GB2407277A

GB2407277A - Strategy game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2407277A
Application number: GB0423205A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Casey William Norman; Tony Thatcher; David Gamlin
Original assignee: Genie Toys PLC
Current assignee: Genie Toys PLC
Priority date: 2003-10-20
Filing date: 2004-10-19
Publication date: 2005-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-19
Also published as: GB2407277B; GB0324460D0; US20050116419A1; GB0423205D0

Abstract

Game apparatus comprises a vertical frame 1 of substantially constant e.g. circular, cross-section, having guides such as rails each running along the frame and spaced at regular intervals around the frame 1. Playing pieces 13 are guided into positions between the rails, the positions being arranged continuously around the frame. The pieces may be of different colours and/or may bear letters, numbers and/or other symbols. A lid 15 may be provided so that the pieces 13 can be stored within the frame 1.

Description

GAME APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a strategy game apparatus.

A wide variety of known games involve the placement of tiles or other pieces in desired combinations. The object of such games may be to form a line of pieces of a particular colour, to create words from lettered tiles or to create particular numbers from numbered tiles. The tiles or pieces are generally placed on a board, but vertical frames for holding the pieces are also known.

It is an aim of the invention to provide a game apparatus of a novel type, which will stretch players' imaginations in a new direction.

Accordingly, the invention provides game apparatus comprising a frame of substantially constant cross-section, the frame having guides arranged along the frame and spaced at regular intervals around the frame, for guiding playing pieces into positions between said guides, the positions being arranged continuously around the frame. In this way, horizontal or diagonal lines of pieces can be formed which extend around the frame.

The guides may in particular comprise rails running along the frame.

In a particular embodiment, the frame has a substantially circular cross section. If the frame has a transparent outer wall, the pieces may be viewed therethrough. The guides may extend between the outer wall and an inner wall, which may also be transparent. If the frame comprises a hollow tube, playing pieces can conveniently be stored inside it prior to use. For this purpose, the frame may be provided with a base and a removable lid. In an embodiment of the invention, the positions between the guides are accessible at one end only of the frame, the frame being intended to sit vertically with the accessible end uppermost so that playing pieces can be dropped into the positions.

The game apparatus may include a set of playing pieces, in particular of different colours or bearing letters, numbers or other symbols. The pieces may be tiles and may be curved to fit into a frame having a curved wall. The pieces may be contained within an inner enclosed space of the frame.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, specific embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a frame according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an alternative frame of Figure 1 with a set of tiles; and Figure 3 shows the alternative frame with an alternative set of tiles.

As shown in Figure 1, a generally cylindrical, hollow frame 1 is formed from clear plastics material. The frame comprises an inner cylindrical wall 3 and an outer cylindrical wall 5 and is closed at its lower end by a base 7. A number of parallel, radial rails 9 join the inner and outer walls 3, 5. In this example there are six rails defining six slots 11 between adjacent pairs of rails, the slots being open at an upper end of the frame 1.

Figure 2 shows a frame similar to that of Figure 1 together with a set of coloured tiles 13. The tiles are generally square but are curved so as to fit into the slots 11. The tiles 13 are provided in at least two contrasting colours.

In particularly, the number of different colours cats correspond to the number of players for which the game is intended. The tiles can be translucent to enhance the aesthetic qualities of the game.

Figure 2 also shows a lid 15, which fits snugly over the top of the cylindrical frame 1 so that the tiles 13 can be stored either in the central cavity of the frame or in the slots 11. Thus, the game apparatus is remarkably compact

and portable.

The apparatus of Figure 2 can be supplied with a set of rules stating that each player inserts a tile 13 of his or her colour into one of the slots 11. The first tile inserted into any slot 11 slides down to the bottom of the slot. The players continue in turn to insert their tiles 13, the second and subsequent tiles in any slot 11 coming to rest on the uppermost tile present in that slot.

The object of the game is to form a line of a given number of tiles (e.g. four) in one's colour in any direction, i.e. vertically in one slot 11 or horizontally or diagonally around the frame 1.

Figure 3 shows an alternative apparatus comprising the frame of Figure 2 and tiles 17 bearing letters of the alphabet. Optionally the tiles or letters can be of contrasting colours in order to distinguish one player's tiles from another's. In use, players take turns to draw a tile, for example from a store of tiles in the upturned lid, and insert the tile into one of the slots 11. The first player to make a word (e.g. a four-letter word) in any direction, vertically, horizontally or diagonally, wins the game.

The invention can include tiles bearing symbols other than letters. For example, the tiles can bear numbers. In a game in which the numbers one, two and three are used and the tiles or numbers are of different colours, the winner is the first player to make a line of numbers in his or her colour adding up to seven and extending in any direction.

In another variant of the apparatus, each tile depicts a section of piping which may be straight, angled or branched. Again, the tiles are in sets of contrasting colours. Players take turns to insert their tiles into the slots such that subsequent tiles appear to connect a further piping section to the existing pipe of the same colour. If a player cannot do this, his opponent(s) continue(s) to play. The object of the game is to create the longest pipe or pipes, and thus to have the fewest tiles remaining.

An alternative set of tiles depicts playing cards or poker dice so that a game similar to poker can be played. Another alternative set resembles dominos to give a game similar to dominos. Still a further alternative set bears parts of a picture and forms a puzzle, the completed picture being assembled as the tiles are correctly inserted into the frame.

Memory games can be played by placing the tiles face down and requiring players to remember the location of a particular tile and place it into the apparatus.

The frame could be placed on or adjacent to a game board of plastics, card or fabric, which may have means for attaching the frame thereto. Players can then move their tiles over a pattern on the board in order to reach the frame, where the tiles may be inserted as normal.

It will be appreciated from the above-mentioned examples that a wide variety of games, suitable for different age groups, can be played using the invention.

The invention involves a frame in which it is possible to place lines of tiles extending continuously around the frame, but the frame does not have to be circular in cross-section for this purpose. If the frame is polygonal te.g.

hexagonal) in cross-section, the tiles do not have to be curved, and can be used reversibly by printing on both sides. In a circular frame, the rails and slots could extend spirally instead of straight and the tiles could be circular, allowing them to roll down the rails.

As an alternative to a frame with a transparent wall, the frame could define apertures through which the playing pieces are visible.

Claims

1. Game apparatus comprising a frame of substantially constant crosssection, the frame having guides each running along the frame and spaced at regular intervals around the frame, for guiding playing pieces into positions between said guides, the positions being arranged continuously around the frame.

2. Game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a substantially circular cross section.

3. Game apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame has a transparent outer wall.

4. Game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the guides extend between the outer wall and an inner wall.

5. Game apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inner wall is transparent.

6. Game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a hollow tube.

7. Game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the frame is provided with a base and a removable lid.

8. Game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the positions between the guides are accessible at one end only of the frame, the frame being intended to sit vertically with the accessible end uppermost so that playing pieces can be dropped into the positions.

9. Game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the guides comprise rails running along the frame.

10. Game apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a set of such playing pieces.

11. Game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the playing pieces are of different colours.

12. Game apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the playing pieces bear letters, numbers or other symbols.

13. Game apparatus according to claim 10,11 or 12, wherein the playing pieces each bear part of a picture which can be assembled by correctly inserting the tiles into the frame.

14. Game apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the frame has a curved wall and the pieces are tiles curved to fit into the frame.

15. Game apparatus according any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the pieces are contained within an inner enclosed space of the frame.

16. Game apparatus, substantially as described herein with respect to any of the accompanying drawings.