GB2142548A - Apparatus for playing a game - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game similar to Solitaire comprises a pyramid 1 (e.g.) having apertures 4 occupied by pegs 7. The game is played by clearing successive surfaces 2,3 of the pyramid, these playing surfaces adjoining at common edges 6. The arrays of apertures are continuous at levels 5 across the common edges 6. They may be replaced by switchable electric lamps. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for playing a game The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a game.

The game to be played with the apparatus is similar two Solitaire.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game comprising athree dimensional playing surface including at least two playing sides, each having an edge common with at least one other playing side and a plurality of playing positions arranged in a regular array which is continuous with the array or arrays on the or each other playing side across the or each common edge, and means for indicating occupation of the playing positions.

Although other configurations could be used, preferably the playing surface is a pyramid.

Preferably the arrays comprise arrays of apertures in the playing sides and the occupation indicating means comprises pegs engageable in the apertures.

Alternatively the arrays may comprise switchable electric lamps.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the sole figure is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention.

The apparatus comprises a pyramid 1 having a square base and four playing sides of which two 2,3 are shown. The pyramid may be of wooden board, for example plywood, or a plastics material moulding. The pyramid has on each side an array of apertures 4. It should be noted that levels in the array on one playing side are the same as levels in the array on the next playing side, see for example chain-dotted line 5. Between each adjacent pair of playing sides there is a common edge 6 across which the arrays are continuous at the levels 5.

Pegs 7 are engageable in the apertures 4 to indicate occupation thereof.

The game is played by removing one peg from one playing side and by removing one or two pegs from the other sides from apertures chosen at will.

Play commences by jumping a peg over another and into an empty aperture immediately beyond and so on with other pegs. When only one or two pegs remain on the first playing side the next move is to jump the last peg onto the next side, either removing a peg from the second or first playing side respectively. The jumping from one side to the next is made across the common edge 6 at a level 5.

Whereas diagonal jumps may be made within a playing side, jumps across the common edge should be made at a level at which the arrays are continuous. Play continues from one playing side to the next as each side is cleared. The objective is to finish with one peg only remaining on the fourth side preferably in the bottom middle aperture.

The figure shows playing side 2 cleared except for the last peg which is about to be jumped onto the second side 3.

The game is similar to Solitaire.

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a three dimensional playing surface including at least two playing sides, each having an edge common with at least one other playing side and a plurality of playing positions arranged in a regular array which Is continuous with the array or arrays on the or each other playing side across the or each common edge, and means for indicating occupation of the playing positions.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the playing surface is a pyramid.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the arrays comprise arrays of apertures in the playing sides and the occupation indicating means comprises pegs engageable in the apertures.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the arrays comprise arrays of switchable electric lamps.

5. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus for playing a game The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a game. The game to be played with the apparatus is similar two Solitaire. According to the invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game comprising athree dimensional playing surface including at least two playing sides, each having an edge common with at least one other playing side and a plurality of playing positions arranged in a regular array which is continuous with the array or arrays on the or each other playing side across the or each common edge, and means for indicating occupation of the playing positions. Although other configurations could be used, preferably the playing surface is a pyramid. Preferably the arrays comprise arrays of apertures in the playing sides and the occupation indicating means comprises pegs engageable in the apertures. Alternatively the arrays may comprise switchable electric lamps. To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the sole figure is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a pyramid 1 having a square base and four playing sides of which two 2,3 are shown. The pyramid may be of wooden board, for example plywood, or a plastics material moulding. The pyramid has on each side an array of apertures 4. It should be noted that levels in the array on one playing side are the same as levels in the array on the next playing side, see for example chain-dotted line 5. Between each adjacent pair of playing sides there is a common edge 6 across which the arrays are continuous at the levels 5. Pegs 7 are engageable in the apertures 4 to indicate occupation thereof. The game is played by removing one peg from one playing side and by removing one or two pegs from the other sides from apertures chosen at will. Play commences by jumping a peg over another and into an empty aperture immediately beyond and so on with other pegs. When only one or two pegs remain on the first playing side the next move is to jump the last peg onto the next side, either removing a peg from the second or first playing side respectively. The jumping from one side to the next is made across the common edge 6 at a level 5. Whereas diagonal jumps may be made within a playing side, jumps across the common edge should be made at a level at which the arrays are continuous. Play continues from one playing side to the next as each side is cleared. The objective is to finish with one peg only remaining on the fourth side preferably in the bottom middle aperture. The figure shows playing side 2 cleared except for the last peg which is about to be jumped onto the second side 3. The game is similar to Solitaire. CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a three dimensional playing surface including at least two playing sides, each having an edge common with at least one other playing side and a plurality of playing positions arranged in a regular array which Is continuous with the array or arrays on the or each other playing side across the or each common edge, and means for indicating occupation of the playing positions.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the playing surface is a pyramid.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the arrays comprise arrays of apertures in the playing sides and the occupation indicating means comprises pegs engageable in the apertures.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the arrays comprise arrays of switchable electric lamps.

5. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.