GB2306338A - Highway Code game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a board game which is based on the Highway Code takes the form of a playing board having consecutively numbered sections leading from a start position to a finish position, some of the sections being marked with different kinds of Highway Code symbols, for example mandatory symbols, warning symbols and other symbols (74, 76, 78). Sets of cards are provided relating to the different kinds of symbols, each set having different questions regarding the kind of symbols concerned. Different counters are provided for the different players of the game and a random number generator determines the movements of the players over the numbered sections.

Description

"Highway Code Game Apparatus" This invention relates to a board game based on the Highway Code.

The object of the invention is simultaneously to entertain and educate both children and adults with reference to the day-to-day problems encountered by road users, whether drivers or pedestrians. The invention additionally offers valuable insight to prepare would-be drivers in a theoretical situation without the hazards incurred when actual driving tuition commences. Certain aspects of the invention are also potentially important to members of the general public, in that information imparted by the invention should increase their ability to render assistance in a road accident or emergency situation.

According to the invention, apparatus for playing a board game based on Highway Code symbols comprises: (a) a playing board showing a road with consecutively numbered sections leading from a start position to a finish position, some of said sections being marked with one of a plurality of kinds of Highway Code symbols; (b) a plurality of different counters for respective players; (c) respective sets of cards relating to said kinds of Highway Code symbols, each set bearing different questions regarding the kind of symbol concerned; and (d) a random number generator for dictating how many sections each player in turn should advance his counter.

Preferably, three kinds of Highway Code symbols are marked on the board, namely mandatory symbols, warning symbols and other symbols, and three corresponding sets of cards are provided.

Preferably, the road is sinuous.

Preferably, the road shows a progression from urban driving to motorway driving.

The counters are preferably miniature motor vehicles of different appearances.

Preferably, the vehicles are differently-coloured motor cars.

Preferably, also, the vehicles are models of different makes and/or types.

The random number generator is preferably a die.

One preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing which is a plan view of all but the right-hand edge of a playing board, details of the upper part of the said board not being shown.

Referring now to the drawing, apparatus for playing a board game based on Highway Code symbols includes a playing board 70 which may be hinged for ease of storage in a box (not shown-). The board 70 is divided into, say, sixty square consecutively numbered sections through all of which there passes a sinuous road 72 as shown. Section 1 constitutes the start position and section 60 constitutes the finish position. In a progressive manner, through sections 1 to 30 the road 72 is shown as an urban or "B" class road, through sections 31 to 50 said road is shown as an "A" class road, and through sections 51 to 60 it is shown as a motorway.A few, say six, of the sections are marked with circular mandatory Highway Code symbols 74, a similar number of the sections are marked with triangular warning Highway Code symbols 76, and a similar number of the sections are marked with rectangular other Highway Code symbols 78. It follows that the majority of the sections are not marked by symbols. A plurality, say eight, of different counters (not shown) are provided for respective players. These may, for example, be simple differently-coloured discs, but in keeping with the nature of the game they are preferably miniature motor vehicles of different appearances.Such miniature vehicles may well be identically-shaped motor cars of different colours; or they may be semi-scale models of different makes and/or types of vehicles, for example, a pantechnicon, a flat truck, a coach, a double-deck bus, a saloon car, an open sportscar, a light van, and a motorcycle. In the latter case, the various vehicles may all be the same colour, but are preferably of different colours. Three sets of cards (not shown) are provided, the cards in the respective sets corresponding to and being marked with the Highway Code symbols indicated by the reference numerals 74, 76 and 78.Each card bears a different question, those marked with the circular symbol 74 bearing questions relating to mandatory Highway Code signs, those marked with the triangular symbol 76 bearing questions relating to warning Highway Code signs, and those marked with the rectangular symbol 78 bearing questions relating to other, including informative, Highway Code signs. A random number generator in the form of a conventional die (not shown) is provided, with a small cup (not shown) to facilitate its shaking and throwing. As shown, the background of the board 70 is preferably a scene typical of the class of road through which it is currently passing.

To play the game, each player chooses one of the counters. The players shake and throw the die in turn, in conventional clockwise order. The player making the highest throw in the first round plays first. However, a six must then be thrown by each player before he can commence to move his counter, signifying ignition in the engine of his vehicle. Each player advances his counter along the road 72 for the number of sections dictated by his throw of the die. If his counter moves to a section marked by either of the symbols 76 and 78, he must answer the question on the uppermost one of the correspondinglymarked set of cards or, if he fails to answer correctly, move back to his position prior to throwing the die.If, however, his counter moves to a section marked by the symbol 74, he must answer the question on the uppermost one of the correspondingly-marked set of cards or, if he fails to answer correctly, miss two turns but not move back to his previous position. When a player has joined the motorway defined by sections 51 to 60, his score on throwing the die is automatically doubled to simulate the higher speeds attainable on motorways. The first player to reach the destination, that is to say the finish position 60, has to answer correctly the questions on the uppermost ones of all three sets of cards. If he succeeds he wins the game, but if he fails he must stay at position 60, await his next turn, and then make a further attempt to answer correctly the questions on the currently uppermost ones of all three sets of cards.

Variations of the apparatus described above are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the total number of sections, the number of symbols employed, and the number of sections marked with each of the symbols, can be independently varied. A computer programme may be derived from the game, and said programme may enable the game to be played in virtual reality.

Claims (9)

1. Apparatus for playing a board game, comprising: (a) a playing board showing a road with consecutively numbered sections leading from a start position to a finish position, some of said sections being marked with one of a plurality of kinds of Highway Code symbols; (b) a plurality of different counters for respective players; (c) respective sets of cards relating to said kinds of Highway Code symbols, each set bearing different questions regarding the kind of symbol concerned; and (d) a random number generator for dictating how many sections each player in turn should advance his counter.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein three kinds of Highway Code symbols, namely mandatory symbols, warning symbols and other symbols, are marked upon the board.

3. Apparatus as claimed in either of the preceding claims, wherein the road marked upon the board is sinuous.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the road marked upon the board shows a progression from urban driving to motorway driving.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the counters are miniature motor vehicles.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the vehicles are differently-coloured motor cars.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the vehicles are models of different makes and/or types.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the random number generator is a die.

9. Apparatus for playing a board game, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.