GB2349344A

GB2349344A - Apparatus for word games

Info

Publication number: GB2349344A
Application number: GB9909399A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Michael Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-26
Filing date: 1999-04-26
Publication date: 2000-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-26
Also published as: GB2349344B; GB9909399D0

Abstract

Tiles for playing word games have an anagram missing a vowel on one side and a solution on the other side which takes the form of a listing of all possible words corresponding to the anagram in full.

Description

GAMES APPARATUS FOR WORD GAMES This Invention relates to Apparatus for word games.

Vowels are essential in the construction of 99% of all words used in the English language. Some notable exceptions are words that contain the letter Y, some being Hymn, Lymph, Nymph. I have observed that by changing a Vowel in a word, while retaining its consonants and other vowels, will in many instances allow other words, and in some cases groups of words to be constructed. Fig 2. This is especially true when the letters are presented in the form of an anagram.

Down through the years there have been many Anagram based games produced. Most are limited to a single word answer, or at best construct a few words. By contrast leaving a vowel out of an Anagram and replacing it by a randomly chosen Vowel, another dimension can be added to a Game.

Firstly an incorrectly chosen Vowel will not permit an Anagram to be made, as no word can be constructed. Fig 2.

This produces an element of chance into a game. Secondly as can be seen from Fig 1 in SOME instances any one of the Vowels chosen would construct an Anagram, certain Vowels constructing a single word, the others a plurality of words.

The omission of a Vowel from an Anagram and the subsequent choosing of a Vowel, randomly or otherwise, brings a greater variety and flexibility to an Anagram type game. It also brings an uncertainty to the game, as the person good at constructing words from anagrams may not win because of not being able to obtain the right vowel at the right time.

This Invention consists of a plurality of Tiles or Cards that contain an Anagram minus a Vowel on the one side, Fig 3, and the possible answer to the anagram dependant on the Vowel used on the other side.

The possible answer and or answers could be presented in a number of ways.

1) A list could be produced under each of the Vowels. Fig 4.

As fig 4 shows, in this instance any of the vowels chosen would be able to form a word. This would be the exception rather than the rule. Many if not most of the Tiles or Cards would show only one or two words on this side. As Fig 2 shows not all vowels chosen will construct a word.

2) The number of words that can be constructed can be recorded by the side of each vowel. Fig 5. If no word can be formed then the space by the side of the vowel remains blank, or has the word"none"alongside it.

This'side could of course remain blank there by requiring a dictionary to be consulted to verify the word or words made.

One way the game could be played is for a Tile or card to be placed to the playing area, anagram minus vowel side up.

Each player then selects, randomly or otherwise, a vowel.

Each player includes their chosen vowel with the letters on the Tile or card, hoping that it will form an anagram of at least one word. The objective being to construct a word or as many words as possible using ALL of the letters of the anagram in the construction of each new word. This is done under a time constraint. If two or more Tiles or cards are used, then players select additional vowels, one vowel for each Tile or card used. Each player can in this instance select which Tile or card receives which vowel. The winner of a Game being selected according to the rules of a Game.

If Vowels need to be generated randomly so as to try to form an Anagram, a Vowel selector would be required. This could be a simple base containing all the Vowels and a spinning pointer, or it could be a dice with Vowels on its sides. It could also be as simple as answering a question correctly and then choosing an undisclosed Vowel placed before you.

This type of Tile or card also allows for a variety of levels from easy through to complex to be developed. Each level being dependant on the total number of letters, including the Vowel, in the Anagram.

3 Letter = level 1 9 Letter = level 7 4 Letter = level 2 10 Letter = level 8 5 Letter = level 3 11 Letter = level 9 6 Letter = level 4 12 Letter = level 10 7 Letter = level 5 13 Letter = level 11 8 Letter = level 6 14 Letter = level 12 These Tiles or Cards could be used in many ways.

1) They can form part of a board game, 2) They could be used by an individual to develop his or her own ability.

3) They could form a game in their own right, used competitively by a small group of individuals.

Additional Cards could also be produced that contain a plurality of anagrams minus their vowel on each card. These could be circular in construction. They could be placed into device that has a window at one location and a mechanism to turn the card so that one of the anagrams minus its vowel appears under the window on each turn.

This invention could also be used Electronically and or Digitally, for use as a computer Game or for a T. V Game.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) A plurality of tiles and or cards for playing word games and for educational purposes. Each Tile or card contains an anagram minus a vowel on the one side. Each player selects, randomly or otherwise, a vowel. This vowel is then included with the letters on the Tile or Card. The formation of an anagram and the subsequent construction of a word and or words is dependent on the vowel chosen.

Different vowels presented could construct different anagrams. Some vowels when presented may construct no anagram. Every Tile and or card will construct from one to a plurality of anagrams. Each anagram that is formed will also construct from one to a plurality of words. Each word that is constructed, has to contain all the letters of the anagram. The opposite side of the tile and or card contains from one to a plurality of answers covering the full range of vowels. A11 the words constructed and appearing on this side of the tile or card coming from a recognised dictionary.
2) A plurality of tiles and or cards as claimed in claim 1 where a person uses all five vowels to form every conceivable anagram on each Tile and or card. The object being to construct all the words possible from each anagram.
3) A plurality of tiles and or cards as claimed in claim 1 where persons start by using tiles and or cards that are able to form an anagram from every vowel placed to it. The game then develops where tiles and or cards are used that will allow only a limited number of vowels to form an anagram. The game concludes by using tiles and or cards that aIlow only one specific vowel to form an anagram.
4) A plurality of Tiles and or cards as claimed in claim 1 Where the Tiles/cards are graded according to age and ability.
5) A plurality of Tiles and or cards as claimed in claim 1 That can be used by a group for a word game, or can be used by an individual for self development.
6) A plurality of Tiles and or cards as claimed in claim 1 Where every conceivable answer to all the anagrams, right through the whole range of vowels, appears on the back of the Tile providing a quick check mechanism.