US2743107A - Game board device - Google Patents

Description

April 24, 195s Z. HOLLOSSY GAME BOARD DEVICE Filed sept. 15, 1951 Eff- -Z W// MW //f ou e e EGP-@ 4 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent O GAME BOARD DEVICE Zoltan Hollossy, New York, N. Y.

Application September 15, 1951, Serial No. 246,761 1 claim. (cl. 273-134) This invention relates to a game board and more particularly to the formation of such game board and the use of chips or blocks and their respective arrangements on such game board.

It isl one of the objects of this invention to provide means facilitating division of the game board in predetermined, equal fields with different markings of predetermined significance, whereby a carefully balanced combination of chance and skill of the players will determine the outcome of the game. l

It is a further object of the invention to provide means inducing the player or players of the game to select his own blocks for continuing the game or, in certain cases, to remain inactive and to force his partner in the game to continue the same with such own blocks in conjunction with those of the partner.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide means affording the arrangement of predetermined fields on a game board of which some fields are provided with specific markings signifying certain moves the player has to make with his blocks or certain stops preventing progress of his block or blocks across the game board.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide means ensuring avoidance of unnecessarily repetitious moves of the blocks and easy execution of the rules of the game even for inexperienced players.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game board which is of normal size but is so divided to afford a game system which allows an unrestricted number of game combinations and the participation of .a great number of players which is generally only possible in known games when employing a game board of subtantally larger size, a more complicated sub-division thereof and a more intricate game system.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide means rendering .possible a fast sequence of moves of the players without creating mental strain for the players although strategy and skill mustibe exer- .cised to determine the favorable result ofthe game.

Still another object of the presentinvention is to provide means affording the occupation of the fields of the game board by blocks' belonging to the same as well as v Yet a further object of Athe present invention is to provide means facilitating the use of several blocks successively during the moves of the players or simultaneously in superposed position of the blocks so as to form a pile or tower composed of blocks belonging .to various players. l

Still another object ofthe present invention is to provide means permitting changes of the game at will of a player or players whereby the latter may move at least parts of the pile or tower of blocks or the entire tower in accordance with the aim or purpose of his game.

Still a further object ofthe invention is to provide means giving rise to a unique variety of possible planned moves by the players .and of various `build-ups `of ,playicc blocks or disks to towers whereby a lively and very interesting game is achieved.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of means collecting, piling up and causing immobility to respective blocks of different colors upon occupying end fields or home squares.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claim and illustrated in the accompanying drawing which discloses, by way of example, the principle of the invention and a preferred embodiment which has been contemplated for applying said principle.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a game board constructed according to the present invention for the support and movement thereover of a number of sets of playing pieces having distinguishing designations thereon;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are top plan views of the game board on a reduced scale, showing, respectively, the playing pieces in different positions during the progress of the game;

Fig. 5 is a side-elevational view of the game board of the present invention shown with a plurality of playing pieces of like and different designations arranged in a pile or tower.

Referring now in particular to the drawing, there is shown in Fig. 1 a game board 101 for the support and movement thereover of a number of sets of playing pieces, chips, blocks and the like having distinguishing designations thereon, the movements of the playing pieces being controlled by the casting of a die or the like. The game board comprises a game starting area 102, a game p playing area 103 and a game finishing area 104 separated from the starting area 102 by the playing area 103.

The game starting area 102 comprises a number of starting fields 105, 106, 107, 108 arranged adjacent the side edge 109 of the game board 101. Any suitable means are positioned on each of the starting fields 105 to 108, inclusive, of the starting area 102 to facilitate matching of at least one of the aforementioned sets of distinguishing playing pieces with a similarly distn guished starting field. For example, as illustrated, starting field 105 is hatched to indicate the color red; starting field 106 is hatched to indicate the color blue; starting eld 107 is hatched to indicate the color yellow; and starting field 108 is hatched to indicate the color green. Likewise, four sets of playing pieces may be provided, each set consisting of four pieces suitably colored for .distinguishing purposes.

The playing area 103 comprises a plurality of rows 110 of playing fields 111 transversely 'and longitudinally aligned on the game board 100, the respective playing fields 111 of rows 110 being provided with consecutive indicia from the beginning of one row to the end thereof and back on a further row from the end to the beginning thereof, and so forth, to thereby form a continuous course of consecutively indicated playing fields 111 `extending back and forth across the playing area 103 from the side edge 109 to the side edge 112.

As illustrated, the consecutive indicia consist of the .numerals 1 to 90 inclusive, each row consisting of ten s illustrated, the markings 11'!` on the bases 113 to 116 inclusive 'consists `of overlapping ycircles hatched to indicate the colors red, blue, yellow and green. The iinishing area 104 ispositioned to form a ,part and continuation ef the last row of the playing area 103, 'the bases 113 'to 116, inclusive being the last Afo'u'r playing 'fields marked 37 to 90 inclusive. It 'is to be noted, as will be 'subsequently explained, that each playing piece of the respective sets of playing pieces is adapted to be received on only one of the bases 113 to 11'6, inclusive.

Suitable 'markings `or indicia are provided on one or more of the playing fields 111 of the 'continuous'course/to designate one or tnore penalty a'rca's 11S. For example, t

the playing vfields designated by the numerals 14 'and 60 are hatched to indicate the color red 'and designate areas in which a penalty is imposed upon the player when one or more of his Aplaying pieces land thereon during the play Jo'i the game. The particular significance of 'these penalty areas will be subsequently described in detail.

Other of the playing eld's 111 ofthe course are provided with suitable marlti'ngs or indicia 'to indicate 'one or more bonus areas 119. For example, the playing fields l13 and I4 are hatched to illustrate the color blue which entitled the player 'to a'n advantage when a playingpiece lands thereon during the play of the game, as will be subsequently described.

Still further Iof the playing 'fields are provided with means 'indicating one or more imprisonment areas 1'20. As illustrated, the playing fields 18 and 73 are hatched to indicate the color green which signifies the imprisonment areas 120, the 'significance Iof which will be -sub'sequently described.

A further playing field of the continuous course is p'rovided with markings indicating a barricade area `1'21 over which a playing Apiece cannot "ordinarily advance. As illustrated, the playing field 63 is hatched to illustrate the color brown which is indicative of the barricade area.

Disposed vtransversely `of one or more rows 11'0 of the playing area 103 Aare retarding arrows l122, each of which has its tail end beginning in the playing field of one row and has its `head end terminating in `a transversely aligned playing field of another row. As illustrated in Figure l, the lretardihg arrows are provided vat spaced intervals along the course,

Positioned transversely of one or more of the rows 110 are advance arrows 123 'each of which has its tail end be-V ginning in theplaying field 111 of one row and has its head end in a transversely aligned playing `field of another row. As shown, the retardin'g `arrows 122 have their head ends facing toward the starting area y102 while the advance arrows 123 have their head ends extending toward the finishing area 104.

The equipment needed for the play of the gaine consists of the board 100, sixteen playing pieces, four of each color, and four dice, one die for each player and suitably colored to match the color of his' playing pieces. The game as illustrated can be played by two, three or four players. lf more than four players wish to participate in the novel game of the present invention, a suitable number of extra sets `of playing pieces and rdice can be provided.

In preparation for the play of 'the game, each player chooses a particular color and places the four playing pieces, one upon the other, on the correspondingly colored starting fields 105, 106, 107 and 108. The individual lto start thcplay is the player scoring highest with his colored die. Each subsequent gaine is started by-the winner of the preceding game, the players following in order of the location of the respective starting fields 105 'to 108, inclusive, from left to right. To actually begin the play, each player in turn throws the die and 'places one of the playing pieces on the playing field 111'of the row immediately contiguous to the starting area 102. If several players happen to throw the same number on the first play, the respective play pieces are placed one on top of the other, in succession, on the correspondingly designated playing el'd 111 of the playing area 103. The thus superposed playing pieces (Figs. 2 and 5) may be intermingled from the various sets employed during the game form towers, the special significance of which will be subsequently set forth.

After the very first cast, each player may either move one of the playing pieces still on the starting field to the corresponding field of the board or advance one of the playing pieces already on the continuous course to a correspondingly higher numbered playing field. As additional playing pieces are put into the play of the game, the playing pieces may be singly received or grouped in a tower on the continuous course. The further progress of the game is covered by the following rules of play:

A. GENERAL RULES (l) The throw is made with only one die.

(2) A player may advance a playing piece chosen in a manner whereby the full and exact number of points thrown is stepped ofon the continuous course. The playing pieces advance in accordance with the continuous designations provided on the fields 111 of the continuous course except 'as indicated by the retarding arrows 122 and the advancing arrows 123 (see rule 8 below for the significance of the retarding and advancing arrows 122, 123).

(3) If the position of a playing piece is such that the player is unable to advance any of the playing pieces by th'e full and exact number cast by the die, the throw does not vcount and the player must wait the next turn, `even though 'this situation may occur several times in succession.

(4) If,for any reason, the number `cast by the die is not identifiable, the throw or cast is invalidated and must b'e repeated.

(51) After any throw, the player should kconsider the position of all the playing pieces and carefully weigh the probable consequences of any planned move since once a player has moved a piece to its new position and has removed the hand, a piece cannot be changed or moved to another position.

(6') Until the players hand has been removed from the playing piece, the next successive player may not throw 'the die. In the event that such a throw is made, it is'invalidated and must be repeated in accordance with rule 4.

(7) If a player throws the number 6, the player may, after making the move, throw the die again and make another move, either with the same playing piece or with another 'one of the playing pieces of the set. This process is repeated as often 4as the player continues to throw successive sixe's.

(8) If, during the progress of the game, the player moves the playing piece (or a tower, see Special rules below) to a playing field on which a retarding arrow 1422 or an advance varrow 123 has its tail end, the playing piece or tower is immediately permitted to proceed to the playing field in which the arrow has its head end. This rule i's restricted inthe case of the arrow from eld 58 to field 83 in accordance with the Special rules concerning the barricade area 121.

B. SPECIAL RULES The T ower (a) When two or more playing pieces occupy the same field 111, the playing pieces are super-posed upon each other inthe order in which they were moved onto the playing field to form a towen (b) AA ft'owe'r may consist of playing pieces of the same ordifferent colors.

(c) The tower 'as a unit, or any part thereof lifted therefrom, has the same rights 'and obligations as a 'single playing piece.

(d) A player can nro've 'a tower or a part thereof only if ythe lowermost piece of the tower or part thereof is ofthe particular designation assigned to the player.l

(e) If a player has more than one of his own playing pieces in a tower, he may move any of them but must carry with the playing piece moved all of the playing pieces above the one chosen, whether they are his own or playing pieces of an'opposing player.

The bonus area (a) If a player has moved a single playing piece or tower to a bonus area 119, designated by the color blue, the player acquires the same rights as if he had thrown a 6 (see General rule 7). The player can throw again and advance any of his playing pieces, or tower or a part thereof that can utilize the full number thrown by the cast of the die. Thus, the player is not required to move the particular playing piece or tower placed upon the bonus area 119.

(b) In the situation in which a tower lands on a bonus area, the right to throw again is given only to the player who places the tower on the bonus area and not to the other players who may have playing pieces forming a portion of the tower.

(c) If a player throws a `6 and thereby lands on a bonus area, the normal bonus does not apply, namely, the player is accorded only one extra throw, as explained in General rule 7.

The penalty area If a playing piece or tower is moved to a penalty area 118, designated by the color red, the playing piece or pieces concerned are immediately returned to their respective starting fields 105 to 108 and begin their progress along the continuous course over again.

The imprisonment area (al) lf a playing piece'or tower is moved to an irnprisonment area 120, `designated by the color green, the playing piece or tower or parts thereof vcan be moved again only upon a throw of 6. Therefore, until a player who has a playing piece or tower or part thereof stranded on an imprisonment area throws a 6, the player is not allowed to move such piece.

(b) Any player who is imprisoned in the imprisonment area can free his own playing pieces by throwing a 6 but in the event that his playing pieces form a portion of a tower, the player must take with him all pieces of the tower lying on top of the particular playing piece. All playing pieces below the liberated playing piece continue to be imprisoned and must await the throw f 6.

(c) If a player throws a 6 and does not take advantage of the opportunity to move the captured playing piece or pieces, the playing pieces remain on the imprisonment area until freed by a subsequent throw of 6.

(d) A throw of 6 always entitles the player to an extra throw (see General rule 7) even if the player has used the throw of 6 to liberate a playing piece from an imprisonment area.

The barricade area (a) If a playing piece moves so that it lands exactly on the barricade area 121, designated by the color brown, provided that the barricade area is unoccupied, it establishes a barricade which prevents all playing pieces of a different designation from passing through the playing area as long as the barricading playing piece remains therein. If the playing lpiece that establishes the barricade carries a towen the player deposits all the playing pieces of the tower other than the playing pieces of his set on the preceding playing field 62 leaving those of his own designation on the playing eld 63 which forms the barricade 121.

(b) The holder of the barricade area 121 may, of course, move his playing pieces away from playing field 63 according to subsequent throws, but in order to keep the barricade closed, the player must leave at least one of his own playing pieces occupying the playing field 63.

`(c) Of all the playing pieces of the playing elds preceding the barricaded area only those' belonging to the holder of the barricade can cross the latter. If such playing pieces carry a tower, then, in the act of moving it across the barricade the barricade holder deposits the playing pieces other than his own on the playing field 62 while his ownplaying pieces complete the move according to the throw of the die.

(d) The path of the advance arrow to playing field 83 from playing field 58 is closed to all playing pieces other than those of the barricade holder.

(e) It' a tower is moved to playing eld 58 while the `barricade is closed, only the playing pieces of the barricade holder take advantage of the advance arrow to progress to playing field 83. If the tower was moved to playing field 58 by a player other than the barricade holder, the latter can take advantage of they advance arrow only in his turn and provided his playing piece or pieces are still standing on playing field 58. The playing pieces of other designations must remain on playing field 58. The playing pieces which cannot use the advance arrow extending to playing field 83 must use the ordinary, consecutively designated course. In view of the latter requirement, playing pieces that are on playing field 58 at the time when the barricade is removed must also use the ordinary, designated consecutive' course.

(f) If, because of the barricade, a playing piece or tower cannot utilize the full number thrown, it must remain where it is until a throw can be fully utilized (see General rule 3). lf the barricade remains closed for a long period of time, it may happen that all the playing pieces behind the barricade come to be stacked on playing field 62, as indicated in Fig. 3. In spite of this situation, all players continue to throw in turn until either the barricade holder abandons the barricade or one of the players is able to make a jump (see next rule).

The jump (a) The only way to cross the barricade area 121 while it is closed by an opposing player, is by a jump.

v (b) If a player has all of the barricaded playing pieces on playing field 63 (Fig. 3 possibly as a part of a tower mixed with playing pieces of another designation and no pieces on any preceding playing eld, if such player then throws a 2 he may move one or more of the playing pieces from the playing field 62 to playing field 64 as though the barricade area did not exist. This particular move is called a jump. If this move is to be made with Aa tower or part thereof, foreign pieces must be carried along exactly as in ordinary moves (see Special rules The tower). A player with only one playing piece on field 62 has the same rights provided all of his other playing pieces are past the barricade.

(c) If through the moving of a tower several players have acquired the right to make a jump, the players may do so in their respective turn-s after throwing a 2 provided the aforementioned requirements are met.

(d) After the jump, if a player throws a l or a 4 and has no other playing pieces to move other than those on playing field 64, the retarding arrow 122 from ield 65 or 68 forces the player to drop back to fields 56 or 48, respectively. The playing piece or pieces thus retarded will no longer be past the barricade and the player or players concerned will have lost the privilege of making the jump until the aforesaid requirements for a jump are again met.

C. TERMINATION OF THE GAME l. The last row In the last row the rights of the tower arerrestricted as follows:

If a move begins from a tower on any of the playing elds 81 to 86 of the last row, only the top playing piece can be moved. Any playing piece below the aforesaid top playing piece must therefore wait until all of the playing pieces thereab'ove have been removed one by one in consecutive order.

2. The game finishing area (a) The last four playing elds 87 to 90 inclusive form the Igaine iinishing area 104. Each of the yplaying Sfields constitutes bases corresponding in number to the number of sets of the playing pieces. Each of the b'ases can b'e Aoccupied by only one playing piece of -each particular des- `gnation.

(b) if the full amount of the' players throw brings one of `his playing pieces to a base, that playingpiece makes no further move but remains on the base until the game is over. Other playing pieces of the same designation there fore cannot move into the game finishing areaunless the amount of the throw lands the particular playing pie'ce on one of the other bases which is unoccupied.

For example and with reference to Fig. 4, if playing field 88 is occupied by a yellow playing piece and there is another yellow playing piece on playing field 85W, a 'throw of 2, 4 or 5 would be necessary to move this playing piece into available home bases constituted by the unoccupied playing fields 87, 89, 90.

ln the aforesaid example, if the player throws the number l, the playing piece drops back from playing field -86 to playing iield 75; if the player throws a 3, he cannot move the playing piece since the base of playing field 88 is already occupied by his own playing piece; and if the player throws a 6 he cannot move the playing .piece because he cannot utilize the full amount of the throw.

(c) Playing pieces of different colors successively moved to the same bases are placed one on top of the other in the order of their arrival.

3. The winner of the ganze The first player to get all of his playing pieces in the finishing area 104 and in the appropriate bases 113 to 116, inclusive, wins the game.

D. SCORING The game can be played without any particular system of scoring, simply forV the enjoyment of winning each particular game. However, players who wish to keep score should use the following point system in determining the winners and their sequence:

l0 points for each playing piece on the respective starting fields of the game starting area 102 orfon the imprisonn'ren't areas 120;

9 points for each playing piece in the 'rst row;

8 points for each playing piece in the second row; etc.

1 point for each playing piece inthe last row. l

8 From the foregoing description and set of rules, the play and progress of the game should be fully understood. Although the invention has been described with reference to 'one embodiment only, it is to be distinctly understood Y that various modifications and adaptations of the arrange ments herein disclosed may be made as may readily occur to persons skilled in the art without constituting a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the objects and in the appended claim.

Having Athus 'described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

A rectangular game board for the support and movement thereover of playing pieces, said playing pieces being diecontrolled, beingdisc-like in form and arranged in sets according to distinguishing color designations thereon; said board comprising a starting area forming part of and located along one edge of said game board, a playing area having a plurality of parallel rows of playing fields, a finishing area separated from said starting area through s'aid playing area and located at an edge of said game board opposite said one edge, said starting area including a number of aligned and spaced apart starting fields extending parallel to said rows of said playing area, said starting fields being provided with means correspondingly matching with vsaid distinguishing color designations on 'said playing pieces, said playing area and said finishing area being engageable by said playing singly and in superposed position to each other, respectively, whereby said super-.posed disc-like playing pieces form tower means movable across said playing area, the playing pieces of said towe'r means being separable from each other on said playing area and said finishing area, respectively, said finishing area forming part of a row of playing fields and being provided with finishing fields, each of said finishing fields being provided with respective means correspondingly matching in color with all said distinguishing color designations on said playing pieces so that all playing pieces of the respective distinguishing color designations will be successively moved to said finishing fields to form in the order of their deposit thereon respective groups of playing pieces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS y 925,142 Spillman lune 15, 1909 1,544,515 Branning June 30, 1925 1,558,288 Roman Oct. 20, 1925 1,633,445 Gail June 21, 1927 2,451,196 Bruck Oct. 12, 1948 2,546,347 Engel Mar. 27, 1951

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