GB2313791A - Apparatus for playing a game - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game comprises a plurality of game pieces (1) each being in the form of an openable, normally closed link which can be linked with other such pieces to form a chain (3). Each game piece link (1) may be of generally closed geometric shape, such as circular, and may have a break (2) formed in its periphery to enable it to be opened and, thus, readily attached to another such game piece link (1) and to be subsequently closed to form the chain (3). Preferably, each game piece link (1) is of a resiliently flexible plastics material. Also, the apparatus may comprise a marker piece (4) having a portion (5) by which it may be releasably attached to one of the game pieces (1) of the chain (3) formed therefrom.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a game enabling the game players to derive amusement therefrom and to have an opportunity of increasing a collection of collectable game pieces.

According one aspect of to the present invention, apparatus for playing a game comprises a plurality of game pieces each being in the form of an openable, normally closed link which can be linked with other such pieces to form a chain.

Preferably, the apparatus also comprises a marker piece having a portion by which it may be releasably attached to one of the game pieces of the so-formed chain. The marker may be in the shape of a logo or trade mark.

Preferably, each game piece link is in the form of a generally closed geometric shape, for example an annulus, ellipsoid or other suitable shape, and has a break formed in its periphery to enable it to be opened and, thus, readily attached to another such game piece link and to be subsequently closed to form the aforesaid chain.

Preferably, each game piece is in the form of a flexible plastics link and may be manufactured so as to be suitably rigid yet sufficiently resilient to maintain itself substantially closed at the position of the peripheral break, whereby the game pieces cannot simply detach themselves from a chain thereof but need to be subjected to a force to cause one of them to open at the peripheral break, so that the chain may be broken at some point along its length.

Preferably also, the game pieces and/or the marker piece are of decorative form, whereby they may be desirable as collectors items and/or put to alternative uses.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a game piece for use with apparatus according to said one aspect of the invention defined above, which game piece comprises an openable link which can be linked with at least one other game piece to form a chain thereof.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way only of example, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a chain of game pieces and an attached marker piece, according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a marker piece.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there will be seen apparatus according to the present invention for playing a game.

The apparatus comprises a plurality of game pieces 1 each in the form of a link of substantially closed shape figure, here shown as an annulus, but having an openable break 2 in its periphery.

Preferably, each game piece link 1 is formed of a resiliently flexible plastics material having sufficient rigidity to be self-sustaining, yet of sufficient resilience or springiness to provide a substantial closing force effective to ensure that the game piece maintains itself closed at the position of the break 2, so long as it is not subjected to any external force tending to open it at that position.

Thus, and as seen in Figure 1, a chain 3 of the game piece links 1 may be formed readily by linking the pieces together. Due to the aforementioned resilience or springiness, each piece 1 may be temporarily opened by pulling apart at the break 2 to form a sufficient gap to enable it to pass over the thickness of another piece 1. Upon removal of the opening force, the piece 1 will then close itself at the break 2 in order to form a self-sustaining chain 3 of the pieces as illustrated.

The apparatus further includes a marker piece indicated generally at 4. This affords a hook-like portion 5 by which the marker piece 4 may be releasably attached to a game piece 1, as indicated in Figure 1.

In a preferred form of the marker piece 4, and as seen in Figure 2, the marker piece 4 has the form of two shapes of the numeral "6" arranged in mirror image relationship to each other and, thus, joined both at their loop-like portions and their hook-like portions.

The shape thus formed has an enclosed upper opening 7 which is generally heart-shaped and affords the hooklike portion 5 of the marker piece 4.

The game pieces 1 are preferably produced in a variety of colours and/or patterns, making them both collectable and desirable.

The apparatus according to the present invention for playing a game of is intended to be used as follows.

Two game players compete with each other to win each other's game pieces 1.

Any number of the game pieces 1 are initially linked together, in the manner described aforesaid, to form a chain 3 of the pieces. Each of the two players here contributes the same number of game pieces 1.

A first one of the two players then nominates where he/she wants to place the marker piece 4, and hooks it, in the manner described aforesaid, on to the relevant game piece 1 of the assembled chain 3.

Each player then uses a finger, such as a little finger,inserting it into a selected one of the openings 8 of the two end game pieces 1. The two players then pull lengthwise on the chain-like string 3 (just as in a game of Tug-O-War), in order to pull the game piece chain 3 apart at some point.

The game piece chain 3 will break at its weakest link and the player whose portion of the chain retains the marker piece 4 becomes the winner of all the game pieces 1.

The game is then repeated in like manner but this time the second of the two players nominates the initial length of the chain 3 and the placement of the marker piece 4.

The decorative nature of the individual game pieces 1 and/or the marker piece 4 is such that a variety of alternative uses may be envisaged for the apparatus of the present invention. Thus, for example, necklaces, earrings, clothes accessories, trainer decorations, belts, tree decorations, bicycle frame decorations, fancy dog collars, school satchel decorations, modern art, babies learn-to-link toys, mobiles, hair decorations, plant supports, and trendy curtain rings are amongst the possibilities.

Individual game pieces may be distributed free of charge, for example by inclusion in special promotional packs of consumer products, for consumers who wish to collect them.

Although, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention as described above, the game pieces 1 are described as being of generally annular form, it will be understood that any other substantially closed geometric shape may be utilised and, indeed, a chain 3 of the game pieces 1 could, if desired, comprise game pieces of a variety of different such geometric shapes. This will not only increase the interest aspect of the game but also make it more desirable for game players to win each other's game pieces in order, especially, to attempt to increase their collection of particular types.

Thus, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific details of the game pieces and/or marker piece described hereinabove, but extends in scope to all such variants as fall within the broadest statement of the present invention contained herein.

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a plurality of game pieces each being in the form of an openable, normally closed link which can be linked with other such pieces to form a chain.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each game piece link is of generally closed geometric shape and has a break formed in its periphery to enable it to be opened and, thus, readily attached to another such game piece link and to be subsequently closed to form the chain.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each game piece is of a flexible plastics material, preferably a resiliently flexible plastics material.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each game piece is suitably rigid but sufficiently resilient to maintain itself substantially closed at the position of the peripheral break, whereby the game pieces cannot simply detach themselves from a chain thereof but need to be subjected to a force to cause one of them to open at the peripheral break, to break the chain.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the games pieces are of decorative form.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising also a marker piece having a portion by which it may be releasably attached to one of the game pieces of a chain formed therefrom.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the marker piece is of decorative form and/or is in the shape of a logo or trade mark.

8. A game piece for use with game playing apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising an openable, normally closed link which can be linked with at least one other game piece to form a chain thereof.

9. A game piece according to claim 8, which is in the form of a generally closed geometric shape and has a break formed in its periphery.

10. A game piece according to claim 8 or 9, which is made of a flexible plastics material, preferably a resiliently flexible plastics material.

11. A game piece according to claim 9 or 10, which is suitably rigid to be self-sustaining but sufficiently resilient to maintain itself substantially closed at the position of the peripheral break.

12. A game piece according to any of claims 8 to 11, which is of decorative form.

13. Apparatus for playing a game, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A game piece substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.