EP0397065A1 - Board game with movable pieces - Google Patents

Abstract

Game comprising a playing area and sets of pieces capable of being displaced over the area. The area is defined by a board (10) carrying networks of grooves (18, 20, 22). The pieces (24, 26, 28) of different types are each formed from a disc and a rod engaged in the network. The shape and the size of the rods and of the networks are chosen so that the pieces of each type can be displaced only according to the move defined by the rule of the game. The game makes it possible to simplify the learning of the rules of the game. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the present invention is a game comprising moving parts. It relates more particularly to a game provided with a play space formed by a tablet, and as many sets of pieces as there are players. Each set comprises at least one part of a first type with which is associated a step of a first type and a part of a second type with which is associated a step of a second type.

A game of this type is described in US patent 4,256,309. In this game, the tablet has a matrix shape with nine rows and three columns. The surface of the tablet is divided into three fields of nine squares each. This game is played in pairs, each player having nine pieces, respectively identified by their colors. Each player's set of pieces has three pieces of each of three types. The pieces of the first type can be moved diagonally, the pieces of the second type can be moved longitudinally and the pieces of the third type can be moved both laterally and longitudinally.

The object of the present invention is to simplify learning the rules of the game by associating with the tablet and the parts guide means defining a movement in accordance with the step imposed on the parts.

To this end, the game according to the invention is characterized in that the tablet comprises first and second guide networks defining the steps of the first and second types respectively and in that the pieces of the first and second types respectively comprise members of a first and a second type, which cooperate respectively with the first and second guide networks.

It was certainly known to make games in which the parts include mnemonic means defining their steps. Thus, patent application GB-A-2 180 765 describes a chess game in which the pieces have shapes corresponding to their course. Such a solution certainly facilitates the game, but does not release not completely the beginner player of the obligation to think about the movement of his pieces.

On the contrary, in the game according to the invention, the players are assured that the pieces will be moved correctly even by a beginner.

• - la figure 1 est une vue en plan d'un jeu selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• - les figures 2 et 3 montrent respectivement en coupe et en perspective la tablette du jeu de la figure 1 ;
• - les figures 4a, 4b et 4c représentent en perspective les pièces du jeu de la figure 1 ;
• - la figure 5 illustre, vu de dessus, un espace de jeu d'un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• - les figures 6a à 6e montrent les différentes pièces utili­sées avec la tablette de la figure 5 ;
• - la figure 7 illustre la manière dont les pièces des figures 6a à 6c interagissent les unes avec les autres ;
• - la figure 8 représente une variante de l'espace de jeu du mode de réalisation de la figure 5 ; et
• - les figures 9 et 10 représentent, respectivement en perspec­tive et vu de dessus, un espace de jeu pour un troisième mode de réalisation, se jouant à quatre personnes.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of three embodiments of the invention, made with reference to the drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 is a plan view of a game according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• - Figures 2 and 3 show respectively in section and in perspective the tablet of the game of Figure 1;
• - Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show in perspective the parts of the game of Figure 1;
• - Figure 5 illustrates, seen from above, a play space of a second embodiment of the invention;
• - Figures 6a to 6e show the different parts used with the tablet of Figure 5;
• - Figure 7 illustrates how the parts of Figures 6a to 6c interact with each other;
• - Figure 8 shows a variant of the play space of the embodiment of Figure 5; and
• - Figures 9 and 10 show, respectively in perspective and seen from above, a play space for a third embodiment, played by four people.

The game represented in FIGS. 1 to 4c comprises a play space defined by a tablet 10 comprising three fields 12, 14 and 16. Each of these fields comprises networks and more precisely, a longitudinal network 18, a lateral network 20 and a network oblique 22.

Field 14 carries a set of three groups of three pieces, each group of three pieces respectively bearing the numbers 1, 2 and 3. Field 16 carries a similar set, identified by a different color of the pieces. The rules of the game will not be described here, since they are defined in US-A-4,256,309. We will simply note that the progress of the pieces is different depending on the number they carry. More precisely, type 1 parts should only be moved obliquely, type 2 pieces only longitudinally and type 3 pieces only longitudinally and laterally. The purpose of the networks 18, 20 and 22 is to ensure, in cooperation with the bodies which the parts carry, the progress of the latter according to the rules of the game. As can be seen in FIG. 3, which is a perspective view of part of the shelf 10, the network 22, oblique, is formed of deep and narrow grooves. The network 18, of longitudinal type, has grooves of median width and median depth; as for the network 20, of lateral type, it comprises wide grooves of shallow depth.

FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c respectively represent parts of type 1, 2 and 3.

The type 1 part, represented in FIG. 4a, bears the reference 24. It comprises a patch 24a and a rod 24b. The patch 24a carries the number 1 on its upper face. The underside is integral with the rod 24b. The latter is of cylindrical shape, of diameter and length slightly less respectively than the width and the depth of the grooves of the network 22. In this way, a type 1 part can only be moved obliquely.

The type 2 part, shown in FIG. 4b, bears the reference 26. It includes a patch 26a and a rod 26b. The rod 26b is of constant section and oblong in shape, its thickness being slightly less than the width of the grooves of the network 18, its width greater than the width of the grooves of the network 20 and its length less than the depth of the grooves of the network 18. Because of the oblong shape, the pieces 2 of type 2 can therefore only be moved in longitudinal grooves.

The type 3 part shown in Figure 4c and bearing the reference 28 comprises a patch 28a and a rod 28b. The patch 28a has the number 3. The rod 28b is also oblong, of thickness slightly less than the width of the grooves of the longitudinal network 18, of width slightly less than the width of the grooves of the lateral network 20 and of slightly less depth at the depth of the grooves of the network 20. Because of the oblong shape, the rod of the parts 28 cannot therefore engage in the oblique network 22. It does, however, allow both lateral and longitudinal movement.

Thanks to this particular structure, it is therefore possible to impose on the pieces a step corresponding to that imposed by the rules of the game. In this way, the understanding of these rules is simplified.

To facilitate the player's thinking, it is possible to add to the pieces indications relating to their progress, so that the player knows how they can be moved, even before having touched them.

The game shown in Figures 5 and following has a significantly more complex structure than that described above. In FIG. 5, we can see the play space defined by the tablet 38. The latter includes a central field 40, as well as two lateral fields respectively referenced 42 and 44. The central field 40 is rectangular, seven units wide and eight long. It comprises two networks of grooves of the same width, namely a network of shallow longitudinal grooves 46 and a network of deeper oblique grooves 48.

The longitudinal network is more precisely formed by seven grooves 46 extending from one end to the other of the central field 40, two being lateral and the other five medians. The network of oblique grooves 48 is defined by broken lines each formed by two segments. The end of each of the segments is connected to the end of a line of the longitudinal network. In addition, two broken lines are associated with one end of each median longitudinal line and two other broken lines at the other of the ends. In this way, a piece with oblique movement ends at two different places depending on whether it leaves to the left or to the right. The end fields 42 and 44 have seven grooves which are even deeper than the oblique grooves and which extend longitudinally. The tablet 38 carries two covers 51, masking the player from the field of his opponent.

At the start of the game, fields 42 and 44 carry the pieces of each of the players, distributed in seven columns carrying five pieces each, these pieces being distributed according to the player's wishes. These parts are shown in Figures 6a to 6e. Each set of coins includes a king, three spies, three devourers, fourteen diagonals and fourteen frontal. The different rooms are identified by a design carried by the upper face of the coin, the set available to each player being differentiated from that of his competitor by the color of the pieces.

The progress of the parts is as follows:
- king: transverse movement of one step in the lateral field
- spy: longitudinal or oblique movement on the central field
- devourer: longitudinal or oblique movement on the central field
- diagonals: oblique displacement on the central field
- frontal: longitudinal displacement on the central field.

FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e respectively represent the pieces of the king bearing the reference 52, of a spy 54, of a devourer 56, of a diagonal 58 and of a frontal 60. Each of these pieces includes an upper pad, bearing an identification drawing and referenced by the index a, and a guide rod referenced by the index b. The guide rods of all the parts are cylindrical and of the same diameter with the exception of those of the frontal type which are oblong. The diameter of the cylindrical rods is slightly less than the width of the grooves. As can be seen in FIG. 6a, the rod 52b of the king piece has a length between the depth of the grooves of the network 48 and that of the grooves 50. In this way, the king piece cannot be played on the central field 40.

We can see in Figure 6b a piece 54 of spy type. Its rod 54b has a length slightly less than the depth of the grooves of the network 46. In this way, the spy pieces can move both obliquely and longitudinally.

FIG. 6c represents a part of devourer 56. This part has a rod 56b of the same configuration as the spy part of FIG. 6b.

FIG. 6d shows a part 58 of diagonal type. The length of the rod 58b is between the depth of the grooves of the network 46 and that of the network 48. In this way, these parts can only be moved obliquely.

In FIG. 6e, one can see a part 60 of the frontal type. The rod 60b of this part has an oblong shape of thickness substantially equal to the diameter of the other rods, of width greater than the width of the grooves and of length slightly less than the depth of the grooves of the network 46. In this way, the front parts 60 can only be moved in the longitudinal direction.

To play this game, each of the two players therefore has the thirty-five pieces described above. He arranges them at his convenience on his respective field. The progress of the parts being defined, it is necessary to specify the way in which these parts interact. This is shown in Figure 7. The pieces shown in the left column are those of a player. Those in the right column are those of his opponent. The lines connected to each of the pieces of the player cut the lines connected to each of the pieces of the opponent. Arrows are shown at the intersection of these lines.

When the arrow is directed towards a piece played, it means that this piece is eliminated. When the arrow is turned towards the opponent's piece, it means that the latter is eliminated. When the arrow is horizontal, the opponent's piece must be moved. When the arrow is curved, the piece played is reflected.

More specifically, when a spy piece meets the opposing king, the spy piece is eliminated. When the latter encounters an opposing spy piece, the opponent's spy piece is eliminated. When the spy piece encounters a devourer, the spy piece is eliminated. When the spy piece meets an oblique or frontal piece, it is reflected respectively obliquely or longitudinally.

When a devourer meets the king, he eliminates the king and the game is over. When a devourer encounters a spy, he eliminates the spy. When a devourer encounters another devourer, the player's devourer is eliminated. When a devourer encounters a diagonal or front piece, this is eliminated.

When an oblique piece meets the king, the latter must change columns. When an oblique piece meets a spy, a devourer or a frontal piece, the oblique piece is eliminated. When an oblique piece meets another oblique piece, the opponent's oblique piece is eliminated.

When a frontal piece meets the king, he must change the column. When a front piece meets a spy, a devourer or an oblique piece, the front piece is eliminated. When a front piece meets another front piece, the opponent's front piece is eliminated.

Finally, when a piece, whatever it is, is in the presence of an empty column in the side field of the opponent, the piece is immobilized and the column blocked.

Players take turns playing a move which can involve sending a coin to the center field to explore the opponent's side field, or moving one of their pieces to their own side field.

In the first case, the part sent for exploration, which is the upper part of a column, is moved towards the opponent's field either longitudinally or obliquely, depending on the course defined for this type of part. If the piece played is destroyed by the piece encountered, it is eliminated from the game. If the piece played encounters an empty column, it remains on the central field and blocks this column. If the piece played eliminates or causes the movement of the opposing piece encountered, it then returns to its starting field, conforming of course to the course imposed on it.

In the second case, the upper part of one of the columns is stored in the lower place of one or the other of the adjacent columns.

Such displacement is of course only possible insofar as the adjacent column has a free space or has not been blocked by an opposing piece.

The game is over, when the king of one of the players is eliminated by a devourer or it cannot be moved while it is attacked by an oblique or frontal piece.

Finally, it should be noted that because of the particular dimensions of the central field, the pieces moved obliquely lead to a different column depending on whether they are initially sent by the right or left. In this way, the importance of the obliquely moving parts is greatly increased.

FIG. 8 shows a play space 61 making it possible to play with the same rules as those defined above. This space comprises a raised shelf 62 of rectangular shape as well as two tables 64 and 66 each secured to a narrow side of the shelf 62. The networks that comprise the shelf 62 and the tables 64 and 66 are respectively similar to those of the fields 40, 42 and 44. They will therefore not be described in more detail. Seen from the side, the play space thus defined has a trapezoidal shape such that tables 64 and 66 are hidden from the opponent.

Figures 9 and 10 show a playing space 69 according to a third embodiment, for four players. This space is defined by a square tablet 70 and by four tables 72, each table being integral with one of the sides of the tablet 70, the assembly forming a truncated pyramid. The networks associated with each of the tables are similar to those of fields 42 and 44. They will therefore not be described in more detail. The tablet 70 comprises an oblique network 76 (FIG. 10) with deep grooves and two longitudinal networks 78 and 80, crossed, with shallow grooves. A frame 82, defined by the extreme lines of the networks 78 and 80, forms reflection surfaces of the parts at an oblique step.

The parts used are similar to those described with reference to Figures 6a to 6d. There are of course four sets, one for each player.

The winner of this game is the one who first eliminates the king from his opponent.

The pieces of each player's direct opponent are therefore hidden while their own pieces and those of the two neighbors are visible.

The interaction rules as defined with reference to FIG. 7 are always valid for the pieces of the players facing each other.

Interaction with neighboring rooms is likely to modify the functioning of some of them.

More specifically, the front pieces are exclusively moved in a longitudinal direction, and the oblique pieces exclusively in oblique directions. If, on the other hand, a devourer or a spy goes into exploration in oblique mode, it is reflected transversely by a frontal type piece of a neighbor, that is to say that it is sent to the second neighbor, where it is reflected according to the usual rules. If the piece of the second neighbor is also a piece of the frontal type, the devourer or the spy is then trapped in a lateral movement and therefore eliminated. Furthermore, a piece with an oblique movement, whether it be a spy, a devourer or a diagonal, cannot be reflected on an empty column of a neighbor. The piece played stops on this column and blocks it.

This type of interaction between neighbors makes it possible to influence the course of the fight engaged between the two neighbors of the player, in order to slow down the advance of the one who seems the best placed and thus allow the player to increase his chances of destroying first the king of his opposite.

In this way, thanks to the particular characteristics of the claimed game, it is very quickly possible to find pleasure in playing, while allowing the player to develop very elaborate strategies.

Claims (10)

1. Game comprising a play space (10, 38, 61, 69) and as many sets of pieces (24, 26, 28, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60) as there are players, each assembly comprising at least one part (24, 60) of a first type and a part (26, 58) of a second type with which steps of a first and a second type are respectively associated, characterized in that the play space (10, 38, 61, 69) comprises a first network (18, 46, 78) and a second network (22, 48, 76) of crossed guidance, each network comprising a set of paths parallel to each other and in that the parts of the first and second types respectively comprise first (29b, 69b) and second (26b, 58b) guide members which cooperate respectively with the first and second networks to define the running of the parts, said parts being freely removable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the play space. 2. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the parts (24 to 28; 54 to 60) comprises an upper pad (24a to 28a; 54a to 60a) provided with means for identifying the part and a rod ( 24b to 28b, 54b to 60b) integral with the patch, and in that said networks are defined by grooves, the rods being arranged and dimensioned so as to be able to be moved in the grooves of one or the other network. 3. Game according to claim 2, characterized in that the grooves defining the first network (22) are narrow and deep and the grooves defining the second network (18) are wide and shallow. 4. Game according to claim 2, characterized in that each set further comprises at least one piece of a third type (54, 56) with which is associated a step of a third type, defined by the combination of the steps of the first and second types and in that the third type part is provided with a rod arranged and dimensioned so as to be able to be moved in the grooves of the two networks. 5. Game according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said space comprises a first field (40) with which the first and second networks are associated and second and third fields (42, 44) each provided with means (50) for storing the parts of an assembly. 6. Game according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that the means for storing (50) are defined by third and fourth networks respectively associated with the second and third fields so that the rods of the pieces of each type can be engaged therein and so as to ensure the positioning of said parts. 7. Game according to claims 5 or 6, characterized in that it further comprises masking means (51) allowing the player to hide from his opponent the arrangement of his pieces. 8. Game according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the space (61) comprises a shelf (62) and two tables (69, 64) each secured to one side of said shelf and defining therewith a trapezoidal structure, and in that each of the tables carries a network intended to receive all the pieces of one of the players, the inclination of the tables being sufficient so that the pieces of each of the players are invisible to his opponent. 9. Game according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the networks (46) is of the longitudinal type formed by several lines extending from one end to the other of the tablet, two being lateral and the other medians, and in that the other network is of oblique type (48) and comprises broken lines each formed of two segments, one of the ends of each of the segments being connected to the end of a median line of the longitudinal network and in that two broken lines are associated with one end of each center line and two other broken lines at the other of said ends. 10. Game according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the play space (69) comprises a rectangular tablet (70) and four tables (72, 74) respectively associated with each side of the tablet, the tables and the tablet defining a truncated pyramid, and in that each of the tables carries a network intended to receive all the pieces of one of the players, the inclination being chosen so that the pieces of each of the players are visible to himself and his neighbors, but invisible to his vis-à-vis.

Images