GB2167674A

GB2167674A - Games comprising playing boards and pieces

Info

Publication number: GB2167674A
Application number: GB08527172A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ortega Pedro I Fernandez-Banos
Original assignee: FERNANDEZ BANOS ORTEGA PEDRO I
Current assignee: FERNANDEZ BANOS ORTEGA PEDRO I
Priority date: 1984-11-23
Filing date: 1985-11-05
Publication date: 1986-06-04
Also published as: GB8527172D0; FR2573663B1; ES282858Y; FR2573663A1; ES282858U; DE8529431U1

Abstract

In a game played by moving pieces to significant positions on a checkerboard (1) each square (2) is formed with a polygonal recess or corollaries (3) into which fits a polygonal projection or corollaries (6) beneath each piece so that the piece is fixed in a selected position about a vertical axis normal to the board. A number of arrangements or projections on the pieces and recesses in the squares and vice versa enable games to be played which depend on the orientation of the pieces as well as on their locations. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Games comprising playing boards and pieces This invention relates to games played by moving markers or pieces to significant positions in a grid marked on a board, such as a checkered pattern on a chess-board. The areas in such a grid in each of which a single marker or piece can be located are generally referred to below as "squares" although the actual boundary of such an area in some cases need not be square.

Boards are known whose squares have a recess or projection which co-operates in converse fashion with another recess or projection which is disposed on the base of each piece, in order thereby to ensure that the pieces cannot accidentally be moved from their squares.

However, the above-mentioned locating means, being male in regard to the squares and female in regard to the pieces or vice-versa, do not have any directional significance, in that the pieces and the squares may be interengaged but the pieces can turn about their vertical axes.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide that said locating means or projections do not permit the pieces to turn, so that, once the piece has been arranged in its square, it acquires a directional significance if the piece is not symmetrical with respect to its vertical axis.

According to the invention there is provided a game to be played by moving pieces to significant positions in a grid marked on a board wherein areas defined by the grid and the bases of pieces to be located selectively on such areas during the progress of a game are provided with locating means that hold a piece fixed in a definite position about a vertical axis normal to an area when the piece is placed thereon.

Very conveniently the locating means (male or female) are of polygonal section.

The number of sides and corners of the polygonal section is precisely that of the number of orientations that the piece may assume, in accordance with the rules of the game.

Advantageously the basis of the locating means is a convex polygon, but there are other possibilities which however are all derived from a convex polygon. Thus for example, assuming that the areas making up the grid or chequered configuration of the board are square and the pieces are to face towards a given side or a given corner of the square, the polygon will be a convex octagon.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect games in accordance therewith will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 3 are plans of portions of three playing boards respectively designed to receive three different types of playing pieces.

Figures 4 and 7 are cross-sections respectively showing the adaptation of the board of Figure 1 to two different pieces.

Figures 5 and 8 are cross-sections respectively showing the adaptation of the board of Figure 2 to two different pieces, and Figures 6 and 9 are cross-sections respectively showing the adaptation of the board of Figure 3 to two different pieces.

Referring to Figure 1, shown therein is a plan view of a design of board as indicated at 1 and one of the squares 2, with a polygonal locating means or recess 3.

Referring to Figure 4, shown therein is an elevational view of the same portion of board 1, the square 2 and the polygonal locating means 3 which in this case is female and in which is housed the male portion 6, which is also polygonal, provided on the lower part of the piece 5.

Figure 7 shows the same view but in this case the locating means of the square is male as indicated at 3' while that of the piece is female as indicated at 7.

Derived from the polygonal section, by being'defined thereby, is an eight-pointed star section as shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figures 5 and 8, shown therein is an elevational view of the piece-square engagement, the piece being male and the square female in Figure 5 while in Figure 8 the square is male and the piece is female. Where one of the sections is a star it may be arranged to fit a convex polygon having as many sides as the star has points.

Also derived from the above-indicated constructions is a construction in which locating pins are provided at the corners or the sides of the polygon, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 shows an elevational view of the female locating recesses on the square, as indicated at 4, and the male pins on the piece, as indicated at 6, while Figure 9 shows the female locating recesses in the piece as shown at 4' and the male pins 6' on the square.

In this locating system, there is no need for the square and the piece each to have the same number of locating elements, 4, 6 or 4', 6', as the squares may have eight and the piece may have six, four, three or two, some of which may coincide or be disposed in the centre of the polygon.

The number of male pins must be equal to or lower than the number of female recesses.

Any of those combinations which are always derived from and defined by the polygon do not thereby detract from the directional object of the assembly.

1. A game to be played by moving pieces to significant positions in a grid marked on a board wherein areas defined by the grid and the bases of pieces to be located selectively on such areas during the progress of a game are provided with locating means that hold a piece fixed in a definite position about a vertical axis normal to an area when the piece is placed thereon.

2. A game according to Claim 1, in which the locating means comprise interengaging formations respectively on the pieces and areas, at least one

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Games comprising playing boards and pieces This invention relates to games played by moving markers or pieces to significant positions in a grid marked on a board, such as a checkered pattern on a chess-board. The areas in such a grid in each of which a single marker or piece can be located are generally referred to below as "squares" although the actual boundary of such an area in some cases need not be square. Boards are known whose squares have a recess or projection which co-operates in converse fashion with another recess or projection which is disposed on the base of each piece, in order thereby to ensure that the pieces cannot accidentally be moved from their squares. However, the above-mentioned locating means, being male in regard to the squares and female in regard to the pieces or vice-versa, do not have any directional significance, in that the pieces and the squares may be interengaged but the pieces can turn about their vertical axes. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide that said locating means or projections do not permit the pieces to turn, so that, once the piece has been arranged in its square, it acquires a directional significance if the piece is not symmetrical with respect to its vertical axis. According to the invention there is provided a game to be played by moving pieces to significant positions in a grid marked on a board wherein areas defined by the grid and the bases of pieces to be located selectively on such areas during the progress of a game are provided with locating means that hold a piece fixed in a definite position about a vertical axis normal to an area when the piece is placed thereon. Very conveniently the locating means (male or female) are of polygonal section. The number of sides and corners of the polygonal section is precisely that of the number of orientations that the piece may assume, in accordance with the rules of the game. Advantageously the basis of the locating means is a convex polygon, but there are other possibilities which however are all derived from a convex polygon. Thus for example, assuming that the areas making up the grid or chequered configuration of the board are square and the pieces are to face towards a given side or a given corner of the square, the polygon will be a convex octagon. In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect games in accordance therewith will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 3 are plans of portions of three playing boards respectively designed to receive three different types of playing pieces. Figures 4 and 7 are cross-sections respectively showing the adaptation of the board of Figure 1 to two different pieces. Figures 5 and 8 are cross-sections respectively showing the adaptation of the board of Figure 2 to two different pieces, and Figures 6 and 9 are cross-sections respectively showing the adaptation of the board of Figure 3 to two different pieces. Referring to Figure 1, shown therein is a plan view of a design of board as indicated at 1 and one of the squares 2, with a polygonal locating means or recess 3. Referring to Figure 4, shown therein is an elevational view of the same portion of board 1, the square 2 and the polygonal locating means 3 which in this case is female and in which is housed the male portion 6, which is also polygonal, provided on the lower part of the piece 5. Figure 7 shows the same view but in this case the locating means of the square is male as indicated at 3' while that of the piece is female as indicated at 7. Derived from the polygonal section, by being'defined thereby, is an eight-pointed star section as shown in Figure 2. Referring to Figures 5 and 8, shown therein is an elevational view of the piece-square engagement, the piece being male and the square female in Figure 5 while in Figure 8 the square is male and the piece is female. Where one of the sections is a star it may be arranged to fit a convex polygon having as many sides as the star has points. Also derived from the above-indicated constructions is a construction in which locating pins are provided at the corners or the sides of the polygon, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 6 shows an elevational view of the female locating recesses on the square, as indicated at 4, and the male pins on the piece, as indicated at 6, while Figure 9 shows the female locating recesses in the piece as shown at 4' and the male pins 6' on the square. In this locating system, there is no need for the square and the piece each to have the same number of locating elements, 4, 6 or 4', 6', as the squares may have eight and the piece may have six, four, three or two, some of which may coincide or be disposed in the centre of the polygon. The number of male pins must be equal to or lower than the number of female recesses. Any of those combinations which are always derived from and defined by the polygon do not thereby detract from the directional object of the assembly. CLAIMS

2. A game according to Claim 1, in which the locating means comprise interengaging formations respectively on the pieces and areas, at least one of the formations being polygonal that peripherally fits the other formation.

3. A game according to Claim 2, in which both formations are interfitting polygons.

4. A game according to any one of the preceding claims. in which the locating means consist of interengaging male and female parts.

5. A game according to Claim 4, in which a slight clearance is provided between the male and female parts.

6. A game according to Claim 2, in which at least one of the formations has a star shape.

7. A game according to claim 6, in which the star formation is arranged to fix a convex polygon having as many sides as the star has points.

8. A game according to Claim 1, in which the locating means comprise two or more interengaging shapes coincident with the sides or with the corners of a polygon or with the centre thereof.

9. A game according to Claim 8, in which the interengaging shapes are male and female shapes, the number of male shapes being equal to or lower than the number of female shapes.

10. A game comprising a board and pieces substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A game comprising a board and pieces substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A game comprising a board and pieces substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A game comprising a board and pieces substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A game comprising a board and pieces substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A game comprising a board and pieces substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.