GB2183492A - Three dimensional line building game - Google Patents

Abstract

A three-dimensional game comprises apparatus defines lines and rows in one plane and there are superimposed planes to give a three-dimensional grid. Indicators can be placed at the intersections of the grid. The rules of the game include the feature that when a player adds an indicator to a previously unoccupied part of intersection, he scores and can continue to add another indicator if he is able to complete a set, e.g. three, of juxtaposed indicators, or a multiple thereof, aligned along at least one axis of the grid.

Description

SPECIFICATION Three-Dimensional Games This invention relates to games.

More particular, this invention relates to a threedimensional game of skill where players are forced to visualize moves in three dimensions with a view to trying to complete the juxtaposition along at least one axis of markers and they receive scores according to the number of juxtaposed markers along an axis which they can achieve.

According to the invention, there is provided a game for two or more players including apparatus for defining a plurality of superimposed layers, each layer having defined lines in one axis and rows in an axis at right angles thereto and the superimposed layers being arranged such that upright columns of the defined points are arranged along a third axis at right angles to the other two, indicators for each of the points formed by a coincidence of all three axes, an indicator being capable of being placed at each such point to show whether that point is occupied or not, the rules of the game including the feature that when a player adds an indicator to any chosen unoccupied point of intersection of all three axes, if he is able to complete at least one set of juxtaposed indicators, or a multiple thereof, aligned along at least one of the three axes, he makes a score and continues to add another indicator until he makes no score whereupon play then passes to the other or next player, and means for accumulating the score of each player as the game progresses.

A simple way of defining the various planes is the use of transparent plates and a number of these can then be superimposed but spaced apart one above the other. On each plate, a grid of defined positions corresponding to the coincidence of the two axes in that plane can be provided by means of a hole or depression in that sheet and the indicators can be small visible markers such as balls which are placed in the hole or depression. Desirably, the sheets are transparent so that the players can see through all of the superimposed sheets to see the various positions which are defined in three dimensions.

In a game such as this, the various positions where indicators can be placed are positioned as upright columns spaced apart from one plane to the one above or below it and that defines one axis. The other two axes are defined in the form of the horizontal plane and the positions are defined as the points of coincidence of rows and lines at right angles to one another on each these parallel planes.

The score can then be achieved by completing a juxtaposed set of aligned indicators in an upright column, in a width-wise row, in a length-wise line, or two or all three of these. Thus, multiple scoring is possible in that the addition of one indicator could, for example, merely complete a juxtaposed set in the form of one column, a row or a line or could, for example, complete a combination of two or more of these.

The number of indicators to be juxtaposed to form a score can be chosen at will. A convenient number, however, is three and multiples of three so that if, for example, the addition of an indicator completes the juxtaposition of three indicators, then the player would score three points, if he completes the juxtaposition of six, he would score six points, and so on. This number is however preferably chosen in relation to the overall size of the playing apparatus.

Conveniently, therefore, the lines, rows and columns are also all multiples of the number to score. Thus, if the number for a score is three and multiples thereof, then it is essential that there be at least a minimum of three positions corresponding to that in each of the axes, and certainly in at least two of the axes a multiple of that number. A convenient arrangement where the number for achieving a score is, say, three is to provide planes which have nine rows by nine lines of positions or, in other words, a multiple of three times the score of three and to have upright columns of, say, three, six or nine sheets, the number here will depend upon the complexity of the game which is desired.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram indicating various ways in which scores can be achieved; Figure 2 is perspective elevation of one form of the invention; Figure 3 is another perspective view taken more from above of that form of the invention; and Figure 4 is a view of a further form of the invention showing a game in progress.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing how points can be scored in a game according to the invention; a point being scored by completing three or multiples of three (e.g. six or nine) indicators along any one of the three axes in space X, Y and Z.

In Part A of Figure 1, examples are shown where points are scored by completing the juxtapositions of three indicators along one of these axes. For example, three points are scored by aligning three indicators 4, 5 and 6, six points by completing the alignment of six juxtaposed indicators and so on.

In Part B of Figure 1 there is shown an example of how points can be scored by completing alignment in two axes. Thus, when an indicator 10 is placed at the point 12, this will complete three juxtapositioned indicators, namely those referenced 14, 15 and 10, along one axis and will complete six juxtapositioned indicators, namely those referenced 17,18, 19,10, 20 and 21, along another axis so that, in other words, the player will then score a total of nine points.

In Part C of Figure 1, all three axes X, Y and Z are shown and in this case a line is defined as being along the X-axis, a row as being along the Y-axis, the X- and Y-axes forming one horizontal plane in space, and a column is defined in the vertical axis Z where one plane is superimposed above another. In this case, when a new indicator 24 is added to the position 26, it can be seen that a juxtaposed row of six indicators, namely 30, 24, 31, 32, 33 and 34, will be completed along the Y-axis, a line of three indicators, namely 24, 25 and 26 will be completed along the X-axis, and a column of three indicators, namely 37, 38 and 26, will be completed along the Zaxis so making a score of six plus three plus three or, in other words, a total score of twelve points.

Figures 2 and 3 show an example of a game according to the invention. Not shown in Figure 2 are means for keeping the score. These means can very simply be by a pencil and paper but more complex scoring means can be provided if desired.

Three transparent plates 40,42 and 44 are shown.

These are supported and spaced one above the other at the four corners by means of upright columns 46. These columns can, for example, be formed by means of a central rod 48 and the spacing between the plates formed by means of cylindrical spacers 50 through which those rods pass. At the top and bottom, suitable nuts 52 and 54 are provided to tighten the spacers against the plates and to hold the whole structure rigid.

Each plate has a large number of identical holes 55 arranged with their centres on a grid pattern so that there are rows and lines of holes. Also each plate has been formed from a transparent plastics material such as acrylic sheet. The holes of each sheet are carefully aligned on the grid pattern so that, in each plate, they are equally spaced along the Y-axis to form lines and along the Y-axis to form rows. Each plate is identical so that along the vertical Z-axis upright columns of these holes are provided.

The players are provided with a pairtongs 56 and these are used to place in turn one of a large number of balls which are not shown in Figure 2. The balls are of a diameter slightly larger than each hole 55 in the plates 40 to 44 so that the balls can rest in the hole and will not drop through them but will remain in place where they are positioned. The balls are visibly contrasting with the rest of the game and, for example, can be black so that they easily show up through the transparent plates 40 to 44.

There may be any number of players, for example, two to four, and the players in some way decide the order in which they will play, e.g. by the throw of the dice. The first player places one ball at a selected position on any one of the plates and obviously the first player cannot complete a row, line or column of three balls. The second player follows and again at the early stages of the game it is not usually possible to complete any scores.

There comes a point however when one player is able, by skillful positioning of a ball, to complete at least one group of three juxtaposed balls aligned along a row, a line, a column or a combination of these as explained in connection with Figure 1. He then scores points as explained in connection with Figure 1 and makes a note of his score with the pencil and paper. A player who makes a score, however, is then allowed to add another ball. He continues in this way until the ball he adds no longer makes a score. When that happens, play then passes to the next player in order.

The players continue in this way until all of the holes 55 in all three plates 40 to 44 are filled by balls.

The players then total up their scores achieved during play and the winner is the one who has the highest score.

In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, there are nine holes 55 along each row, nine holes along each line or, in other words, eighty-one holes or positions on each plate, and there are three plates and so it is possible to provide a column of three upright balls to make a score and overall there are therefore 243 holes 55 or possible positions for ball positions and so a minimum of 243 balls are necessary.

A more complex game 59 is shown in Figure 4 where various balls are already shown in position and there are six superimposed plates 60 to 65.

More complicated arrangements are equally possible where, for example, there would be nine superimposed plates.

Variations of this game are also possible and, for example, for beginners, players may decide to use only, say, the top plate and so ignore the possibility of scoring along the Z-axis. They will therefore aim to complete only three or multiples of three juxtapositioned balls along a row or along a line on that plate. Equally, for example, for highly skilled players, it is possible to agree that scores can be achieved not only along one of the three axes X, Y and Z, but also along a diagonal, i.e. a diagonal between one pair of the axes X and Y, Y and Z and Z and X.

Claims (7)

1. A game for two or more players including apparatus for defining a plurality of superimposed layers, each layer having defined lines in one axis and rows in an axis at right angles thereto and the superimposed layers being arranged such that upright columns of the defined points are arranged along a third axis at right angles to the other two, indicators for each of the points formed by a coincidence of all three axes, an indicator being capable of being placed at each such point to show whether that point is occupied or not, the rules of the game including the feature that when a player adds an indicator to any chosen unoccupied point of intersection of all three axes, if he is able to complete at least one set of juxtaposed indicators, or a multiple thereof, aligned along at least one of the three axes, he makes a score and continues to add another indicator until he makes no score whereupon play then passes to the other or next player, and means for accumulating the score of each player as the game progresses.

2. A game as claimed in Claim 1 in which the various planes are defined by a number of plates which are superimposed but spaced apart one above the other, and on each plate, a grid of defined positions corresponding to the coincidence of the two axes in that plane is provided by means of holes or depressions in that sheet, and in which the indicators are small markers which rest in the holes or depressions.

3. A game as claimed in Claim 2 in which the plates are transparent.

4. A game as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 further comprising a pair of tongs for positioning the small markers.

5. A game as claimed in any preceding claim in which the number of indicators to be juxtaposed to form a score is three and multiples ofthree.

6. A game as claimed in any preceding ciaim in which the number of lines, rows and columns is a multiple of the number of indicators to be juxtaposed to score.

7. A game substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 1 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.