GB2090146A - Combination mat and game - Google Patents

Abstract

A table mat has on one or both surfaces, the markings of a playing area for a game. Playing pieces 6 are removably secured to the playing area 3 by magnetic attraction. The mat has a depth greater than the thickness of a playing piece and at least one recess in which the playing pieces can be stored. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Combination mat and game This invention relates to a combined mat and game.

Mats for placing on, e.g., a table and on to which a cup or glass can be put, to prevent marking of the table have been in considerable usage for a considerable length of time, and it is equally well known for such mats to be printed or otherwise be provided with advertising matter, or with puzzles or the like for the amusement of the user. However, in the main, puzzles or the like on such mats have only been solvable once, it being usual for the puzzle to have a written solution.

Obviously, once written on, the mat can continue to serve its primary purpose, but its secondary use is exhausted.

The object of the present invention is to provide a combined mat and game where not only can the mat be re-used but also the game.

According to the present invention, a combined mat and game comprises a mat on one or both surfaces of which is provided the markings of a playing area for a game, and playing pieces adapted to be removable secured to the playing area by magnetic attraction, said mat having a depth greater than the thickness of the playing pieces, and being provided with at least one recess in at least one of its surfaces in which the playing pieces can be stored when the game is not in use. Preferably, the mat is formed from or incorporates ferromagnetic material, and the playing pieces may be formed from or incorporate magnetic material such as so-called magnetic rubber. It is further preferred that the mat has at least one plastics or lacquered surface for ease of cleaning.

The invention therefore provides in simple manner a mat that can be used repeatedly, with a game or puzzle that can also be used repeatedly, and in which the provision of a storage recess for the separate playing pieces allows the playing pieces to be kept with the mat without affecting the placing of a cup or glass on the mat.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a combined mat and game; Figure 2 is a rear elevation of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a section on the lines Ill-Ill of Figure 1.

In the drawings, a mat 1 has a fibrous board 2, e.g., formed from a pulp-board type material, to which is secured a tin-plate facing plate 3, the edges 4 of which are inturned to grip the edges of the board 2. The exposed face of the plate 3 is provided with a playing area for a game such as by printing the playing area on the plate 3.

The board 2 is provided with a hole 5 in which can be placed playing pieces 6 of magnetic material, e.g., magnetic rubber, the playing pieces adhering magnetically to the inner face of the plate 3, and the board 2 has a thickness greater than the thickness of the playing pieces 6 so that they can be stored unobtrusively when the mat is not being used as a game. In an instance where more than one game can be played on one playing area, the fibrous board can be provided with more than one hole to store separately the playing pieces for each game.

If required, instructions for playing the game can be provided on the fibrous board such as by printing. To facilitate cleaning of the mat it is preferred to apply a finishing clear lacquer to at least the plate 3, but it will be understood that other easily cleanable surfaces can be provided such as by overlaying the plate with a thin sheet of plastics material, in which case the playing area would be provided on the plastics overlay.

1. A combined mat and game comprising a mat on one or both surfaces of which is provided the markings of a playing area for a grame, and playing pieces adapted to be removable secured to the playing area by magnetic attraction, said mat having a depth greater then the thickness of the playing pieces, and being provided with at least one recess in at least one of its surfaces in which the playing pieces can be stored when the game is not in use.

2. A combined mat and game as in Claim 1, wherein the mat is formed from or incorporates ferromagnetic material.

3. A combined mat and game as in Claim 1, wherein the mat has a fibrous board to which is secured a tin-plate facing layer.

4. A combined mat and game as in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the playing pieces are formed from or incorporate magnetic material.

5. A combined mat and game as in Claim 4, wherein the playing pieces are formed from socalled magnetic rubber.

6. A combined mat and game as in any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein when placed within the recess in the mat, the playing pieces adhere to the rearward face of the tin-plate facing layer.

7. A combined mat and game as in any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the mat has a lacquered surface for ease of cleaning.

8. A combined mat and game as in any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the mat has a plastics surface for ease of cleaning.

9. A combined mat and game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Combination mat and game This invention relates to a combined mat and game. Mats for placing on, e.g., a table and on to which a cup or glass can be put, to prevent marking of the table have been in considerable usage for a considerable length of time, and it is equally well known for such mats to be printed or otherwise be provided with advertising matter, or with puzzles or the like for the amusement of the user. However, in the main, puzzles or the like on such mats have only been solvable once, it being usual for the puzzle to have a written solution. Obviously, once written on, the mat can continue to serve its primary purpose, but its secondary use is exhausted. The object of the present invention is to provide a combined mat and game where not only can the mat be re-used but also the game. According to the present invention, a combined mat and game comprises a mat on one or both surfaces of which is provided the markings of a playing area for a game, and playing pieces adapted to be removable secured to the playing area by magnetic attraction, said mat having a depth greater than the thickness of the playing pieces, and being provided with at least one recess in at least one of its surfaces in which the playing pieces can be stored when the game is not in use. Preferably, the mat is formed from or incorporates ferromagnetic material, and the playing pieces may be formed from or incorporate magnetic material such as so-called magnetic rubber. It is further preferred that the mat has at least one plastics or lacquered surface for ease of cleaning. The invention therefore provides in simple manner a mat that can be used repeatedly, with a game or puzzle that can also be used repeatedly, and in which the provision of a storage recess for the separate playing pieces allows the playing pieces to be kept with the mat without affecting the placing of a cup or glass on the mat. One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a combined mat and game; Figure 2 is a rear elevation of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a section on the lines Ill-Ill of Figure 1. In the drawings, a mat 1 has a fibrous board 2, e.g., formed from a pulp-board type material, to which is secured a tin-plate facing plate 3, the edges 4 of which are inturned to grip the edges of the board 2. The exposed face of the plate 3 is provided with a playing area for a game such as by printing the playing area on the plate 3. The board 2 is provided with a hole 5 in which can be placed playing pieces 6 of magnetic material, e.g., magnetic rubber, the playing pieces adhering magnetically to the inner face of the plate 3, and the board 2 has a thickness greater than the thickness of the playing pieces 6 so that they can be stored unobtrusively when the mat is not being used as a game. In an instance where more than one game can be played on one playing area, the fibrous board can be provided with more than one hole to store separately the playing pieces for each game. If required, instructions for playing the game can be provided on the fibrous board such as by printing. To facilitate cleaning of the mat it is preferred to apply a finishing clear lacquer to at least the plate 3, but it will be understood that other easily cleanable surfaces can be provided such as by overlaying the plate with a thin sheet of plastics material, in which case the playing area would be provided on the plastics overlay. CLAIMS

1. A combined mat and game comprising a mat on one or both surfaces of which is provided the markings of a playing area for a grame, and playing pieces adapted to be removable secured to the playing area by magnetic attraction, said mat having a depth greater then the thickness of the playing pieces, and being provided with at least one recess in at least one of its surfaces in which the playing pieces can be stored when the game is not in use.

2. A combined mat and game as in Claim 1, wherein the mat is formed from or incorporates ferromagnetic material.

3. A combined mat and game as in Claim 1, wherein the mat has a fibrous board to which is secured a tin-plate facing layer.

4. A combined mat and game as in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the playing pieces are formed from or incorporate magnetic material.

5. A combined mat and game as in Claim 4, wherein the playing pieces are formed from socalled magnetic rubber.

6. A combined mat and game as in any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein when placed within the recess in the mat, the playing pieces adhere to the rearward face of the tin-plate facing layer.

7. A combined mat and game as in any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the mat has a lacquered surface for ease of cleaning.

8. A combined mat and game as in any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the mat has a plastics surface for ease of cleaning.

9. A combined mat and game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.