GB2167675A - Pieces and markers for games - Google Patents

Abstract

Pieces (1) for playing games on a checkered board or the like are each furnished with at least one stem (3) on which markers (2) identical in shape can be accumulated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pieces and markers for games This invention relates to games played by moving markers or "men" to significant positions in a grid marked on a board, such as the checkered pattern on a chessboard.

Those markers may perform the same function as in the game which is known in Spain as 'Parchis' or the game which is known also in Spain as 'royal goose', (wherein the progress of markers along a spiral track depends on thrown dice), or they may perform different functions as is the case in chess. In that case, the markers must logically be of different forms or have different characteristic features which distinguish them from each other. Such markers of different forms will be referred to below as 'pieces'. Such pieces are each used in an individual manner in the game, but also according to predetermined rules.

An object of the invention is to increase the functional potential of each piece as defined above thereby enabling new varieties of games to be devised.

The present invention provides a set of pieces for a board game wherein the pieces are to be moved to different significant positions in a grid during the progress of the game, each piece having one or more stems on which a marker can be mounted.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect some examples thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 4 respectively show side elevations of four forms of playing pieces carrying markers; Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the markers appearing in Figures 1 to 4, and Figure 6 shows a vertical section through the marker of Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, shown therein are two examples of pieces 1, each having a single stem 3 for markers 2 to be fitted thereon. Each marker is shown on an enlarged scale in Figures 5 and 6.

Figures 2 and 4 also show pieces 1 but each of these has two stems 3 for receiving markers 2 which fit thereon with slight clearance.

The markers are all similar in shape and are referred to as 'markers' because they all perform the same function and do not require more differentiation (unlike the pieces) than to distinguish those of one player from those of another player. The shapes of the pieces have no particular significance so far as the invention is concerned, the significant fact being that they are provided with at least one stem. The number of stems is unimportant because the function and purpose thereof are precise, the outcome of the invention being that playing pieces, as a result of having one or more stems, can carry one or more markers.

The advantage of such pieces is that the form of game that can be played therewith is different not only by virtue of the possible difference in shape thereof, as in the game of chess, but also by virtue of the number of markers which are carried thereon, which greatly increases the possible variants and different forms of game.

As can be seen from Figures 5 and 6 the markers which are located on the stems are right-angled parallelpipeds 2 with a through hole 7, 5, 6, 8 which, at one of its ends, has a flared portion 6, 8, which facilitates the act of mounting the marker on the stem. Alternatively each end may be flared.

1. A set of pieces for a board game wherein the pieces are to be moved to different significant positions in a grid during the progress of the game, each piece having one or more stems on which a marker can be mounted.

2. A set of pieces according to Claim 1, in which the stem or each stem is arranged to receive a plurality of markers.

3. The combination of a set of pieces according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, with identically shaped markers each having the shape of a right-angled parallelpiped through which the stem passes when the marker is mounted on a stem.

4. The combination according to Claim 3, in which each marker is provided with a through hole formed for each stem to pass therethrough with slight clearance when the marker is mounted on the stem.

5. The combination according to Claim 4, in which the hole has a flared portion at one or each of its ends.

6. A set of pieces with markers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A set of pieces with markers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A set of pieces with markers substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 3, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A set of pieces with markers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of 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 Pieces and markers for games This invention relates to games played by moving markers or "men" to significant positions in a grid marked on a board, such as the checkered pattern on a chessboard. Those markers may perform the same function as in the game which is known in Spain as 'Parchis' or the game which is known also in Spain as 'royal goose', (wherein the progress of markers along a spiral track depends on thrown dice), or they may perform different functions as is the case in chess. In that case, the markers must logically be of different forms or have different characteristic features which distinguish them from each other. Such markers of different forms will be referred to below as 'pieces'. Such pieces are each used in an individual manner in the game, but also according to predetermined rules. An object of the invention is to increase the functional potential of each piece as defined above thereby enabling new varieties of games to be devised. The present invention provides a set of pieces for a board game wherein the pieces are to be moved to different significant positions in a grid during the progress of the game, each piece having one or more stems on which a marker can be mounted. In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect some examples thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 4 respectively show side elevations of four forms of playing pieces carrying markers; Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the markers appearing in Figures 1 to 4, and Figure 6 shows a vertical section through the marker of Figure 5. Referring to Figures 1 and 3, shown therein are two examples of pieces 1, each having a single stem 3 for markers 2 to be fitted thereon. Each marker is shown on an enlarged scale in Figures 5 and 6. Figures 2 and 4 also show pieces 1 but each of these has two stems 3 for receiving markers 2 which fit thereon with slight clearance. The markers are all similar in shape and are referred to as 'markers' because they all perform the same function and do not require more differentiation (unlike the pieces) than to distinguish those of one player from those of another player. The shapes of the pieces have no particular significance so far as the invention is concerned, the significant fact being that they are provided with at least one stem. The number of stems is unimportant because the function and purpose thereof are precise, the outcome of the invention being that playing pieces, as a result of having one or more stems, can carry one or more markers. The advantage of such pieces is that the form of game that can be played therewith is different not only by virtue of the possible difference in shape thereof, as in the game of chess, but also by virtue of the number of markers which are carried thereon, which greatly increases the possible variants and different forms of game. As can be seen from Figures 5 and 6 the markers which are located on the stems are right-angled parallelpipeds 2 with a through hole 7, 5, 6, 8 which, at one of its ends, has a flared portion 6, 8, which facilitates the act of mounting the marker on the stem. Alternatively each end may be flared. CLAIMS

1. A set of pieces for a board game wherein the pieces are to be moved to different significant positions in a grid during the progress of the game, each piece having one or more stems on which a marker can be mounted.

2. A set of pieces according to Claim 1, in which the stem or each stem is arranged to receive a plurality of markers.

3. The combination of a set of pieces according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, with identically shaped markers each having the shape of a right-angled parallelpiped through which the stem passes when the marker is mounted on a stem.

4. The combination according to Claim 3, in which each marker is provided with a through hole formed for each stem to pass therethrough with slight clearance when the marker is mounted on the stem.

5. The combination according to Claim 4, in which the hole has a flared portion at one or each of its ends.

6. A set of pieces with markers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A set of pieces with markers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A set of pieces with markers substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 3, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A set of pieces with markers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.