US3495831A - Board game apparatus wherein pieces are advanced pivotally - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 17, 1970 P; T. HE L 3,495,831

BOARD GAME APPARATUS WHEREIN PIECES ARE ADVANCED PIVOTALLY Filed May 12,1967 s Sheets-Sheet 1' l/ 0000000000000 0e 0(00000o 00000000 x 0000000 000000 00 0; 0000000 00000@ 00 0000000 0000000 0 0 I 0000000 0000000'U0- 0000000 0 0 000 000 0000000 00000000000 00000000000000oo00000 000000000Q'0000000000000 000 00000/0, 0 000000000000 000000 1 0 0 000000 052 o oo 00000 0 0 0 00000 00000 000 0 000000000 00000000 0 000000000 INVENTOR. PA UL 7: HE A L Y I 72 BM ATTORNEY Feb. 17,1970 v P. HEALY I, 3,4 1

BOARD GAME APPARATUS WHEREIN PIECES ARE ADVANCED PIVO'IALLY Filed May 12, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet g INVENTOR. PA UL T H E A L Y ATTORNEY Feb. 17, 1970 P.- T. HEALY 3,495,831

BOARD GAME APPARATUS WHEREIN PIECES ARE ADVANCED PIVOTALLY Filed May 12, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 'JOOOOOOOOOOO'J OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOO UOOOOOOOOOO CJOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOO O O O O O 0 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O o O O O O O O O O O O O O00 O00 O00 O00 000 0 O O O O O O O O O O 0 O O O O O O O O O 'INVENTOR. PA UL T HEAL Y A TTOR/Vf Y OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOC JO OOOOOO'OOOOOOOOOOO O OO 00 O0 O0 O0 O0 OO 00 O0 O0 O0 00 OO 00 O0 O0 00 0Q 0O 0 O0 O 0O 0O O0 O0 0O 00 V 00 O0 0O 0O 0O 0O 0O 0O 0O 0O OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO United States Patent US. Cl. 273-131 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game apparatus comprising a board and twosets of playing pieces, the board having horizontal and vertical rows of recesses adapted to receive pegs depending from the playing pieces, each piece having a plurality of pegs spaced relative to the board recesses to permit pivotal movement of the piece to a position at right angles to or aligned with its original position, some pieces in each set having pegs spaced the same distance as the openings in a horizontal or vertical row of recesses, while other pieces have pegs spaced the same distance as offset openings in parallel rows, each set of pieces having an object piece with radially extending legs each corresponding in configuration to a major portion of one of the other pieces, the remaining portions of said other pieces being shaped to lie within the outline of the center part of said object piece when said other pieces are superimposed on said object piece.

This invention relates to games of the class in which players array sets of playing pieces in oppositing relation with the pieces being moved over a playing board to atack and defend against one another, and more particularly, to a new and novel game in which the movement of the various playing pieces is distinctive and board controlled.

The present game is distinguished by the playing pieces of each set differing in kind and capabilities of movement. In its preferred embodiment here described the movement of the pieces, whether defending or attacking, are basically of a pivotal nature.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a new and novel game which can be easily fabricated, is readily played, and lends itself to enjoyment by persons of all ages.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game of the class described in which playing positions of the pieces on the board are functions of their successive pivotal movements from immediately preceding positions.

Another object of the invention is to pro-vide a game of the class described in which the board and pieces physically interact with one another to establish the playing pieces in playing position while permitting selective pivotal movement thereof from one playing position to another.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game using a plurality of like sets of playing pieces which are moved over a playing board, each set comprising pieces differentially constructed to provide, for example, an object piece and attacking pieces which differentially relate to the board in a manner to require that they have respectively different movements across the board.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game of a unique nature utilizing a playing surface having an over-a1 pattern of pivot defining locations for the respective playing pieces, which may be variably positioned on and advanced across the board by movements Which have a basic pivotal nature.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a game of the class described possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics, and the means and mode of operation herein illustrated.

With the above and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one, but obviously not necessarily the only, form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a game board in accordance with one embodiment of the invention having disposed thereon two sets of playing pieces for use by two opposing players, the optional limited direction of movement of the respectively different pieces being shown in phantom;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of the respectively different individual pieces comprised in each set of playing pieces;

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of a fragment of a board showing the attitude which one playing piece must assume to capture another in the course of the play;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6 showing a pivotal position an attacking piece must assume to capture an object piece; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a board set up for playing of the game by four persons.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, a game board in accordance With a preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a flat surfaced member 10 which may be made of a variety of inexpensive materials, for example, fiber board, paper, or plastic. If desired, the board may be provided with fold lines to enable a more compact storage thereof in a game box.

In the illustrated instance, the board 10 has a playing surface 11 which is a square-shaped playing area. This area presents a pattern of pivot locations adapted to interrelate with the playing pieces and control their positions and movements in the course of the game. In this case, the game board 10 is shown as a peg board within the bounds of which pivot locations are defined by a rectangular pattern of holes 12. The holes 12 are arranged in parallel rows in both longitudinal and transverse senses. The holes are preferably equidistantly spaced in both longitudinal and transverse senses and the diagonal spacing between the holes in adjacent rows is greater than the linear spacing of the holes in either sense.

Within the concept of a movement controlling interrelation between the playing surface of the game board and the playing pieces characterizing the invention, the pieces may assume varying configurations and may vary in number to suit the version of the game to be played. In the example here described, the pieces are provided in sets of seven. Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, which indicates the game set up for two players, two sets of playing pieces are arranged in opposed relation. Each set is comprised of a main or object piece 13 and two each of attacking pieces 14, 15 and 16. As seen in FIGS. 2 through 5 of the drawings, the bodies of the playing pieces are formed of segments of sheet material such as plastic, for example. Multiple pivot pegs are fixed to depend from each segment, each peg portion being circular in cross section and of a size to plug into one of the holes 12 in the playing surface 11. The pegs are dimensioned to provide a stable mount of each playing piece on the board surface and to have a. sufiicient length to space the body of the piece somewhat above the playing surface so that it may be readily grasped for removal or repositioning, as required in the course of the game.

The object piece 13 has a central body portion 17 from which project a circumferentially arranged series of equidistantly spaced radial fingers 18 through 25. A peg, as described, depends from each finger, near the outer end thereof. The pegs are respectively identified as 18a through 25a. In general, playing piece 13 has a cruciform configuration, being made up of superposed crosslike shapes. Legs 18, 20', 22 and 24 define a Greek cross. In effect, superposed on this is an oblique cross in the form of the letter X defined by legs 19, 21, 23 and 25. In mounting the piece 13 to the playing surface, locating the vertical beam of the Greek cross in alignment with a longitudinal row of holes 12 causes the horizontal beam thereof to be aligned with a transverse row of holes 12. Similarly, as is obvious from the drawings, the oblique cross is aligned with what might be considered intersecting diagonal rows inherently formed by the rectangularly intersecting pattern of the rows of holes 12. Thus, the spacing between the pegs 18a and 22a on the vertical beam and between the pegs 20a and 24a of the horizontal beam is a precise multiple of the spacing between the holes 12 in a longitudinal or transverse row. Similarly, pegs 19a and 23a and pegs 21a and 25a are spaced apart a precise multiple of the instance between adjacent diagonally related holes. As a result, the object piece 13 may assume a base playing position as indicated in FIG. 1 therein all of its pegs are received in holes 12 of the playing surface 11 to thereby fix the piece to the playing surface of the game board. Playing piece 14 has a L-shape, being formed of legs 26 and 27 at right angles to one another, the leg 27 being somewhat longer than the leg 26. The remote extremities of the legs respectively mount dependent pegs 26a and 27a. At their point of intersection, a third peg 28 depends to define with the pegs 26a and 27a a right angle. The spacings of the pegs on piece 14 again correspond to multiples of the spacing between adjacent rows of holes 12. The piece 14 therefore assumes a playing position on the board in which the legs 26 and 27 are respectively aligned with one of the transverse rows and with one of the longitrdinally extending rows of holes 12. It will be observed that the legs 26 and 27 have a position and peg spacing rendered them incapable of being anchored to the board in positions identifying diagonally oriented rows of holes.

The playing piece 15 has a narrow, generally rectangular, elongate configuration. Depending from its opposite ends are pegs 29a and 31a. The latter pegs are aligned and spaced to permit their being plugged into diagonally related holes 12 while inhibiting their being plugged to align with a longitudinally or transversely extending row of holes. Accordingly, the playing piece 15 is limited to an oblique playing position in all of its movements across the game board.

Playing piece 16 is shaped like the piece 15 but is longer. Depending from the respective ends of the piece 16 are pegs 32a and 33a. The pegs are longitudinally aligned, but the spacing therebetween is a multiple of the linear spacing between adjacent holes 12 in either a longitudinally extending row or a transversely extending row. Thus, in use the piece 16 is required to assume an attitude of alignment with either a longitudinal or transverse row of holes '12.

In the example illustrated the holes 12 provide locations in which the pegs of the playing pieces may be anchored to the board 10. It should be obvious that each piece, therefore, has an available pivotal interrelation with the playing surface 11 at the location of each of its dependent pegs. Moreover, the relation of the pieces to the game board is such as to permit a ready manual displacement and repositioning of the playing pieces. It is a feature of the invention that the playing pieces are repositioned or moved across the board by a pivotal action about one of its pegs. In the example shown, this may be accomplished by lifting a playing piece to disengage all but a selected peg from the playing surface and then swinging the piece in a pivotal motion about the selected peg to achieve a new playing position in which the pegs of the piece may all anchor in holes 12. Accordingly, the new playing position will be a function of the described pivotal motion. However, it is cautioned that such new position is also subject to the spacing of the pegs on the piece moved. For example, playing piece 16 can be lifted and turned about either peg 32a or 33a. Although capable of 360 of motion in thus moving, the piece may be relocated in a new position only at right angles to or in alignment with its original position. This is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 wherein are illustrated several characteristic positions the playing pieces may assume when pivoted from one position toa succeeding playing position. Similarly, a playing piece 15 could be pivoted 360 about either peg 29a or 31a. However, the piece must be moved less than 360, and by reason of the spacing of these pegs, the piece may be reseated to the board 10 only at a right angle to or in alignment with its original position. The playing piece 15 may therefore only assume positions of an oblique nature.

The piece 14 has a greater scope of movement, being pivotal about any one of the three pegs 26a, 27a and 28. The spacing between aligned pegs corresponding to or being a multiple of the longitudinal and transverse spacing between the holes 12, however, the piece 14 is limited to movement to positions other than oblique positions.

The playing piece 13 embodies in its cruciform shape the configurations and relative dispositions of the attacking pieces 14, 15 and 16, although not the identical peg arrangement. It is pivotal about any one of its pegs 18a through 25a and the combination of oblique, vertical and horizontal legs forces its movements to be limited to multiples of a rotation, the several pegs being unable to simultaneously seat themselves in holes 12 in response to a motion less than 90. Being symmetrical, the attitude of the piece 13 is the same in all playing positions.

The game components lend themselves to play in various ways. According to one method of play, the piece 13, which is in effect a parent piece from which the attacking pieces are derived, is an object piece, the capture of which by an opposing player is the objective of the game. In this manner of play the object piece 13 is stationed near a longitudinal extremity of the playing surface and centered intermediate its side edges, as seen in the drawings. Attacking pieces 14, 15 and 16 are arrayed in a line of defense in advance of the object piece 13, duplicate attacking pieces being in transversely aligned groups to either side of the object piece.

Assuming the game to be for two players, a second set of playing pieces 13, 14, 15 and 16 is similarly arrayed along the opposite end of the playing surface, in opposition to the first set. See FIG. 1 for this arrangement. The order of movement of the pieces may be suitably determined as by a throw of dice, or the spinning of a wheel, or the players may simply alternate with one another in moving any selected piece. Moves, as heretofore seen, are in the form of steps which are a function of a pivotal movement of the piece. Pieces may move unrestrictedly over the playing surface, limited only by rules of the particular version of the game as to order of play and by the requirements imposed by the spacing of the pegs on individual pieces. Thus, pieces 15 are freely movable only to oblique positions upon the playing surface, each succeeding position including a portion of the preceding position defined by the peg used as the pivot in the movement of the piece. Similarly, pieces 16 are limited to positions in a sense longitudinally or transversely of the game board.

In the play of the game, the object is to achieve, by a pivotal motion of one of the playing pieces, an overlapping or bridging relation to a piece from the set of an opposing player. When this is achieved, the piece overlapped is removed from the board. It is to be understood, however, that the repositioning of a players piece is limited in the preferred form of the game in that it may not be relocated if any of the holes necessary for its relocation and anchoring thereof to the board are occupied or blocked by another piece of the same player.

- While in capturing attacking pieces 14, 15 and 16 it is merely necessary to overlap a hole location thereunder or to bridge the piece, it is different in the case of achieving a capture of the object piece 13. It is necessary for capture of the latter that the attacking piece overlie at least two hole locations beneath the object piece before the object piece can be considered captured. Of course, if the players mutually agree, this limitation may be modified. The object piece can, of course, in the preferred version, defend itself by moving in attacking or withdrawing senses relative to opponent pieces.

As indicated, to determine the order of play dice or spinner means may be employed, with the playing pieces being given numbers corresponding to those on the dice or spinner means. Thus, a throw of the dice turning up a number corresponding to the number of one of the playing pieces may require the player throwing the dice to move the playing piece so identified. The turning up of numbers not corresponding to any of the playing pieces may be used to give the player an optional move or may require him to pass a turn.

In a variation of the game which may be played without dice or spinner means each player may move in turn. In such case, he must make a move each turn but may select any playing piece for movement.

From the preceding, it may be seen that the concept of the game is basically simple but stimulating. Moreover, the play of the game may be flexibly interpreted to achieve a great number of play versions, some of which have been illustratively presented. In any instance, it should be obvious the game may be readily adapted for play by persons of all ages.

FIG. 8 of the drawings illustrates a game board set up for play by four. In such case, the sets of playing pieces are respectievly arranged along the respective sides of the board and each player will play to his own advantage. The players maneuver their playing pieces in an effort to capture the object pieces of the opponents. The play of the game may be the same as when played by two, except that two players may cooperate in this instance in capturing the object piece of a third player where the rules required an overlap of two holes beneath the object piece for its capture. Thus, should one player succeed in placing one of his attacking pieces in an overlapping relation to one hole location beneath the object piece of another player, such object piece will be deemed captured if still another player proceeds to place one of his attacking pieces over a single hole location underlying the same object Piece. As previously indicated, the players whose object pieces are captured must withdraw from the game and their remaining attacking pieces are removed from the board.

It will be evident that other variations of play are possible, as for example one in which the object piece remains stationary, leaving the burden of defense and attack solely upon the other pieces of the same set. Further, the playing pieces have been here described as identified by number, but they may be otherwise identified, as by names appropriate to the character and nature of the game rules.

In any instance, particular note is directed to the corners of the projected portions of each of the playing pieces. It will be observed that such corners have been contoured to oblique form so they may be juxtapositioned on the board in adjacent rows without interference therebetween.

In the example illustrated the board has been identified as having holes 12 providing sockets for anchoring the pegs of the playing pieces. It should be obvious that the socket and peg relation may be reversed with the board mounting the pegs and the playing pieces having sockets. Moreover, instead of the board having sockets or pegs, other means may be used to identify the pivot locations about which pivoting may be achieved in play of the game. Therefore, it will be clear that the interrelation or interaction between the board and the playing pieces, which is to be basically of a pivotal nature, is contemplated as being achieved in any selected manner which lends itself to the economical and effective production and use of the game.

Applicant has attempted to present the game herein disclosed in a clear illustrative fashion and by way of various examples. It is to be understood, however, that in no event are the procedures and rules of the game as specifically herein suggested to be construed as limiting the nature and scope of the invention.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A game apparatus comprising a board having a playing surface with pivot locations arranged in vertical and horizontal rows, and playing pieces for arrangement thereon in opposing relation and characterized by means defining pivot portions, said playing surface at said pivot locations having portions interengaging with said pivot portions of said playing pieces to provide a physical base for the effecting of successive pivotal steps, players of the game having sets of playing pieces arrayed against one another, each set comprising a multiple legged object piece superposable over a plurality of pivot locations on the playing surface and having multiple engagement through pivot portions on said legs with pivot locations in spaced rows, the object piece being pivotal about any selected leg to other selected positions aligned with or at right angles to the first, each set of playing pieces further comprising attacking pieces disposed in protective relation to the object piece, certain attacking pieces having pivot portions disposed to be capable only of bridging pivot locations in the same row or corresponding locations in parallel rows and certain other attacking pieces having pivot portions disposed to be capable only of bridging longitudinally ofi'set pivot locations of parallel rows whereby the positions assumed by said certain attacking pieces are always vertical or horizontal whereas the positions assumed by said certain other pieces are always oblique with respect to the rows of pivot locations, said object piece having a central body portion and said legs extending radially therefrom and including legs vertically and horizontally disposed relative to parallel rows of pivot locations and legs inclined relatively to said rows, the attacking pieces having configurations allowing them to assume positions overlapping two of the pivot locations overlaid by the object piece.

2. A gameapparatus comprising a board having a playing surface and playing pieces for arrangement thereon in opposing relation characterized by means defining pivot portions on said playing pieces and pivot locations on said board for movement of pieces across the board in successive pivotal steps to assume different playing positions in the course of the game, said playing surface having at said pivot locations portions interengaging with said pivot portions of said playing pieces to provide a physical base for the effecting of said pivotal steps, said playing pieces including at least one set comprising a parent piece of cruciform configuration formed of superposed Greek and oblique crosses and related pieces each having a form the major part of which is the same as the form of one of the radially extending parts of the parent piece, the pivot portions on each related piece coacting with the surface portions at said pivot locations to cause the piece to assume the same orientation on the playing surface as that of the corresponding part of the parent piece.

3. A game apparatus comprising a board including means defining parallel rows of pivot stations and playing pieces for arrangement thereon, characterized by means defining pivot portions on said pieces physically interfitting with said pivot stations on said board, said pivot stations functioning to control movement of said pieces across said board in successive pivotal steps whereby to asume different playing poitions in the course of the game, sets of playing pieces being arrayed againt one another, each set comprising an object piece formed to be superposed over a plurality of pivot stations on the board surface, and attacking and defendin pieces of diiferent form, said object piece including a plurality of pivot portions defining lines which are angularly related to each other, said object piece being pivotable about any selected pivot portion to other positions in which its pivot portions are each positioned over a pivot station, certain pieces of each set having their pivot portions spaced to engage pivot stations along lines parallel with or at right angles to certain of said angularly related lines, and certain other pieces of each set havin their pivot portions spaced to engage pivot stations along lines parallel with or at right angles to others of said angularly related lines.

4. A game apparatus comprising a game board having a playing surface with formations thereon providing a pattern of pivot locations, and playing pieces for movement thereover, each of said playing pieces having a plurality of selectively usable pivot portions thereon physical- 1y interfitting with said formations, enabling movement of said pieces across said board in successive pivotal steps whereby to assume difierent playing positions in the course of the game, said playing pieces including at least one object piece and a plurality of other pieces diifering in form, said object piece being a unitary element made up of differential superposed shapes corresponding to or embodying the shapes of radially extending, circumfcrentially spaced portions, each corresponding in form to a major part of one of said other pieces, the remainder of each of said other pieces lying Within the outline of said object piece at the center thereof when the other piece is superposed on said object piece.

5. game apparatus as in claim 4 characterized by said other playing pieces being composed of different unitary shapes respectively having differently arranged pivot means the spacing of which in relation to the spacing of the pivot locations on the board differentially deterrnines the positions which they may assume in relation to said board.

6. A game apparatus as in claim 5 wherein certain types of pieces have their pivot portions arranged in a linear orientation and others have their pivot portions arranged in an angular configuration.

7. A game apparatus as in claim 5 wherein at least one type of said other playing pieces includes at least three pivots about any one of which the piece may be pivoted in its successive movements across the board.

8. A game apparatus as in claim 4 characterized by said object piece having dependent from each radially extending portion a pivot portion constituting one of said interfitting pivot portions.

9. A game apparatus as in claim 8 wherein others of said picces include respectively a right angled body portion and a linear body portion, in each of which the pivot portions depend in a difierent arrangement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 795,822 8/190-5 Darius. 2,199,719 5/1940 Brothers 273136 3,376,042 4/1968 Dunlap et al 273 FOREIGN PATENTS 583,178 8/1933 Germany.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 273134, 137

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