US1312315A

US1312315A - Game-board

Info

Publication number: US1312315A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1919-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 1936-08-05

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'ALBERTF. EMMONS, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO I. LEONARD ARONSON, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME-BOARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Aug. 5, 1919.

Application filed December as, 1917. Serial No. 209,209.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT F. EMMONS, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Game-Boards; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof. My invention relates to a game apparatus, and more particularly to game apparatus involving the principles of the well-known game of checkers,

The object of my invention is to provide a game which will stimulate war interest and familiarize the players in the use of war terms, as Well as entertain and amuse men in the ranks, Whether in cantonments, in Y. M. (J. A. huts, or even in the trenches.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of aboard for use in playing my improved game; Figs. 2 and 3 indicate some of the checkers or playing-pieces; Fig. 4 is an enlarged top view of one of the checkers with the insignia thereon; Fig. 5 is a like view showing a different insignia; Fig. 6 is a top view of one of the crowningcheckers of one side; and Fig. 7 a like view -of one of the crowning-checkers of the opposing side.

In the drawing, the numeral 2 designates a suitable board formed of pasteboard, wood, papier-mach, or any other suitable material; and on the board is laid out a square 3 made up of a number of smaller squares, just as on the ordinary checkerboard, with the alternate squares of different colors. The middle section of squares on the board is designated as no mans land, and on opposite sides of this are three lines of squares designated as first trench, second trench, and artillery, respectively. Outside of the main square 3 at 01)- posite ends are what are designated as the tanks, consisting of circular or other shaped fi res 4, some of said figures being plain whlle others have numerals, such as C 20, (C 30, C 60' I At each side of the main square 3 are the counters 5, which are termed prison camps, and the counting isdone by placing pins 6 in the different holes in the center for the keeping of the score.

The ordinary playing-pieces or checkers 7 tions; for instance, half the checkers will have the shield 8 as the insignia of the United States on their upper faces, and the other half will have the iron cross 9, the insignia of Germany,-the bottom faces, as stated above, bearing the numerals. However, one of the checkers bearing the in signia of Germany will have the iron cross on both sides, and this for the purpose of having a joker, which increases the score, and for the purpose of exciting greater interest in the game, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

In Figs. 6 and 7 are shown the crowningcheckers 10 and 11, which are to be placed upon the circular figures 4, or tanks, and these crowning-pieces have head-gear typical of the difi'erent countries; for instance, the checker 10 has the hat typical ofUncle Sam, and the checker 11 has the helmet typical of the German. These crowningpieces will, as stated, be arranged in'a row outside of the main playing-square 3, and will be taken from the circular figures 4 and placed on the checkers as they reach the king row, or artillery line, as it is indicated.

In the playing of the game, the checkers 7 are arranged in the same manner as in the ordinary game of checkers on the three rows of squares with the numbers face down or concealed so that the opponents do not know the value of the different checkers. The game proceds in the ordinary manner of playing checkers, and the object, of course, is to take as many prisoners as possible, and the higher the number on the prisoners, the higher the count. When one of and the third counts double the number plus 20 the fourth, double the number plus 30, and the fifth, double the number plus 60.

- whereupon the score is 15, and the peg is placed in figure 1 on the first row and a peg in figure 5 on the second row, which Will indicate 15. Suppose the score stood 98 'and' the next risoner is number 11 makin 7 the score 109, a peg is inserted at,figure 1 in the first row,a peg at zero in the second roW,and at 9 in the third row.

The first soldier to receive a crown or become a tank may be number 9,this is doubled and added to'the total score. The second tank is scored in the same- Way; the third tank, however, after doubling the number on the bottom, has 20 added to it, as stated above; and so on, as above described, in case a player obtains a fourth or fifth tank.

The interest in the game is accentuated by having one of the checkers on the German side with the iron cross top and bottom, and this checker is entitled the joker, and if this checker is captured, it is characterized as getting the Kaiser, and counts for 100 in the score.

The game is not over until the last checker or tank has been captured, and layers must guess at the number since the underneat 1 the checker, 1t 1s practically 1mpos'sible to determine who, is the Winner until all the: plays have been made.

with the zest of the game, will afford recreation and relaxation.

What I claim is:

1. A game apparatus comprising a checker-board, a plurality of game-pieces having numbers on the bottom faces and bearing insignia on their upper faces characteristic of different countries, and one of said pieces havin such insignia instead of a number on the ottom face.

2. A game apparatus comprising a checker-board, a plurality of game pieces having numbers on the bottom faces and bearing insignia on their upper faces characteristic of different countries, figures representing tanks arranged at the ends of the square forming the playing field and outside said field and game-pieces arranged to rest on said figures, said last-named gamepieces bearing the head-gear characteristic of different countries, and some of said. figures having numbers thereon.

3. A game apparatus comprising a checker-board, a, plurality of game-pieces having numbers on the bottom faces and bearing insignia on their upper faces characteristic of different countries, the difi'erent lines of squares on said board representing strategic military positions, such as first trench, second trench and artillery.

4. A game apparatus comprising a checker-board, a pluralit of game-pieces having numbers on the ottom faces and bearing insignia on their upper faces characteristic of different countries, and scoring sections arranged at each side of said board comprising a rectangular figure made up of rows each having three squares, the top row containing ciphers, the second row ones, and so forth down to the tenth row of nines, and said squares having openings for the reception of pins.

In testimony whereof I, the said ALBERT F. EMMoNs, have hereunto set my hand.

ALBERT F. EMMONS.

Witnesses:

Rom. D. TOTTEN, J OHN F. WILL.