Field of the Invention
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The present invention relates to an interactive treasure finding game. In
particular, the present invention relates to an interactive game having a tray with
hidden compartments formed therein for holding treasure or puzzle pieces. The
tray is disposed in an outer container having openings aligned with the
compartments for retrieving the treasure or puzzle pieces therethrough. A book
may be provided for the purposes of providing instruction or to further support
the overall theme of the game.
Background of the Invention
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During recent years there has been a trend toward producing toys or
puzzles for use by children which assist in educating the children as well as
amusing them. Treasure finding games have always been of utmost interest to
young children. Treasure finding games combine the thrill of discovery with the
reward of locating hidden treasure. Treasure finding games typically require that
the child use deductive reasoning skills to follow sequential directions and utilize
uncovered clues to locate the hidden treasure. Preferably, treasure finding
games also force the child to utilize manual dexterity to manipulate the game in
order to locate the hidden treasure.
Summary of the Invention
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The present invention relates to an interactive game having hidden or
secret compartments in which various articles may be stored. The interactive
game includes an outer container and a tray engaged within the outer container.
The tray includes a plurality of compartments adapted to receive and retain
articles therein. Openings are formed in the outer container aligned with at least
a portion of each compartment. A cover is provided for selectively covering the
openings and concealing the compartments. Channels are formed in the tray
which extend between the sidewalls of the tray and the interior of the
compartments.
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A stick or similar probe may be provided which is adapted to be inserted
into the channels for manipulating the articles within the compartments. An
elongated chamber may be formed in the tray adapted to receive and hold the
stick when not in use. The elongated chamber is contemplated to be accessible
through one of the compartments.
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A removable panel may be located in one of the compartments for
partitioning the compartment into a first and second portion; the first portion
being in communication its associated opening and the second portion being
inaccessible to the associated opening until the panel is removed.
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In one form of the invention, the cover may comprises an inner disc and
an outer disc with the inner disc having a cut-out portion and the outer disc
having an opening. The discs are rotatably attached to the outer container. The
discs are dimensioned to cover the openings and adapted to selectively uncover
the openings when the outer disc opening and the inner disc cut-out are rotated
into alignment.
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Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing and comprehending
the embodiment described below and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Brief Summary of the Drawings
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For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form
which is presently preferred. However, the invention is not intended to be
limited, nor is it limited, to the precise arrangement and instrumentalities shown.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a interactive game as contemplated by
the present invention.
- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the game of the present
invention.
- Figure 3 is a partially cut-away plan view of the game of the present
invention.
- Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the game of the present
invention as taken along line 4-4 in Figure 1.
- Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the game of the present
invention as taken along line 5-5 in Figure 2.
- Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the game of the present
invention as taken along line 6-6 in Figure 2.
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Detailed Description of the Drawings
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In the drawings where like numerals indicate like elements, there is
shown an interactive game or puzzle having various portions which support a
theme in accordance with the present invention. The game, as illustrated in
Figures 1-6 is generally designated by the numeral 10.
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As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the game 10 includes a tray 12 having a
generally rectangular cross-section and an outer container 14. The tray 12 is
slidably engaged within the outer container 14. The tray 12 is inserted into the
outer container 14 through an opening 16 at one end of the outer container 14.
The outer container 14 forms a close fitting sleeve for the tray 12.
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The tray 12 includes a plurality of compartments 18, 20, 22, and 24
which are of the type adapted to receive and retain puzzle or treasure pieces,
such as pieces 116a and 116b therein. The compartments are recessed in and
open out to the top of the tray 12 such that the interior of each compartment is
accessible from the top face 26 of the tray 12. The depth of each compartment
is sufficient to accommodate the puzzle or treasure pieces such that they do not
extend above the top surface 26 of the tray 12.
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A flap portion 28 is provided at the open end 16 of the container 14.
The flap portion 28 is hingedly attached at a fold line 30 to the top wall 24. A
closure means 32 is provided on the bottom wall 34 of the container 12 to secure
the flap portion 28 in the closed condition. The closure means 32 illustrated in
Figure 2 includes a lock tab 34 extending from the bottom wall 35 and a
cooperating slot 36 in the flap portion 28 which is sized to accept the tab 34
therein. However, other forms of closure for containers are known and are
contemplated for use with the present invention.
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A plurality of openings 38, 40, 42, and 44 are formed in the top wall 26
of the container 14. Each opening is aligned with one of the compartments when
the tray 12 is engaged within container 14. Each opening is sized and shaped
similarly to the portion of the compartment which it overlies to facilitate access
thereto.
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A cover means 46 is provided on the top wall 26 of the outer container
14 to selectively conceal the contents of each compartment 18, 20, 22, and 24
which would otherwise be visible through the openings 38, 40, 42, and 44,
respectively. The cover means illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 includes an outer
or first disc 48 located outside the container 14 and an inner or second disc 50
located inside the container 14. The inner and outer discs 48 and 50 are
rotatably mounted on a flanged post 52 which extends through a hole 54 formed
in the top wall 26 of the container 14.
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An aperture 56 is formed in the outer disc 48 which has a size and shape
sufficient to expose the tray compartments to gain access to the contents therein.
A notch 58 is formed at the edge of the outer disc 48 diametrically opposite the
aperture 56. It is contemplated that indicia or descriptive matter (not shown)
would be printed on the top surface 26 of the container 14 directly beneath and
adjacent to the edge of the outer disc 48. This descriptive matter could be
viewed through the notch 58 by rotating the outer disc.
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A cut-out 60 is formed in the inner disc 50 which is also sized and to
expose the tray compartments. A series of spaced holes 62 are also formed in
a circular pattern around the inner disc approximately midway between the
center and edge of the disc.
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A lock means 64 is provided to prevent the discs 48 and 50 from rotating
and to secure the discs in a storage position. In the storage position the discs
conceal the tray compartments (as shown in Figure 2). The lock means 64
illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 5 includes a strip 66 which is folded into a U-shape
base portion 68 with a pair of legs 70 extending transversely therefrom.
The strip terminates in a split tab 72. A pair of parallel slots 74 are formed in
the inner disc 50 and the top wall 26 of the container 14 for receiving the legs
70 of the lock means 64. However, other forms of locking are known and are
contemplated for use with the present invention.
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To lock the discs in the storage position, the inner disc 50 is rotated until
its slots 74 are aligned with the slots in the top wall 26. The outer disc 48 is
then rotated until the hole 54 overlies the slots 74. The legs 70 of the lock
means 64 are inserted into the slots 74, securing the inner disc 50 in the storage
position. An edge 76 of the hole 54 is then engaged by the split tab 72 to secure
the outer disc 48 against rotation.
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A pair of elongated sticks or rods 80 are provided for use with the
interactive game 10 of the present invention. Preferably, the sticks 80 are stored
in an elongated chamber 82 recessed in the tray 12 which opens onto one of the
compartments, such as compartment 18. A biasing means 84, such as a wad of
resilient material or a spring, is provided at the end of the chamber 82 to bias
the sticks 80 against a side wall 81 of the compartment 18 (Figures 3 and 4).
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As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the tray 12 includes a plurality of
channels 86a-h which extend between the side walls 88 of the tray 12 and the
interior of compartments 18, 20, 22, and 24. The channels are generally tapered
inwardly to facilitate entry of a elongated probe, such as the sticks 80, from
outside the tray. The sidewalls 90 of the outer container 14 are similarly
provided with holes 92 which are aligned with the channels 86a-h and facilitate
access thereto.
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Channels 86a and 86d are provided with enlarged portions 85 and 87,
respectively, which can serve as concealed storage areas for articles, such as
folded notes 89. It is contemplated that indicia or other descriptive matter can
be placed on the notes 89 to provide instructions or clues to the player.
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Removable panels 94 and 96 are located in compartment 24. The panel
92 extends across the compartment with its ends secured within a pair of notches
98 formed in opposed sidewalls of the compartment. The panel 94 separates the
main portion 24a of the compartment from a distal portion 24b. The panel 92
is removed by lifting the panel out of the notches. When the panel 92 is
removed, the distal portion 24b of compartment 24 is in communication with the
main portion 24a.
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A narrow channel 100 connects compartments 22 and 24. A pair of
notches 102 and 104 are formed in opposed sidewalls of the compartments 22
and 24, respectively, and are in alignment with the channel 100. The panel 94
is slidably disposed within the channel 100 between a first position shown in
Figure 2 to a second position (not shown). In the first position, the panel 94
extends across the compartment 24 with one end in the notch 102 and separates
a distal portion 24c of the compartment 24 from the main portion 24a. The
panel 96 can be slidably moved until the other end of the panel is located within
the notch 104. In this second position the distal end 24c of the compartment 24
is in communication with the main portion 24c.
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As shown in Figures 3 and 4, removable barriers 106 and 108 are
disposed within compartments 18 and 20, respectively. The barriers are located
on the floor of each compartment and are provided with upstanding folds 110
that serve as walls for dividing the compartments. It is contemplated that indicia
or other descriptive matter can be placed on the barriers 106 and 108 to provide
instructions or clues to the player.
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Compartment 22 is similarly provided with a removable insert 112
located on the floor of the compartment. A tab 114 is formed on the insert 112
to facilitate grasping by a player. It is contemplated that indicia or other
descriptive matter can be placed on the insert 112 to also provide instructions or
clues to the player.
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As illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 6, various puzzle or treasure pieces
116a-i are located within the compartments 18, 20, 22, and 24. It is
contemplated that the puzzle pieces 116a-i can be assembled in jig-saw puzzle-like
fashion to form an assembled figurine or the like.
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The game 10 operates in the following manner. Initially, the inner disc
50 is locked by the locking means 64 so that the cut-out 60 overlies opening 38
of the compartment 18. Following instructions printed on the outer container,
an accompanying book, or the like, the player removes the locking means 64
releasing the inner and outer discs 48 and 50. The instructions direct the player
to rotate the outer dial 50 until specified indicia, or the like, printed on the top
face 26 of the container 14 is visible through notch 58. When this condition is
met, the outer dial 50 is positioned so that the hole 54 is also aligned with the
opening 38, exposing the interior of the compartment 18. The player would now
able to remove the sticks 80 and the first puzzle piece 116d. Fold 110 of barrier
106 conceals the remaining contents of the compartment 18 from the player's
view.
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At this point the player would be directed to insert one of the sticks 80
in channel 86a, displacing the folded note 89 from the enlarged portion 89 of the
channel and into the exposed portion of the compartment 18 where it can be
retrieved by the player. The instructions contained on the note 89 direct the
player to rotate the inner disc 48 until a specified point is reached by using the
sticks 80 in cooperation with the holes 62 spaced around the disc. When this
position is reached the cut-out 60 would be aligned with the opening 44 of
compartment 24a. The player would then be instructed to rotate the outer disc
50, as recited above, until the outer disc is also aligned with the opening 44,
exposing the interior of the compartment 24a. The player would then be able
to remove the second puzzle piece 116c.
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Following the above procedures, the player would then be able to rotate
the inner and outer discs 48 and 50 to expose the compartments 20 and 22 and
retrieve the third and fourth puzzle pieces 116h and 116g. Following
instructions an with the discs aligned with opening 40, the player can remove the
barrier 108, allowing access to the remainder of the compartment 20 and
providing additional instructions and clues. By inserting the stick 80 into
channel 86c, the player could manipulate the fifth puzzle piece 116f until it can
be retrieved through the opening 40. In a similar manner, barrier 106 can be
removed and the sixth puzzle piece 116e retrieved by the player.
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The remaining puzzle pieces 116a, 116b, and 116i can only be removed
by removing the panels 94 and 96. To achieve this, the discs 48 and 50 are
rotated until they overlie the opening 42 of the compartment 22. The player can
now retrieve the removable insert 112 by grasping tab 114. The insert 112 can
be provided with instructions for removing the panels 94 and 96.
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Following these instructions the player would slide panel 96 until its end
is within the notch 104. This places the panel 96 in the second position and
places the distal portion 24c of compartment 24 in communication with the main
portion 24a. The discs 48 and 50 are then rotated until they overlie opening 44
of compartment 24. By inserting the sticks 80 in channels 86e and 86f, the
seventh puzzle piece 116i can be manipulated into position below opening 44
and retrieved therethrough.
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In a similar manner, panel 96 can be lifted out of compartment 24,
placing the distal portion 24b of compartment 24 in communication with the
main portion 24a. By inserting the sticks 80 in channels 86g and 86h, the
eighth and ninth puzzle pieces 116a and 116 can be manipulated into position
below opening 44 and retrieved therethrough.
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Finally, the discs 48 and 50 can be rotated back to compartment 22 and
the sticks 80 inserted into channel 86d to push out the folded note 89 therein.
This note 89 can provide instructions for the player to assemble the nine puzzle
pieces 116a-i to form a complete figurine and solve the puzzle.
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Of course, many alternate embodiments, themes, layouts, and
arrangements of this idea are possible. The layout, shape, and number of
compartments can be varied to accommodate any number, shape and/or size of
puzzle piece. The layout of the compartments, channels, and/or openings can be
altered to increase or decrease the difficulty of discovering all the puzzle pieces.
Additional obstacles, such as additional panels and/or barriers, and additional
clues, such as additional folded notes, inserts and the like, can be provided to
alter the difficulty of the game.
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Many different themes are contemplated for the game 10, such as an
Easter egg hunt, a haunted house, a treasure island, an archeological expedition,
Chinese puzzles, grandma's house, and the like.
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As illustrated in Figures 1 and 6, an accompanying book 120 may be
provided for purposes of providing instructions or to further support the overall
theme of the game and puzzle. The book 120 includes an extended back cover
121 attached to the bottom of the outer container 14. As seen in Figure 6, the
back cover 121 allows the book to fold inwardly within the cover for storage.
However, other book forms are known and are contemplated for use with the
present invention.
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The game 10 of the present invention may also be modified by
combining the outer container 14 and the tray 12 to form an integral structure.
Alternatively, the top wall 26 of the container 14 may be attached to the top of
the tray 12 without the need for the remainder of the container 14. Of course,
other forms of covering the top of the tray 12 are known and contemplated for
use with the present invention.
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A number of variations for the cover means 32 are also contemplated.
Instead of the rotating disc arrangement disclosed, many alternate arrangement
would function equally as well. Individual doors for each compartment are
contemplated as one alternate embodiment. A slidable lattice arrangement of
strips which can be positioned to selectively cover the compartments is also
contemplated.
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The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference
should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing
specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
