GB2546473A

GB2546473A - Tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board

Info

Publication number: GB2546473A
Application number: GB1521770.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dale Jonathon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-10
Filing date: 2015-12-10
Publication date: 2017-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-10
Also published as: WO2017098276A1; GB201521770D0; GB2546473B

Abstract

A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10 comprises a closeable multi-part container defining a base 14, a plurality of sides 16, and a lid 18. At least one of the sides 16 is non-releasably hinged to the base 14, and the remaining sides 16 are releasably fastenable to the base 14 via releasable fasteners 20. In a storage condition, the base 14, sides 16 and lid 18 form a storage box (22, figure 2) with an enclosed volume for housing one or more gaming pieces. In a gaming condition, the base 14, sides 16 and lid 18 form an interconnected unfolded gaming surface 24 having at least a varying tonal contrast. The releasable fasteners 20 are positioned at free edges 26 of the said unfolded gaming surface 24 to enable tessellation with a like tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10.

Description

Tessellatable Combination Storage Box And Gaming Board

The present invention relates to a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, used for storing and playing games, more particularly but not necessarily exclusively, war games. Said device is reconfigurable from a gaming board into a storage system for storing the various game pieces, diorama and the like used in the game.

Gaming boards for war game surfaces are often sold as bulky, separate, rolled-up mats. These gaming mats are often irregular and unstable and fail to form a planar surface once opened, meaning any movement or minor jolt to one part of the mat can cause the game pieces and other associated paraphernalia to move or topple over when the game is in progress. In addition, the game pieces and the like often need to be stored separately to the gaming mat, meaning transportation can be cumbersome.

Whilst some gaming boards do also act as storage units, exemplified by some chess sets, which fold out to make a board for the game, these fail to utilise the entire surface of the storage box for the gaming surface.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming board which overcomes or obviates at least one and preferably all of the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board comprising: a closeable multi-part container defining a base, a plurality of sides, and a lid; at least one of the sides being non-releasably hinged to the base, and the remaining sides being releasably fastenable to the base via releasable fasteners; wherein, in a storage condition, the base, sides and lid form a storage box with an enclosed volume for housing one or more gaming pieces, and in a gaming condition, the base, sides and lid form an interconnected unfolded gaming surface having at least a varying tonal contrast, said releasable fasteners being at free edges of the said unfolded gaming surface to enable tessellation with a like tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board.

The tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board is advantageous, since in the gaming condition, the unfolded gaming surface is highly regular and provides a substantially flat surface on which the gaming pieces or diorama can be positioned. Alternatively, the unfolded gaming surface may have considerable vertical relief and/or features both above and/or below the planar surface of the unfolded gaming board. Furthermore, in the storage condition, the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board also acts as a storage container for the storage of game components, diorama, or gaming paraphernalia, obviating the need for a separate storage unit.

The storage box may further be, or be substantially, cuboid. This may be beneficial in further increasing the volume of storage available when there are a number of game pieces or other unwieldy or irregular paraphernalia or diorama which require storage when not in use, or when being transported.

The varying tonal contrast of the unfolded gaming surface may further comprise indicative gaming markings. This is advantageous in enabling a variety of games to be played on the on the unfolded gaming surface. Beneficially, the unfolded gaming surface may have considerable vertical relief and/or both above and/or below the planar surface of the unfolded gaming surface to enable further variations of decoration of the unfolded gaming surface.

Optionally, the base of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board includes at least two said sides which are non-releasably hinged to said base.

This beneficially assists in providing a stable structure in said storage condition, as at least two sides will be hinged to the base and disengagement of said sides from the base will not be possible.

Preferably each said side may be non-releasably hinged to a neighbouring said side.

Beneficially, this arrangement of hinges between each said sides may make it easier to unfold the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board from the storage condition to the gaming condition, and vice-versa.

Optionally, the releasable fasteners are magnets. Preferably, a free edge of the base and each said side may include at least one said magnet. Most preferably, a free edge of the base and each said side includes at least two said magnets.

Said magnets may act as latches that may allow for reconfiguration of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, from the storage condition to the gaming condition and permits the base, sides and lid to easily engage and disengage in both the storage and gaming condition in a straightforward and cost effective manner.

Optionally, a polarity of said magnets may alternate along said free edges of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board. This is beneficial in that, in addition to assisting with reconfiguration of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, from the storage condition to the gaming condition, it may also allow, for example, at least a second tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board to be quickly and easily engaged with the first tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, permitting the game playing area to be expanded.

Further, the releasable fasteners may be embedded in edges of the base, sides and lid. Optionally, the releasable fasteners may be hook and loop fasteners.

Preferably, the lid may be separate of the base and sides, including releasable fasteners to enable releasable engagement with the sides. This may allow for easy access to the one or more gaming pieces if required, when the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board is in the storage condition, without the need to deconstruct and then reconstruct the entire of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, once access to the one or more gaming board pieces has been acquired.

Additionally or alternatively, a or each hinge of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board interconnecting the said at least one side with the base may be offset from an associated said releasable fastener in a top to bottom direction. Preferably, at least the base and sides may be composite gaming board tiles having a first layer in or at which one or more said releasable fasteners are provided, and a second layer in or at which one or more hinges are provided.

Further, the second layer in or at which one or more hinges are provided may comprise a flexible layer affixed to a top of at least one of the composite gaming board tiles, wherein the top of said composite gaming board tiles equates to the unfolded gaming surface. Most preferably the second layer forms at least one flexible hinge between adjacent composite gaming board tiles.

Beneficially, the second layer may act both as a protective surface on which a game can be played when the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board is in the gaming condition, and as a flexible attachment means, forming flexible hinges between the composite gaming board tiles and enabling the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board to be easily reconfigurable from the storage condition to the gaming condition.

Further, the base and sides may be formed as one-piece, and the lid may be a separately removable interconnectable part.

Preferably, the integral base and sides together with the lid may be configured such that, in the storage condition, said base and integral sides together with said lid form an interior surface of the storage box. Beneficially, the exterior of the storage box may act to protect the second layer, and also may help to prevent damage to the tonal contrast and/or any vertical features of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board when in the storage condition.

Preferably, the integral base and sides together are non-releasably hinged to form the net of a ‘W’ shaped pentomino or substantially ‘W’ shaped pentomino. This is advantageous in that the integral base and sides can be easily be reconfigured from the unfolded gaming condition to the storage condition due to forming the net of an open box.

Ideally, the integral base and sides together with the lid may be releasably interconnectable via the releasable fasteners to form an ‘A’ shaped hexomino or substantially ‘A’ shaped hexomino said gaming condition. This is advantageous in that an ‘A’ shaped hexomino can be easily tessellated with another said ‘A’ shaped hexomino to form a rectangle. This is beneficial in that it may allow a second tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board to be quickly and easily engaged with the first tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, to form an expanded rectangular game playing area. Provided there is an even number of tessellatable combination storage box and gaming boards, this rectangular game playing area may be expanded indefinitely by the addition of the like or similar said devices.

Alternatively, the base and first said sides may be formed as a first one-piece part, and the lid and second said sides formed as a second one-piece part which is separately removable and interconnectable with the first one-piece part. Preferably, the first and second one-piece parts are releasably interconnectable via the releasable fasteners to form a rectangular said gaming condition. Most preferably, the first and second one-piece parts are L-shaped or substantially L-shaped. This is advantageous in that only a single tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board is required in the gaming condition to form a rectangular or substantially rectangular unfolded gaming surface which can be utilised for games requiring a rectangular playing area.

Alternatively, the first and second one-piece parts may be shaped such that in the gaming condition, the gaming surface of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board may be square or substantially, square. Advantageously, this provides that the entire of the unfolded gaming surface can be utilised for games such as chess or snakes and ladders, or other such games where a substantially square gaming surface is required.

Preferably, the unfolded gaming surface may have at least a designated planar or substantially planar game-piece portion. Optionally, the unfolded gaming surface may have at least one non-planar element thereon for interaction with a game-piece.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a tessellatable game board system comprising a plurality of combination storage box and gaming boards in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein each said combination storage box and gaming board is arranged in said gaming condition and interconnected via the respective said releasable fasteners to provide a tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface having at least a varying tonal contrast thereacross.

Advantageously, a tessellatable game board system may allow the game playing area to be expanded as required. Beneficially, said tessellatable game board system may tessellate indefinitely in multiple configurations to provide a continuous game playing area as required by the user. The continuous game playing area may be regular, such that said continuous game playing area forms a rectangular or substantially rectangular area, or irregular.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of constructing a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of a] providing a plurality of first gaming board tiles and at least one second gaming board tiles, b] providing part of a releasable fastener in or at at least one edge of a body of the first and second gaming board tiles, and c] applying a flexible gaming layer having a varying tonal contrast across the first and second gaming board tiles, the flexible gaming layer non-releasably hingeably interconnecting the first and second gaming board tiles, wherein, in a storage condition, the first and second gaming board tiles are foldable together to be mutually-perpendicular and interconnected via at least the or each releasable fastener, and in a gaming condition, the first and second gaming board tiles are unfoldable by releasing the releasable fastener to form at least part of a gaming surface having at least the varying tonal contrast.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board comprising: a closeable multi-part container defining a base, a plurality of sides, and a lid; at least the base and sides being composite gaming board tiles having a first layer in or at which releasable fasteners are provided to releasably interconnect the base and at least one said side, and a second layer in or at which one or more hinges are provided to non-releasably hingeably interconnect the base and at least one of the other said sides, wherein, in a storage condition, the base, sides and lid form a storage box with an enclosed volume for housing one or more gaming pieces, and in a gaming condition, the base, sides and lid form an interconnected unfolded gaming surface having at least a varying tonal contrast, one or more said releasable fasteners being at free edges of the said unfolded gaming surface to enable tessellation with a like tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view from above of one embodiment of a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board in accordance with the first and fourth aspects of the invention, in a gaming condition, an integral base and sides, and lid being in disengaged condition;

Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board of Figure 1, in a storage condition;

Figure 3 shows an exploded front perspective view of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a tile, indicating the position of magnetic releasable fasteners, for use as part of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a plan view from above of a first embodiment of a tessellatable game board system, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, comprising two tessellatable combination storage box and gaming boards as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a plan view from above of a second embodiment of a tessellatable game board system, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, comprising eight tessellatable combination storage box and gaming boards as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7a shows a perspective view from above of a second embodiment of a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, in accordance with the first and fourth aspects of the invention in the gaming condition;

Figure 7b shows a perspective view from above of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board shown in Figure 7a, a first one-piece part and a second one-piece part being in a disengaged condition;

Figure 7c shows a perspective view from above of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board shown in Figure 7a during reconfiguration from the gaming condition to the storage condition, showing a hinging arrangement between adjacent tiles of the second one-piece part;

Figure 7d shows a perspective view from above of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, shown in Figure 7a and in the storage condition;

Figure 8a shows a plan view from above of a third embodiment of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, in accordance with the first and fourth aspects of the invention in the gaming condition; and

Figure 8b shows a front perspective of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board of Figure 8a, in the storage condition.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a first embodiment of a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, indicated globally as 10, which comprises a closeable multipart container 12 that is reconfigurable between a folded storage condition and an unfolded gaming condition.

The closeable multipart container 12 in the embodiment defines a base 14, plurality of sides 16, and a lid 18. At least one of the sides 16 is non-releasably hinged to the base 14, and the remaining sides 16 are releasably fastenable to the base via releasable fasteners 20.

In a storage condition, the base 14, sides 16, and lid 18 form a storage box 22 with an enclosed volume, with said base 14 being opposite to said lid 18. In a gaming condition shown in Figure 1, the base 14, sides 16, and lid 18 form an interconnected unfolded gaming surface 24 having preferably at least a varying tonal contrast.

The releasable fasteners 20 are at free edges 26 of the unfolded gaming surface 24. Beneficially, this enables tessellation with a like tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10, to form a tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface 28, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

Preferably each of the base 14, sides 16 and lid 18 is formed as a composite gaming board tile 28, as illustrated in Figure 4.

Throughout Figures 1 to 6, the base 14, sides 16 and lid 18 are indicated by numbers to show how the gaming board tiles 28 fold up on or to one another. This numbering is retained throughout the drawings. The base 14 may be indicated by the gaming board tile 28 numbered 1, with the sides 16 indicated by gaming board tiles 28 numbers 2 to 5, and the lid 18 indicated by the gaming board tile 28 numbered at 6.

The or each gaming board tile is made of a rigid or stiff material, such as plywood, plastics or metal and may be stained or painted any colour as required. The or each gaming board tile 28 has an upper horizontal, or substantially horizontal, surface 30 when laid on a horizontal supporting surface, such as a floor or table top, and a lower horizontal, or substantially horizontal, surface 32 along with four vertical, or substantially vertical, edges 34, as best illustrated in Figure 4. The upper and lower surfaces 30, 32 of the or each gaming board tile 28 corresponds to at least a portion of the upper and lower surface 30, 32 of the unfolded gaming surface 24 respectively, in the gaming condition, and also to the interior 36 and exterior 38 of the storage box 22, respectively, in the storage condition. Beneficially, in the gaming condition, the unfolded gaming surface 24 has at least a designated planar or substantially planar game-piece portion which provides a regular, stable surface on which gaming pieces can be placed.

Although the gaming board tile 28 depicted in Figure 4, has an upper horizontal or substantially horizontal surface 30 when laid on a horizontal supporting surface, such as a floor or table top, it will be appreciated that other configurations may be possible. For example, the or each gaming board tile may have vertical features and/or relief either above and/or below the upper horizontal surface of the or each gaming board tile.

At least one releasable fastener 20 is configured on at least one vertical edge 34 of the or each gaming board tile 28. Preferably, the or each releasable fastener 20 is magnetic. In this embodiment, best exemplified in Figure 4, each releasable fastener 20 comprises a barrel magnet 40, which is, or is substantially, aligned in parallel to a plane defined by the upper and/or lower horizontal surface 30, 32 of the or each gaming board tile 28 and is embedded or recessed, preferably flush with an exterior surface, into said gaming board tile 28. Beneficially, this provides an engagement means by which the or each gaming board tile 28 can be engaged to a different composite gaming board tile 28.

Preferably, a free edge 26 of the base 14 and each said side 16, depicted in this embodiment as composite gaming tiles 28, includes at least one said magnet 40. Most preferably, a free edge 26 of the base 14 and each said side 16, includes at least two said magnets 40. Beneficially, the releasable fasteners may be embedded 20 in free edges 26 of each of the base 14, sides 16 and lid 18, as exemplified in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Ideally, the lid 18 is separate of the base 14 and sides 16, including said releasable fasteners 20 to enable removal from the sides 16.

Advantageously by having the lid 18 in such a form provides that the lid 18 may be easily disengaged from the sides 16, allowing easy access to the one or more gaming pieces, if required, when the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10 is in the storage condition.

Although the releasable fasteners 20 depicted in Figure 4 comprise barrel magnets 40, other arrangements are clearly feasible, such as bar magnets, flexible magnets, or flat, or substantially flat, magnets. There may be at least one, or a plurality of such magnets. In addition, these may be located in alternative locations and may be countersunk into, or extrude from, an upper or lower horizontal surface of a gaming board tile. Further, other engagement means may be utilised in addition to or instead of a magnetic configuration. For example, the or each releasable fastener may consist of a hook and loop configuration.

In this embodiment, the lid 18 is formed of a single gaming board tile, having upper and lower surfaces 42, 44 corresponding to the upper and lower surfaces 30, 32 of the gaming board tile 28, and the base 14 and sides 16 are formed of a plurality of composite gaming board tiles 28. Each gaming board tile 28 preferably has substantially the same structure, and is of equal, or approximately equal, size and shape. Each gaming board tile 28 may also advantageously be square, or substantially square. This is advantageous in that the gaming board tiles 28 are modular, which allows for a variety of different arrangements of gaming board tiles to be utilised.

While a specific embodiment of gaming board tiles is shown and described herein, it should be appreciated that first and second gaming tiles are not limited to any particular design, configuration or embodiment. For example, a or each first and/or second gaming tile may differ in size, and shape, and may comprise differing lengths and/or a differing number of vertical edges. A or each gaming board tile may instead of being square, or substantially square, be, for example, rectangular, or hexagonal, or may comprise any suitable regular or irregular polygon; the exact form may be dependent on the game in question.

Additionally, whilst in this embodiment the lid has been defined as being formed of a single gaming board tile, with a base depicted as being opposite to the lid when the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board is in the storage condition, it will be understood that these are arbitrary depictions and, provided access to the storage box is possible, the lid could be configured to be any of the gaming board tiles numbered 4 or 5 in Figure 1, with the base becoming gaming board tiles numbered 2 or 3 respectively.

Preferably, a plurality of gaming board tiles 28, which may comprise the base 14 and said sides 16, may be arranged in coplanar alignment to define a first gaming board part 46, as best illustrated in Figure 1. Beneficially, the first gaming board part 46 corresponds to a net of a three-dimensional structure 48, having an upper and lower surface 50, 52 corresponding with the upper and lower surface 30, 32 of the plurality of gaming board tiles 28. Most preferably, the plurality of gaming board tiles 28 are arranged in coplanar alignment so as to form a portion of a net of a cuboid, or substantially cuboid, storage box 54. Ideally, the plurality of gaming board tiles 28 is arranged in coplanar arrangement to form a net of an open storage box 56.

While a specific embodiment of a net of a three-dimensional structure is shown and described herein, it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that this invention is not limited to any particular design, configuration or embodiment, provided such a net is suitable for use both as an unfolded gaming surface and storage box at least when engaged with the lid.

It is preferable that at least one second layer 60 is applied to the upper surface 32 of the composite gaming board tiles 28 comprising the first gaming board part 46 and lid 18, as best illustrated by Figure 3, wherein a first layer 62 of the composite gaming board tiles 28 is defined by the layer in or at which one or more said releasably fasteners 20 are provided. Most preferably, the or each second layer 60 provides a flexible surface that acts as a non-releasable hinge 64.

Beneficially, the second layer 60 forms at least one flexible, preferably live, hinge 66 over at least the base 14 and two said sides 16 of the first gaming board part 46, wherein the hinge 66 may be offset from an associated said releasable fastener 20 preferably in a top to bottom direction.

Ideally, the second layer 60 forms flexible hinges 66 between adjacent gaming board tiles 28 of the first gaming board part 46, defined by the base 14 and said sides 16, such that each side 16 is non-releasably hinged to a neighbouring said side 16.

Beneficially, this arrangement allows a hinging movement between adjacent gaming board tiles 28, which permits at least the first gaming board part 46 to be rearranged into the usable three-dimensional structure 48, best illustrated by Figure 2, wherein the hinges are indicated by dashed lines.

It is appreciated that other configurations of hinging mechanism may be utilised in addition and/or alternatively to a gaming surface. It may be, for example, that a butt, barrel or continuous hinge may be utilised. It will also be appreciated that the first gaming board part may comprise a jointed single tile.

In this embodiment, the base 14 and sides 16 are formed as one-piece, the one-piece part 68 comprising the first gaming board part 46, wherein the composite gaming board tiles 28 are hingedly connected by the second layer 60, and the lid 18 is a separately removable connectable part. Preferably, the one-piece part 68 is non-releasably hinged to form the net of a ‘W’ shaped pentomino 70, as shown in Figure 1.

Preferably, the free edges 26 of the composite gaming board tiles 28 of the one-piece part 68, and the lid 18, define a first and second external border 72, 74 of the one-piece part 68 and the lid 18, the or each magnet 40 at or adjacent to said first and second external borders 72, 74 having an alternating configuration and/or polarity, as indicated by the “+” or throughout the Figures. The magnets 40 of the first and second external border 72, 74 are aligned and/or configured such that the alternating configuration and/or polarity in each of the first and second external borders 72, 74 permits engagement of said one-piece part 68 and lid 18 in coplanar alignment to form the unfolded gaming surface 24, as illustrated in Figure 1, and permits rearrangement of the one-piece part 68 and the lid 18 to form the storage box 22, as illustrated in Figure 2.

It is appreciated that other configurations of engagement interfaces may be utilised in addition and/or alternatively to magnets, such as for example, engagement interfaces comprising a hook and loop configuration. Additionally, it is also possible to have just one magnet connecting to any suitably paramagnetic material. While a specific embodiment of magnets is shown and described herein, it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that this invention is not limited to any particular design, configuration or embodiment, provided the first one-piece part and lid can be engaged, both in coplanar alignment, to form a unfolded gaming surface, and are rearrangeable to form a storage box.

Preferably, in the gaming condition, the one-piece part 68 together with the lid 18 are releasably interconnectable via the releasable fasteners 20 to form an ‘A’ shaped hexomino or substantially ‘A’ shaped hexomino 76, as shown in disengaged condition in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the ‘A’ shaped hexomino 76 further defines the unfolded gaming surface 24 of the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10 in the gaming condition.

Whilst in this embodiment, the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10 in the gaming condition is shown to be planar, or substantially planar, it will be appreciated that the unfolded gaming surface may have at least one non-planar element thereon. Consequently, this non-planar element may be used for interaction with a game piece. This is beneficial, in that the unfolded gaming board is customisable to the requirements of the user.

Preferably, when said lid 18 is engaged with the one-piece part 68 to form the storage box 22, the upper surface 42 of the lid 18 is configured so as to form part of the interior 36 of the storage box 22. In addition, the second layer 60 of the one-piece part 68 is also configured so as to also form part of the interior 36 of the storage box 22. Beneficially, this arrangement provides that the or each second layer 60 may be protected from external elements when the one-piece part 68 and lid 18 are configured to form the storage box 22.

It should be appreciated that other configurations of one-piece integral sides and base and lid may be feasible. For example, the lid need not be formed of a single gaming board tile, as depicted in this embodiment, but may instead be any of the gaming board tiles hinged to an adjacent gaming board tile.

Preferably, the interconnected unfolded gaming surface 24 may further comprise text, images, or indicative gaming markings. This is advantageous to indicate the game for which the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10 is to be utilised. For example, war game decorations can also be applied to the interconnected unfolded gaming surface.

It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that this invention is not limited to any particular design, configuration or embodiment. It will be appreciated that the second layer may further comprise, for example, three dimensional decorations which produce a visually appealing gaming surface. Any such decorations or markings may also be customisable by the user. It will be appreciated that such markings may alternatively or additionally be applied directly to, removable from and/or integrally formed as part of the lid, base and sides and/or that the second layer may comprise a transparent cover.

Preferably, an external perimeter 78 of the unfolded gaming surface 24 has a plurality of magnets 40 at or adjacent to the external perimeter 78 of the unfolded gaming surface 24. Beneficially, said magnets may be in alternating configuration and/or polarity, such that the unfolded gaming surface 24 may be removably connected to at least one other unfolded gaming surface 24 of the or each other said tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10, to form a tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface 28, best illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. A typical tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface 28 comprised of first and second interconnected unfolded gaming surfaces 80, 82 is illustrated in Figure 5. The second interconnected unfolded gaming surface 82 of the second tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10 has been orientated so as to tessellatingly contact the first interconnected unfolded gaming surface 80 of the first tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10 to form the rectangular, or substantially rectangular, tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface 28.

The formation of a tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface 28 is achieved by providing a plurality of tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10, and then reorienting the unfolded gaming surfaces 24 of said tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10, so that each unfolded gaming surface 24 is in planar alignment with at least another unfolded gaming surface 24 of the or each other said tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10, orientated so as to tessellatingly contact with the or each other said unfolded gaming surface 24 of the or each said tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 10 to form a continuous tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface 28, as illustrated in Figure 6.

Advantageously, in this embodiment, if an even number of unfolded gaming surfaces 24 are provided, then the continuous tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface 28 may be configured to be rectangular, or substantially rectangular, however, if an irregular tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface 28 is required, then said unfolded gaming surfaces 24 may be configured in less regular configurations. Beneficially, the gaming area is thus, customisable to the requirements of the user.

It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that this invention is not limited to any particular design, configuration or embodiment. It will be appreciated that a tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface may further comprise additional embodiments of tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, or disparate first and second parts of a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board which may have a plurality of embodiments.

Figures 7a to 7d illustrate a second embodiment of a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, indicated globally as 110. Features which are similar or identical to those of the first embodiment are given similar or identical references, and further detailed description has been omitted, for brevity.

In this particular embodiment, a first one-piece part 168 comprises a base 114 and first sides 116, the base 114 and first sides 116 formed of composite gaming board tiles 128, formed to be substantially identical to those of the first embodiment. A second one-piece part 168’ comprises a lid 18 and second sides 116’, the lid 118 and second sides 116’ formed of composite gaming board tiles 128, formed again to be substantially identical to those of the first embodiment. The first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’ may be substantially identical. Preferably the first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’ are ‘L’ shaped or substantially ‘L’ shaped, as illustrated in Figure 7b.

Each first and second one-piece part 168, 168’ may have a second layer 160 applied to an upper 150 surfaces of the first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’. Preferably, the second layers 160 each form at least one flexible hinge 166 between composite gaming board tiles 128. Beneficially, this forms a hinging arrangement between adjacent gaming board tiles 128, which permits each of the first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’ to be rearranged into a first and second usable three dimensional structure 148, 148’, as illustrated in Figure 7c.

Advantageously, the second layer may further comprise text, images or indicative game markings, such that the first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’ indicate the game for which the gaming board is to be utilised. Beneficially, said indicative game markings may form a chess board or checked surface, as illustrated in Figure 7a.

It will be appreciated that such markings may alternatively or additionally be applied directly to the first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’ and that the second layer may comprise a transparent cover so as to allow any markings applied directly to the first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’ to be visible.

Preferably, first and second engagement interfaces define a first and second external border 172, 174 of the first and second gaming board parts 168, 168’, such that the second one-piece part 168’ is removable and interconnectable with the first one-piece part 168 via releasable fasteners 120. Preferably, each releasable fastener 120 comprises at least one magnet 140, the or each magnet 140, configured in free edges 126 of the first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’, at or adjacent to said first and second external borders 172, 174. The or each magnet 140 at or adjacent to said first and second external borders 172, 174 having an alternating configuration and/or polarity.

The magnets of the first and second external borders 172, 174 are aligned and/or configured such that the alternating configuration and/or polarity in each of the first and/or second external borders 172, 174 may permit engagement of said first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’, so that the first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’ are releasably interconnectable via the releasable fasteners 120 in coplanar alignment to form a rectangular unfolded gaming surface 124, as illustrated in Figure 7a, and permits rearrangement of first and second one-piece parts 168, 168’ to form a cuboid, or substantially cuboid, storage box 122, as illustrated in Figure 7d. Preferably, the unfolded gaming surface 124 may be, or is substantially, rectangular.

By providing the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 110 in such a manner, permits the user to utilise a single tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board 110 to form a rectangular, or substantially rectangular, unfolded gaming surface 124, when the single tessellatable combination storage box 110 is in the gaming condition. This arrangement is advantageous in that only a single tessellatable combination storage box 110 is needed for board games requiring a square or rectangular game playing area, such as chess, and where expansion of the game playing area is not necessarily required.

Figure 8a and 8b illustrate a third embodiment of a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, indicated globally as 210. Like or similar features are given like or similar references to those used above, and thus further detailed description is again omitted, for brevity.

In this particular embodiment, each first and second one-piece part 268, 268’ comprises a plurality of first and second gaming board tiles 228, 228’; however, rather than each first and second gaming board tile 228, 228’ being square, or substantially square, and being of equal, or approximately equal size and shape, instead at least one of each of the first and second gaming board tiles 228, 228’ is of a different size and/or shape to at least one other first and second gaming board tile 228, 228’, as depicted in Figure 8a.

Advantageously, in this embodiment, the tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board is configured such that first and second one-piece parts 268, 268’ can be arranged, in coplanar alignment, to form an unfolded gaming surface 224, as depicted in Figure 8a in disengaged condition, which may be, or is substantially, square, in the gaming condition, and permits rearrangement of first and second one-piece parts 268, 268’ to form a cuboid, or substantially cuboid, storage box 222, in the storage condition.

By providing the gaming board in such a manner, permits the user to utilise a single gaming board to form a square, or substantially square, gaming area, for board games requiring a substantially square game playing area, such as snakes and ladders, and where expansion of the game playing area is not necessarily required. In addition, this embodiment may be utilised when there are fewer or smaller game playing pieces or paraphernalia requiring storage.

It is thus possible to provide a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board which can be easily configured from an interconnected unfolded gaming surface on which games can be played, or diorama displayed, to a storage box, for housing gaming pieces, diorama and other paraphernalia. The gaming pieces can be easily accessed through the lid, without requiring disassembly of the entire tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board. By providing a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board which can be utilised as both a playing surface and storage box, there is no requirement for a separate storage facility. It is also possible to expand the interconnected unfolded gaming surface as required by the user by tessellating the interconnected unfolded gaming surface with another like interconnected unfolded gaming surface. Such a tessellated the interconnected unfolded gaming surface can be expanded in numerous configurations, both regular and irregular as required by said user.

The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention herein described and defined.

Claims

1. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board comprising: a closeable multi-part container defining a base, a plurality of sides, and a lid; at least one of the sides being non-releasably hinged to the base, and the remaining sides being releasably fastenable to the base via releasable fasteners; wherein, in a storage condition, the base, sides and lid form a storage box with an enclosed volume for housing one or more gaming pieces, and in a gaming condition, the base, sides and lid form an interconnected unfolded gaming surface having at least a varying tonal contrast, said releasable fasteners being at free edges of the said unfolded gaming surface to enable tessellation with a like tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board.

2. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base includes at least two said sides which are non-releasably hinged thereto.

3. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said side is non-releasably hinged to a neighbouring said side.

4. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the releasable fasteners are magnets.

5. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in claim 4, wherein a free edge of the base and each said side includes at least one said magnet.

6. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in claim 5, wherein a free edge of the base and each said side includes at least two said magnets.

7. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a polarity of said magnets alternates along said free edges.

8. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the releasable fasteners are embedded in edges of the base, sides and lid.

9. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the releasable fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.

10. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lid is separate of the base and sides, the lid including said releasable fasteners to enable removal from the sides.

11. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a or each hinge interconnecting the said at least two sides with the base is offset from an associated said releasable fastener in a top to bottom direction.

12. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least the base and sides are composite gaming board tiles having a first layer in or at which one or more said releasable fasteners are provided, and a second layer in or at which one or more hinges are provided.

13. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the base and sides are formed as one-piece, and the lid is a separately removable interconnectable part.

14. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in claim 13, wherein the base and sides together are non-releasably hinged to form the net of a ‘W’ shaped pentomino.

15. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the integral base and sides together with the lid are releasably interconnectable via the releasable fasteners to form an ‘A’ shaped hexomino or substantially ‘A’ shaped hexomino in said gaming condition.

16. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the base and first said sides are formed as a first one-piece part, and the lid and second said sides are formed as a second one-piece part which is separately removable and interconnectable with the first one-piece part.

17. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in claim 16, wherein first and second one-piece parts are releasably interconnectable via the releasable fasteners to form a rectangular said gaming condition.

18. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the first and second one-piece parts are ‘L’ shaped or substantially ‘L’ shaped.

19. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the unfolded gaming surface has at least a designated planar or substantially planar game-piece portion.

20. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the unfolded gaming surface has at least one non-planar element thereon for interaction with a game-piece.

21. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, and Figures 7a to 7d, and Figures 8a to 8b of the accompanying drawings.

22. A tessellatable game board system comprising a plurality of combination storage box and gaming boards as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein each said combination storage box and gaming board is arranged in the said gaming condition and interconnected via the respective said releasable fasteners to provide a tessellated interconnected unfolded gaming surface having at least a varying tonal contrast thereacross.

23. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A method of constructing a tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a plurality of first gaming board tiles and at least one second gaming board tile; b] providing part of a releasable fastener in or at at least one edge of a body of the first and second gaming board tiles; c] applying a flexible gaming layer having a varying tonal contrast across the first and second gaming board tiles, the flexible gaming layer non-releasably hingeably interconnecting the first and second gaming board tiles, wherein, in a storage condition, the first and second gaming board tiles are foldable together to be mutually-perpendicular and interconnected via at least the or each releasable fastener, and in a gaming condition, the first and second gaming board tiles are unfoldable by releasing the releasable fastener to form at least part of a gaming surface having at least the varying tonal contrast.

25. A tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board comprising: a closeable multi-part container defining a base, a plurality of sides, and a lid; at least the base and sides being composite gaming board tiles having a first layer in or at which releasable fasteners are provided to releasably interconnect the base and at least one said side, and a second layer in or at which one or more hinges are provided to non-releasably hingeably interconnect the base and at least one of the other said sides, wherein, in a storage condition, the base, sides and lid form a storage box with an enclosed volume for housing one or more gaming pieces, and in a gaming condition, the base, sides and lid form an interconnected unfolded gaming surface having at least a varying tonal contrast, one or more said releasable fasteners being at free edges of the said unfolded gaming surface to enable tessellation with a like tessellatable combination storage box and gaming board.