FR2704445A1 - Automatic signalling device for pieces and educational game including such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for automatically signalling the displacement or specific positioning of a piece on a surface or a game area, as well as a game including such a device. Device characterised in that it consists principally of a detection module and of a signalling unit which are mounted in each piece (2) of the game and several emitter terminals arranged on or in the game area (1), at the level of the squares (7, 7' or 8) occupying particular positions in the structure of the track or tracks (6) or corresponding to a position which has a special significance, the detection module reacting at the time of its passage or its positioning close to an emitter terminal (5) by activating the signalling unit.

Description

Automatic signaling device for pawns and
educational game comprising such a device
The present invention relates to the field of games, in particular early learning and learning games for young children, and relates to an automatic signaling device for pawns, as well as an educational game comprising such a device.

 There are currently different types of games for young children, including games that promote awareness and are based on learning certain behaviors and certain rules of everyday life, in particular related to travel by vehicle in an urban environment.

 However, these existing games generally include a large number of accessories, such as cards, different types of pawns, scoreboards and the like, which can be easily lost, and present rules of games which are too complex to be easily understood and assimilated by young children.

 In addition, the child's attention is not sufficiently stimulated during the important stages of the game or when he has made a mistake corresponding, for example, to a traffic violation.

 Furthermore, these existing games do not include devices automatically signaling, when moving a pawn, the passage of areas of the game plan having special crossing conditions or carrying particular representations, which may encourage the child to think or, where appropriate, generate an opportunity to question the child by an adult person monitoring the progress of the game.

 The object of the present invention is, in particular, to overcome all of the aforementioned drawbacks.

 For this purpose, it relates to an automatic signaling device for a specific movement or positioning of a pawn on a surface or a game plan comprising at least one subdivided track, characterized in that it is mainly consisting of a detection module and a signaling unit mounted in each pawn of the game and several transmitting terminals arranged on or in the game plan, at the level of boxes occupying particular positions in the structure of the track or tracks or corresponding to a location having a specific meaning, the detection module reacting during its passage or its positioning near a transmitting terminal by activating the signaling unit.

 The invention also relates to an educational game, intended for young children, for the recognition and memorization of road signs, consisting of a game plan provided with a track cut into boxes of different colors, at least at least one pawn and at least one die, characterized in that the track consists of a main track closed on itself, of several secondary tracks extending inside the surface delimited by said main track and of several access routes each connecting a box of said main track to a corresponding assembly area of the pawns, in that representations of road signs are associated with different boxes of the track, in particular boxes, arranged at the level areas of interconnection of the different tracks between them, and in that the pawns are in the form of miniature cars or trucks, said educational game also incorporating nt an automatic signaling device as mentioned above.

 The invention will be better understood from the description below, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a view from above a game plan according to the invention, and, Figure 2 is a side elevational view in section on a different scale of a pawn according to the invention.

 As shown in Figures l and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the automatic signaling device for pawns 2 is mainly constituted by a detection module 3 and a signaling unit 4 mounted in each pawn 2 of the game and several transmitting terminals 5 arranged on or in the game plan 1, at boxes 7, 7 ′ or 8 occupying particular positions in the structure of the track (s) 6 or corresponding to a location having a specific meaning, the detection module 3 reacting during its passage or its positioning near a transmitting terminal 5 by activating the signaling unit 4.

 In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, represented in FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, the detection module 3, housed at the base of the pin 2, consists of a magnetic detector associated with a switch (REED switch) and the device signaling device 4 is composed of a battery 9 or a rechargeable accumulator and an indicator light 10 associated, where appropriate, with an audible warning device, the switch closing the supply circuit 4 'of the signaling device 4 when the magnetic detector is activated, by moving or positioning it near a transmitting terminal 5.

 According to a characteristic of the invention, said emitting terminals 5 preferably consist of permanent magnets, of parallelepiped shape, integrated into the thickness of the surface or of the playing plane 1, at the edges of the boxes 7, 7 ′, 8 concerned, by being arranged longitudinally or transversely relative to the axis of the track or tracks 6 (FIG. 1).

 In accordance with a preferred embodiment variant of the invention, in the context of an educational game for learning road signs, fundamental rules of the road code and responsible behavior as a car driver, each pawn 2 is in the form of a miniature car or truck (Figure 2).

 The present invention also relates to an educational game, intended for young children, encouraging and helping to recognize and memorize road signs, said game being essentially composed of a game plan 1 provided with a track 6 cut or subdivided into boxes 6 ', 7, 7', 8 of different colors, at least one pawn 2 and at least one usual die, preferably two (not shown).

 This game is characterized, as shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, in that the track 6 consists of a main track ll closed on itself, of several secondary tracks 14 extending inside the surface delimited by said main track 11 and several access tracks 13 each connecting a box 6 of said main track 11 to a zone 14 for collecting pawns 2 corresponding, in that representations 15 of road signs are associated with different boxes track 6, in particular boxes 6 ′, 7, 7 ′, 8 arranged at the interconnection zones of the various tracks 11, 12 and 13 therebetween, and in that the pawns 2 are in the form of cars or miniature trucks, said educational game also incorporating an automatic signaling device as described above.

 As also shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, the secondary tracks 12 can advantageously meet at a central box 7 ′ and the track 6 can also have one or more annex tracks 16 connecting together two secondary tracks 12 or a secondary track 12 and main track 11.

 Advantageously, the central box 7 ′ may have the structure of a roundabout intersection and certain secondary lanes 12 or annexes 16 allow only one-way circulation of the pawns 2.

 The transmitting terminals 5 can be arranged, on the one hand, at the level of boxes 7, 7 ′ with which representations 15 of signs indicating a prohibition or a potential danger are associated and, on the other hand, at the level boxes 8 carrying symbols or symbolic representations of public buildings such as town hall, station, police station, school, swimming pool, hospital, church and the like, or of private and / or commercial establishments such as a gas station, hypermarket, bar, bank, hotel, garage and the like.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the game plan advantageously has a foldable structure and a support body made of a rigid material, preferably compact cardboard, the emitting terminals 5, in the form of magnets of rectangular shape, preferably cubic, being integrated. in the thickness of said support body, without generation of the excess thicknesses.

 A printed sheet, possibly made of a synthetic material, and bearing the representation of the track 6, and of the zones 14, may be laminated on one of the faces of the support body so as to form said game plane 1.

 In accordance with an additional characteristic of the invention, represented in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, the game plan 1 has a rectangular shape, the main track 11 defining a diamond structure and the zones 14 for gathering the pawns 2 being composed triangular surfaces delimited by the angles of said game plane 1.

 The educational game according to the invention therefore has a simple and solid structure, as well as a limited number of accessories (pawns + dice).

 In addition, the presence of the signaling device described above makes it possible to easily attract the attention of the child during a displacement or a critical positioning of his pawn 2 on track 6, corresponding to the meeting of '' a prohibition or danger sign or in a box 8 having a particular meaning.

 The course of a game can start with different rolls of dice in order to obtain a given number of points allowing the pawns 1 to access the main track 11, via an access track 13 , from one of the gathering zones 14, where the pawns 1 are arranged at the very start of the game.

 The object of the game could be, for example, to complete as quickly as possible a complete turn of the main track 11 with return to the starting assembly area 14, by moving the pawns 2 in accordance with the results of different dice rolls successive, each triggering of the pawn 2 signaling device considered giving rise to an analysis of the situation of said pawn 2 and, if necessary, a question from an adult person attending the game.

 Depending on the movement of his pawn 2 or the arrival position of the latter after a roll of dice, each player may either be penalized by being put out of play for a fixed period and / or by having an additional journey imposed on him. travel, or benefit from an additional movement of his pawn 2 along main track 11.

 Thus, by way of example, a pawn 2 having taken a secondary route 12 in the forbidden direction or finding itself positioned on box 7 provided with three-color lights will have to be replaced at its initial assembly area 14.

 In addition, a pawn 2 failing on a box 8 marked "SCHOOL", "HOSPITAL", "BAR" or "STOP" will be obliged to take the secondary track 12 or annex 16 adjoining and to go through the central box 7 ', instead of continuing, the next movement along the main track 11, this, possibly, after a predetermined downtime.

 In return, a pawn 2 failing on box 8 marked "POLICE" or "BANK" may progress by a defined number of additional boxes 6 along the main track 11.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements, or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (10)

- CLAIMS  1. Automatic signaling device for a specific movement or positioning of a pawn on a surface or a game plan comprising at least one track subdivided into boxes, characterized in that it is mainly constituted by a detection module (3) and a signaling unit (4) mounted in each pawn (2) of the game and several transmitting terminals (5) arranged on or in the game plan (1), at boxes (7, 7 'or 8 ) occupying particular positions in the structure of the track (s) (6) or corresponding to a location having a specific meaning, the detection module (3) reacting during its passage or its positioning near a transmitting terminal ( 5) by activating the signaling unit (4).  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection module (3) consists of a magnetic detector associated with a switch and housed at the base of the pin (2) considered and in that the signaling device (4) consists of a battery (9) or a rechargeable accumulator and an indicator light (10) associated, if necessary, with an audible warning, the switch closing the supply circuit (4 ') of the device signaling (4) when the magnetic detector is activated.  3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the emitting terminals (5) consist of permanent magnets, of parallelepiped shape, integrated into the thickness of the surface or of the playing plane (1) , at the edges of the boxes (7, 7 ', 8) concerned, being arranged longitudinally or transversely with respect to the axis of the track (s) (6).  4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each pawn is in the form of a car or a miniature truck.  5. Educational game, intended for young children, for the recognition and memorization of road signs, consisting of a game plan provided with a track cut into boxes of different colors, at least one pawn and at least one die, characterized in that the track (6) consists of a main track (11) closed on itself, of several secondary tracks (14) extending inside the surface delimited by said main track (11) and several access tracks (13) each connecting a box (6) of said main track (11) to a corresponding area (14) for gathering pawns (2), in that representations ( 15) road signs are associated with different boxes of the track (6), in particular with boxes (6 ', 7, 7') arranged at the interconnection zones of the different tracks (11, 12 and 13) between them, and in that the pawns (2) are in the form of cars or mini trucks said educational game also incorporating an automatic signaling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.  6. Educational game according to claim 5, characterized in that the secondary tracks (12) meet at a central box (7 ') and in this tool has one or more annex tracks (16) connecting two tracks together secondary (12) or a secondary channel (12) and the main channel (11).  7. Educational game according to claim 6, characterized in that the central box (7 ′) has the structure of a roundabout in a roundabout direction and in that certain secondary routes (12) or annexes (16) only allow a unidirectional circulation of the pawns (2).  8. Educational game according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the emitting terminals (5) are arranged, on the one hand, at the level of boxes (7, 7 ') to which representations (15) of signs of a ban or of a potential danger are associated and, on the other hand, at the level of boxes (8) carrying indications or symbolic representations of public buildings such as town hall, station, police station, school, swimming pool, hospital, church and the like, or private and / or commercial establishments such as gas station, hypermarket, bar, bank, hotel, garage and the like.  9. Educational game according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the game plan (1) has a foldable structure and a support body made of a rigid material, preferably compact cardboard, the emitting terminals (5) , in the form of magnets of preferably cubic parallelepiped shape, being integrated into the thickness of said support body, without generation of excess thicknesses.  10. Educational game according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the game plan (1) has a rectangular shape and in that the main track (11) defines a diamond structure, the zones (14 ) of collecting pins (2) being composed of triangular surfaces delimited by the angles of said game plane (1).