AU715933B3 - Interactive sports card games - Google Patents

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

FOR A PETTY PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant Actual Inventor Invention Title S TERRY'S SPORTS GAMES S TERENCE PATRICK DAVEY S INTERACTIVE SPORTS CARD GAME Address for Service JOHN R.G. GARDNER REGISTERED PATENT ATTORNEY SUITE 398 ALBERT AVENUE BROADBEACH QLD 4218 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- This invention relates to a card game and in particular to an interactive card game which simulates a sport, typically a ball sport such as football, hockey or cricket. The card game and card game apparatus however may be adapted to any sport.

Many different card games are available including some card games which simulate certain sports. The known card games however are generally not of an interactive nature and therefore tend to lack interest and excitement. The card games which are intended to simulate or represent specific sports also are not particularly interesting to players.

The present invention aims to provide a card game which simulates sports and which will prove interest and excitement to players. The present invention further aims to provide card game apparatus for playing the game which is of simple form, and which may be easily carried and transported. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

The present invention thus provides an interactive sports card game, said card game including a set of cards, the cards of said set having on one face indicia adjacent an edge or edges thereof, said cards in said game being laid successively in edge-to-edge relationship with adjacent cards and wherein matching indicia on adjacent cards form numerical or other terms indicating scoring or other information relating to said sport.

Thus certain cards in the set may include indicia in the form or part of a numerical expression such as part of the numeral 2 whilst a further card or cards may comprise the other part of the numerical expression such as the other part of the numeral 2 such that when those cards are placed adjacent each other they combine to form the numerical expression such as the numeral 2 indicating a score in the game. The cards of the set may also include part of a word expression for interaction with the remainder of the word expression carried by another card to form the full expression. Thus, in a card baseball game, one card may carry the letters "CAU" and another card may carry the letters "GHT" such that when those cards are placed adjacent each other, the word "CAUGHT" is formed indicating dismissal. The indicia are placed adjacent the sides and/or ends of the cards such that when juxtaposed, the numerals or word expressions may be formed.

The card game may also incorporate locating means for locating cards in a side-by-side

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and/or end-to-end relationship with each other. Suitably the locating means defines respective compartments or spaces for receiving the cards which are placed one after the other into the respective compartments or spaces. The compartments or spaces may typically be arranged in a 3 X 3 array. The locating means suitably is embodied in a tray having ribs or other means which define the compartments or spaces for receipt and locating of the cards in a sideby-side and end to end relationship.

The card game may typically simulate the sports of baseball, basketball, cricket or any other sport. The cards of the set may also include other identification indicia such as team logos, player names, player positions or other terminology. In accordance with the rules of the game, cards displaying matching identification indicia are required to be covered by other cards before other cards are placed into the free compartments or spaces.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein Fig. 1 illustrates in plan view a tray for use in the card games of the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates typical playing cards used in a baseball card game according to the invention; Fig. 3 illustrates the manner of interaction between the cards of the baseball card game as they are placed onto the tray; Fig. 4 illustrates interaction between numerical indicia on the cards indicating bases in the case of a baseball game; Fig. 5 illustrates interaction between word indicia on the cards indicating scoring in a baseball game; Fig. 6 illustrates interaction between word indicia on the cards indicating outs in a baseball game; Fig. 7 illustrates typical playing cards used in a basketball card game according to the invention; Fig. 8 illustrates interaction between word indicia on the cards indicating change of possession in a basketball game; Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate interaction between numerical indicia on the cards indicating scoring in a basketball game; Fig. 11 illustrates typical playing cards used in a cricket card game according to the invention; Fig. 12 illustrates interaction between numerical indicia on the cards indicating scoring in a cricket game; Fig. 13 illustrates interaction between word indicia on the cards indicating outs in a cricket game.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a tray 10 for use in the card games of the invention, the tray 10 being of rectangular form and having a peripheral upstanding rib or border 11, card locators or ribs 12 extending inwardly at spaced positions at the ends or sides of the tray 10 from the peripheral rib 11 and four cruciform ribs 13 arranged generally centrally of the tray 10. The ribs 11, 12 and 13 define nine spaces, numbered as 1 to 9, for receiving and locating cards to be placed on the tray 10, the spaces 1 to 9 being of slightly greater dimensions than cards to be received on the tray 10. Whist the tray 10 in the embodiment has nine card receiving spaces, the tray 10 may be of a different size and have any number of card receiving spaces defined by any form of locating means provided that the cards may interact in the manner described below. Further, the card games need not be played on a tray Fig. 2 illustrates three typical cards 14 used in a game of card baseball, each of which carries a team logo 15. In the card baseball game of the embodiment, a total number of 56 cards representing fourteen baseball teams is used with fourteen sets of four cards 14 with the cards of each set carrying the same logo 15. The cards 14 may typically represent the teams of the American League or National League, for example the teams listed below AMERICAN LEAGUE NATIONAL LEAGUE 1. Baltimore Orioles Atlanta Braves 2. Boston Red Sox Florida Marlins 3. New York Yankees New York Mets 4. Detroit Tigers Montreal Expos 5. Toronto Blue Jays Philadelphia Phillies 6. Cleveland Indians Chicago Cubs 7. Kansas City Royals St. Louis Cardinals 8. Chicago White Sox Cincinnati Reds 4 9. Minnesota Twins Houston Astros 9. Minnesota Twins Houston Astros Brewers Pittsburgh Pirates 11.Seattle Mariners Los Angeles Dodgers 12. California Angels Colorado Rockies 13. Texas Rangers San Diego Padres 14. Oakland Athletics San Francisco Giants The cards 14 additionally carry the terms 16, namely Home Run, Grand Slam, Caught, Strike 3, Double Play or Triple Play however only half of each term is on each card 14.

Thus for example, and as shown in Fig. 2, half of the term CAUGHT, (CAU) is on the lower portion of one card 14 and the other half of the term (GHT) is on the upper portion of another card 14'. The term CAUGHT is only formed when a pair of matching cards 14 and 14' is arranged in end-to-end or top-to-bottom relationship with each other. A similar arrangement is provided for the other terms HOME RUN, GRAND SLAM, STRIKE 3, DOUBLE PLAY and TRIPLE PLAY however the part terms may be arranged on any positions on the cards 14 such as to enable a full term to be formed when matching cards are placed adjacent to each other as described further below. Thus a GRAND SLAM and HOME RUN is scored as shown in Fig. 5 where a pair of matching cards is placed in a side-by-side relationship relative to each other. Thus scoring is achieved by cards placed horizontally in side-by-side relationship whilst dismissals or outs are achieved by cards placed vertically in end-to-end relationship.

The cards 14 also include numerical terms 17, in this case 1, 2 and 3 (representing 1 s t 2 n and 3 rd Base) however again only half of each numerical term is provided on the cards 14. Thus in the cards 14 illustrated in Fig. 2, halves of the numerical term 2 are provided on opposite sides of card 14, halves of the numerical terms 1 and 3 are provided on opposite sides of card 14' and halves of the numerical terms 2 and 1 are provided on opposite sides of card 14". The numerals 1, 2 or 3 are only formed when matching cards are placed along side of each other. Thus the numeral 2 is formed when the cards 14 and 14" are arranged in side-to-side relationship with each other.

Two or two teams of players play the game with the aim, as in the game of baseball, being to score runs and not get out by the skilful placement of cards which interact to score home runs. As shown in Fig. 3, a player progressively places cards 14 in the nine spaces in the tray 10 trying to score home runs without getting out. In accordance with the rules of the game, if matching pairs of baseball team logos 15 appear at the same time, they are required to be covered by other cards. After getting out or scoring a home run, the cards are collected, shuffled and play resumes. Optionally, play may continue without shuffling.

As in baseball, 3 outs complete an innings whereby the cards are collected and shuffled for the other player to commence play until 9 innings are completed. Cards placed in spaces 2, and 8 can score on both sides. Cards placed in spaces 4, 5 and 6 can indicate dismissals at either end.

In playing the game, a decision is made as to whom is going to "bat" first. The first player plays until he has been dismissed three times, thereby completing his first innings. Each time a player is out, a run is scored or play cannot continue, all cards are collected, shuffled and play is resumed. Alternatively, play can continue without shuffling.

Dismissals occur as follows 1. Matching CAUGHT cards 1 out 2. Matching STRIKE 3 cards 1 out 3. Matching DOUBLE PLAY cards 2 outs 4. Matching TRIPLE PLAY cards 3 outs 5. Unable to continue placing cards 1 out The second player thus firstly shuffles the 56 cards and passes them to the first player. The first player holds the cards face down, draws the first card and places it in space 1 in the card tray 10. He then repeats the procedure with the second card by placing it in space 2.

To cover cards and score home runs, a matching pair of the possible 14 baseball team logos.

e.g. 2 New York Yankees must be showing. If any matching pair is showing, the pair must be covered with the next 2 cards from the pack and this can be done in either order. The player must complete each pair before moving to the next play. If there are no pairs showing, the player progressively places cards in the vacant spaces numbered 3 9. All pairs must be covered before moving to vacant spaces. If two pairs are formed, the player has the option as to what pair to cover. If no pairs are showing and all 9 card spaces have been used, you are deemed to be out as in 5 above. If in the course of play of covering a matching pair e.g. Boston Red Sox, a further matching card appears, for example the first Red Sox is covered with another Red Sox, the second matching card (e.g.Red Sox) cannot be covered as it was not showing when you started covering the matching Red Sox) pair. If multiple matching combinations are showing e.g. 3 Baltimore Orioles, any two may be covered to complete the pair. Should three of the same logo appear in a row, e.g. 3 Cleveland Indians in any of the three vertical rows, three horizontal rows, or two diagonal rows, a free play is awarded when you complete the current play or another bonus may be awarded. The matching of the numbers 1, 2, and 3 signify that a runner is on 1st. 2nd. or 3rd. base as shown in Fig 4. Therefore if you match Home Run cards and have numbers 1 and 2 matched you have scored 3 Home Runs. Fig. 5 shows the manner in which cards 14 can match to score a GRAND SLAM or HOME RUN. Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which cards 14 can match showing different terms indicating that a player is, or players are out.

Referring now to Figs.7, there is illustrated the cards 18 of a basketball card game which is similar in principle to the above described game using cards carrying logos 19 of certainteams and carrying numerical markings 20 which when matching cards are placed side-byside or end-to-end, define numerals indicating points 1,2 or 3, scored in the game. Thus the cards 18' and 18" when alongside each other define the numeral 3 indicating 3 points. The cards 18 are also provided on their upper and lower sides with part terms 21 which when placed end-to-end with matching cards 18 form the terms, STEAL, TURNOVER, BLOCK, REBOUND or FOUL. Thus the cards 18 and 18' when placed end-to-end form the word

STEAL.

The basketball card game may include fifty-six cards representing fourteen teams with fourteen sets of four cards, each card of the set carrying a particular team logo 19. Of course there may be any number of cards in accordance with the number of team logos used. A player progressively places cards 18 in the nine spaces in the tray 10 as described with reference to Fig. 3. Pairs of cards 18 carrying matching basketball team logos are required to be covered by further cards and the player tries to score points without losing possession. After losing possession, the cards 18 are collected, shuffled and play resumes for the opponent.

In playing the game, a decision is made as to who is going to have possession first and the S 7, first player plays until he has lost possession. Each time a player loses possession or cannot S" continue, all cards are collected, shuffled and handed to his opponent for his turn at possession.

Possession is lost when matching cards form the terms FOUL, TURNOVER, STEAL, BLOCK, or REBOUND cards as for example shown in Fig 8 or being unable to continue placing cards. The cards of Figs. 8 to 10 differ slightly from those of Fig. 7 in that the cards of Fig. 7 have numerical markings 20 only on opposite sides whereas the cards of Figs. 8 to having numerical markings on their ends which allows scoring when cards with matching numerical markings are placed in end-to-end relationship. Thus scores of 1, 2 or 3 points are made when matching cards placed side-by-side form the numerals 1, 2 or 3 as shown in Fig. 9 or end-to -end as shown in Fig. 10. If matching cards scorel, 2 or 3 points whilst simultaneously matching possession loss cards as above, points are scored. If all cards in the tray 10, possession is finished, and possession is handed over to your opponent.

In playing the game, the second player shuffles the cards 18 and passes them to the first player. The first player holds the cards 18 face down, draws the first card and places it in space one in the card tray 10. The player repeats the procedure with the second card by placing it in space two. To cover cards and score points, a pair of the possible fourteen Basketball Team Logos e.g. two Chicago Bulls cards must be uncovered. If any such matching pair is showing, those two cards must be covered with the next two cards from the pack in either order. Each pair must be covered before moving to the next play. If no pairs are showing, cards are progressively placed in the vacant spaces number 3 9. All pairs must be covered before moving to vacant spaces. If no pairs are showing and all 9 card spaces have been used, possession is lost. If in the course of play covering a pair e.g. Miami Heat, the first Miami Heat is covered with another Miami Heat, that second Miami Heat card cannot be covered, as it was not showing when you started covering the Miami Heat pair. If you have multiple combinations e.g. 3 Orlando Magic, any two may be covered to complete the pair. Should three of the same logos displayed in a row e.g. 3 Detroit Pistons in any of the three vertical rows, three horizontal rows or two diagonal rows, a free play is received when the current play is completed. If you place a card which makes a three in a row while simultaneously matching possession lost cards as above, you are deemed to have lost possession.

Fig. 11 illustrates typical cards 22 used in the game simulating the game of cricket, the cards 22 of which there are fifty-two in this instance are marked with the type of cricket delivery such as TOP SPINNER, NO BALL, FLIPPER, OUT SWINGER, IN SWINGER, FULL TOSS, WRONG UN, LEG CUTTER, OFF BREAK, LEG BREAK, YORKER, OFF CUTTER and BOUNCER. Thirteen sets of four cards are provided with each set carrying the same cricket delivery term. Scoring is achieved by numerical markings 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 on the side and top and bottom of the cards 22 with each card 22 only carrying half of the numeral with the full numeral being formed to define a score when a pair of matching cards 22 are placed alongside each other as shown in Fig. 12 or alternatively in end-to-end relationship with each other where the matching numerical markings are on the upper and lower sides of the cards 22. Thus the cards 22' when placed on top of and in end-to-end relationship with the card 22" forms the numeral 1 indicating a score of 1. Outs are defined by matchable terms on the top and bottom of the cards as shown in Fig. 13 where the terms CAUGHT, LBW, RUN OUT and HAT TRICK (indicating 3 outs) are formed. Additional "outs" may be defined by the terms STUMPED, and BOWLED.

As in cricket, scoring runs and not getting dismissed by the skillful placement of cards which interact is the aim of the game with the objective being to score more runs than your opponents.

Players progressively place cards in the nine spaces in the trays by covering pairs of matching cricket deliveries at the same time trying to score runs without getting dismissed.

After being dismissed, the cards are collected, shuffled and play resumes until the innings is completed. (ten dismissals).

Players decide who is going to bat first and the first player plays until he has been dismissed or cannot continue to place cards. Each time a player is dismissed or cannot continue, all cards are collected, shuffled and handed to his opponent for his turn at bat. A player should not shuffle his own cards prior to commencing play.

Dismissals occur by 1. Matching CAUGHT cards 1 out 2. Matching BOWLED cards 1 out 3. Matching STUMPED cards 1 out 4. Matching RUN OUT cards 1 out Matching L.B.W cards 1 out 6. Matching HAT TRICK =3 outs If matching cards form the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 runs while simultaneously matching a dismissal, those runs are scored.

In play, the second player shuffles the 52 cards and passes them to the first player. The first player holds the cards face down, draws the first card and places it in space 1 in the card tray. This procedure is repeated with the second card by placing it in space 2. To cover cards and score runs, a pair of the possible 13 deliveries e.g. 2 off breaks must be showing.

If any pair is showing, those 2 cards must be covered with the next 2 cards from the pack in either order. Each pair must be completed before moving to the next play. If no pairs are showing, cards are progressively placed in the vacant spaces numbered 3 to 9. All matching pairs or matching delivery cards must be covered before moving to vacant spaces.

If no pairs are showing but all nine card spaces have been used, play is finished but the player has not been dismissed. If in the course of play of covering a pair e.g. leg breaks you cover the first leg break with another leg break you cannot cover that second leg break as it was not showing when you started covering the leg break pair. If multiple combinations are displayed 3 flippers, any two may be covered to complete the pair. Should three of the same delivery appear in a row e.g. 3 bouncers in any of the three vertical rows, 3 horizontal rows or two diagonal row, a free play is received when the current play is completed. If a card is placed which makes a three in a row while simultaneously matching a dismissal, dismissal has occurred. Two of the three in a row are not covered and a free play is not awarded.

The games are best played by the player with the cards having a running commentary for the opponent to hear, score and check play and vice versa. It is the responsibility of the player to place cards wisely. Whilst he is telling the scorer/checker what pair he is going to cover, once any part of the drawn card touches any vacant card space or touches a card in a card space it is deemed to be played in that card space. Only an error in the rules of the game may allow a card to be returned to the top of the pack, not an error in strategy or play. The commentary by the player to the scorer is a help in the scoring and flow of the game. The actual placement of the card carries precedence over the commentary.

Once the player has checked the cards and decides that he cannot continue placing cards, he is to say "over" to signify his play is finished. The cards may then be collected and shuffled I 11 for the next player.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (3)

1. An interactive sports card game, said card game including a set of cards, the cards of said set having on one face indicia adjacent an edge or edges thereof, said cards in said game being laid successively in edge-to-edge relationship with adjacent cards and wherein matching indicia on adjacent cards form numerical or other terms indicating scoring or other information relating to said sport.

2. An interactive sports card game according to claim 1 wherein said indicia comprises parts of numerical indicia whereby matching indicia may form numerals and/or parts of word indicia whereby matching indicia form words.

3. An interactive sports card game according to claim 1 or claim 2 and including locating means for locating said cards in and edge-to- edge relationship. Dated this twenty-third day of November 1999 TERENCE PATRICK DAVEY By My Patent Attorney JOHN G GARDNER cPA4