AU728109B2 - A block game - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT fl*.

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*r 0* Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: John Patrick IVEY As above CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

A BLOCK GAME Invention Title: Details of Associated Provisional Application: No. PN9063 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 This invention relates to a block game and particularly to a block game having a plurality of blocks which can be stacked on top of each other and where an object of the game is to remove blocks without collapsing the stack. Certain blocks can be accompanied with instructions and in one form of the invention, placement of the blocks is functionally dependent, and has a working inter-relationship with a base member.

A popular type of known block game comprises stacking blocks on top of each other to form an array.

Players must remove lower blocks without collapsing the structure. A disadvantage with this game is that the blocks can only adopt one initial configuration and after a while the excitement of the game is lost.

15 A further disadvantage with known block games is that there is no working interrelationship between the blocks apart from the physical relationship between blocks in the stack.

I have now developed a game whereby the initial configuration of the blocks can be varied by making the base row of the blocks functionally dependent and having a working inter-relationship with a base member. In this manner, a number of different arrays can be made to provide a greater degree of variants to the game. The 25 base member does not merely comprise a support.

In a variation, some of the blocks can be "instructing blocks" by which is meant that these blocks have some form of instructions which make other blocks of the game dependant on the instructing block, and/or which vary the game score.

It is an object of the invention to provide a game which may overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a game comprising a base member having a plurality of base block position indicators, and a plurality randomly stackable blocks positionable on the base member with the position of the base blocks being governed by the block position indicators on the base member.

It is preferred that at least some of the blocks have scoring means associated with them.

The base member is suitably substantially planar and may comprise a board, sheet or like member.

An upper surface of the base member may include the base block position indicators. The base block position indicators may comprise indicia such as numbers, letters, shapes, or colours to identify the placement of the base blocks. Preferably, a plurality of separate base block position indicators are provided which may be distinguishable from each other, typically by shape, indicia, colouring, pattern and the like.

The blocks may be of a conventional type made S. 15 from wood or plastic and typically the blocks are substantially rectangular when viewed in plan. Some or all of the blocks may have scoring or identification indicia thereon.

In another form of the invention there is provided a game consisting of a set of blocks which can be stacked into a particular configuration, some of the blocks being "instructing blocks" which determine the playing of other blocks of the game.

I will now describe an embodiment of the 25 invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a base member having base block position indicators thereon.

Figures 2a 2f show six alternative structures which may be assembled using the base block position indicators on the base member of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown in plan a base member which may be in the form of a board, plastic sheet and the like. The size and shape of the base member may of course vary but in the embodiment is by 25mm. On an upper surface of the board is depicted base block position indicators which in the embodiment comprises block shaped geometric figures. Base blocks are placed to overlie some of these geometric figures and an array of blocks can then be built up on the base blocks as illustrated in one or more of Figures 2a 2f.

For instance, referring to Figure i, blocks placed on the geometric shapes identified by numeral 12 will form an array as shown in Figure 2a. Blocks placed on the geometric shapes identified by reference number 13 will form an array as illustrated in Figure 2b. Blocks placed on the geometric shapes illustrated by reference number 14 will form the array as illustrated in Figure 2e. It can be seen that the other base block position indicators will provide other arrays.

ooooo "Playing the game is as follows: 5 "Each player consecutively chooses a block below the top 3 levels and places the block back on the top continuing the structure design without collapsing the structure.

The player is awarded the amount of points shown on the block to their score and is to follow any instructions if given.

The player with the most points at the end of the six rounds is the winner, with each round being a different shaped stack.

COLLAPSE OF STRUCTURE. If a player collapses 25 the structure and their points are between: 0 and 500 points they lose 200 points, 500 and 750 points they lose 300 points, 750 and 1000 points they lose 400 points, over 1000 points they lose 500 points.

Once a player touches a block they are obligated to that block.

RENIG. Each player may choose not to remove their chosen block once per round at the loss of points. If the previous player has "the devastator block" you cannot renig.

You may choose any position around the structure to remove and manoeuvre your block.

Only one hand may be used at a time.

You may touch and manoeuvre other blocks providing you are touching your selected block.

When removing your block, 2 other blocks or more must fall to collapse the structure.

THE DEVASTATOR BLOCK: The next player removes a block of your choice.

THE KING BLOCK: Double your score. If a player has a negative score they automatically receive a score of 0.

The player with the highest score at the end of each round starts the next.

In an embodiment of 60 blocks that may be used to play the game, one or more blocks can be DEVASTATOR blocks. If a DEVASTATOR block is removed, the next player must remove a block of the choice of the current player.

One or more blocks may be "missaturn" block which means that the next player misses a turn. One or more blocks may be "have another go" block. One or more blocks may be marked to force the player to choose a free block from the top of the stack. Of course, this can be changed or varied depending on the system to be used.

It can be seen that the game is a combination of locks and a base member and wherein the blocks are ,*functionally dependent on the base member. It should also be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the ee:invention.

It is to be understood that the terms "randomly stacked" and "randomly stackable" as used herein in relation to the S 30 blocks means that although the blocks ultimately have an ordered shape, they can be placed on top of each other in any order.

Claims (3)

1. A game consisting of a set of substantially identical blocks which can be stacked into a plurality of predetermined configurations, some of the blocks being "instructing blocks" which determine the playing of other blocks of the game and at least some of the blocks have scoring means associated with them.

2. The game of claim 1, wherein the set of blocks can be randomly stacked.

3. A game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures. DATED this 25th day of October 2000 John Patrick IVEY By his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO. *ooo o *•go *oooo •g go o* o:* o•*