US3046016A - Ticktacktoe game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

iiniteti 1 Claim. (Cl. 273130) This invention has relation to a game apparatus.

The purpose or main object of the invention is to pro vide a game apparatus by employment of which a game of the general nature of the well known game ticktacktoe can be played.

A further and more explicit object is to provide a game apparatus constituted as, or including, a ball shaped member or framework adapted to be employed to the purpose of playing a game of the general nature of the three-in-arow game commonly called ticktacktoe.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description read in the light of the accompanying drawing. It is understood, however, that the disclosure herein is merely illustrative of the principle of the invention and intended in no way in a limiting sense.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a game apparatus of modified construction made according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a type of play-piece or peg which can be used in playing a game by employment of the game apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a view of a play-piece or peg which can be used in playing a game by employment of the game apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an elevational View of a differently marked type of play-piece or peg suitable for use in playing a game by employment of the game apparatus.

With respect to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawing and the numerals of reference thereon, 9 and 9 denote a ballshaped or spheroidal member or framework. FIG. 1 shows a hole 10 punched at the points of intersection of rings or loops of the member or framework and with a hole 11 punched in each ring or loop at a point on the intermediate portion of each ring or loop between two consecutive points of intersection of that ring or loop with other rings or loops. Numeral 7 represents the location of a playing station at the place of intersection of two rings or loops of the member or framework. 8 represents the location of a playing station on that portion of each ring or loop that is between two adjacent playing stations 7. In the same manner as in FIG. 1, holes are punched at playing stations 7 and at playing stations 8.

In FIGURES 3 and 5 play-pieces or pegs, denoted I2 and 13, respectively, adapted to be used in playing a game by employment of the ball shaped or spheroidal member or framework 9 or 9 are disclosed. Ordinarily eighteen play-pieces will be used; that is, there will be one playpiece for each of the six playing stations '7 and the twelve playing stations 8. One-half of the play-pieces will be distinguished from the other one-half by difference in color, or by some other difference in marking. Nine of the play-pieces or pegs will be of one color or have one type marking while the other nine play-pieces or pegs will be of a different color or have a different marking. For example: nine play-pieces of a red color and nine playpieces of a green color may be used to differentiate between the two sets of play- pieces 12 and 13.

In play of the game by employment of the game apparatus, there will be two sides, or contestants. One contestant will control all of the play-pieces or pegs of one set, such as 12, and the other contestant will control all of the play-pieces or pegs of the other set, such as 13.

The two sides or contestants will alternate in locating their play-pieces at playing stations on the spheroidal or ball shaped member or framework. One play-piece will be used per turn by a contestant. The aim of each contestant will be to be first in getting his own play-pieces on three adjacent playing stations belonging to a single ring or loop of the framework where the middle play-piece is at a playing station that belongs to two rings or loops. That is, the center play-piece of the three must be where that ring or loop crosses another ring or loop, and the two adjacent play-pieces in the winning combination must be on the same ring or loop of the member or framework. When a contestant has three of his play-pieces in such a position, he will be the winner of the game and that play will be terminated. A play-piece located at the point of intersection of two rings or loops of the spheroidal member or framework will be considered as being on each of the two rings or loops. Each contestant will be priviledged to locate his play-piece at any of the playing stations on the member or framework which may be empty when the contestant makes his play, no matter which ring or loop the playing station may be on.

In playing a game by employment of the game apparatus, there are several ways of setting up combinations that can force a win. By way of illustration, and not attempting to set forth all combinations which might be possible, two types will be mentioned. One of the most obvious combinations that might be set up by a contestant is the placement of his play-pieces or pegs in such a way that one is at the intersection of two rings or loops, such as '7, with the other two at adjoining stations, such as 8, one each on he two rings or loops that cross where the third play-piece is located while the other two adjoining or adjacent stations 8 are empty. Thus the other contestant having but one play-piece that he may position during his turn cannot keep the first contestant from winning. Another combination is where on a single loop a contestant has placed three of his play-pieces or pegs in such a way that they are adjacent with the two extreme pieces being at playing stations 7 (at the intersection of two loops) while the adjacent playing stations 8 beyond them are empty. Again he cannot be kept from winning upon his next turn.

It should be remarked that the game is evenly balanced. Naturally the contestant first to play will have the first chance to set up a forcing combination, but it has been ascertained that the contestant second to play has an equal opportunity to win. If each contestant properly anticipates his opponents possible plays, the game will end in a draw.

Attention is specifically called to the fact that while the hole and peg arrangement as illustrated and described is satisfactory and convenient, the holes in the spheroidal member or framework are but playing stations, and the pegs are but markers for said playing stations. That is to say, the elements 7, 8, 10, 11 are playing stations of the game apparatus, and the elements 12 and 13 are markers of the game for indicating said playing stations.

What is claimed is:

The combination with a game apparatus constituted as a spheroidal shaped member comprising at least two interseoting rings and having apertures each adapted to receive a play-piece and arranged in the rings of the spheroidal shaped member such that there are apertures common to more than one ring of the spheroidal shaped member and such that there is an aperture in each intermediate portion of a ring that is between two consecutive apertures that are common to more than one ring of the spheroidal shaped member, of a plurality of play-pieces of each of two different types distinguishable from each other, means carried by each play-piece for detachably engaging an aperture, said play-pieces adapted to be employed with the spheroidal shaped member in playing a game wherein each of two contestants controls the playpieces of one of said diiferent types and the contestants alternate in applying their play-pieces one at a time at any selected aperture of the spheroidal shaped member 5 which may be without a play-piece, with the aim in view of each contestant being the first to get play-pieces controlled by the contestant in three adjacent apertures on any ring of the spheroidal shaped member such that the middle aperture of the three is common to more than one 10 ring of the spheroidal shaped member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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