GB2251804A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The game apparatus comprises a flat base 10, having a square array of upstanding pins or pegs 11. In this embodiment the number of pins is four, although other numbers are possible. Associated with the board 10 are four sets of playing pieces which will slip over the pins 11. Each set of pieces may be distinguished from each other by colour or shape. Each set of pieces preferably comprises sixteen pieces. The purpose of the game is to make straight lines of a single type of playing piece. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO GAMES APPARATUS This invention relates to apparatus for playing a game. The invention provides a board or rack having a generally flat base with an array of pins or pegs upstanding from that base, the array being square and comprising a number of rows each having the same number of pins or pegs therein, in combination with at least two sets of tokens each set being distinguished from the others.

Preferably the array comprises four rows of four pegs.

Preferably there are four sets of tokens each comprising of sixteen tokens.

Preferably two of the four sets bare distinguishing marks whereby the four sets may alternatively be considered as two sets.

In order to promote a full understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention an embodiment will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematically perspective view of the board and tokens of an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the board of figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the board of Figure 1 with tokens in play, and Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show various similar side views to that of Figure 3.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the game apparatus comprises a flat base 10 having an array of upstanding pins or pegs 11. The array of pins 11 comprises a number of rows each having the same number of pins, thus making a square array. In this embodiment the number of pins is four although other numbers are possible.

Associated with the board 10 are four sets of counters in the form of angular items which will slip over the pins 11. Each set of counters may be distinguished from the others by colour, or as in this embodiment there shape as shown at 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D respectively in Figure 1. Each set of counters preferably comprises sixteen counters.

Two of the sets of counters for instances those indicated at 12c and 12d in the drawings, may be marked with a common distinguishing mark such as the peripheral line indicated at 13 particularly in Figure 3, so that the four sets of counters may be considered as two sets in play. Preferably each of the four sets of counters comprises sixteen counters.

The game is played by two, three or four players. Each player is assigned a set of counters and takes turns to place a counter on a pin of their choice on the board. The object of the game is for a player to achieve a straight line of four of his set of counters on the board to win. At the same time a player has an objective to prevent the other players from achieving such a line.

Figure 2, being a plan view of the board illustrates schematically a number of the possible winning lines which may be achieved in any simple horizontal plain on the board. These possible win lines include any column or row and the two diagonals. The arrangement of Figure 2 is repeated successively in layers upwards from the base of the board so that a win line may be achieve as shown in Figure 4A where four 12D tokens are in line. A winning line may also be achieved on a single pin 11 in a vertical direction as shown in Figure 4B. Winning lines may also be achieved as shown in Figure 3 in slanting plains through the board.

Figures 4B, 4B, 4C and 4D show various horizontal and vertical win lines which are possible.

The game may be cpnsidered as won and terminated on one player achieving a winning line, or they may continue until the board and pins are full and the player with the greatest number of winning lines may be considered the winner.

If two players are to play, they may use the tokens in two sets of thirty two, one set each instead of the four sets of sixteen which would be used by three or four players.

Claims (7)

1. A game comprising a base board rows of pegs/pins and tokens in different colours and shapes.
2. 2 A game as in claim 1 played by 2, 3, 4, players.
3. 3 Each player as in claim 2 is assigned a set of tokens.
4. 4 Tokens as in claim 3 are sequentially ponced on the pegs by each player in turn.
5. 5 The tokens are arranged to form a straight line in any dimension throughout the board whilst blocking the oponent/s frsm ss doing.
6. 6 The game may be considered as won and terminated on one player achieving a winning line, or they may continue until the board and pins are full and the player with the greatest number of winning lines may bo considered t:? winner.
7. 7 A game substantially as described herein wita reference to Fig 1 - 4.