ES2733710T3 - Magnetic game apparatus and procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

A set of elements for a game, comprising: a game surface (11a); a magnetic pickup apparatus having at least two separate game piece pickup regions, wherein each pickup region incorporates a magnet (17) having a different field strength than the field strength of the magnet (17) associated with other pickup regions, said magnetic pickup apparatus capable of being manipulated by a user to magnetically pick up a ferromagnetic object using any of said built-in magnets (17); and a plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces, characterized in that the plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces have different characteristics of color, size and / or weight that are dimensioned and weighted to be picked up from the game surface (11a) by the magnet associated with each of the at least two separate game piece collection regions in the magnetic pickup apparatus.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Magnetic game apparatus and procedure

FIELD

[0001] This disclosure refers to games and, in particular, to a game that incorporates a magnetic element intended to collect other items.

BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE

[0002] Games that use magnets are available in a wide variety of ways, including games where players collect game pieces without directly using their hands. For example, a "Game and apparatus for collecting magnetic cards" is described in US Pat. UU number 5,722,663 of Avigal et al., Where a player uses a magnet attached to an elastic cable to collect magnetic cards.

[0003] Magnetic games can exercise the manual dexterity of players. Magnetic games can also be used to educate players, especially young children, about the principles of magnetism and the physics of magnetic fields. An example of a magnetic game can be found in DE19842699.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

[0004] According to one aspect, a game apparatus is provided which includes a game surface, a magnetic pickup apparatus and a plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces. The magnetic pickup apparatus has at least two separate gambling regions of the game piece, wherein each pickup region incorporates a magnet that has a different field strength to the field strength of the magnet associated with other pickup points. The magnetic pickup device can be manipulated by a user to magnetically pick up a ferromagnetic object using any of the built-in magnets. The ferromagnetic game pieces are provided with different characteristics of color, size and / or weight and are sized and weighted to be collected from the playing surface by each of at least two regions for collecting separate game pieces in the collection apparatus magnetic

[0005] The magnetic pick-up apparatus may be a wand having first and second opposite ends, the game piece pick-up regions being located at the first and second opposite ends, respectively.

[0006] Ferromagnetic game pieces can be organized into multiple groups based on a first characteristic, each group being organized in a series, in which at least two of the elements of each series have different weights.

[0007] The game apparatus may include a container sized to store at least the magnetic collection apparatus and the plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces. The container can provide a defined playing surface on which the ferromagnetic game pieces can be arranged to be collected by a user using the magnetic pick-up apparatus. The container can be a bag formed of flexible material.

[0008] Also provided, not according to the present invention, is a game method that uses a magnetic pick-up apparatus and a plurality of ferromagnetic play pieces, in which the magnetic pick-up device has at least two collection regions of separate game pieces, where each pickup region incorporates a magnet that has a different field strength than the magnet strength associated with other pickup points, where the magnetic pickup device is capable of being manipulated by a user to magnetically collect a ferromagnetic object using any one of the built-in magnets, and in which the plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces are organized in multiple groups according to a first characteristic, each group being organized in a series, where at least two of the Elements of each of these series have different weights. The method includes: depositing the game pieces in a defined playing area, where the number and size of the ferromagnetic game pieces in relation to the size of said playing area is such that there would be a reasonable probability that many of the pieces of the ferromagnetic game are grouped if the pieces of the ferromagnetic game were randomly deposited in the defined play area; and play a game with several players, where each player is assigned to a group of ferromagnetic game pieces corresponding to a particular characteristic of the ferromagnetic game piece, and the player's goal is to collect only the assigned ferromagnetic game pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The foregoing and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated by reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a magnetic wand, which is an element of a first embodiment of a magnetic game apparatus.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of ferromagnetic bells of various sizes, weights and colors; the bells constituting additional elements of the first embodiment.

Figure 3A is a side view of a series of bells of the same color, which have different sizes and weights.

Figure 3B is a top view of the series of bells shown in Figure 3A.

Figure 4 is a top view of a playing surface, which is another element of the first embodiment.

Figure 5 is a side view of a bag, which can provide the playing surface shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bag, partially open, showing the magnetic wand and the bells contained therein.

Figure 7 is a top view of the bag, completely open, flattened for use as a playing surface and with several bells located therein.

Figure 8 is a view of the magnetic wand that is being held in a first orientation.

Figure 9 is a view of the magnetic wand that is being held in a second orientation, opposite the first orientation.

Figure 10 is a view of the magnetic wand that is being seized by a user to pick up a "chain" of bells.

Figure 11 is a diagram of a booklet detailing the game rules for a method that plays a game using the apparatus of the first embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The drawings show an embodiment of a set of elements for a game (the "illustrated embodiment"). As will be explained in greater detail below, the invention has a broader scope than the illustrated embodiment and, therefore, the illustrated embodiment should be understood only as an example of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

[0011] The set of elements of the illustrated embodiment includes a magnetic pick-up apparatus such as a bottle-shaped magnetic "wand" l3 (see Fig. 1), a plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces such as colored ferromagnetic bells 14 of various sizes, weights and colors (see Fig. 2), and an optional container such as a bag 11 (see Fig. 5), which, in some embodiments, can also serve as a playing surface 11a (see Fig. 4).

[0012] In a possible game method, players may take turns using the magnetic wand 13 to attempt to pick up a single-colored "chain" of bells 14 from the playing surface 11a according to the detailed rules of the game.

[0013] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bag 11 can be semicircular and, when opened, is a circular piece of flexible material that has a releasable closure such as a zipper 12 around its perimeter. The zipper 12 allows the opposite halves of the bag 11 to be releasably connected to each other to thereby provide a bag, or container, that can be closed for the magnetic rod 13 and the plurality of colored ferromagnetic bells 14, as shown in Figure 6. Preferably, the bag 11 is made of a flexible foam material with decorative fabric attached to both sides.

[0014] The bag 11 also serves as a playing surface 11a, as shown in Figure 7. When opened, the bag 11 has a circular shape, similar to a mat, which provides the playing surface 11a. When the zipper 12 is engaged and in a closed position, the bag 11 has a semicircular pocket-shaped shape and can function as a container for the game components.

[0015] In alternative embodiments, the bag 11 may be omitted in its entirety or replaced, for example, with a concave plastic element with a flat bottomed inner surface to contain the bells 14, or with any other suitable element.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the magnetic rod 13 of the illustrated embodiment has a similar shape to a bottle, a first end as the upper end 15, and a second end as the lower end 16, with the rod 13 tapered asymmetrically towards the ends. The first and second ends 15 and 16 of the rod 13 are circular and have different diameters, as shown in Figure 8. The lower end 16 has a larger diameter than the upper end 15. The surfaces of the first and second ends 15 and 16 are rounded slightly and smoothly, or curved outwardly, from ends 15 and 16 of rod 13.

[0017] Magnets are incorporated into the rod, such as magnets 17a and 17b located at each end 15 and 16 of the rod 13. The magnet 17a, which is weaker than the magnet 17b, is located inside and adjacent to the first end 15 of the rod 3. The magnet 17b, which is stronger than the magnet 17a, is located inside and adjacent to the lower end 16 of the rod 13. The strongest magnet 17b generates a stronger magnetic field than the weakest magnet 17a. Preferably, the magnets 17 are permanent magnets.

[0018] In alternative embodiments, the wand 13 may have three or more magnets 17, each with a different magnetic intensity. For example, a three-pointed wand can be used instead of the two-ended wand 13, where each of the three tips of the wand has a magnet 17 with an intensity that differs from the intensities of the other magnets 17.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the plurality of colored ferromagnetic bells 14 are generally spherical and hollow, with a hard (not shown) loose pellet contained within them. One or more openings 18 in the walls of the bells 14 allow the sound produced by the pellet to emanate from the bells 14. Bells of this type are sometimes referred to as sled bells or bells. The bells 14 are made of a ferromagnetic material, such as nickel, iron or other magnetic material or alloy. Preferably, a plurality of bells 14 are provided in various sizes, weights and colors, with an equal number of bells 14 of each size, weight and color. For example, four different colors of bells 14 can be provided, each color having two large bells, with a diameter of 2.6 cm at the midpoint; three medium bells, with a diameter of 2.0 cm at the midpoint; and five small bells, with a diameter of 1.3 cm at the midpoint.

[0020] In alternative embodiments, other arrangements of ferromagnetic game pieces or objectives are possible. Generally speaking, ferromagnetic game pieces may have different characteristics of color, size and / or weight. For the purposes of the game whose objective is to collect at least one and preferably a series of magnetic objectives, the magnetic objectives can be organized into multiple groups based on a first characteristic, such as color or shape. For example, magnetic targets could have one of a predefined number of shapes such as round, square, heart, cross, etc. Each of these groups can be organized in a series, where at least two of the elements of each series have different weights. Thus, for example, the series of heart-shaped objectives could include four elements, with small, medium, medium and large weights, respectively.

[0021] A game method implies that a player selectively attempts to collect single-colored bells 14 from the plurality of bells 14 located on the playing surface 11a, using one end of the wand 13. First, the player places a plurality of bells 14 on the playing surface 11a, as shown in Figure 7. The number of different colors of bells 14 can be selected, depending on the number of players. Preferably, the number and size of the bells 14 in relation to the size of the playing surface 11a are such that there would be a reasonable probability that many bells 14 will be grouped if they were randomly deposited on the playing surface 11a. This increases the probability of magnetic interference, making the game more interesting.

[0022] Before attempting to pick up any bell 14, the player decides whether to use the weakest magnet 17a or the strongest magnet 17b and selects the desired magnet 7. The player can select the weakest magnet 17a by grasping the wand 13 by the end bottom 16, as shown in Figure 8, or you can select the strongest magnet 17b by grasping the wand 13 by the upper end 15, as shown in Figure 9. The use of the strongest magnet 17b provides the player with a magnetic field stronger, which exerts a greater attraction on bells 14, thereby allowing the player to gain more weight, for example, a long "string" of bells 14, as shown in Figure 10. The use of the weakest magnet 17a it provides the player with a weaker magnetic field, which exerts a weaker attraction on the bells 14, which allows the player to collect bells 14 with greater precision. For example, a player can select the weakest magnet 17a to pick up a bell 14 of its color, which is surrounded by bells 14 of another color. Alternatively, a player may select the strongest magnet 17b to collect several bells 14 of their color, which are grouped and isolated from bells 14 of another color.

[0023] Once one or more bells 14 of a single color have been collected with the wand 13, the player can set aside these bells. Alternatively, the player may attempt to collect additional bells 14. If the player collects bells 14 of more than one color, the player immediately returns all the bells 14 collected in that turn to the playing surface 11a. At any time, after collecting one or more bells 14, the player may stop the turn and set aside the bells 14 collected in that turn, provided that single-colored bells 14 have been raised in that turn.

[0024] The next player can then grab wand 13 and attempt to collect bells 4 of his color, as shown above. Players take turns until one of them has collected all 4 bells of their color.

[0025] The game can be played by one or more players, using a playing surface 11a, a wand 13 and a plurality of bells 14 of different colors. Preferably, the number of players is equal to the number of different colors of bells 14.

[0026] Figure 11 shows a booklet detailing specific game rules that regulate how players take turns and the results required to win the game. Alternative rules are also possible.

[0027] The embodiments are described herein illustratively and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed. Variations of the above embodiments will be apparent to a person with ordinary experience and the inventor intends to be encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims (5)

1. A set of elements for a game, comprising: a playing surface (11a); a magnetic pickup apparatus having at least two separate regions for collecting game pieces, wherein each pickup region incorporates a magnet (17) that has a different field strength to the field strength of the magnet (17) associated with other pickup regions, said magnetic pickup apparatus capable of being manipulated by a user to magnetically pick up a ferromagnetic object using any of said built-in magnets (17); Y a plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces, characterized in that the plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces have different color, size and / or weight characteristics that are sized and weighted to be collected from the playing surface (11a) by the magnet associated with each one of the at least two separate regions for collecting game pieces in the magnetic collection apparatus. 2. A set of elements according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic pick-up apparatus is a wand (13) having opposite first and second ends (15, 16), and wherein said regions for gambling game feedback they are located at said first and second opposite ends (15, 16), respectively. 3. A set of elements according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces are organized into multiple groups based on a first feature, each of said groups being organized in a series, wherein at least two of the elements of each series have different weights. A set of elements according to claim 1, which includes a container sized to store at least said magnetic game pickup apparatus and said plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces, said container providing the playing surface (11a) on the which said ferromagnetic game pieces can be arranged for collection by a user using said magnetic pickup apparatus. 5. A set of elements according to claim 4, wherein said container is a bag (11) formed of flexible material.