EP3946654B1

EP3946654B1 - Device for the use of playing dice

Info

Publication number: EP3946654B1
Application number: EP20704379.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martino VASCONI; Francesco VASCONI
Original assignee: Ivasgames SRLS
Current assignee: Ivasgames SRLS
Priority date: 2019-04-03
Filing date: 2020-02-18
Publication date: 2023-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-18
Also published as: WO2020201845A1; PL3946654T3; IT201900005018A1; EP3946654A1; CA3135325A1; CN216571493U; US20220184487A1

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the use of playing dice.
In particular, the invention relates to a device adapted to contain and use numbered dice for various types of recreational activities.
As known, the most common dice are made in the form of cubes with their respective faces numbered from one to six. However, the dice can have different polyhedral geometric shapes, depending on the number of faces (and numbering).
With the exception of the ten-sided die, the main shapes are given by the Platonic solids (tetrahedron, cube or hexahedron, octahedron, dodecahedron and icosahedron), used for their regularity in the shapes that guarantees equal possibilities of showing any face.
These dice can be marked with numbering (in units and/or tens) or with other graphic symbols.
The spread of role-playing and board games, however, has expanded the number and shapes of dice that can be used simultaneously within the same game.
For example, in role-playing games a large quantity of dice is normally used, all with a specific shape according to the number of faces and selected from time to time according to the various contingent needs. However, a large number of playing dice entails considerable drawbacks in terms of practicality of use of the dice themselves.
First of all, it should be noted that the need to use a series of dice, moreover made in small dimensions, entails difficulties in containing and transporting operations where it is necessary to provide an element for housing the nuts such as for example a box or a bag.
In this situation, during the game one at a time the dice are extracted from the box, used and immediately put back in the box to avoid the loss of the dice themselves.
This operation is laborious and especially during a game session in which it is necessary to continuously access the box, it determines the continuous interruption of the game itself.
Moreover, as described above, the dice are small in size and therefore easily removable if they are not always repositioned in the respective containing element.
A further important drawback derives from the need to provide a surface suitable for throwing the dice. In this context, in the absence of a smooth surface such as that of a table, the use of dice is impossible.
As a result, the ability to play the aforementioned board or role-playing games outdoor, on transport means or in general in any environment without a suitable surface is excluded. Document DE2939802A1 discloses a device for the use of playing dice comprising all the technical features set out in the preamble of claim 1.
The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks above mentioned.
In particular, a first object of the present invention is to provide a device for the use of playing dice which is capable of containing and retaining all the dice necessary even while using them.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for the use of playing dice, which is structurally simple, of low costs, and of ease of use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device which is versatile and usable with any number and type of playing dice, regardless of the environment in which the dice are used.
In view of these objects, the present invention provides a device for the use of playing dice, whose characteristic are part of the subject of claim 1. Further advantageous features are described in the dependent claims.
All claims are considered as fully described.
The present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings provided solely by way of example, in which:

figures 1 and 2 show perspective views from respective opposite angles of the device for the use of playing dice according to the present invention;
figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device according to the present invention in a respective non-usage condition;
figure 4 is a sectional elevated side view of the device of figure 3;
figures 5a and 5b show perspective and exploded views of two respective embodiments of the device of figure 3; and
figures 6a and 6b show different types of playing dice usable in the device according to the present invention, respectively in a perspective and in a side elevated view.

With reference to the appended figures, reference number 1 globally indicates a device for the use of playing dice "D".
It should be specified that the device 1 finds particular application for any type of dice "D", regardless of shape and number of faces.
As shown in figure 6a and figure 6b purely by way of non-limiting example, the device 1 can be used for six types of playing dice, having the shape of an icosahedron, dodecahedron, decahedron, cubic octahedron and tetrahedron respectively.
All the dice "D" can be inscribed inside a spherical volume "S" of the same diameter, which is illustrated in dotted line in figure 6b.
In other words, the dice "D" preferably have substantially identical volumetric dimensions to each other.
With particular reference to figures 1 to 3, the device 1 comprises a main body 2 equipped with a plurality of chambers 3 each of which is configured to contain a respective die "D".
The main body 2 is arranged inside a housing compartment 5 defined by a box-shaped element 4. In this situation, the main body 2 constitutes the "core" of the device 1 while the box-shaped element 4 acts as the "shell" of the aforementioned main body 2.
In greater detail, it should be noted that the box-shaped element 4 is at least partly made of transparent material in order to visually access the interior of each chamber 3 suitable for containing the respective die "D". In this way, it is possible to visualize each die "D" contained inside the box-shaped element 4.
Preferably, the box-shaped element 4 has a polyhedral conformation equipped with a series of transparent faces 6 (made for example of plastic or glassy material). In this context, the main body 2 has a number of chambers 3 equal to the number of faces 6 of the box-shaped element 4. Furthermore, each chamber 3 is placed at a respective face 6 of the box-shaped element 4.
Likewise, the main body 2 also has a polyhedral conformation and each chamber 3 is obtained at a respective face.
Advantageously, according to a preferential but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the box-shaped element 4 and the main body 2 have both a cubic conformation. In this situation, six faces 6 of the box-shaped element 4 and consequently six chambers 3 of the main body 2 are defined.
It should however be specified that the shape, and consequently the number of faces 6 and chambers 3, of the device 1 can be any according to the specific needs of use.
As is better illustrated in the views of figures 3 and 4, wherein the device 1 does not have the dice "D", each chamber 3 has a substantially square-based truncated pyramid conformation.
In particular, the main body 2 has a central core 7, having a cubic conformation, and wherein each face constitutes a minor surface 8 of the truncated pyramid chamber 3.
The minor surface 8 of each chamber 3 therefore has a lying plane of the respective die "D" wherein the die after its rolling inside the chamber 3 rests with a respective face.
On the opposite side of the minor surface 8 develops a major surface 9 obtained in the box-shaped element 4 and made of the aforementioned transparent material. In other words, the major surface 9 is constituted by the face 6 of the box-shaped element. Preferably, each face 6 also has a frame 10 made of opaque material and apt to contain the transparent material.
Furthermore, each chamber 3 also has four oblique side surfaces 11, each of which extending from a respective edge of the central core 7 to the edge of the box-shaped element 4.
In this way, the side surfaces 11 are convergent from the major surface 9 to the minor surface 8.
Advantageously, with reference to figures 5a and 5b the box-shaped element comprises a first and a second portion 12, 13 which can be switched between a condition of mutual coupling in which they contain the main body 2 and a decoupling condition in which they allow to extract/insert the body 2 from the compartment 5. In other words, the box-shaped element 4 can be opened separating the two portions 12, 13 to remove the body 2 and replace the dices "D".
According to a first embodiment solution of figure 5a, the portions 12, 13 of the box-shaped element (4) are respectively configured as "C" and have peripheral edges 12a, 13a which can be mutually engaged by mechanical interference to define the aforementioned mutual coupling condition.
In this solution the portions are identical and can be fit with each other around the main body 2.
Alternatively, according to a second embodiment of figure 5b, the first portion 12 has a cubic conformation with a face 6a open to access the interior of the aforementioned compartment 5.
In this solution, the second portion 13 is in the shape of a flat sheet for coupling to the first portion 12 to close said open face 6a. In other words, the second portion 13 is defined by a face 6 of the box-shaped element 4 which can be coupled by mechanical interlocking into the open face 6a of the first portion 12.
Advantageously, according to an embodiment variant not illustrated, the second portion 13 and the first portion 12 can be made in one piece and connected to each other by means of a common side.
In this case the common side defines a hinge for moving the second portion 13 approaching/away from the first portion 12 and determining the open and closed configurations of the box-shaped element 4.
In use, once the dice "D" have been inserted into the respective chambers 3 (figures 1 and 2) it is possible to contain and use the dice "D" at the same time.
In fact, by manually retaining the device 1 it is possible to position the face 6 of the chamber 3 wherein the selected die "D" is housed upwards.
In this way, the respective die "D" after a rolling phase inside the chamber 3, is dropped from the side surfaces 11 towards the minor surface 8 where it lies with the respective visible face wherein a numerical reference is indicated (or other symbol shown on the face of the die).
The same procedure is performed for each die "D" that must be used, therefore positioning the respective face 6 upwards.
It should be noted that, advantageously, the dice "D" are never extracted from the device 1 during their usage. The device 1 therefore allows the dices "D" to be collected for easy transport and at the same time to use the dice "D" during the game without having to remove them from the respective chambers 3.
In this way, the whole game phase is speeded up and at the same time the possible loss of dice "D" is avoided even if they are small.
Furthermore, the minor surface 8 conferred by the central core 7 in the shape of a cube always guarantees the presence of a horizontal surface on which the die "D" can be thrown. Consequently, the device 1 allows to use different dice "D" in any environment, making the use of the device 1 itself particularly versatile.

Claims

Device for the use of playing dice, comprising:
a main body (2) having a plurality of chambers (3) each of which is configured for containing a respective playing die (D); and

a box-shaped element (4) internally defining a compartment (5) for housing said main body (2) and being at least partly made of transparent material to visually access the interior of each chamber (3);

characterized in that each chamber (3) has a square-based truncated pyramid conformation comprising:
a minor surface (8) formed in said main body (2) and defining a lying plane of the respective die (D); a major surface (9) opposite the minor surface (8), formed in the box-shaped element (4) and made of said transparent material; and four oblique side surfaces (11), formed in said main body (2) and each of which extending from the minor surface (8) to the major surface (9).
Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said box-shaped element (4) has a polyhedral conformation and in that said main body (2) has a number of chambers (3) equal to the number of faces (6) of the box-shaped element (4); each chamber (3) being arranged at a face (6) of said box-shaped element (4).
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said main body (2) has a polyhedral conformation, each chamber (3) being formed in a respective face of the main body.
Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said box-shaped element (4) and main body (2) have both a cubic conformation.
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said box-shaped element (4) comprises a first and a second portion (12, 13) which can be switched between a condition of mutual coupling in which they contain said main body (2) and a decoupling condition in which they allow to extract/insert the body (2) from said compartment (5).
Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said portions (12, 13) of the box-shaped element (4) are respectively configured as "C" and have peripheral edges (12a, 13a) which can be mutually engaged by mechanical interference to define said mutual coupling condition.
Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said first portion (12) has an open face (6a) for accessing the compartment (5), said second portion (13) having a flat sheet for coupling to the first portion (12) for closing said open face (6a) in the respective condition of mutual coupling.
Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said second portion (13) and said first portion (12) comprise a common side defining a hinge for moving the second portion (13) approaching/away from said first portion (12).