GB2208269A

GB2208269A - Motoring board game

Info

Publication number: GB2208269A
Application number: GB8817681A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Boothby Copp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-07-23
Filing date: 1988-07-25
Publication date: 1989-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2008-07-25
Also published as: GB8717502D0; GB8817681D0; GB2208269B

Abstract

The game comprises a board (of card, plastics, cloth) with a depiction of a road layout in which all the roads in the layout are divided into lengths representing increments of travel; the layout including representations of a plurality of two-way streets, at least one one-way street 5, 7 and at least one roundabout 9, 11, 13 the two-way streets, each comprising a nearside lane on each side and at least one further lane (preferably two further lanes) between the nearside lanes. The game also includes packs of cards, at least one pack providing questions relating to aspects of the Highway Code and/or motoring questions and at least some of the squares being marked to indicate a particular one of the packs of cards. Throws of two dice determine the number of squares to be moved by playing pieces e.g. in the form of small cars - the pieces must start from a start square 1 and by any route pass the 'pass here' square 3. Points are accumulated - Figures 2-13 illustrate 'MSM' point scoring where a player announces MSM (Mirror, Signal (where necessary), Manoevre) at the appropriate time. As shown, the board has four zones 21, 23, 25, 27 for question cards and for chance cards - e.g. red cards for Highway code and/or motoring questions, yellow cards with questions on car maintenance or mechanics and/or first aid, blue cards with general knowledge questions, white cards with instructions for player to move back/forward, forfeit points etc and the majority of squares (substantially all) are provided with means indicating selection of appropriate one of the cards. <IMAGE>

Description

Motoring board game The present invention is concerned with a board game simulating motoring, and which is specifically aimed at reinforcing in players the requirements of the driving test.

The board game according to the invention is of the type on which playing pieces are positioned and moved according to numbers determined by dice or other random number indicators.

Many board games representing motoring have previously been proposed, examples being described in U.K.

Specifications 1376197, 1543667, 2042907, 2085734 and 2172810, and U.S. Patent 4094510. one of these involve a realistic road layout involving roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, one-way streets, road junctions or the like; for example, although the above-mentioned U.K. Specification 2042907 does disclose a board game intended for simulating a driving test, the layout is not very realistic.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a motoring simulation type board game, which is more realistic and therefore more satisfying to the players.

According to the invention, therefore, there is provided apparatus for playing a game comprising a board having thereon a depiction of a road layout in which all the roads in the layout are divided along their lengths into increments of travel; a plurality of playing pieces (one for each player) for movement around said road layout; a random number selector (such as a die or, preferably, a pair of dice) for determining movement of said playing pieces around the road layout; a plurality of packs of cards, at least some of which cards provide questions relating to aspects of the Highway Code, and at least some of the increments of travel being marked to indicate a particular one of the packs of cards; the apparatus also including rules for playing the game; wherein the road layout includes representations of a plurality of two-way streets, at least one one-way street, and at least one roundabout, the two-way streets each comprising a nearside lane on each side and at least one further lane between said nearside lanes.

There is preferably provided one said further lane on each side of at least some of the two-way streets; the or each one-way street preferably comprises at least two lanes.

All the lanes are divided from one another by appropriate lane markings. It is furthermore preferred for the road layout to include representations of one or more of the following: compulsory stop junctions, give-way junctions, no-right turn junctions, no-left turn junctions, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, left-hand turns and right-hand turns.

Preferably, the road layout is continuous and more preferably includes one or more alternative routes from a predetermined starting point to a predetermined finishing point (which may be the same as the predetermined starting point).

There is, furthermore, preferably at least one point remote from either the start point or finishing point (or both) which it is compulsory for each player to pass in the course of the game.

Preferably, the increments of travel (which will be referred to herein as "squares") on the road layout are provided by transverse strips marked on the road layout. More preferably, at least some of these squares are coloured or provided with coloured indicia (such a representation of a coloured kerbstone), there being a plurality of such coloured squares or squares with coloured indicia such that each colour indicates a different pack of cards. By way of example, there may be four different colours (for example, red, yellow, blue and white) associated with the road layout and correspondingly four different sets of cards.

At least some of the cards present questions which when answered correctly by a player enable him to gain reward points; the object of the game is to accumulate as many reward points as possible (other means for gaining reward points being preferably provided). There may be on some of the cards questions of two levels of difficulty, some being relatively easy and some being relatively hard, in order to cater for players of varying abilities. The questions may be on such subjects as The Highway Code, and motoring in general, car mechanics, First Aid, general knowledge or the like. There may further be provided chance cards aimed to introduce an element of luck into the playing of the game, as well as means for selectively increasing the value of the number produced by the dice or the like.

As mentioned above, other means for gaining points are preferably provided; one such means for gaining points is preferably by the player employing appropriate lane discipline (and "mirror, signal, manoeuvre" discipline when changing lanes for overtaking, turning at junctions and roundabouts and the like, and approaching traffic lights or pedestrian crossings or the like).

The playing pieces used in the apparatus according to the invention may be coloured counters or, preferably, in the form of model cars, each shaped or coloured differently.

Other preferred features of the apparatus according to the present invention will now be made clear in the following description of a particular exemplary embodiment of such apparatus. In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates the entire playing surface or the board of apparatus according to the present invention; Figures 2 to 13 illustrate in detail particular portions of the board of the apparatus and including particular situations which arise during the course of the game.

Referring to Figure 1, the board (of card, plastics, fabric orXthe like) has printed thereon a road layout divided into squares, each square representing an increment of travel. The object of the game is to obtain as many points as possible while travelling around the board; each player has a playing piece (typically in the form of a small car) and the players throw two dice, provided with the apparatus, in turn.

The total of the two dice as thrown determines the number of squares to be moved. All players must start from the start square 1; players may choose any route they wish but must pass the "pass here " square 3 before the game ends or suffer disqualification. The game ends immediately one of the players has returned to the start square, at which point, all the players add up their accumulated points. All players, apart from the one who reaches the start square first, have points deducted depending on hotr far they would have to travel to return to the start square by the shortest possible route.

The player with the greatest number of points is then the winner.

In the illustrated embodiment, roads 5 and 7 are one-way (in the directions of arrows A,B, respectively); all the remaining roads are two-way. As illustrated, each one-way road has two lanes and each two-way road has four lanes. A player's piece must stay on the left of the road, except when manoeuvring.

During the game no player may move his piece to a square directly behind another player's; it is possible to fofeit squares to maintain the one square "braking distance", or, Lf the player has a sufficiently high number indicated by his dice, overtake the other player's piece subject to the conditions described below with reference to overtaking.

The Highway Code must be obeyed at all times by all players, and if any digressions can be identified by any other player, then that other player may obtain bonus points and/or the offending player may have to miss a turn.

The road layout incorporates three roundabouts 9,11,13, a pedestrian crossing 15, a junction with traffic lights 17, and a stop junction 19, as well as several give-way junctions 20. All these are preferably identified by replicas of the proper road markings, with representations of appropriate official signs alongside the road. Some of the junctions are no-right turns 18 and some are no-left turns 16. On some bends there are representations of a double white line 14, indicating that no overtaking is permittted on either side; there are further lines 12 indicating no overtaking on one side only.

The board incorporates four zones 21,23,25,27 for question cards and/or chance cards. It is preferred that three of these zones have question cards and the other chance cards.

Preferably,the majority of the squares (especially substantially all of the squares) are provided with means for indicating selection of an appropriate one of the cards. For example, each square may have an appropriate colour (such as red, yellow, blue or white, either on the square itself or adjacent thereto) each colour representing an appropriate one of the packs of cards.

In an example, four packs of cards may be provided, each having questions on a different subject, or being chance cards. There may, for example, be red cards with Highway Code and/or motoring questions, yellow cards with questions on car maintenance or mechanics and/or first aid, blue cards with general knowledge questions, and white cards with cards instructing the player to move back, forfeit points, move forward etc.

Reference will now be made to Figures 2 to 13, in which a preferred aspect of scoring will be described. In the drawings, A represents the point at which YSM points (as will now be described) are claimed and each dash in the road represents the route of travel for a player's piece (except in Figure 2, where dash B represents a piece to be overtaken and dashes C represent positions of opposing pieces which would prevent anyone from overtaking a piece represented by dash B).

The method for obtaining Mirror, Signal (where necessary),Manoeuvre (MSM) points will now be described.In order to claim the M.S.M. Points a player must verbally announce M.S.M. at the appropriate time. If it is not possible to announce M.S.M.

at the appropriate time, due to a player, on entering a new road, being too close to a junction, he should announce M.S.M. immediately on entering that new road.

No penalty will be incurred by players failing to.announce M.S.M.

In the case of roundabouts, junctions -or turning to the left or right, M.S.M.

can only be claimed when on the fourth square from the hazard, irrespective of whether or not this is in the middle of a move.

The case of overtaking is illustrated in Fig 2. The M.S.M. must be claimed two squares before the car being overtaken. To claim .M.S.M. a player must verbally announce his intentions by calling out "M.S.M." at the appropriate time.

It is permissible to overtake another player's piece if the road markings allow overtaking. The player must be able to travel at least two squares past the piece being overtaken in order to allow the piece being overtaken its required braking distance (see Fig 2 ). Over taking is not permitted where there is an oncoming car in any of the squares marked by the dashes C.

The following rules apply to roundabouts: 1. When turning left (first exit off) M.S.M. is claimed four squares before the give-way lane (see Fig 3). The player stays on the left on the approach and at the roundabout. When going straight ahead (see Fig 4) M.S.M. is claimed four squares before the give-way lane. The player stays on the left on the approach and at the roundabout. A second M.S..M. is claimed opposite the exit square before the exit to be taken. iMen turning right (see Fig 5) M.S.M. is claimed four squares before the give-way lane.

The player moves into the right hand lane for the last three squares before the give-way lane-. The player stays in the inside lane of the roundabout until the exit before the one to be taken. At the exit before the one to be taken, M.S.M. is claimed and then the player moves over to the left hand side.

It is not permitted to overtake on a roundabout unless a player is correctly using a different lane. It is not permitted to enter a roundabout if there is another car approaching within three squares, as indicated by the shaded area in Fig 5.

The rules relating to junctions will now be described.

When turning left at a junction (see Fig 6) M.S.M. should be claimed four squares before the junction.

The player should stay in the left hand lane on the approach and while emerging at the junction. When turning right at a junction (see Fig 7) M.S.M. should be claimed four squares before the junction. The player moves into the right hand lane for the last three squares before the junction. When going straight ahead at a junction (see Fig 8) M.S.M.

should be claimed four squares before the junction. The player stays in the left hand lane on the approach to the junction.

If a player is at a give-way junction and there are no cars on the main road within four squares and approaching a direction which would mean that the player's piece has to pull out in front of the approaching piece, or alternatively crossing its path, then the player may proceed without stopping. If however this is not the situation, then the player must stop at the junction and will forfeit any remaining squares which he could otherwise move. The situations illustrated in Figs 9 and 10, Fig 9 showing a situation at which the player cannot proceed and Fig 10 illustrating a situation in which the player may proceed. It is not permitted to over-take within four squares of a junction except when the player is legitimately using another lane. A player must always stop at a stop junction and any further squares which could otherwise be moved are forfeited.

It is not permissible to overtake on the shaded area on an approach to a pedestrian crossing. A player cannot stop on a pedestrian crossing and accordingly if he would otherwise land on the pedestrian crossing, he must go back to the last square he landed on. It is not possible to forfeit squares to prevent this happening. If a player lands on the last square before a pedestrian crossing, it means there is someone crossing and a turn is missed. A player may claim M.S.M. four squares before a pedestrian crossing.

Traffic lights are always on green unless the player lands in a lane marked by arrows. In this case the player must assume the traffic lights are on the red and so miss a turn. It is not permissible to forfeit squares in order to stop short of the lanes. Players must always take up position in the correct lane for the direction in which they wish to go (see Fig l1). M.S.M. may be claimed two squares before the start of the lanes.

The manoeuvre of turning left is illustrated in Fig 12. M.S.M.

may be claimed four squares before the turning. The player should stay in the left hand lane.

The manoeuvre of turning right is illustrated in Fig 13. M.S.M.

may be claimed four squares before the turning. The player must move into the correct position three squares before the turning.

Claims

Claims:

1. Apparatus comprising a board having thereon a depiction of a road layout in which all the roads in the layout are divided along their lengths into increments of travel; a plurality of playing pieces for movement around said road layout; a random number selector for determining movement of said playing pieces around the road layout; a plurality of packs of cards, at least one pack providing questions relating to aspects of the Highway Code, at least some of the increments of travel being marked to indicate selection of a particular one of the packs of cards; the apparatus also including rules for playing the game; wherein the road layout includes representations of a plurality of two-way streets, at least one one-way street, and at least one roundabout, the two-way streets comprising a nearside lane on each side and at least one further lene between said nearside lanes.

2. Apparatus according to claim l, in which there is provided one said further lane on each side of at least some of the two-way streets.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which the or each one-way street comprises at least two lanes.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the road layout is continuous and includes one or more alternative routes from a predetermined starting point to a predetermined finishing point.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which the road layout comprises at least one representation of traffic lights.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the road layout comprises at least one representation of a pedestrian crossing.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the road layout comprises at least one representation of a compulsory stop junction.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, in which the road layout ccmprises at least one representation of a give-way junction.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, in which the road layout comprises at least Dne representation of a no-right turn junction.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, in which the road layout comprises at least one representation of a no-left turn junction.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, in which the road layout comprises at least one representation of a rlght-hand turn.

12. Apparatus according to-any of claims 1 to 11, in which the road layout comprises at least one representation of a left-hand turn.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12, in which at least the majority of the increments of travel are provided with means for indicating selection of an appropriate pack of said cards, there being at least two different packs, each pack having questions relating to a different theme.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 for playing a game substantially as described herein.

15. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as described herein with reference to the acecmpanying drawings.