GB2181961A - Board game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A board game apparatus 10 comprises a board 11 acting as a playing field, the board 11 being provided with an array of marked spaces 12 constituting the playing area 14 to be occupied by two teams 46, 47 of figures 35. Each team 46, 47 of figures 35 has its own goal region 21, 21' respectively, into which the opposing team endeavours to move a token 30 to score at least one point. The movement of the token 30 and the teams of figures is determined by a chance determining device, for example a pair of dice each of which has one blank face respectively. Each one of the dice has an associated set of playing cards one of which cards must be taken by a player who throws one of the blank faces of the dice. Each figure 35 is preferably of paperboard and has a flange portion 37 at its lower end 38, the flange 37 being engageable in a slot in a base member 39 so that the figures are, in use, supported in an upright position. The game may simulate Gaelic Football or Hurling. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Board game apparatus This invention relates to a board game apparatus and is intended primarily to provide an apparatus for simulating a game involving two teams of players who compete to score points with a ball or other token.

According to the invention there is provided a board game apparatus comprising, two unique teams of figures for moving over a board acting as a playing field, the board being provided with an array of marked spaces constituting the playing area to be occupied by the teams of figures, each team of figures having its own goal region into which the opposing team endeavours to move a token to register a score, wherein, the movement of the token and figures is determined by a chance determining device and a predetermined set of game rules.

Preferably, the playing area is suitably imprinted with a pattern corresponding to the marking of a pitch on which the game to be simulated is played.

Further preferably, the movement of the figures and the token on the playing area is determined by the throw of a respective die, the movement permitted by the figure(s) or the token during each turn of each player being a number of spaces on the playing area indicated by the respective die. Also preferably, a player may only throw a die to move the token when the token resides on a space on the playing area also occupied by one of that player's figures.

If the game to be simulated utilises a ball the token (hereinafter referred to as a ball) is preferably of a substantially dome shape, having a flat base so that it is stable on the board.

The figures of each team preferably comprises paperboard figures which may be pressed out from a sheet of paperboard suitably imprinted with said figures. The figures preferably have a flange portion at their lower end, the flange being engageable in a slot in a base member so that the figures are, in use, supported in an upright position. The base member preferably has a semi-circular region defined therein, in which in use, the ball is located when a particular player has possession of the ball.

The apparatus preferably includes at least two miniature goal frames which in use are located on respective goal regions of the board.

The two dice, are preferably of unique colour and each one of the dice has at least one blank face.

Preferably, when the blank face of the green dice is thrown by a player, that player must take one card from a set of "Referee" playing cards and move the ball and/or his player(s) in accordance with the instructions furnished therein. Similarly, when the blank face of the white dice is thrown by a player, that player must take one card from a set of "Break of the Ball" playing cards and move the ball and/or his players, in accordance with the instructions furnished therein. The two sets of cards may also contain cards which confer on the player in question some other advantage or disadvantage associated with the game being played.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1, is a plan view of one form of a board or playing field for a game according to the invention, Figures la to 1 d, are schematic views of the playing area of the board at various stages of play during a game, Figure le, is a schematic representation of the two team figures used to illustrate the stages of play in Figures lato id, Figure 2, is a perspective view of a token or ball for use in the game, Figure 3, is a perspective view of one of a set of two goal frames for use in the game, Figure 4, is a perspective view of one figure of one team mounted on a base member, Figure 5, is a plan view of a portion of a paperboard sheet from which the team figure in Figure 4 may be removed, Figures 6a and 6b, are perspective views of the two dice of the apparatus, and Figures 7a and 7b, are plan views of one of each of the "Referee" and "Break of the Ball" playing cards respectively of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts, there is shown therein, a board game apparatus according to the invention, generally indicated at 10. The apparatus comprises a board 11 having marked thereon a rectangular array of spaces 12 constituting a playing area 14. The playing area is suitably imprinted with a pattern indicated by the thick black lines in Figure 1 corresponding to the marking on a pitch on which a game is to be played. In the example given, the markings correspond to those used in playing the National Games of Ireland, these being Gaelic Football and Hurling. It will be understood of course that the playing area may be suitably marked for any desired game, for example, Association Football, Rugby, Hockey, American Football etc.In the present example therefore, each half 15,16 of the playing area 14 has four spaced apart lines marked thereon parallel to the shorter sides of the playing area, these lines being indicated as the 13, 20, 45 and 65 yard lines. The halves 15,16 of the playing area also have respective large parallelograms 17,17' being the penalty area each having a respective penalty spot 18,18' and a small parallelogram 19,19' being an area at the front of a respective goal region 21,21'. The centre of the playing area 14 is indicated by a short line 22 which separates the two halves 15,16 of the playing area. The periphery of the board 11 has a number of spaces 23 on which a variety of advertising indicia may be imprinted.

In Figure 2 there is shown a dome shaped token 30 representing a football having a flat surface 31 for engaging on the board surface. A goal frame 32 is shown in Figure 3, having a pair of goal posts and rear support legs 33,34, respectively. A goal frame 32 is in use located on each goal region 21,21,' of the playing area with the support legs located on a respective set of spots 35,35 provided thereon.

In Figure 5 there is shown two player figures 35 which are imprinted on a sheet 36 of paperboard material. The figures 35 can be pressed out of the sheet 36 in conventional manner. Each figure 35 has a flange portion 37 at the lower end 38, the flange portion being engageable in a slot (not shown) in a base member 39 so that the figure is supported in an upright position as shown in Figure 4. The base members 39 each have a semi-circular recess 40 defined therein in which in use, the ball 30 is positioned to indicate that a particular player is in possession of the ball. A die 41 is shown in Figure 6a this being the green die to indicate player movement. This die has one blank face 42 the reason for which will be described below, the other five faces each having one of the following numerals 1,2,3,4, and 4 only three faces being shown.In Figure 6b there is shown a second die 43, this being the white die to indicate ball movement. The die 43 also has one blank face 44, the other five faces each having one of the following numerals 4, 5, 6,7 and 8, only three faces being shown.

Each team comprises fifteen (15) figures which are distinguishable from the opponent team by a unique character of the team, for example, colour or shading. Each of the teams can be controlled by one or more opponent players or teams of players of the game. In use, the figures 35 of each team are laid out on the playing area 14 as indicated in Figure la, with one figure 35 only on each space 12. For the sake of clarity the figures of the two teams will be designated A1,A2,.. . A15 and B1, B2,. . . B15 respectively. In Figures lea to 1 dthe figures 35 of each team are represented by the symbols 46 and 47 as shown in Figure 1 e.

For the purpose of the description it will be assumed that there are two opponent players one for each team of figures A, B, to be known as player A and player B. To start the game each player throws the die 41, the player who gets the highest score wins the ball 30 for "kick off". This player, say player B, places the ball in the space with figure B8 (Figure la). Player B now throws both the dice 41,43 and say gets a 3 on the die 41 and a 6 on the die 43. Player B can now movethe ball 30 up to a maximum of six spaces on the playing area in any direction including diagonally. The ball is moved to a vacant space 12a (Figure 1b) and the figure B14 is moved diagonally one space on to the space 12a occupied by the ball.Player B has now two moves left and he moves figure B12 two spaces diagonally into an unmarked position (Figure lib). This completes the turn of player B. It is now the turn of player A and since none of his team figures occupies the same space as the ball 30 he has only to throw the green die 41. Player B gets a 4 and moves figure A4 also into the space 12a (Figure 1c). This is a CHALLENGE situation and each of the players throws the green die 41 to determine the outcome of the challenge for the ball. The player who gets the highest score wins possession of the ball. Say player B gets the highest score. He then throws both dice 41,43 to take another turn and gets a 2 on the green die 41 and a 5 on the white die 43. He moves the ball 30 five spaces so that it moves over player A's goal line 50 and into the goal region 21 (Figure 1 d).Player B has now scored a point. He can decide to call a "Goal Challenge" and risk losing the point. He makes no figure moves. To determine the winner of the goal challenge both players throw the green die 41 and if player B gets the highest score, the point score is converted to a goal valued at three points. If player A gets the highest score, the point is lost to player B. If the goal is scored the ball is placed with team A goal keeper Al within the small parallelogram 19. Each team then moves all its players outside the 20 yard line. When these moves have been completed each team may reposition any four of his players anywhere between the two 20 yard lines. The team whose goal keeper has the ball can wait until the opponent team has completed all its moves before it makes its own. The playerAthen throws both dice to resume play.

A game may be played for a pre-arranged period of time or until an agreed score is reached by one team.

A time limit of thirty seconds is set when making player and ball moves following a dice throw.

The invention further provides a set of "Referee" playing cards and a set of "Break of the ball" cards an example of each of which is shown in Figures 7a and 7b respectively. If the blank face 42 of the green die 41 is thrown by a player he must take one card from the top of a set of "Referee" cards and the instructions therein carried out. If the white dice is also thrown during this turn of the player it is ignored and the ball is not moved. When the blank face 44 of the white die 43 is thrown a "Break of the ball" card must be taken and the instructions therein carried out. Any green die score is ignored. When the ball is in a space not also occupied by a team figure, the white dice is not thrown by either team.Some of the "Referee" and "Break of the ball" cards are marked "Hold" and these are held by the player until a situation arises in which they can be used, after which it is returned to the bottom of the set of cards. Cards which refer to a figure that has been removed from the board (by virtue of an earlier card) are ignored. If during a turn a player throws the blank face of both the green and white dice no cards are taken.

The other detailed rules of the game not described above are given below, however, it will be appreciated that these are variable and may be suitably changed depending on the game which is being played.

Challenge and Automatic Challenge If during the throw of the green dice during a challenge for the ball the score is a draw then the green die should be thrown again. If the blank face of the green die is thrown it is counted as zero and no card is taken. An automatic challenge arises when the ball is moved on to a space already having one player figure from each team, or when a player figure having the ball moves onto a space already occupied by an opponent player.

Player and Ball Movement Any number of team figures can be moved so that the total number of spaces moved is that given by the green dice during a turn. No more than one figure of each team may occupy any one space at any time.

The score indicated by the green dice does not have to be fully played out. The ball can only be moved if it resides on a space with a team figure of the player whose turn it is. The score of the white dice does not have to be fully played out. The ball may pass through a space containing one or more figures.

Loose Ball A ball that does not stop in a space with a figure when a white dice score has been played out, is considered a loose ball.

When a ball is loose, the last team that moved it is deemed to be in possession as far as any "Referee" card instructions are concerned.

Line Ball If the ball is moved over either side line 51 the team in question is deemed to have sent the ball out of play. When this occurs, an opposition figure is given possession of the ball in the space where it crossed the side line. If the opposing team does not already have a figure in the space, they may move one onto it. If one of the offending team figures is standing in the space at the time, he must be moved to the nearest vacant space. The opposing team then throws the green dice and the white dice to resume play.

Unmarked Players If a player passes the ball to a figure standing in a space on his own, surrounded by adjacent vacant spaces, he may take one extra throw of the white dice. The figure to whom the ball is passed must not have been moved during the course of the last dice throw.

A player may not move a figure into a space on his own, then pass the ball to him and take an extra throw of the white dice, all in one turn.

Scoring Scoring takes the form of goals and points. Because a goal is harder to score than a point a goal equals 3 points. A final score of 2 goals and 6 points for one team and 1 goal and 9 points for the other, would mean a game was drawn, both teams having a total of 12 points.

Points and Goals A ball moved towards the goal, while playing out a dice throw, scores a point if it passes over the goal line between the goal posts 33 e.g. - if one of your figures is standing three spaces away from the front of the goal posts and you score 4 on the white dice, you have scored a point -- provided you did not throw a blank on the green dice. A player may convert a point into a goal (and risk losing the point), by calling for a "Goal Challenge" when you score a point. When this occurs each team throws the green dice in turn. If you win, you have scored a goal in place of a point. If you lose, the goalkeeper is deemed to have saved the ball and you do not get the point or a goal.

Goalkeeper out of Position If the goalkeeper is not standing in the small parallelogram at the time a ball is moved over the goal line, a goal and not a point is deemed scored, without goal challenge having to be called.

Wide Ball A ball that moves over either end line, i.e. the line that runs from the goal posts to the side line, is deemed a wide ball. If you send a ball wide over the opposition's end line, play resumes in the same way as after scoring a point or a goal.

If a player moves the ball over his own end line, the opposition gets possession of the ball directly back from where it crossed the end line at either the 65 yard line for hurling orthe 45 yard line for football.

Score Disallowed If one team figure standing outside the small parallelogram, scores a goal or point while a fellow team figure is standing inside the small parallelogram, the score is disallowed.

Parallelogram The two spaces on the left and right of the goal posts 33, partially enclosed by the small parallelogram, are regarded as being fully enclosed within the small parallelogram.

Penalty The spots 18, 18' in front of the goal regions 21, 21 ' indicate the penalty position. If you collect a card stating "Claim a Penalty" you may hold it until a player gets into a scoring position and claim a penalty. To take a penalty you place the ball on the penalty spot with one of your figures standing with it. All other figures apart from the goalkeeper, must be moved outside the 20 metre line. You then throw the white dice.

The following dice scores dictate the outcome: 4: Ball saved by goalkeeper-- no score.

5: Point is scored 6 or 7 or 8: Goal is scored Blank white: Ball wide no score.

If you score from a penalty or the ball goes wide, play resumes as described above for scoring a goal.

However if the ball is saved, play resumes with the goalkeeper in possession of the ball inside the small parallelogram, the player th rowing both the green dice and the white dice to resume play.

Exampies of Referee Cards Player Held - Team in possession moves ball 6 spaces.

Your Player committed second - Remove one of your players from the board for the foul remainder of the game.

Ball handled on the ground - Ball goes to nearest opponent player.

Player tripped - Team in possession moves ball spaces.

Player injured - Remove a player from the board until you win a challenge.

Umpire disallows score-- HOLD - Play this card and have opposition's next score disallowed.

Examples of Break of the Ball Cards Goalkeeper saves shot-- HOLD - Play this card when the opposition next score and claim a save.

Excellent Pass Movie ball - Moveball7spaces.

Good attacking clearance - Play this card when player No. 5 gets the ball and move the HOLD ball 8 spaces.

Unexpected rain shower - Shuffle "Break of the Ball" cards.

Ball lifted well - Move ball 8 spaces and a player 5 spaces.

Ball blocked well - Give ball to nearest opposition player.

Claims (11)

1. A board game apparatus comprising two unique teams of figures for moving over a board acting as a playing field, the board being provided with an array of marked spaces constituting the playing area to be occupied by the teams of figures, each team of figures having its own goal region into which the opposition team endeavours to move a token to register a score, wherein, the movement of the token and the figures is determined by a chance determining device and a predetermined set of game rules.

2. A board game apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the movement of the figures and the token is determined by the throw of a respective die, the movement permitted by the figures or the token during each turn of a player being a number of spaces on the playing area indicated by the respective die.

3. A board game apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein each one of the respective dice is of a unique colour, and has at least one blank face respectively.

4. A board game apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein there is provided a unique set of playing cards corresponding with each one of the two dice, a card from one of the two sets of cards being taken by a player who throws the corresponding die and scores the blank face respectively.

5. A board game apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a number of the cards of each set of cards indicate an advantage or disadvantage associated with the game being played.

6. A board game apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each team of figures is pressed out from a sheet of paperboard suitably imprinted with said figures.

7. A board game apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein each paperboard figure has a flange portion at its lower end, the flange portion being engageable in a slot in a base member, so that the figures are supported upright.

8. A board game apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the base member defines a substantially semi-circular recess in which the token is located when a particular player has possession of the token.

9. A board game apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the token is substantially dome shaped having a flat base so that it is stable on the board.

10. A board game apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the playing area is suitably imprinted with a pattern corresponding to the marking of a pitch on which the game to be simulated is played.

11. A board game apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.