession. In one embodiment, the ** * * three-dimensional structure may first be assembled using blank blocks. Each horizontal **S **** 30 slice (see 106 to 112 of figure 4) may be removed in turn and an image applied thereto.

Each slice may then be positioned back in the array and then subsequent slices taken for printing in turn.

The application of an image to each slice may represent one image application stage, which may comprise one or more image application steps to opposing face of the slice.

The orientation of the array may be altered by 900 or multiples thereof between each image application stage to ensure that all faces of the structure are printed. This may be achieved by laying down the two-dimensional arrays in varying orientations between are image application step, or else by physically rotating the structure between each image application stage to achieve a different orientation.

The application of an image may be by printing onto the block faces or else by application of an image sheet thereto or else by a combination of sheet application and printing. In one embodiment the sheet may have an adhesive side such that it adheres to the block faces. An adhesive sheet may be applied across an entire two-dimensional array and the blocks subsequently removed, each having an image portion adhered thereto by a portion of the sheet.

A suitable image sheet may be pre-cut to have scores, perforations or die-cuts provided along lines of weakness between the image portions such that the blocks can be reliably removed from the array with the respective image portion attached thereto. Alternatively, the image sheet may be cut along suitable lines of separation between the image portions after the sheet has been applied.

Turning now to figure 9, there is shown a container blank 200 for erection of a container suitable for housing the game apparatus shown in any of figure 1 to 8. The blank 200 comprises a base section 202 and side wall sections 204 to 210. Each of side wall sections 204 to 210 adjoins a lid section 212 to 218. *0 *.

S * .

As can be seen in figure 9, the base section is shaped to corresponds to the shape and *.*S size of one face of the game apparatus structure once assembled Similarly, the side * .* * * walls are each of shape and size to correspond with the sides walls of the game * 30 apparatus structure to be housed in the container. Typically the base 202 and side wall sections are rectangular and of length and width which substantially matches the length and width of the corresponding edges of the game apparatus structure.

A side wall section extends from each edge of the base section and is joined thereto along a fold line 220. Suitable fold lines 220 may be formed by creases or lines of reduced thickness or lines of weakness such as by perforations, scores or the like. The fold lines 220 may be plain or marked on the blank.

Each side wall section adjoins a lid section on the edge opposite the fold line 220. A further fold line 222 is provided along the line of delineation between the side wall and the corresponding lid section. The blank 200 is typically formed of card or the like. The entire blank may be formed of a single sheet of card material, which is cut the appropriate shape or else may be formed of a plurality of sheet sections which are attached together so as to form blank 200 In use, the game structure may be placed on the base section 202 and the side wall sections 204 to 210 may each be folded about substantially 90° such that they lie flat against the side walls of the structure. The lid sections 212 to 218 are also folded about substantially 90° relative to the side walls such that they lie against the upper surface of the structure. Opposing lid sections 212 and 216 each have attached thereto handle portions 224 and 226 which may be brought together so as to form a handle, by which a user can carry the structure within the container. The handle sections may be releasably attached when the container is in use by way of one or more fastenings, such as a clip, sleeve, adhesive or the like in order to retain the container in its closed condition.

When a user wishes to play the game, the container can be opened out into the condition shown in figure 9 and the game apparatus structure removed therefrom The structure can be disassembled into individual blocks in a random arrangement for the S...

player to reassemble by way of a puzzle. The user may reassemble the puzzle on base section 208 or aside from the container blank according to their preference. * S...

In one embodiment, the upward facing surface (that is, the inner surfaces when the *5 *S : * * container is formed) of the container blank is provided with images thereon which correspond to the images on the faces of the game apparatus structure. Typically an image is provided on each of side walls sections 204 to 208 such that the player can visualise the images to be assembled using the blocks. An image may also be provided on base section 202 and partial images or else smaller images may be provided on any or all of lid sections 212 to 218.

In figures 10 and 11, it can be seen that the structure 300 is formed of blocks 302 such that the structure 300 once formed is three blocks high, by three blocks wide, by three blocks deep. In this embodiment, each surface of each block 302 has a numeral displayed thereon.

It will be appreciated that the structure 300 may be formed of any number of blocks as disclosed herein. The structure 300 in figure 10 and 11 is exploded in a horizontal direction to show the arrangement of the blocks 302 in the structure once correctly formed. The correctly assembled structure is shown in figure 12, in which the structure 300 has six external faces in the form of a cuboid.

It will be appreciated that each numeral on each face of the correctly assembled structure 300 is oriented in the same direction as the other numerals within that as shown in figure 12. For example the numeral identified at 304 is arranged in a substantially vertical orientation which matches the orientation of the numeral identified at 306. A simplified version of the game may omit this requirement such that the orientation of each numeral on one external face of the structure 300 need not be the same.

In this embodiment, the orientation of the numerals may vary between faces of the structure. Numerals on opposing faces of the structure 300 may be oriented in substantially the same direction. * .

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In addition, it will be appreciated that the array of numbers on each face does not necessarily need to follow a linear or other recognisable sequence. Instead the numbers may be presented in a non-sequential or substantially random arrangement. Preferably, S...

in such an arrangement, each numeral appears only once on each face such that a user S. * * is able to determine that they have correctly assembled the structure. **S*

S * 30 S...

In all respects, other than the provision of individual symbols on each face of the blocks, the arrangement of figures 10 and 11 is as shown and described in relation to figures 1 to 9 above.

Claims

Claims: 1. A game apparatus (10, 100; 300) comprising: a plurality of blocks (12; 302), each face of said blocks having a portion of an image thereon, wherein the blocks are arrangeable in a disbandable structure (14;16) comprising a three dimensional array of blocks, said structure having a plurality of external faces, such that each block within the array sits adjacent at least one further block with the array, and the blocks are alignable within the array such that the portions of said images on said block faces create an image on each external face of said structure once formed.

2. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blocks are cuboid.

3. A game apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the disbandable array of blocks comprises a plurality of two-dimensional arrays therein, said two-dimensional arrays having a plurality of rows and/or columns such that the two-dimensional arrays comprise a plurality of slices through said three-dimensional array 4. A game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each two-dimensional array once formed has a complete image on each major face thereof formed of the image portions of the aligned faces of the blocks with said array. S... * . *� *

5. A game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the S. image portion on one face of each block forms a part of a different image to that of the image portion of a second face of said block. *...

S

6 A game apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each image portion on each S. *.

* .. face of any block forms a part of a different image. S. S 30 S*

7. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the blocks are stackable such that the array is formed of a plurality of stacks of blocks, each of said stacks of blocks being located against one or more further stacks within the structure.

8. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the blocks have substantially flat faces which are square or rectangular in shape.

9. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the blocks are loosely positionable within the structure by stacking of said blocks without any additional fixation means A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image comprises a plurality of letters, numbers or other symbols.

11. A game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each blocks comprises a symbol on each face thereof.

12. A game apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein each symbol is repeated on a plurality of blocks, each symbol appearing only once in each face of the structure when correctly formed 13. A game apparatus according to claim ii or 12, wherein the symbols in one face of the structure are all arranged in substantially the same orientation when the structure is correctly formed.

14. A game apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the symbols are arranged in a defined sequence. S. S S. I. *5*S

15. A retail article for a game comprising a game apparatus according to any one of claims ito 14 and a container, said container comprising: a container blank (200) having a base section (202) and a plurality of side wall S...

sections (204, 206, 208, 210) depending therefrom, said base and side wall sections S. IS : * . being of size and shape to correspond to the base and side faces of said game * 30 apparatus structure once formed; said side wall sections being foldable relative to said base section between a storage condition and a usage condition, wherein in said storage condition the side walls portions are substantially angled relative to said base portion so as to form an enclosure for said apparatus, and in the usage condition each of the side walls are opened away said base section so as to allow access to the game apparatus.

16. A retail article according to claim 15, wherein one or more side wall sections have player indicia thereon such that a player can view the indicia whilst attempting to construct the structure on said base section.

17. A retail article according to claim 16,whereiri the indicia comprise one or more images, which correspond to the images on one or more faces of the structure, said images being provided on a face of said side wall which faces towards said structure in the storage condition.

18. A retail article according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the base section has one or more images on a first surface thereof, which correspond to one or more of the images on the one or more faces of the structure.

19. A retail article according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein one or more of said side walls has a lid section depending therefrom, said lid section comprising a handle section 20. A retail article according to claim 19, wherein a pair of opposing side walls have lid and handle sections associated therewith, said handle sections being brought together upon manipulation of the container into the storage condition so as to form a handle for carrying the container.

21. A retail article according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the side walls are *** , substantially coplanar with the base section in the usage condition. *..S I. *

* * 22. A method of manufacture of a game apparatus comprising: producing a plurality of blocks, said blocks being stackable so as to allow construction of a three dimensional array comprising a plurality of stacks of blocks; arranging a plurality of said blocks in a two-dimensional array such that one face of each block is substantially coplanar with a face of the other blocks in the array; applying an image to said coplanar faces of the blocks within the two-dimensional array of blocks such that a portion of said image is applied to a face of each of said blocks; and, removing the blocks from the two-dimensional array for application of a further image portion to a further face of each block.

23. A method of manufacture according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of said blocks are arranged in a further two-dimensional array and an image is applied thereto.

24 A method of manufacture according to claim 23, wherein different two-dimensional arrays of blocks are arranged and printed in succession until all faces of all the blocks in the array have an image portion thereon.

25. A method of manufacture according to claims 22 to 24 when applied to a game apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

26 A game apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying figures 1 to 14 S.. * SS *5 * S... * . S... * S. * S S * S *... * * S... *S S* * S S * .

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