WO2014106796A1

WO2014106796A1 - Apparatus for playing a game

Info

Publication number: WO2014106796A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/061308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dane Scarborough
Original assignee: BROOMBERG, Ryan
Priority date: 2013-01-02
Filing date: 2013-12-24
Publication date: 2014-07-10

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game is disclosed, the apparatus comprising sets of manipulate playing pieces each of which comprises a plurality of link elements (10; 10.1) which can be pivoted relatively to one another so as to change the configuration of the playing piece. The apparatus also includes a pack of cards (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) each of which bears a picture of a playing piece for the player to replicate by manipulating the link elements (10; 10.1) with respect to one another. The manipulated playing pieces can be constituted by digital images displayed on a screen and the shapes of which can be manipulated electronically. Alternatively the playing pieces can be constituted by link elements (10; 10.1) each of which comprises a bar (14; 14.1) integral with a fork (12; 12.1). The bar (14; 14.1) of one link element (10; 10.1) is receivable in the fork (14; 14.1) of another link element (10; 10.1). There are means on the inside surfaces of the arms (16; 16.1) of the fork (14; 14.1) and on opposite sides of the bar (12, 12.1) which means form the pivotal connection between two link elements (10; 10.1).

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for playing a game. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Card games of various forms have been played over the centuries. The basic format is that cards are dealt to the participants and, either by discarding the cards or using them in the game, the participants finally dispose, in accordance with the rules of the game, of all the cards they have been given. The round or "hand" finishes at that point.

There is usually no physical activity except that involved in picking up cards dealt from the pack on to the table in front of the player, and placing cards down on the table. The games can teach lessons on strategy and tactics as the cards used by other participants can give clues as to the other cards that they hold.

A drawback of card games, particularly in so far as they are intended to be played by children, is the lack of any physical activity over and above that described. Also, conventional card games do not assist in the development of hand/eye coordination.

The present invention provides apparatus for playing a game which requires participants to manipulate game playing pieces to designated shapes so that hand/eye coordination is required and a degree of physical activity is involved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus comprising sets of manipulate playing pieces each of which comprises a plurality of link elements which can be pivoted relatively to one another so as to change the configuration of the playing piece, and a pack of cards each of which bears a picture of a playing piece for the player to replicate by manipulating said elements with respect to one another. In one form the manipulate playing pieces are virtual and constituted by digital images displayed on a screen and the shapes of which can be manipulated electronically. In this form of the apparatus the cards can be constituted by electronic images displayed on a screen. In another form the playing pieces are mechanical and constituted by link elements each of which comprises a bar integral with a fork, the bar of one link element being receivable in the fork of another link element, and there being means on the inside surfaces of the arms of the fork and on opposite sides of the bar which means form the pivotal connection between two link elements.

Said means are desirably hemispherical protrusions and hemispherical recesses.

In one link an axis through the protrusions or recesses on the inside surfaces of the arms is at right angles to an axis through the protrusions or recesses on opposite sides of the bar.

In another form of link an axis through the protrusions or recesses on the inside of the arms is parallel to an axis through the protrusions or recesses on opposite sides of the bar. Each link can include a detent and a plurality of compatible grooves, engagement between the detent and a groove locating a bar and a fork, which are pivotally connected together, in the relative position to which they have been pivoted. Alternatively it is possible for each link to include a plurality of detents and a groove, engagement between a detent and the groove locating a bar and a fork, which are pivotally connected together, in the relative position to which they have been pivoted.

Each playing piece can be in the form of a loop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figures 1 and 2 are elevations of a first link element, the elevations being at right angles to one another; Figures 3 and 4 are similar elevations of a second link element; Figure 5 shows four inter-engaged link elements; Figure 6 illustrates a playing piece in the form of a simple loop;

Figure 7 illustrates cards on which are printed representation of loops of dimensional form; and Figure 8 illustrates a playing piece in a complex three-dimensional form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The link element 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 includes a fork 12 and a bar 14 which protrudes from the fork 12. The fork comprises parallel arms 16 each of which has a hemispherical protrusion 18 on its inner face. The bar 14 has correspondingly shaped depressions 20 in its side faces.

A transverse elongate detent 22 of vee-section is provided, the detent 22 spanning across the base surface 24 of the fork.

The bar 16 has transverse grooves 26 (see particularly Figure 2) in its curved outer surface 28, the grooves corresponding in cross sectional shape to the detent 22. The link element 10 is symmetrical about a plane, designated P1 in Figure 1 which is midway between the arms 16 and bisects the bar 14.

The link element 10.1 of Figures 3 and 4 has the same parts as the link element 10 of Figures 1 and 2 and like features have been designated with like references to which the suffix "1" has been added. The link element 10.1 is symmetrical about the plane P2.

The difference between the link elements 10 and 10.1 resides solely in the relationship between the fork and the bar. The bar 14.1 of the link component 10.1 extends transversely with respect to the arms 16.1 and not in alignment therewith. The result of this is that in Figure 1 an axis A1 through the protrusions 18 is parallel to an axis A2 through the depressions 20. In Figures 3 and 4 the axis A3 through the protrusions 18.1 is at right angles to the axis A4 through the depressions 20.1 .

When the bars 14, 14.1 are pushed between the forks 12, 12.1 , the protrusions 18, 18.1 snap into the depressions 20, 20.1 . A link such as is shown in Figure 5 results. In Figure 5 the link elements are all of the form designated 10.1 . The depressions and protrusions act as pivots, and the detents 22, 22.1 and grooves 26, 26.1 locate the link elements in the position to which they have been rotated with respect to one another.

Figure 6 illustrates a simple loop 30 consisting of twenty four elements as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The loop has two straight sides and triangular ends.

The nine cards 32, 34, 36, 38, 40,42, 44, 46 and 48 of Figure 7 illustrates loops of different configurations. Each loop comprises twenty four of the elements 10.1 . The loops can be given names and the names themselves can be indicative of the shape of the loop.

In Figures 7 all but two of the loops are two dimensional. The remaining two designated 36 and 40, have a simple three dimensional shape and a more complex three dimensional shape respectively.

Turning now to Figure 8 this illustrates a card 50 showing the loop in a complex three dimensional form for the purpose of playing a more advanced form of the game. The four diagrams constituting Figure 8 are a side elevation, a top plan view, a front view and an isometric view.

Each participant in the game has a playing piece as illustrated in Figure 6 comprising twenty four elements 10.1. This simple playing piece can be manipulated into over 15000 different configurations. The game participants are each dealt a card 32 to 48 which illustrates the form to which their playing piece must be manipulated. The winner of the round is the participant that first obtains a loop of the same form as that of the card received. The simpler form of the game is played with cards of the forms illustrated in Figure 7. The loops to be obtained are two dimensional or simple three dimensional. A more advanced form of the game uses cards as shown in Figure 8 where a complex three dimensional configuration must be achieved.

To determine an overall winner, the cards are given a numerical value which is related to the degree of difficulty in manipulating the playing piece to the format illustrated on the card. In Figure 7 the cards carry the values 1 , 2, 3 and 5. The winner of each round is awarded the numerical value of the card that was received, and the overall winner is the participant with the highest number of points after all cards have been dealt.

It is possible for the cards to be displayed in a virtual manner on a screen instead of being physical objects. In advanced forms of the game the configuration to be achieved can be displayed three dimensionally on the screen. Where a touch screen is being used, the program can be such that it "reads" the shape of the loop placed against the screen to determine if the loop corresponds in configuration to the card displayed.

It is also possible, using a mouse, keyboard or roller ball, electronically to manipulate simple loop displayed on the screen to the shape that was illustrated by the card.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus comprising sets of manipulable playing pieces each of which comprises a plurality of link elements which can be pivoted relatively to one another so as to change the configuration of the playing piece, and a pack of cards each of which bears a picture of a playing piece for the player to replicate by manipulating said elements with respect to one another.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the manipulable playing pieces are constituted by digital images displayed on a screen and the shapes of which can be manipulated electronically.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cards are constituted by electronic images displayed on a screen.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each link element comprises a bar integral with a fork, the bar of one link element being receivable in the fork of another link element, and there being means on the inside surfaces of the arms of the fork and on opposite sides of the bar which means form the pivotal connection between two link elements.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means are hemispherical protrusions and hemispherical recesses.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein an axis through the protrusions or recesses on the inside surfaces of the arms is at right angles to an axis through the protrusions or recesses on opposite sides of the bar. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein an axis through the protrusions or recesses on the inside of the arms is parallel to an axis through the protrusions or recesses on opposite sides of the bar.

Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein each link includes a detent and a plurality of compatible grooves, engagement between the detent and a groove locating a bar and a fork, which are pivotally connected together, in the relative position to which they have been pivoted.

Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein each link includes a plurality of detents and a groove, engagement between a detent and the groove locating a bar and a fork, which are pivotally connected together, in the relative position to which they have been pivoted.

Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each playing piece is in the form of a loop.