GB2298802A - Board game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Board game apparatus comprising a playing board, playing cards, random number generating means such as a die, and position marking members is characterised in that, the playing board has a plurality of playing compartments which represent the days in the year and which are in thirteen different groups to form thirteen months of the year. The players move over the playing board by passing along the playing compartments in a manner determined by numbers generated by the random number generating means.

Description

BOARD GAME APPARATUS This invention relates to board game apparatus.

There are many different types of known board game apparatus and board games are played by persons of all ages. There is always a need for new board game apparatus.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is provided board game apparatus comprising a playing board, playing cards, random number generating means, and position marking members, the board game apparatus being such that the playing board has a plurality of playing compartments which represent the days in the year and which are in thirteen different groups to form thirteen months of the year, some of the playing compartments require a player to take one of the playing cards, the players move over the playing board by passing along the playing compartments in a manner determined by numbers generated by the random number generating means, the playing cards bear player instructions affecting the movement of the players along the playing compartments, and the position marking members mark the position of the players as they move along the playing compartments.

The board game apparatus is unusual in that it is based on a calendar. The board game apparatus is still further unusual in that the calendar on the playing board has thirteen months instead of twelve months.

Games played with the board game apparatus are both interesting and amusing. Persons are encouraged to play games with the board game apparatus because the board game apparatus is easy to understand since it has no complex rules and simply requires a basic knowledge of a calendar.

The board game apparatus is especially helpful for children in that words on the playing cards will help children to learn to read. Many of the words on the playing cards are chosen to be film titles which not only enable young children to learn to read but which also form a talking point among adults who remember the films.

Preferably, the board game apparatus is one in which the thirteen months of the year are arranged in thirteen parallel rows.

Preferably, the board game apparatus is one in which twelve of the thirteen months of the year are called January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, and in which the thirteenth month is called by another name.

The other name may be Primula or any other suitable and appropriate name.

Preferably, the thirteenth month is positioned between the months of June and July. Other positions for the thirteenth month may be employed.

The board game apparatus is preferably one in which all of the months have twenty eight days, except the last month which has twenty nine days, plus an extra day making thirty days to cater for a leap year.

The board game apparatus may be one in which all the playing compartments are given a consecutive number so that each playing compartment is identified by a specific numbered day in the year. The consecutive numbers will normally start with the number one.

The board game apparatus may be one in which all the playing compartments in each group are given a consecutive number so that each playing compartment is identified by a specific numbered day in the month. The consecutive numbers will normally start with number one.

The board game apparatus is preferably one in which all the playing compartments in each group are given a consecutive day of the week so that each playing compartment is identifiable by a specific named day of the week. The days of the week preferably start with Monday but they may start with other days of the week, for example Sunday, if desired.

Preferably, the board gsle apparatus is one in which some of the playing compartments bear a colour in order to require a player to take one of the playing cards. Preferably the colour is in the form of spots but other colour markings may be employed. Presently preferred colours are red, green, yellow and blue.

Other colours may be employed. As an alternative to using colours, symbols or other means may be employed.

Usually, the board game apparatus is one in which the playing cards are in sets. Preferably there are four sets of the playing cards. Also preferably there are twenty five playing cards in each set but other numbers of playing cards in each set may be employed.

The sets of the playing cards are preferably colour coded. The colour coding then goes with the colouring of the playing compartments.

The player instructions on some of the playing cards may include the names of films and, in this case, the names of the films preferably give an indication of what the players will be required to do.

Preferably, the random number generating means is a die. If desired, two or more dice may be employed.

Still further, other types of random number generating means may be employed, for example a rotatable pointer rotating over a numbered scale.

When the random number generating means is a die or dice, then the board game apparatus will usually include container means for shaking and rolling the die or the dice.

Preferably, the position marking members are upstanding marker members. Other types of marking members such for example as discs may be employed.

Generally, the position marking members may be of any suitable and appropriate shape, size and design.

The board game apparatus is preferably for 2 to 4 players. The players will usually be individuals but they may be arranged in teams.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a playing board of the board game apparatus; Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are each an enlarged view of one quarter of the playing board as shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows four red playing cards; Figure 7 shows four green playing cards; Figure 8 shows four yellow playing cards; Figure 9 shows four blue playing cards; Figure 10 shows a die; Figure 11 shows a container for the die shown in Figure 10; and Figure 12 shows a position marking member in the form of an upstanding member.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown board game apparatus comprising a playing board 2, playing cards 4, random number generating means in the form of a die 6, and position marking members one of which is shown in Figure 12 as an upstanding position marking member 8.

The board game apparatus is such that the playing board 2 has a plurality of playing compartments 10 which represent the days in a year and which are in thirteen different groups to form thirteen months of the year as shown. Some of the playing compartments 10 are provided with a coloured spot 12. These coloured spots 12 are either red, green, yellow or blue as shown at the bottom of Figure 1. A player landing on the playing compartment 10 having one of the coloured spots 12 is required to take a playing card 4 from one of the areas 14 where four sets of playing cards 4 are placed, the playing cards 4 being coloured red, green, yellow and blue.

As will be explained in more detail hereinbelow, the board game apparatus 2 is such that the players move over the playing board 2 by passing along the playing compartments 10 in a manner determined by numbers thrown by throws of the die 6. As will also be explained in more detail hereinbelow, the playing cards 4 bear player instructions affecting movement of the players along the playing compartments 10. The position marking members 8 mark the position of the players as they move along the playing compartments 10.

As can best be seen from Figure 1, the thirteen months of the year are arranged in thirteen parallel rows. Twelve of the thirteen months of the year are called January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. The thirteenth month of the year is called Primula and this thirteenth month of the year is positioned between the months of June and July. All the months have twenty eight days, except the last month which has twenty nine days, plus an extra day making thirty days to cater for a leap year.

As can best be seen from Figure 1, all the playing compartments 10 are given a consecutive number so that each playing compartment 10 is identified by a specific numbered day in the year. The first playing compartment 10 is given the number 1 and the last playing compartment 10 is given the number 366 for a leap year.

The numbers 1 - 28 are provided inside the playing compartments 10, whilst the numbers 29 - 366 are provided outside and to the left of the playing compartments 10.

All the playing compartments 10 in each group are given a consecutive number so that each playing compartment is identified by a specific numbered day in the month. January has the numbers 1 - 28 and these numbers are the same numbers used in the sequence of 1 366. Thus the numbers 1 - 28 serve two functions. The other months are marked 1 - 28 inside the playing compartments 10 as shown, except the thirteenth month which is marked 1 - 30.

All the playing compartments 10 in each group are given a consecutive day of the week so that each playing compartment 10 is identified by a specific named day of the week. As can best be seen from Figure 1, the first day in each month is Monday whilst the last day in each month is Sunday.

As mentioned above, some of the playing compartments 10 bear a colour spot 12 which requires a player to take one of the playing cards 4. The playing cards 4 are in four sets and each set of the playing cards has twenty five cards in its set. As shown in Figures 6 - 9 the playing cards are colour coded by a red, green, yellow or blue spot 16. As also shown in Figures 6 - 9, the player instructions on the playing cards 4 are simple and amusing. Some of the names on playing cards 4 are the names of films and these names of films give an indication of what the players are required to do when they take those cards.

During the playing of a game with the board game apparatus, the players take it in turns to throw the die 6 shown in Figure 10. The die 6 may be shaken and then rolled using the container 18 shown in Figure 11. As the players progress along the playing compartments 10, the players mark their position using one of the position marking members 8 shown in Figure 12. If a player throws a six on the die 6, then the player gets another throw. In order to finish a game, the players need to throw the exact number required. During normal years, a game will finish on Monday 29th December which is day 365 in the year. In a leap year, the players will finish on Tuesday 30th December on day number 366.

The twenty five cards in each of the four sets of playing cards bear the following information: CARD CARDS 1. Go backwards 7 days 2. Go forwards 7 days 3. Go forwards 14 days 4. Go forwards 21 days 5. Go forwards 28 days 6. Go for a bus ride, its No 80 - Go to day 80 (WED 24th March) 7. Its April Fools Day - Go to day 85 (MON 1st April) 8. You are on holiday - Miss next go 9. You win fl in pennies - Go to day 100 (TUES 16th April) 10. Key of the door, you have reached 21 - Go to day 21 (SUN 21st Jan) 11.You are about to retire - Go to day 65 (TUES 9th Mar) 12 Recite the letters of the alphabet - Go to day 26 (FRI 26th Jan) 13 You must hum a tune, its "76 Trombones la di da di da" - Go to day 76 (SAT 20th Mar) 14 Go and see a film, its "COLT 45" - Go to day 45 (WED 17th Feb) 15 Go and see a film, its "42nd STREET" - Go to day 42 (SUN 14th Feb) 16 Go and see a film, its "GET CRACKING" - Take three throws of the die 17 Go and see a film, its "GOING MY WAY" - Every player move forward 7 days 18 Go and see a film, its "HELP" - Go forwards 1 month 19 Go and see a film, its "JUST MY LUCK" - Go back 7 days and miss next go 20 Go and see a film, its "LUCKY JIM" - Go forwards 3 months 21 Go and see a film, its "ONE GOOD TURN" - Allow the next player an extra throw of the die 22 Go and see a film, its "ONLY TWO CAN PLAY" - If more than two players playing, then leading players stop playing until one player catches up with each 23 Go and see a film, its "77 SUNSET STRIP" - Go to day 77 (SUN 21st Mar) 24 Go and see a film, its "THE 39 STEPSn - Go to day 39 (THURS 11th Feb) 25 Go and see a film, its 929 ACACIA AVENUE" - Go to day 29 (MON 1st Feb) GREEN CARDS 1 Answer this "What does 17 + 19 come to"? (OR) Go back 7 days 2 Say "SIX THICK THISTLE STICKS" 6 times quickly (OR) Go back 14 days 3 Answer this "HOW MANY MINUTES ARE THERE IN 2 HOURS"? (OR) Go back 21 days 4 Answer this "HOW MANY DAYS IN AUGUST ARE THERE IN A 12 MONTH CALENDAR"? (OR) Go back 1 month 5 Go forwards 7 days 6 Go forwards 14 days 7 Go forwards 21 days 8 Answer this "WHAT IS 2555 . 7"? (OR) Go forwards 28 days 9 Go for a bus ride, its No 102 - Go to day 102 (THURS 18th April) 10 Go for a bus ride, its No 124 - Go to day 124 (FRI 12th May) 11 Go for a bus ride, its No 177 - Go to day 177 (TUES 9th Primula) 12 Go for a bus ride, its No 180 - Go to day 180 (FRI 12th Primula) 13 Go to the 1st day of the new month - Go to day 169 (MON 1st Primula) 14 Go to the last day of the new month - Go to day 196 (SUN 28th Primula) 15 Go to EASTER MONDAY - Go to day 92 (MON 8th April) 16 Go to MAY DAY - Go to day 120 (MON 8th May) 17 Go to SPRING HOLIDAY - Go to day 148 (MON 8th June) 18 Go and see a film, its "CONVICT 99" - Go to day 99 (MON 15th April) 19 Go and see a film, its t55 DAYS IN PEKING" - Go to day 55 (SAT 27th Feb) 20 Go and see a film, its "THE FIGHTING 69th" - Go to day 69 (SAT 13th March) 21 Go and see a film, its "ITS A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD, WORLDn - Go back to the start 22 Go and see a film, its "ITS MAGIC" - Go forwards 2 months 23 Go and see a film, its "JUST WILLIAM'S LUCK" - Take three throws in succession 24 Go and see a film, its "KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN" Miss two turns in succession 25 Go and see a film, its THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY" - Go to day 89 (FRI 5th April) YELLOW CARDS 1 ANSWER THIS "WHAT ARE THE FIVE VOWELS IN THE ALPHABET"? (OR) Go back 7 days 2 ANSWER THIS "HOW MANY HOURS IN ONE DAY"? (OR) Go back 14 days 3 ANSWER THIS "WHAT IS THE 7th LETTER OF THE ALPHABET"? (OR) Go back 21 days 4 ANSWER THIS "HOW MANY 8s IN 56"? (OR) Go back 1 month 5 Go forwards 7 days 6 Go forwards 14 days 7 Go forwards 21 days 8 Go forwards 28 days 9 You have a go on a fruit machine, three two 8 come up - Go to day 222 (FRI 26th July) 10 You want to go the dentist, because your tooth hurt ee - Go to day 230 (SAT 6th Aug) 11 Its the late summer holiday - Go to day 239 (MON 15th Aug) 12 You are asked to play darts, the game is 301 - Go to day 301 (SUN 21st Oct) 13 Go and see a film, its "INTERLUDE" - Miss your next go 14 Go and see a film, "ITS A DATE" - Go forwards 1 month 15 Go and see a film, its "NEGATIVE REACTION" - Go back 2 months 16 Go and see a film, its "THE NIGHT MY NUMBER CAME UP" - Go back 1 month 17 Go and see a film, its "OH LUCKY MAN" - Go forwards 1 month 18 Go and see a film, its "ONE BORN EVERY MINUTE" - Go back 1 month 19 Go and see a film, its "ONE, TWO, THREE" - Go to day 123 (THURS 11th May) 20 Go and see a film, its "ON THE DOUBLE" - Take another go and double it 21 Go and see a film, its "THE PENALTY - Go back 2 months 22 Go and see a film, its "PETE KELLY'S BLUES" - Go back 21 days 23 Go and see a film, its "THE SKY'S THE LIMIT" - Go forwards 1 month plus 1 week 24 Go and see a film, its "SUMMER HOLIDAY" - Go to day 225 (MON 1st Aug) 25 Go and see a film, its "VICE VERSA" - Swap places with your nearest player BLUE CARDS 1 Go back 7 days 2 Go back 14 days 3 Go back 21 days 4 Go back 28 days 5 For picking up this card, you are sentenced to 6 months - Go back 6 months, "TAKE HIM/HER DOWN" 6 Go and see a film, its "ANOTHER FINE MESS" - Go back 14 days and miss next go 7 Go and see a film, its "A STITCH IN TIMEn - Go forward 9 days 8 Go and see a film, its "DAY DREAMS" - Miss the next two goes 9 Go and see a film, its "ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS" - Go to Xmas day (TUES 23rd Dec) 10 Go and see a film, its "RATTLE OF A SIMPLE MAN" Stay where you are and miss your next go 11 Go and see a film, its "RISKY BUSINESS" - If you are on an even number, go back 14 days. If its on an odd number, go forwards 14 days.

12 Go and see a film, its "ROCKY" - If you are on an odd number go back 14 days. If its on an even number, go forwards 14 days 13 Go and see a film, its "RUNNING SCARED" - Go back 1 month 14 Go and see a film, its "SANTA CLAUS" - Go to Xmas day (TUES 23rd Dec) 15 Go and see a film, its "SCARED STIFFn - Miss your next go 16 Go and see a film, its "SITTING DUCKS" - Move forward 7 days "QUICKLY" 17 Go and see a film, its "SLEEPER" - Stay where you are and miss your next two goes 18 Go and see a film, its "SLEEPING BEAUTY" - Miss your next two goes 19 Go and see a film, its "STAGEFRIGHT" - Miss next go 20 Go and see a film, its "STEP LIVELY" - Go forwards 7 days 21 Go and see a film, its "THE TIME MACHINE" - Go back 3 months 22 Go and see a film, its "TRADING PLACES" - Swap places with your next player 23 Go and see a film, its "YOU CAN'T WIN EM ALL" - Go back 6 months 24 Go and see a film, its "WHICH WAY HOME" - If you are on an even number, go forward 14 days. If you are on an odd number, go back 14 days 25 Go and see a film, its "WHO DARES WINS" - Have another go, if the die is odd go forward to 27th December. If the die is even, go back 2 months.

Games played with the game apparatus will usually be played by 2 - 4 players. The players may be from eight years old to adult players. If a single player wishes to play the game, then that player has to throw the die 6 for two players and control two position marking members 8 around the playing board 2. For games played by two players, then the games will normally last from one half to one hour. The duration of a game will normally exceed one hour when there are more than two players playing a game.

Solely for the purposes of illustration, an example of a game played with the game apparatus will now be given.

The four sets of playing cards 4 are placed on their appropriate areas 14. The playing cards 4 are placed face down after shuffling each set of playing cards. As each playing card 4 is used up, it is placed face up in front of its own set of playing cards on the appropriate area 14.

The players select their position marking members 8 and go to the start position 20. The players each throw the die 6 and the player with the highest number starts first. The remaining players play in a clockwise order of play if the players are in a circle.

Each player takes a turn to throw the die 6. If a player throws a six, the player gets another go. If a player lands on a day with a coloured spot, the player must pick up a playing card 4 off the set of playing cards of the same colour. The player must then carry out the instruction on the playing card that has been picked up before that player takes another throw.

Each player has to reach the end of the year to win the game. As cards are picked up by the players, the players will sometimes be required to go forwards and they will sometimes be required to go backwards.

As stated above, in order to finish a game, the players must throw the exact number required. Each time a player gets a lower number, then the player must move forward, closing the distance to the winning playing compartment 10. If the thrown number is too high, then the player must just wait without moving until the player's turn comes around again.

Some of the playing cards 4 give the instruction to go forwards or backwards 7, 14, 21 or 28 days. For 28 days, it is possible to move sideways to the next month if the instruction is to move forwards, or sideways to the previous month if the instruction is to move backwards. For 7, 14, or 21 days, if a player is on a Thursday, then the player may move in the correct direction in steps of one, two or three of the appropriate Thursdays. Alternatively, if a player is required to move 21 days forward, then the player may go sideways to the next month and then back one week. If the player is required to move 21 days backwards, then the player may go sideways to the previous month, and then forward one week.

The following interpretation is given for some of the wording on some of the playing cards 4.

RED CARD - nGOING MY WAY" This card instructs every player to move forwards seven days. Because the players all move at the same time, some players may land on a coloured spot at the same time. This means that they should all pick up a playing card, but not all at the same time. To make it more orderly, if each player waits until his/her turn, the player can then remind the other players that he/she is picking up a required playing card 4 from the combined move forward. The player can then carry out the instruction on the playing card, then take his/her turn by throwing the die 6. If the player lands on another spot, then the player picks up another card.

RED CARD - "ONLY TWO CAN PLAY" This card when picked up, is fulfilled if only two players are playing. However, if more than two players are playing, then the number of players in excess of two and who are in the leading position or positions, stop playing until one of the two slowest players has caught up with each leading player. Then each player caught can recommence playing again. For a time, only two players will have been playing, so again the instruction will have been fulfilled even if for part of the time.

YELLOW CARD - "VICE VERSA" and BLUE CARD - "TRADING PLACES".

Both of these cards instruct a player to swap places with the nearest adjacent player. This means by the most direct route. If however two players are deemed to be at the same distance, then the players do not swap at that moment but wait until it is the turn of one of these two players to go. The player will be moving forward with the throw of the die 6, so may be further away. However, if the player lands on a coloured spot, the player has to pick up a playing card and when the player carries out the instruction, the player may find that he/or she has to move nearer. So the player who is now the nearest of the two players will be the player who swaps places.

VARIETY TYPE CARDS Among the playing cards 4, there are some playing cards that say "go on a bus" and give different bus numbers. The number is the individual day number of the year to go to. Some of the variety card types require players to recite the letters of the alphabet or hum a well known tune. Most of the playing cards instruct a player to go and see a film and the film title is given.

All the film titles are authentic. Each film title has something in common with the instruction that follows.

During the playing of a game with the board game apparatus, it may be that one player builds up a substantial lead. It is however not a foregone conclusion that that player will win the game. This is because the thirteen month calendar has many pitfalls in it. A player who is well in the lead may pick up a playing card instructing the player to go back four months or six months. Another player may have to swap places with the nearest player, so a change of positions may take place. Players who are far behind should not give up hope until the very end.

Games played with the game apparatus may be shortened by dividing the playing board 4 up into four different portions of red, green, yellow and blue portions. If a shortened game is required, for example as the last game of the day when there is not enough time for a full game, then the players can elect to finish at the end of the red portion, or the green portion, or the yellow portion. In that case, the players have to ignore any instructions from the playing cards telling the players to go beyond the selected finish. The players only carry out instructions within the area chosen. The players are still required to finish a game with the exact number required to reach the chosen finish. The extra month of Primula has been inserted exactly halfway in the year between the two months of June and July.This enables the thirteen month calendar to be as near as possible to a twelve month calendar. Any day in both a twelve month calendar and the thirteen month calendar shown in Figure 1 are not more than fourteen days away from each other.

In leap years, the leap day is placed as the last day of the year at the end of December. This places the thirteen month calendar in a unique arrangement because every month is exactly four weeks in length and the odd one or two days over that make up the full length of the year are at the very end.

It may have been noticed on the board game apparatus playing compartment 10 that Xmas Day falls on the 23rd December instead of the 25th December. This is correct, because in a twelve month calendar, Xmas Day is on the 359th day of the year and the 359th day of the year in a thirteen month calendar is on the 23rd December. Of course in Leap Years, in a twelve month calendar Xmas Day would fall on the 360th day because Leap Day would have fallen on the 29th February.

Boxing Day always comes the day after Xmas Day and so would move accordingly with it.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the position marking member 8 could be a disc instead of the illustrated upstanding member. Other types of playing cards may be employed. The die 6 may be replaced by two dice 6 or another type of random number generating means. If desired, there may be twenty six cards in each set instead of twenty five cards in each set. Also, there may be another row of the four playing areas 14, with one row of the four playing areas 14 being for receiving the four sets of playing cards 4 before they are used and face down, and the other set of the four playing areas 14 being for receiving the four sets of playing cards 4 after they have been used and face upwards.

Claims (19)

1. Game apparatus comprising a playing board, playing cards, random number generating means, and position marking members, the board game apparatus being such that the playing board has a plurality of playing compartments which represent the days in the year and which are in thirteen different groups to form thirteen months of the year, some of the playing compartments require a player to take one of the playing cards, the players move over the playing board by passing along the playing compartments in a manner determined by numbers generated by the random number generating means, the playing cards bear player instructions affecting the movement of the players along the playing compartments, and the position marking members mark the position of the players and they move along the playing compartments.

2. Board game apparatus according to claim 1 in which the thirteen months of the year are arranged in thirteen parallel rows.

3. Board game apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which twelve of the thirteen months of the year are called January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December and in which the thirteenth month of the year is called by another name.

4. Board game apparatus according to claim 3 in which the thirteenth month is positioned between the months of June and July.

5. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which all of the months have 28 days, except the last month which has 29 days, plus an extra day making thirty days to cater for a leap year.

6. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which all of the playing compartments are given a consecutive number so that each playing compartment is identified by a specific numbered day in the year.

7. Board game apparatus according to claim 6 in which the consecutive numbers start with the number one.

8. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which all the playing compartments in each group are given a consecutive number so that each playing compartment is identified by a specific numbered day in the month.

9. Board game apparatus according to claim 8 in which the consecutive numbers of the playing compartments in each group start with the number one.

10. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which all of the playing compartments in each group are given a consecutive day of the week so that each playing compartment is identifiable by a specific named day of the week.

11. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which some of the playing compartments bear a colour in order to require a player to take one of the playing cards.

12. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the playing cards are in sets.

13. Board game apparatus according to claim 12 in which there are four sets of the playing cards.

14. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sets of the playing cards are colour coded.

15. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the player instructions on some of the playing cards include the names of films, and in which the names of the films give an indication of what the players will be required to do when playing a game with the board game apparatus.

16. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the random number generating means is a die.

17. Board game apparatus according to claim 16 and including container meaiis for shaking and rolling the die.

18. Board game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the position marking members are upstanding marker members.

19. Board game apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.