GB2177609A - Game board - Google Patents

Abstract

A board for playing a game such as chess or draughts, played by moving playing pieces (not shown) over the board, comprising a periphery 2 and a two-dimensional playing surface 3 having a repeating pattern which with the periphery provides the optical effect of a three-dimensional playing surface. In one embodiment there are two pairs of opposite sides 4 and 5, each side 4 or 5 of each pair of opposite sides being of 'V'-shape. The limbs 6 and 7 of each 'V' 4 or 5 define an included angle of 135 DEG with the apex 8 pointing away from the playing area 3. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Game board The invention relates to a game board, and to a games playing apparatus comprising the board.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a board for playing a game played by moving playing pieces overthe board, comprising a periphery and a two-dimensional playing surface having a repeating pattern which with the periphery provides the effect of a three-dimensional playing surface.

The periphery may comprise two pairs of opposite sides each side of each pair of opposite sides being of 'V'-shape.

The apex ofthe 'V'-shape may preferably lie on a plane passing through the centre of the board.

The 'V'-may define an angle of 135".

The angle of 135 may be an included angle.

The board may comprise a hinge orfold line coincident with a plane passing through the centre of the board and the apex of two opposite 'V'-shapes at right angles to the playing surface. Such a hinge orfold lines allows the board to be folded for storage.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a games playing apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces and a game board as hereinbefore defined.

The playing pieces may be chess pieces.

Game boards embodying the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 shows in plan view a first embodiment of game board according to the invention; and Figure2 shows in plan view a second embodiment of game board according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are referred to by like numerals, there is shown a board for playing a game such as chess or draughts, played by moving playing pieces (not shown) over the board, comprising a periphery 2 and a two-dimensional playing surface 3 having a repeating pattern which with the periphery provides the effect ofathree- dimensional playing surface.

In both embodiments the repeating pattern comprises a chequer pattern of alternating black and white areas. There are sixty four such areas, with eight such areas being aligned along each side ofthe board.

There are two pairs of opposite sides 4 and 5, each side 4 or 5 of each pair of opposite side being of 'V'-shape.

The limbs 6 and 7 each of each 'V' 4 or 5 define in the embodiment of Figure 1 an included angle of 135" with the apex 8 pointing away from the playing area 3.

The limbs 6 and 7 of each 'V' define in the embodiment of Figure 2 an included angle of 135" with the apex 8 of the 'V' pointing towardsthe playing area 3.

In both embodiments there are eight areas 9 along side, in other words four such areas along each limb of each 'V'.

In both embodiments, the arrangement of the chequer pattern in combination with the 'V'-shaped opposite pairs of edges provides a 3-dimensional effect even though the playing surface is 2dimensional.

There may be a hinge or a fold line in the board, connecting the apices 8 of two opposite 'V'-shapes 4 or 5 whereby the board 1 can be folded on itself about the hinge orfold lineforstorage ortransport.

Agame such as chess is played using a board embodying the invention by setting up and then moving the playing pieces as in a game using a conventional board.

1. A board for playing a game played by moving playing pieces overthe board, comprising a periphery and a two-dimensional playing surface having a repeating pattern which with the periphery provides the optical effect of a three-dimensional playing surface.

2. A board according to Claim 1,theperiphery comprising two pairs of opposite sides, each side of each pair of opposite sides being of 'V'-shape.

3. Aboard accordingtoClaim 2,theapexofthe 'V'-shape lying on a plane passing through the centre of the board.

4. A board according to Claim 3, the'V'- defining an angle of 135 .

5. Aboard according to Claim 4, the angle of 135" being an included angle.

6. A board according to any of Claims 2 to 5the board comprising a hinge orfold line coincident with a plane passing throughthe centre ofthe boardand the apex of two opposite 'V'-shapes at right angles to the playing surface.

7. A board according to any preceding claim, the repeating pattern being a chequer pattern.

8. A board for playing a game, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A games playing apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces and a game board according to any preceding claim.

10. Agames playing apparatus according to Claim 9, the playing pieces being chess pieces.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Game board The invention relates to a game board, and to a games playing apparatus comprising the board. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a board for playing a game played by moving playing pieces overthe board, comprising a periphery and a two-dimensional playing surface having a repeating pattern which with the periphery provides the effect of a three-dimensional playing surface. The periphery may comprise two pairs of opposite sides each side of each pair of opposite sides being of 'V'-shape. The apex ofthe 'V'-shape may preferably lie on a plane passing through the centre of the board. The 'V'-may define an angle of 135". The angle of 135 may be an included angle. The board may comprise a hinge orfold line coincident with a plane passing through the centre of the board and the apex of two opposite 'V'-shapes at right angles to the playing surface. Such a hinge orfold lines allows the board to be folded for storage. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a games playing apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces and a game board as hereinbefore defined. The playing pieces may be chess pieces. Game boards embodying the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 shows in plan view a first embodiment of game board according to the invention; and Figure2 shows in plan view a second embodiment of game board according to the invention. Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are referred to by like numerals, there is shown a board for playing a game such as chess or draughts, played by moving playing pieces (not shown) over the board, comprising a periphery 2 and a two-dimensional playing surface 3 having a repeating pattern which with the periphery provides the effect ofathree- dimensional playing surface. In both embodiments the repeating pattern comprises a chequer pattern of alternating black and white areas. There are sixty four such areas, with eight such areas being aligned along each side ofthe board. There are two pairs of opposite sides 4 and 5, each side 4 or 5 of each pair of opposite side being of 'V'-shape. The limbs 6 and 7 each of each 'V' 4 or 5 define in the embodiment of Figure 1 an included angle of 135" with the apex 8 pointing away from the playing area 3. The limbs 6 and 7 of each 'V' define in the embodiment of Figure 2 an included angle of 135" with the apex 8 of the 'V' pointing towardsthe playing area 3. In both embodiments there are eight areas 9 along side, in other words four such areas along each limb of each 'V'. In both embodiments, the arrangement of the chequer pattern in combination with the 'V'-shaped opposite pairs of edges provides a 3-dimensional effect even though the playing surface is 2dimensional. There may be a hinge or a fold line in the board, connecting the apices 8 of two opposite 'V'-shapes 4 or 5 whereby the board 1 can be folded on itself about the hinge orfold lineforstorage ortransport. Agame such as chess is played using a board embodying the invention by setting up and then moving the playing pieces as in a game using a conventional board. CLAIMS

1. A board for playing a game played by moving playing pieces overthe board, comprising a periphery and a two-dimensional playing surface having a repeating pattern which with the periphery provides the optical effect of a three-dimensional playing surface.

2. A board according to Claim 1,theperiphery comprising two pairs of opposite sides, each side of each pair of opposite sides being of 'V'-shape.

3. Aboard accordingtoClaim 2,theapexofthe 'V'-shape lying on a plane passing through the centre of the board.

4. A board according to Claim 3, the'V'- defining an angle of 135 .

5. Aboard according to Claim 4, the angle of 135" being an included angle.

6. A board according to any of Claims 2 to 5the board comprising a hinge orfold line coincident with a plane passing throughthe centre ofthe boardand the apex of two opposite 'V'-shapes at right angles to the playing surface.

7. A board according to any preceding claim, the repeating pattern being a chequer pattern.

8. A board for playing a game, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A games playing apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces and a game board according to any preceding claim.

10. Agames playing apparatus according to Claim 9, the playing pieces being chess pieces.