GB2231499A - A game - Google Patents

Abstract

A game comprises a tank 1 containing liquid such as water, the tank having a base 3 and a peripheral side wall 2. Projections 4, 6 representative of rocks extend upwardly from the base of the tank and project above the water, and an impeller 9 is provided to generate a flow of water within the tank. At least one representation 20 of a boat is present which floats on the liquid within the tank. The object of the game is to cause the boat to follow a predetermined path around the rocks. Each player in turn attempts to dock his boat in a harbour (20) Fig 4 (not shown) and collect pieces 7 to build a lighthouse on a rock 4. The player controls the impeller and discharge of water into the tank in the time taken for the water to lift a float (28) Fig 6 (not shown) which rotates a pointer from a "fair" start position to a "storm" finish position. A lifeboat may be launched to rescue a jammed boat. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A GAME The present invention relates to a game.

According to this invention there is provided a game, said game comprising as a major component, a tank for containing a liquid such as water, the tank comprising a base and a peripheral upstanding side wall, there being a plurality of projections extending upwardly from the base of the tank, there being an impeller adapted to generate a flow of liquid within the tank and there being at least one representation of a boat capable of floating on liquid within the tank.

Preferably the tank has the form of a regular polygon.

Conveniently there are a plurality of said projections within the tank, the number of projections being a multiple of the number of sides of the tank.

Advantageously the tank is of pentagonal shape and there are ten projections within the tank, five being relatively large and five being relatively small, the projections being regularly spaced having regard to the configuration of the exterior of the tank.

Preferably the game includes a plurality of sets of further components, each set of further components being adapted to be assembled together to form a representation of a lighthouse upon one of the projections within the tank.

Preferably the impeller comprises a battery operated motor, and an impeller blade rotated by the motor.

Conveniently means are provided to clamp the impeller to a side wall of the tank.

Advantageously a second boat is provided.

Preferably a plurality of said projections are provided with barrier means each defining a harbour dimensioned to receive a boat.

The game may include means to introduce liquid to the tank in a controlled way.

Preferably the means to introduce liquid to the tank comprise a reservoir for liquid, a pipe or conduit extending from the reservoir to the tank, and means to urge liquid from the reservoir to the tank.

Conveniently the means to urge liquid to the tank comprise a pump adapted to supply air, under pressure, to the said reservoir.

The game may incorporate timing means responsive to the level of liquid within the tank.

Preferably the timing means comprise a dial, a pointer movable over the dial, being mounted on a shaft, a torsion spring biassing the shaft to rotate, and a float connected to the shaft, part of the float normally resting on the surface of the tank to prevent rotation thereof until sufficient liquid has entered the tank to cause the float to rise above the level of the bottom of the tank.

Conveniently the side walls of the tank diverge and the projections on the base of the tank converge.

Preferably the tank and projections are integrally moulded of a plastics material.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the main component of a game in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the game, illustrating further components; FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view corresponding to part of Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of a further component of the game; and FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the component illustrated in Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings the main component of the game consists of a tank or receptacle 1. The tank is five-sided, having five substantially vertical side walls 2 and a base 3. Mounted within the tank at even positions are five relatively large upwardly extending projections 9 each having a circular recess 5 in the upper surface thereof. A plurality of smaller projections 6 extend upwardly from the base of the tank.

The tank and the projections may conveniently be moulded from a plastics material. The walls of the tank will thus slightly diverge, and the projections will be convergent, due to the necessary draft angle.

A number of sets of playing pieces 7 are provided which can each be assembled together to form a lighthouse on one of the projections 4. In a typical game five different sets of three playing pieces are provided to enable five different lighthouses to be built upon the five projections 4. These playing pieces may be of appropriate colours.

Mounted in the centre of the tank is a timing arrangement 8 which will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

An impeller 9 is provided, which may be battery operated, consisting of a motor 10, a shaft 11 and an impeller blade 12. The impeller may be used to create a current of water within the receptacle 1. The impeller may incorporate a clip so that it can be releasably clipped to the side wall of the tank.

Referring now to Figure 2, the tank or receptacle 1 is illustrated in an elevated position, such as the position it will occupy if mounted upon a table or the like. Located under the table is a water vessel 13 which is associated with a foot operated pump 14 adapted to supply compressed air to the upper part of the vessel 13. A pipe or conduit 15 extends from the lower part of the vessel 13, to a control valve 16 and a discharge spout 17 which discharges water into the tank or receptacle 1. The control valve 16 may be connected to a switch for controlling the impeller 9 so that when the impeller 9 is activated the control valve 16 permits the egress of water through the spout 17 into the receptacle 1.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings the receptacle 1 is shown in top plan view and it can be seen that the arrangement is a regular arrangement, the positioning of the various components 4 and 6 being regular as compared with the positioning of the five sides of the receptacle.

Figure 3 illustrates two boats 18, 19 which are used in playing the game. The boat 18 is larger than the boat 19.

Each of the projections 4 is provided with an outwardly extending barrier 20, one of which is illustrated most clearly in Figure 4 of the drawings.

This barrier effectively defines a harbour the open mouth of which is directed towards the centre of the receptacle.

A guard 21 may be provided to be located between the impeller 9 and the adjacent projection 4.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the timing device 8.

The timing device is responsive to the level of water within the receptacle 1. Effectively the timing device comprises a framework 22 comprising support legs and 23 and a horizontal dial 24. A shaft 25 extends vertically through the dial 24, carrying a radially extending pointer 26. The dial carries markings similar to those found on a barometer. A coil spring 27 extends between the shaft 25 and the dial 24. A float chamber 28 is provided at the bottom of the shaft 25. The arrangement is such that the pointer 26 may be moved to a predetermined position, such as a position aligned with the word "Fair" on the dial 24, and the float chamber 28 will rest upon the bottom of the tank, thus preventing further rotation of the pointer.As water is introduced to the tank or receptacle so the float will rise, disengaging the bottom of the float chamber 28 from the bottom of the tank and a bias imparted to the shaft 25 by the spring 27 may then move the pointer 26 to point, for example, to the word "Storm".

The apparatus, as described, may be utilised in playing a game. The game may have various rules, but essentially the object of the game is for a number of players to play in turn, and to operate the impeller such that a boat, namely the boat 18 is caused to follow a predetermined path and to enter a harbour as defined by a barrier 20.

Each turn of the player commences with the receptacle containing a predetermined quantity of water. During the turn of the player, while the player is operating the impeller 12, water from the water receptacle 13 is introduced into the receptacle 1. A second player operates the foot pump 14 during this period of time to ensure that there is also sufficient over-pressure within the receptacle 13 to pump water up through the conduit 15. When the water level within the main tank 1 reaches a predetermined level the float 28 will be lifted up above the base 3 of the receptacle 1, and the coil spring 27 will then rotate the float and the shaft 25 so that the needle 26 is moved from one predetermined position to another predetermined position. This will signify the end of the turn of the player.

In the described embodiment of the game, the game is based upon the theme of building a lighthouse upon a rock. Each player will attempt to dock his boat in the harbour defined by the barrier 20, adjacent a predetermined projection II which corresponds to a rock.

When a certain number of "dockings" have been achieved the player will be awarded an element of a lighthouse, which can be placed upon the relevant projection 4.

When the appropriate number of elements of the lighthouse have been won in this way, the lighthouse is complete, and that player has won the game.

It is envisaged that at the commencement of each turn a player will have to locate his boat at a predetermined position and will also have to locate the impeller at a corresponding predetermined position. The player may then have to cause his boat 18 to effect a complete circuit round the exterior of the receptacle, and then, operating the impeller to create appropriate eddy currents, the player must cause the boat to move towards the harbour as defined by the barrier 20. It is to be noted that the boat may well tend to become jammed or to stick. Since the projections 4 and 6 all taper in an upward sense, as the water level within the receptacle rises, so the boat may be released from such a jammed position. However, in the described embodiment of the game a "lifeboat" 19 is provided. If a player does become jammed he may, at his option, launch the "lifeboat" and use the impeller to cause the lifeboat to touch the primary boat 18, thus effecting a "rescue".

It will be appreciated that many additional rules may be devised to facilitate the playing of the game.

The water vessel 13 may be used as a portable water carrier to carry water from a tap to the main tank 1.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS:

1. A game, said game comprising as a major component, a tank for containing a liquid such as water, the tank comprising a base and a peripheral upstanding side wall, there being a plurality of projections extending upwardly from the base of the tank, there being an impeller adapted to generate a flow of liquid within the tank and there being at least one representation of a boat capable of floating on liquid within the tank.

2. A game according to Claim 1 wherein the tank has the form of a regular polygon.

3. A game according to Claim 2 wherein there are a plurality of said projections within the tank, the number of projections being a multiple of the number of sides of the tank.

4. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the tank is of pentagonal shape and there are ten projections within the tank, five being relatively large and five being relatively small, the projections being regularly spaced having regard to the configuration of the exterior of the tank.

5. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims including a plurality of sets of further components, each set of further components being adapted to be assembled together to form a representation of a lighthouse upon one of the projections within the tank.

6. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the impeller comprises a battery operated motor, and an impeller blade rotated by the motor.

7. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein means are provided to clamp the impeller to a side wall of the tank.

8. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein a second boat is provided.

9. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein a plurality of said projections are provided with barrier means each defining a harbour dimensioned to receive a boat.

10. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims including means to introduce liquid to the tank in a controlled way.

11. A game according to Claim 10 wherein the means to introduce liquid to the tank comprise a reservoir for liquid, a pipe or conduit extending from the reservoir to the tank and means to urge liquid from the reservoir to the tank.

12. A game according to Claim 11 wherein the means to urge liquid to the tank comprise a pump adapted to supply air, under pressure, to the said reservoir.

13. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims incorporating timing means responsive to the level of liquid within the tank.

14. A game according to Claim 13 wherein the timing means comprise a dial, a pointer movable over the dial, being mounted on a shaft, a torsion spring biassing the shaft to rotate, and a float connected to the shaft, part of the float normally resting on the surface of the tank to prevent rotation thereof until sufficient liquid has entered the tank to cause the float to rise above the level of the bottom of the tank.

15. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the side walls of the tank diverge and the projections on the base of the tank converge.

16. A game according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the tank and projections are integrally moulded of a plastics material.

17. A game substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

18. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.