GB2590700A

GB2590700A - Modular customisable terrain for tabletop gaming

Info

Publication number: GB2590700A
Application number: GB1919318.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Perrett Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-12-24
Filing date: 2019-12-24
Publication date: 2021-07-07
Also published as: GB201919318D0

Abstract

A tabletop modular terrain system comprising a plurality of base sections 10 comprising at least one connecting means 15 on each side edge for attaching to another base. The side edges may comprise an aperture 15 which is connected to another base with a dowel plate (20, fig 2). Further the base may comprise a plurality of holes 14 passing through the surface from top to bottom. The corner of the base may be shaped 18 so that when a plurality of base modules are connected together the corners form a hole (18, fig 3). A plurality of wall modules (40, fig 4) might also be used with the base where the wall comprises at least 2 holes (45, fig 4) which are spaced the same as the holes in the base and can be secured together with a dowel pin (21, fig 2).

Description

Modular Customisable Terrain for Tabletop Gaming The present invention relates to portable, light terrain for tabletop gaming. In particular, it relates to modular, customisable terrain for tabletop gaming in a lightweight, easy to transport, reusable format.

Background of the Invention

Tabletop gaming such as Dungeons and Dragons(RTM) and Warharnmer(RTM) and many others, have experienced a boom in popularity over the past few years, becoming more welcome in the mainstream. While some of these games require terrain to play the game, most use it to enhance the players experience.

Due to the customisability of these games at the user end it is rare for official terrain to be provided/available and when it is, it is often quite expensive, weighty, and specific to a certain scenario.

For this reason, many end users (players) resort to making their own. Although this often mitigates the high cost, the problems of weight, transportation and specificity 15 remain.

Some other modular terrains have been made commercially available (discussed below); however, these require a large base board on which to mount the modular components, this makes transportation often quite tricky as the base boards tent to be quite large.

It is an object of the current invention to provide an easy to transport, modular and customisable terrain base and terrain for any tabletop gaming, which can be easily and quickly set up to the specifics required of the terrain of the particular tabletop game and the scenario being played which is also easily dismantled and stored for re-use in the future.

Acknowledged Prior Art

The inventor is aware of the following prior art disclosed at the website -tlehi--Yi-s-iwtnes corn/ This presents a modular terrain system for use with peg board, or "battle board" as it is called. It discloses stackable modular wall sections and accessories connectable thereto. It does not disclose modular connectable base sections like those of the present invention, instead it relies on a large peg board or "battle board" to attach the modular terrain to.

Statement of Invention

An aspect of the invention provides a tabletop gaming modular terrain system comprising a plurality of modular base sections. The modular base sections 35 comprising two large substantially flat opposing surfaces defining a top and bottom surface respectively, at least three side edges, and at least three corners where two side edges meet. Each side edge comprises at least one connecting means for detachably connecting to a side edg,re of another modular base section of the plurality of modular base sections.

The tabletop gaming modular terrain system may further comprise a plurality of connecting dowel plates. Wherein each side edge comprises one or more apertures symmetrically positioned along the side edge. Wherein in use one side edge of one modular base section can be aligned with a side edge of another modular base section such that respective apertures are aligned. The modular base sections can be detachably secured together with a connecting dowel plate received within and frictionally engaged with the aligned side edge apertures.

The tabletop gaming modular terrain system wherein the modular base sections may further comprise a plurality of holes passing from the top surface through to 15 the bottom surface, positioned such that each hole, and each corner, represent a lattice point on a two dimensional lattice.

The tabletop gaming modular terrain system wherein the corners of the modular base sections may be shaped such that, when a plurality of modular base sections are connected together so as to surround a point on the lattice by occupying it with a convergence of corners, the shaping of the corners at the convergence of corners defines a hole with the same dimensions as the holes passing through the modular base sections.

The tabletop gaming modular terrain system may further comprise notches in the side edges at points on the lattice. The notches shaped such that when two modular base sections are connected to one another, corresponding notches in the connected side edges define holes with the same dimensions as the holes passing through the modular base sections.

The tabletop gaming modular terrain system may further comprise a plurality of modular wall sections and a plurality of dowel pins. The modular wall sections comprise two large opposing side surfaces, two opposing side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. 'the wall section further comprises at least two holes passing from the top edge through to the bottom edge of the modular wall section, the two holes having the same dimensions as the holes passing through the modular base sections and also the same spacing therebetween. The dowel pins are shaped so as to be compatible with the holes passing through the modular wall sections and modular base sections. Wherein in use the two or more holes passing through the modular wall section are aligned with two holes in the modular base section and the modular wall section and modular base section are detachably secured together with the dowel pins received within and frictionally engaged with the respective aligned holes.

The tabletop gaming modular terrain system wherein the modular wall sections may be able to be secured one atop the other with the bottom edge of a modular 5 wall section resting on the top edge of another modular wall section. The two wall sections secured together with dowel pins situated in the respective aligned holes.

The tabletop gaming modular terrain system wherein the modular wall sections may further comprise at least one hole passing through from one side surface to the other. The hole having the same dimensions as the holes that pass through the 10 modular base sections.

The tabletop gaming modular terrain system may further comprise at least one decorative terrain module comprising an integrally formed protrusion having dimensions complimentary to the holes passing through the modular base sections. In use the decorative terrain module can be detachably mounted via inserting the protrusion into a complimentary shaped hole.

The tabletop gaming modular terrain system may further comprise at least one decorative terrain module comprising an aperture with the same dimensions as the holes that pass through the modular base sections, and at least one dowel pin having complimentary dimensions. In use the decorative module can be mounted using the dowel pin.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 depicts a top, bottom and side view of a singular modular base section; Figure 2 depicts two types of dowel connecting means; Figure 3 depicts multiple base sections being attached together; Figure 4 depicts a side, edge and bottom view of a single modular wall section; Figure 5 depicts an example selection of possible additional terrain accessories; Figure 6 depicts an example embodiment of the tabletop modular gaming system in use.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Definition of terms used: As the disclosed invention is for use in tabletop gaming, when describing the figures a frame of reference relating to use on a tabletop will be used. Bottom or down will be used when discussing a direction towards the in-use surface of a tabletop, top or up will be used when discussing a direction away from the in use surface of a tabletop, and sideways will be used when discussing a direction substantially parallel to the plane defined by the in-use surface of a tabletop. The term lattice will be used in reference to a 2D lattice.

figure 1 depicts a possible embodiment of a single modular base section 10 having surfaces 11,12 and side edges 13. In a preferred embodiment surface 11 is detailed to match a certain theme of terrain and surface 12 is undetailed. I ither surface can be used as the top playing surface, as decided by the player. The base section 10 is divided up into a square grid best shown by grooves 17 on surface 11, each square of the grid having a side length x, where, in a preferred embodiment, the length x is one inch (2.54cm). At the intersections of the grid there are holes 14, at the edges of the base section there are notches 16 and the corners 18 of the base section are flattened, such that the length of flat of corner 18 is the same length as one side of the notches 16. The purpose for these will be discussed in detail below. The side edges 13 of the base section 10 have apertures 15 for customisably connecting multiple base sections 10 together.

As can be seen in figure 1 the holes 14, notches 16 and corners 18 geometrically represent lattice points of a two-dimensional (2D) lattice, which lie on the grid intersections, in this particular embodiment of the invention they represent lattice points on a simple 2D square lattice, each lattice point separated by a distance x, in a preferred embodiment the distance x is one inch (2.54cm). This allows for multiple base sections, when aligned and connected, to expand the lattice arbitrarily, as can be seen in figure 3. The invention is not limited to the structure of a square 2D lattice, any 2D lattice structure could be used, for example hexagonal, as would be obvious to the skilled person.

Figure 2 depicts a dowel connecting plate 20 and a square dowel pin 21. Dowel plate 20 is shaped as to fit half its length into an aperture 15, square dowel pin 21 is shaped as to fit into hole 14. In this particular embodiment the dowel pin 21 has a square cross section, however the cross section of the dowel pin 21 in other embodiments of the invention will be any complimentary shape defined by holes 14, 31 and 32.

Figure 3 depicts multiple base sections 10 being connected together. Secure releasable connection is achieved by use of a dowel connecting plate 20 inserted into respective apertures 15 of opposing base sections 10, and then the base sections 10 being pushed together. The nature of this connecting mechanism is not limited to connecting the base sections 10 in a square formation as shown in figure 3, and as would be obvious to the skilled person this connection mechanism can be used to connect the base sections into a wide variety of base section layouts.

It is also depicted in figure 3 that when two base sections are connected along respective edges 13, the side notches 16 align and define a hole 31 with the same dimensions as holes 14. And when four base sections 10 are connected in a square respective flattened corners 18 align to define a hole 32 with the same dimensions as holes 14.

The base sections 10 being connectable in this manner enables the player to choose their desired lay out and size of their terrain that best suits the specific scenario which they're playing, with no large base board required.

The base sections 10 are not limited to the 3 by 3 square size as shown in the figures, but can be formed in a number of different sizes, 6 by 6 or 9 by 9 for 15 example.

Figure 4 depicts a modular wall section 40 having side surfaces 41, side edges 42, a bottom edge 43 and a top edge 44. Running from the bottom edge 43 to the top edge 44 are through holes 45, the centre of the holes 45 being spaced apart by a distance x where, in a preferred embodiment, the distance x is one inch (2.54cm).

The through hole 45 opening has the same dimensions as hole 14. There is also a through hole 46 running between side surfaces 41, the hole 46 aperture having the same dimensions as hole 14.

In use the holes 45 are used to secure the wall sections 40 to the base board via square dowel pins 21 and holes 14 in the base section 10. Dowel pins 21 and through holes 45 can also be used to secure a plurality of wall sections 40 on top of one another.

Figure 5 depicts an example selection of additional terrain accessories 50, connectable to either the base sections 10 via holes 14, 31 or 32 or wall sections 40 via holes 46. The accessories will either have a hole 51 with the same dimensions as hole 14 and be connected using a square dowel pin 21 or have a projection 52 integrally formed with the accessory, the projection 71 having substantially the same cross sectional dimensions as square dowel pin 21.

Figure 6 depicts an example embodiment in use. There are a plurality of connected modular base sections 10, with modular wall sections 40 mounted thereto, there are also a number of terrain accessories 50 mounted to the modular base sections 10 or modular wall sections 40. Player miniatures 60 in use with the modular terrain system are also shown.

Tn a preferred embodiment all the parts of the current invention can be 3D printed.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. The description is intended to enable a skilled person to make the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is determined by the

Claims

Claims 1. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system comprising a plurality of modular base sections, the modular base sections comprising two large substantially flat opposing surfaces defining a top and bottom surface respectively, at least three side edges, at least three corners where two side edges meet, each side edge comprising at least one connecting means for detachably connecting to a side edge of another modular base section of the plurality of modular base sections.
2. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of connecting dowel plates; wherein each side edge comprises one or more apertures symmetrically positioned along the side edge; wherein in use one side edge of one modular base section can be aligned with a side edge of another modular base section such that respective apertures are aligned, and the modular base sections can be detachably secured together with a connecting dowel plate received with.n and frictionally engaged with the aligned side edge apertures.
3. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system according to any preceding claim wherein the modular base sections further comprise a plurality of holes passing from the top surface through to the bottom surface, positioned such that each hole, and each corner, represent a lattice point on a two dimensional lattice.
4. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system according to claim 3 wherein the corners of the modular base sections are shaped such that, when a plurality of modular base sections are connected together so as to surround a point on the lattice by occupying it with a convergence of corners, the shaping of the corners at the convergence of corners defines a bole with the same dimensions as the holes passing through the modular base sections.
5. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system according to claim 3 or claim 4 comprising notches in the side edges at points on the lattice, shaped such that when two modular base sections are connected to one another, corresponding notches in the connected side edges define holes with the same dim. ensions as the holes passing through the modular base sections.
6. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system according to any preceding claim further comprising a plurality of modular wall sections and a plurality of dowel pins; the modular wall sections comprising two large opposing side surfaces, two opposing side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge, the wall section further comprising at least two holes passing from the top edge through to the bottom edge of the modular wall section, the two holes having the same dimensions as the holes passing through the modular base sections and also the same spacing therebetween, the dowel pins being shaped so as to be compatible with the holes passing through the modular wall sections and modular base sections; wherein in use the two or more holes passing through the modular wall section are aligned with two holes in the modular base section and the modular wall section and modular base section are detachably secured together with the dowel pins received within and frictionally engaged with the respective aligned holes.
7. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system according to chnn 6 wherein die modular wall sections can be secured one atop the other with the bottom edge of a modular wall section resting on the top edge of another modular wall section, the two secured together with dowel pins situated in the respective aligned holes.
8. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system according to either one of claims 6 or 7 wherein the modular wall sections further comprise at least one hole passing through from one side surface to the other, the hole having the same dimensions as the holes that pass through the modular base sections.
9. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system according to any preceding claim further comprising at least one decorative terrain module comprising an integrally formed protrusion having dimensions complimentary to the holes passing through the modular base sections, such that in use the decorative terrain module can be detachably mounted via inserting the protrusion into a complimentary shaped hole.
10. A tabletop gaming modular terrain system according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one decorative terrain module comprising an aperture with the same dimensions as the holes that pass through the modular base sections, and at least one dowel pin having complimentary dimensions, such that in use the decorative module can be mounted using the dowel pin.