GB2226767A - Apparatus for playing a board game - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises playing pieces, a playing board having a substantially spiral path comprising representations of procedural steps around which the playing pieces are movable in accordance with a set of rules accompanying said apparatus, and means playable in accordance with said rules to determine the number of steps to be moved at a given time, this means being a random number indicating device, or skill testing cards or a combination of these. The playing board may be two- or three-dimensional. The board also has a series of hazards and network of smaller paths interconnecting the main path of steps, these hazards and smaller paths being negotiated by players in accordance with the rules. <IMAGE>

Description

Apparatus for Playing a Board Game This invention relates to apparatus for playing a board game.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for playing a board game, the apparatus comprising playing pieces, a playing board having a substantially spiral path comprising representations of procedural steps around which the playing pieces are movable in accordance with a set of rules accompanying said apparatus, and means playable in accordance with said rules to determine the number of steps to be moved at a given time, this means being a random number indicating device, or skill testing cards, or a combination of these.

Herein the term spiral is to encompass both two- or three-dimensional playing boards and spirals in the form of stepped turrets, helical pyramids and other devices having a path which in plan view is in the form of whorls or concentric circles or polygonal shapes having path connections therebetween.

Preferably, the pieces are movable around the spiral clockwise from the exterior to the interior or apex of the spiral.

Preferably, there is a network of smaller paths interconnecting the main path of steps, these smaller paths being taken in preference to the main path in accordance with the rules.

Preferably, the path includes hazards including means to move a piece regressively down the smaller interconnecting paths and including high risk representations ("danger zones"), on which there is an increased probability of a piece being moved, generally regressively, by another player in preference to other player's own piece.

Preferably, the pieces are ball-like and the playing board is three-dimensional bearing a path with representations of fifty procedural steps starting at the base and finishing at the apex, most representations being shallow depressions to hold the ball-like playing piece, a few representations placed randomly containing the hazards, including holes which are openings to the smaller paths, which are in the form of tunnels and through which the ball-like playing piece moves regressively to a lower level.

Preferably, the players are given the choice of the means of determining the number of steps to be moved; the player can either nominate skill testing cards, or random number indicating means or both.

Preferably, the random number indicating device is a die.

Preferably, there are two types of skill testing cards: logic and general knowledge, and the speed with which the answer is given by a player may determine the number of steps to be moved or the number of answers given may represent the number of steps to be moved.

The piece moved in accordance with both the rules and the skill testing cards can be either the player's own playing piece or that of another player.

If logic cards are nominated the player does not use a die but nominates the degree of difficulty by the time allowed. If answered correctly, the player may elect to move the requisite number of steps.

If general knowledge cards are nominated, the player then answers the same number of general knowledge questions as are shown by the number exposed on the thrown die. If answered correctly, the player may elect to move the requisite number of steps.

If the die only is chosen, the number of steps shown by the die have to be taken, even if the piece lands on a hazard. If answered correctly and the piece is moved without encountering a hazard, a player may elect to answer a skill testing card and move a bonus number of steps corresponding to the number on the die; this move can either be of the player's own piece or, alternatively, the player may elect to move another player's piece regressively by the same number of steps.

Preferably, the regressive move of another player's piece can only be undertaken if the other player's piece is on a hazard determined as a "danger zone".

Preferably, the apparatus is played in accordance with the rules set forth in the Appendix.

Reference is now made to the accompanying Appendix which describes, by way of example, embodiments of a board game of the present invention and rules for playing the board game, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a two-dimensional embodiment of a board of the apparatus for playing a game according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a stepped turret embodiment of a board of the apparatus for playing a game according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a helical pyramid embodiment of a board of the apparatus for playing a game according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the board of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the board of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the board of Fig. 3;; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative stepped turret embodiment of a board of the apparatus for playing a game according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the board of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a plan view of the board of Fig. 7.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

APPENDIX COMPONENTS OF GAME 1. The BOARD STEPPED TURRET (Fig. 2 or Figs 7 to 9) or HELICAL PYRAMID (Figs. 3 to 6) with numbers ranging from 1 to 50 starting at base and finishing at apex.

The BOARD contains holes set in random positions.

These are known as HAZARD HOLES. A playing piece landing on a HAZARD HOLE will descend to a lower level.

There are also HAZARDS in the form of DANGER ZONES coloured RED; their function will be explained in Rules of Play.

2. QUESTION CARDS The cards are divided into two categories - LOGIC and GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

The LOGIC questions are based on IQ type questions, the degree of difficulty is set by a time limitation.

The GENERAL KNOWLEDGE questions are random in difficulty and have multiple answers depending on throw of dice, i.e. 1-6.

3. TIMER A device to read times from 20 seconds to 2 minutes in 6 divisions (with buzzer). If not 3 egg timers reading 1 minute, 40 seconds, 20 seconds.

4. COUNTERS Each player selects a playing piece, alternatively termed a counter/man , in the form of a round coloured ball, which is moved up the board according to rules.

5. DICE NUMBER OF PLAYERS Any reasonable number or it may be played as a team game.

The larger number of individual players the longer each game will take.

RULES Throw dice to see who starts. Players go in turn clockwise.

The Play At each player's turn they have the choice of nominating LOGIC or GENERAL KNOWLEDGE or nominating LUCK.

If Logic Player does not use dice but instead nominates value 1-6 then answers LOGIC question. The degree of difficulty depends on time allowed, i.e.

Value 1 = 2 minutes Value 2 = 1 minute 40 seconds Value 3 = 1 minute 20 seconds Value 4 = 1 minute Value 5 = 40 seconds Value 6 = 20 seconds If answered correctly in given time move appropriate number of places (nominated value). If not answered correctly DO NOT MOVE.

If General Knowledge Player rolls dice, then answers question on GENERAL KNOWLEDGE corresponding to number on dice. Player has 1 minute to answer. If correct, player can then move number of places as shown on dice. However, if this would mean landing on a HAZARD HOLE or DANGER ZONE a player may decline to move.

If Luck Player simply rolls dice but MUST move number of places shown on dice. If player is successful in negotiating HAZARDS, player may then opt for BONUS question of either LOGIC or GENERAL KNOWLEDGE at value on dice. If answered correctly, player may then make appropriate BONUS move corresponding to number on dice, or alternatively player may opt to move opponents on DANGER ZONES by moving their pieces back the same number of steps corresponding to number on dice.

If a player is on a DANGER ZONE and another player lands on same place they must swap places on board.

Winner First player to reach top having completed move.

ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF PLAY The game may be played as three completely separate games depending on age and interests of players.

1. As a pure LOGIC game using only LOGIC cards and rules.

2. As a game of GENERAL KNOWLEDGE using only GENERAL KNOWLEDGE cards and rules.

3. As 'Snakes and Ladders' (Trade Mark) type game for children using rules of LUCK and simplified bonus POINTS.

SAMPLE CARDS Samples of the questions asked on the cards as as follows: Logic Cards e.g.

1. A chain is made up of 10 circular links.

Each link has an outside diameter of one and a half inches and inside diameter of one inch.

How long is the chain from tip to tip? 2. What is the next letter in the series? E V H SK ? 3. If 5 7 6 9 19 26 means DECENT What does 7 3 12 16 mean? 4. WORD YOB XENON VILE ZEBRA Which of the above words does not belong? General Knowledge e.a.

1. Name of the following chemical elements: H Mn Zn Ni Ba Be 2. Books by Robert Louis Stevenson.

3. Boxing Weights.

4. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope "Road" Films.

5. Wonders of the World.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for playing a board game, the apparatus comprising playing pieces, a playing board having a substantially spiral path comprising representations of procedural steps around which the playing pieces are movable in accordance with a set of rules accompanying said apparatus, and means playable in accordance with said rules to determine the number of steps to be moved at a given time, the means being a random number indicating device, or skill testing cards, or a combination of these.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the pieces are movable clockwise around the spiral path from the exterior to the interior or apex of the spiral.

3. Apparatus according to either Claim 1 or 2, wherein a network of smaller paths interconnect the path, these smaller paths being taken in preference to the path in accordance with the rules.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the path includes hazards including means to move a piece regressively down the smaller interconnecting paths and including high risk representations, on which there is an increased probability of a piece being moved by another player in preference to other player's own piece.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the pieces are ball-like and the playing board is threedimensional, most representations being shallow depressions to hold the ball-like playing piece, a few representations placed randomly containing the hazards, including holes which are openings to the smaller interconnecting paths, which are in the form of tunnels and through which the playing piece is movable regressively to a lower level.

6. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the playing board is two-dimensional.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein there are two types of skill testing cards: logic and general knowledge.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a piece moved in accordance with the rules and the skill testing cards can be either the player's own playing piece or that of another player.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the apparatus is played in accordance with the rules set forth in the Appendix.

10. Apparatus for playing a board game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig.

2 or Figs 3 to 6 or Figs 7 to 9.