GB2223177A - Board game apparatus for question-and-answer game - Google Patents

Abstract

A question-and-answer game on the theme of the fire service is played on a board which consists of a path or course made up of spaces or areas. The spaces or areas are divided into ranks gainable by promotion. Promotion question cards are provided along with movement ordering cards. The board game apparatus has facilities for game commencement at each corner and a dice or other determining element is also to be used along with a suitable device for registering progress around the board game apparatus by each participant. <IMAGE>

Description

PATENT SPECIFICATION COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME (a) This invention relates to a board game apparatus and is intended primarily to provide a game of promotion, thus involving chance and general knowledge.

(b) In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, there is disclosed a single embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein : (c) Fig.1. is a plan view of one form or arrangement of board or playing field for the game, the lettering on the respec tive spaces or areas being clearly represented and the dis tinctive colours being indicated thereon according to a scheme or key fully explained in the body of the specifi cation.

(d) Fig.2. is a view in elevation of a symbol or token that is used by several players respectively and which is shaped in representation of a specific object, e.g. fire engine and detachable ladder.

(e) Fig.3. represents In perspective the dice used to determine the extent or length of the moves of the players along the respective paths or courses.

(f) Fig.4. represents two hundred and fifty cards which consti tute the 'Promotion Question' cards of the respective spaces or areas indicated on the board in Fig.l. These cards will be increased in number as and when appropriate to the advance in technology and the playing of the board game apparatus.

(g) Fig.5. represents thirty two so-called 'OperationsRoom' cards which are to be drawn from individually by every player who moves onto an 'Operations Room' space or area of the board.

(h) Fig.6. is a similar view of twenty five 'Mobilising Control' cards which are drawn from by each play who moves onto a 'Mobilising Control' area or space indicated on the board.

2. Before describing the apparatus in detail, there will be set forth some of the salient features thereof and the general pur pose of the game played therewith, which is primarily one of promotion. Much of the interest in the game lies in the players' own general knowledge and learning capabilities.

(a) While the apparatus herein described and illustrated involves Fire and Emergency Services and the like, it is to be under stood that in its broader aspect the apparatus is not limited to the representation or simulation (among other features) of Fire and Emergency Services, inasmuch as other types of other Trades, Profession, Work, or the like are comprehended (a) (Contd) within the scope thereof and other privileges, or benefits or other chance determining element would in such cases, be provided for in such other forms of apparatus according to the invention.

(b) As will be hereinafter set forth, there are, in the represented embodiment of the invention one hundred and ten areas or spaces designated on the board, and according to the throw of the dice or other chance determining element, the players may move onto some-one or another of the areas or spaces.

(c) The players seek to develop their promotion and advancement in the game by the retention of and collection of, 'Provotion' question cards, which is to determine the players progress along the route of the apparatus playing areas or spaces.

(d) Each player as his symbol or token is moved, according to the throw of the dice, about the path or course repeatedly so long as the game continues, will, in accordance with the throw of the dice land at timers upon one of the 'Operations Room' area or one of the 'Mobilising Control' areas, where upon he must draw a card from the appropriate one of the two piles of 'Operations Room' or 'Mobilising Control' cards, which cards indicate some reward, action, or other penalty or benefit whereby his promotion is augmented or diminished.

(e) The board as a whole is indicated at 1 (c) Fig.l. and thereon are indicated the places where the set of 'Operations Room' and 'Mobilising Control' cards are respectively piled, preferably face down. Any player who is compelled by the rules of the game to draw an 'Operations Room' or 'Mobilising Control' card takes the top card from the pack indicated and after following the instructions printed thereon returns the card face down to the bottom of the pack or set of such cards.

(f) The path or course made up of the one hundred and ten spaces or areas leads to a goal or "Home" and extends entirely about the board, thus constituting a continuous path, course or circuit about which symbols or tokens of the players are moved according to the throws of the dice as long as the game continues.

(g) The playing commences at the corners designated "Fire Station" in Fig.l. and on Fig.l. the spaces or areas are divided, and have the following significance. The starting space or area is also marked "Forecourt" meaning that upon each successive circuit of the board, each player as he lands upon the said space or area incurs no penalty from landing thereon.

(h) The number of players is not fixed. Any reasonable number can play but two to eight players have been found to be most satisfactory. One of the players is chosen as the Question Master or Agent or otherwise designated person having charge of the questions. Such person may also act as one of the players.

(i) A symbol or token is provided for the players respectively and herein are represented in Fig.2. eight tokens which are respectively a fire engine and ladder (detachable). Other distinctive symbols or tokens may be provided if required or if a greater number of players participate than there are symbols or tokens.

Desirably, said symbols or tokens represent in miniature a specific object and thus not only result in the ready identification of each symbol or token with the particular player using the same, but interest is added to the game owing to the use of tokens or symbols having colour indivi duality or characteristics.

(j) Any suitable chance - determining element or means may be provided, such for example as the dice represented in Fig.3.

instead any other suitable chance - determining element or device may be employed, as, for example an arrow or pointer pivoted to be spun, all of which are comprehended within the term "Dice" or equivalent indication.

RULES FOR "FIRE COMMAND" BOARD GAME APPARATUS (i) EACH PARTICIPANT STARTS FROM A FIRE STATION.

(ii) TO BEGIN THE GAME EACH PARTICIPANT MUST THROW A SIX ON THE DICE TO ENABLE THEM TO LEAVE THE FIRE STATION.

(iii) THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO REACH THE RANK OF "FIRE COMMANDER" BY PROMOTION THROUGH THE RANKS INDICATED ON THE BOARD.

(iv) PROMOTION IS GAINED BY ANSWERING QUESTIONS WHEN THE PARTICIPANTS LAND ON THE SPACES SHOWN AS PROMOTION QUESTIONS.

(v) THE GAME CAN BE PLAYED BY A MINIMUM OF TWO PLAYERS, AND MAY EVEN BE PLAYED IN SYNDICATES OF TWO PERSONS OR MORE WHERE CONFERRING WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE ANSWERS TO THE PROMOTION QUESTIONS.

(vi) PROMOTION CANNOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL EACH PARTICIPANT HAS COMPLETED A ROUND OF THE BOARD.

(vii) IF DURING THE GAME A PARTICIPANT RETURNS TO A FIRE STATION THEY DO NOT HAVE TO THROW ANOTHER SIX ON THE DICE TO LEAVE TO CONTINUE IN THE GAME.

(viii) PROMOTION QUESTIONS CAN BE HELD UNTIL THEY ARE REQUIRED BY EACH PARTICIPANT WHEN LANDING ON THE PROMOTION BOARD SQUARES, TO OBTAIN THE HIGHER RANK. FOUR QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AT EACH PROMOTION.

(ix) MOBILISING CONTROL AND OPERATIONS ROOM CARDS ARE PLACED FACE DOWN ON THE GAME BOARD AND ARE ONLY TAKEN AND READ AND ACTED UPON WHEN A PARTICIPANT LANDS ON THE APPROPRIATE GAME SPACES.

(xL EACH PARTICIPANT PLAYING THE GAME NEEDS TO USE THE SMALL PLASTIC FIRE ENGINE TO COUNT OFF THE NUMBER OF SPACES INDICATED BY THE NUMBER SHOWN ON THE DICE WHEN IT COMES TO REST AFTER BEING THROWN.

(xi) ON THE COMPLETION OF ONE COMPLETED ROUND OF THE BOARD A SMALL LADDER IS AFFIXED TO THE TOP OF THE FIRE ENGINE TO INDICATE TO THE OTHER PLAYER(S) THAT THIS RULE HAS BEEN SATISFIED.

3.

- (i) HAVING NOW PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AND ASCERTAINED THE NATURE OF MY SAID INVENTION, AND IN WHAT MANNER THE SAME IS TO BE PERFORMED, I DECLARE THAT WHAT I CLAIM IS: (a) A BOARD GAME APPARATUS COMPRISING SYMBOLS OR TOKENS FOR MOVING OVER A BOARD ACTING AS A PLAYING FIELD THE BOARD BEING PROVIDED WITH MARKED SPACES CONSTITUTING A PATH OR COURSE EXTENDING ABOUT THE BOARD, SAID PATH AFFORDING A CONTINUOUS TRACK TO A GOAL OR "HOME", SOME OF THE SAID SPACES BEING DESIGNATED AS BY POSITION OR COLOUR SO AS TO CONSTITUTE A DISTINGUISHABLE GROUP, THERE BEING A PLURITY OF SUCH GROUPS AND EACH GROUP HAVING ITS SPACES ADJACENT TO THE SAME SIDE OF THE BOARD.

(b) A BOARD GAME APPARATUS IN WHICH THERE IS OR ARE INCLUDED ONE OR MORE SETS OF CARDS CONTAINING CARDS EFFECTING ADVANTAGES OR DISADVANTAGES OR PROGRESS FOR THE PLAYER RECEIVING ONE OR MORE OF SUCH CARDS, THE SAID CARDS TO BE DRAWN BY PLAYERS AS DETERMINED BY CHANCE.

(c) A BOARD GAME APPARATUS IN WHICH THERE IS INCLUDED A SET OF CARDS BEARING INDICATION AS BY COLOUR OR TITLE SHOWING THAT THESE CARDS RESPECTIVELY RELATE IN THE PLAY OF THE GAME SOLELY TO DEFINATE, SIMILARLY INDICATED SPACES UPON THE BOARD.

(d) A BOARD GAME APPARATUS IN WHICH ALSO INCLUDES A SET OF TOKENS OR SYMBOLS SHAPED IN REPRESENTATION OF SPECIFIC OBJECTS AND CONSTITUTING THE PLAYING PIECES.

(e) A BOARD GAME APPARATUS IN WHICH THERE ARE A SET OF CARDS TO BE DRAWN FROM BY PLAYERS ARRIVING AT SAID "OPERATIONS ROOM" AREAS OR SPACES, "MOBILISING CONTROL" AREAS OR SPACES, OR "PROMOTION QUESTION" AREAS OR SPACES AND SOME OF WHICH CARDS HAVE DATA OF IMPOSED PENALTIES OR BENEFITS OR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

(f) A BOARD GAME APPARATUS IN WHICH A SINGLE PIECE FOR EACH PLAYER TO BE MOVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF THE GAME; MEANS FOR DETERMINING BY CHANCE THE LENGTH OR EXTENT OF EACH PLAYING MOVEMENT OF EACH PLAYER ALONG THE SAID PATH.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIM

   BOARD GAME @@@@@@@@@.

   (1) A board game apparatus that is intended to primarily provide a game of promotion, thus involving chance,general knowledge and the learning capabilities of the individual participants.

   (2) A board game apparatus comprising symbols or tokens for moving over a board acting as a playing field, the board being provided with marked spaces constituting a path or-course extending about the board, said path affording a continuous track to a 'Goal' or 'Home', some of the said spaces being designated as by position or colour so as to constitute a distinguishable group.

   (3) A board game apparatus in which there is or are included one or disadvantages or more sets of cards containing effecting advantages/or progress for the player receiving one or more of , ch cards, the said cards to be drawn by players as determined by chance.

   (4) A board game apparatus in which there is included a set of cards bearing indication as by colour or title showing that these cards respectively relate in the Flay of the game solely to definate, similarlg indicated spaces union the board.

   (5) A board game apparatus in which is also included a set of tokens or symbols shaped in representation of specific objects and constituting the laying pieces.

   (6) A board game apparatus in which there are a set of cards to be drawn from by players arriving at said 'Operations Room' areas or spaces, 'Mobilising Control' areas or spaces, or 'Promotion estions' areas or spaces and some of which cards have data of imposed penalties or benefits or questions and answers.

   (7) A board game apparatus in which a single piece for each player is to be moved in accordance with the rules of the game. Means for determining by chance the length or extent of each playing movement of each player along the said path, Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows BOARD GAME APPARATUS.

   (1) A board game apparatus comprising symbols or tokens for moving over a board acting as a playing-field the board being provided with marked spaces consitituting a path or course extending about the board, said path affording an interlinked continuous and three course track to a 'Goal' or 'Home', some of said spaces being designated as by position or colour so as to consititute a distinguishable group.

   (2) A board game apparatus according to Claim 1 in which there is or are included one or more sets of cards containing cards effecting advantages or disadvantages for the player receiving one of more of such cards, the said cards to be drawn by the players as determined by chance.

   (3) A board game apparatus according to Claim 1, in which there is included a set of cards bearing indication as by colour or title showing that these cards respectively relate in the play of the game solely to definite, similarly indicated spaces upon the board.

   (4) A board game apparatus according to Claim 1 in which there is included a set of playing pieces for the purpose of registering movement, each differentiated from the others, and dice or the like to control some movements in the game, each single piece for each player to be moved in accordance with the rules of the game.

   (5) A board game apparatus according to Claim 1 in which spaces or areas of the board have designations for 'Promotion' or 'Advancement'.

   (6) A board game apparatus according to Claim 1 in which some of the spaces or areas have designations of penalties or benefits.

   (7) A board game apparatus according to Claim 1 including in combination a board having marked spaces or areas and including four marked corner areas each of which constitutes the starting area.