US20100066017A1

US20100066017A1 - Planar Sided Case with Multiple Magnetically Engageable Activities

Info

Publication number: US20100066017A1
Application number: US12/558,268
Authority: US
Inventors: Maya Gowri; Karthik Arunachalam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-12
Filing date: 2009-09-11
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: WO2010030937A1

Abstract

A portable activity device for playing entertaining and educational games and activities. The activities may also be adapted for provision of physical therapy and occupational therapy. The device features a case having an accessible cavity for storage of activity components. A side surface of the case is magnetically receptive to the activity components which have magnets upon them. The device maintains the activity pieces in place in moving vehicles allowing children to play games during travel without the risk of sharp movements causing the game parts to fall. A white board on the exterior surface is provided which may be employed with markers stored in the cavity.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/096733 filed Sep. 12, 2008 and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention herein disclosed relates generally to activities and games. More specifically to a portable carrying case adapted to engagement with a plurality of interchangeable magnetically engageable surfaces each adapted for playing, drawing, physical therapy, and playing games with pieces which are also magnetically engageable.
2. Prior Art
Entertainment activities such as drawing, writing, puzzles, and board games, have been enjoyed for ages and are believed to have been employed for entertainment and education since the very beginning of civilization. Some games, like chess or backgammon, have become lasting favorites, while others flow with the tide of fashion and pop-culture. Not even the lightning-fast pace of video games have lessened the popularity of these old fashioned board games. Other activities such as drawing and playing puzzles also remain popular, especially when traveling.
Regardless of their popularity, in the case of board games, there are several different disadvantages which have never been properly addressed. For instance, board games, in addition to being bulky, making them difficult to travel with, also generally employ game pieces which must be moved upon the board and left in position in between player turns. This can be especially trying for adults and children who often want to play board games in an automobile or plane while traveling in order to relieve boredom.
The same is true of puzzles, and word games such as those that employ letters to spell out words on a board. Such activities in a moving vehicle creates several problems. First, there is minimal space for laying the cardboard or other playing surface in a plane or vehicle. Additionally, the area to hold the activity board or the playing surface is often a non-level support surface. Consequently, the surrounding turbulence from players, or movement of the vehicle, frequently cause the activity pieces, puzzle parts, or game board pieces to move from position or fall off of the activity surface or game board.
Dismounting of activity components, puzzle pieces, or game board pieces, will frequently force the end of the activity, especially in a game like chess or Parcheesi, where the precise position and placement of every piece is crucial. Further, it is a difficult task for children wearing seatbelts, or in a cramped row of seats on an airplane, to grasp and retrieve puzzle or activity pieces, or the unruly game pieces or dice that move from the board. In many instances, an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve an activity piece, puzzle component, or the game board pieces will result in overturning the activity surface or knocking over other loose mounted activity, puzzle, or game pieces.
Another area lacking in mental and physical exercises is games and activities adapted for treatment of the physically challenged and mentally impaired patents. Such patients may need treatment in the form of practicing mental and motor skills subsequent to an accident or stroke or due to an inherited trait. Puzzles, assembled pictures and such, provide an excellent manner to practice both physical and mental dexterity for such patients and individuals. Unfortunately, most existing treatments lack a means to maintain the puzzle and game pieces adjacent to the activity board and a means to make the task being manipulated by the hand easier or harder to accomplish.
As such, there is an unmet need for an activity device which is compact and easy to travel with but affords a secure surface on which to draw, work puzzles, form words, or play board games and other activities. Such a device should not only provide an activity surface for multiple entertainment activities used during long trips, it should concurrently supply compact storage for them. Such a device should provide a very secure activity support surface to maintain the puzzle pieces, drawing components, letters, or other activity or game board components, from slipping. Such a device should additionally provide a common means to maintain all activity components and game pieces on the secured activity board such that they are not easily knocked over, or accidentally moved from their position on the activity board or during play or vehicle movement. Further, such a device should lend itself to the ongoing treatment of patients in need of physical and mental therapies and development of lost or lacking hand and finger motor skills. The device herein described is directed toward meeting those needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device remedies the aforementioned shortcomings by providing an activity playing system which is easy to transport and employ in a moving vehicle, or at home. The device features a generally rectangular wooden, metal, or plastic folding or other carrying case which has at least one planar side surface configured to be magnetically attractive in combination with the activity components, boards, and playing pieces stored internally.
The disclosed device is employable for an educational or simply enjoyable travel set which is well adapted to hold both game pieces and game boards or writing boards in a fixed position during sharp or rapid movements of a car, train or plane. It may also be adapted for use for occupational or physical therapy to improve motor skills as part of a rehabilitation process. Difficulty levels may be adapted by changing force of the magnetic attraction of the pieces with the magnetically receptive activity surface or surfaces on the device.
The magnetically receptive surface or surfaces of the case provide a secure support for any one of the plurality of provided exchangeable activity surfaces or boards for use with one or a plurality of entertaining activities or games. The surfaces are formed of magnetically receptive materials such as a rolled steel product known as FLEXIRON or “Rubber Steel” which are a magnetically receptive material that attracts all types of magnets, or PAPERSTEEL which has a semi-rigid magnetically receptive center laminated to paper on both sides. Of course those skilled in the art will realize that other magnetically receptive materials may be employed to achieve the magnetic engagement between the components of the device and the activity boards, and such is anticipated.
Activity pieces employed with the activity surfaces, such as game pieces, puzzle pieces, drawing components, letters of the alphabet, and the like, are also magnetically attracted to the planar surface of the activity board. In this manner when in a moving car which imparts sharp movement from bumps and lateral forces from curves at high speed, the components of the device, when engaged upon the planar surface of the case, are prevented from dislodging or moving. This magnetic attraction thereby provides a means for keeping engaged game boards or activity boards, playing pieces, and the like, from moving around upon the activity or game board and getting lost or interrupting the activity itself.
In one preferred mode of the device a folding case features two half sections which have a rotational engagement to allow them to fold to engage each other and thereby form an internal storage cavity between side walls and two planar surfaces the sidewalls of the case surround. Or, alternatively, the case may have a sliding-engaged surface might be employed. The sliding surface would allow for disengagement and use, remote to the case, however the folding case might be considered easier to open in confined spaces.
When employed for occupational or physical therapy for practicing and developing motor skills, the device may employ a varied magnetic attraction between the planar surface or surfaces, and the game pieces, letters, numbers, puzzles and the like. By making the attraction higher, the user must use more force to both move and remove parts and pieces and by making the attraction lower, the user needs less force between their thumb and fingers. Varying the magnetic attraction force thereby provides a means to provide a user undergoing physical or occupational therapy ongoing therapy at different levels as determined by the therapist providing the device for that purpose.
On the underside of the magnetically attractive planar surface, a plurality of magnetically attracted activity or game playing surfaces can be stored within a magnetically engageable pouch or envelope. In this manner the activity surfaces are held adjacent to the magnetically attractive planar surface of folding or slide-open case and prevent excessive rattling and moving about during traveling.
The other half of the internal cavity formed within the folding case is employed for storing various activity components, game pieces and markers or crayons in compartments adapted to contain them. Consequently, both the activity boards and the activity pieces and components are kept in order and ready for use. When employed with a slide-open style case, a single cavity would be provided internally which would be apportioned between the activity boards and related activity pieces for storage. In the sliding style case the planar surface would be disengageable from the rest of the case and allow for use remote to the case, such as in the front seat of a car when users are employing the opposite side of the case in the back seat.
In another mode of the device, it is easily adapted for the provision of mental and motor skills practice for users in need of such. By employing puzzles of interlocking pieces, manual dexterity may be developed. Fine motor skills are also developed and the therapy may be made easier or harder by making the magnetic attraction of the puzzle pieces and other components, more, or less, attractive to the activity board. Making the attraction less will require less force by the user to move the pieces around. Using pieces or an activity board which is more attracted to the other will require more strength to move the pieces about as well as with the user's gripping of the pieces or parts between fingers prior to mounting or while dismounting them.
In another mode of the device, having two planar magnetically receptive surfaces, the device may be elevated in a triangular shape for competitive games. Each user would be on a different side of the case using a planar surface and parts or components adhered thereto magnetically to play against the other.
With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The activity system with a planar sided case and multiple magnetically engageable activities herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Still further, while the specification may describe the case surface being magnetically attractable to the activity surfaces and playing pieces, those skilled in the art will realize the reverse scheme might be employed or variations thereof. Consequently magnetic engagement between the case, boards, and pieces, as might occur to those skilled in the art are anticipated within the scope of this application.
It is an object of this invention to provide an easily transportable activity and gaming device which provides both a container for the activity boards and surfaces and the activity related components and game board pieces as well as a self-securing support surface for the activity board and pieces employed with it.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide such an activity and game device which employs a planar magnetically receptive surface adapted for operative engagement with any of a plurality of internally stored activity boards to provide a number of games or entertainment activities in the same housing.
Yet another object of the device herein is for the provision of occupational and physical therapy for motor and mental skills.
These together with other objects and advantages which become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the device in a playing configuration depicting an activity board such as a game board engaged to the planar magnetically receptive surface of a folding case.

FIG. 1 a depicts a typical game piece having a magnetic bottom surface which is magnetically attracted to frictionally engage upon the top surface of the game board.

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the folding case providing storage for game pieces and boards showing hinges providing means for engagement of two opposing half sections and a frame magnetically attracted to the planar surface to hold paper or an activity board.

FIG. 2 a depicts a coloring or drawing activity board removably inserted within a clear envelope having magnets for engagement to the top surface.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the folding case of the system in an open position showing internally stored activity boards on the planar magnetically receptive surface and pieces held in the storage compartments defined by the sidewalls and planar sections of the case.

FIG. 4. Depicts the folding case in a playing position showing a plurality of activity pieces magnetically engaged to the magnetically receptive planar surface of the case.

FIG. 4 a shows a mode of the case having a slid-engaged side surface which may be removable for use remote to the case itself and provide extra utility.

FIG. 5 depicts another mode of the device having two opposing magnetically receptive planar surfaces along with an engagement to hold the end opposite the hinge or rotational engagement apart for elevated opposing play.

FIG. 6 depicts a mode of the device where elongated magnetic members provide a means to hold a piece of paper, activity board, or game board upon the planar surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in FIGS. 1-6 wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1, a perspective view of the folding case 13 of the device 10 in a closed position and ready to engage any of a plurality of activity boards 28 stored within the folding case 13.
As a means for magnetic attraction between the case 13 and the activity boards 28, a magnetically receptive planar surface 12 is positioned to place it on an upper or first side of the folding case 13 formed by the two half portions 15 and 17 when employed as a base for use by players or users. One half portion 15 has a sidewall 21 and the second half portion 17 has a similar sidewall 23 both of which contact each other when the folding case 13 is in the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, thereby defining two half interior sections 24 and 26 with one each within each respective sidewall as shown in FIG. 3.
The folding case 13 formed by the two half portions 15 and 17 of the device 10 may be formed of metal, plastic, wood, or any material suitable to the task of transporting the internally stored activity and game components so long as one planar surface 12, is magnetically receptive. This magnetic attraction may be provided by one or a combination of means for magnetic attraction including, forming the planar surface 12 from ferrous metal, or, by making it from plastic or wood with an interior portion having a metal sheet, magnet or any magnetic receptive material mounted therein, to provide magnetic attraction to the plurality of different flexible activity boards 28 which are stored in one or both of the interior sections 24 and 26, or, magnetically receptive paint or coatings may be employed on the planar surface 12 to provide the magnetic attraction.
In an especially preferred mode of the device 10, by making the planar surface 12 magnetically receptive, a solid, portable, slip-proof support for the flexible magnetic activity boards 28 or paper bearing indica thereon for games, puzzles, or drawing and the like, is provided much like a table. This provides users with an elevated slip-proof mount for the activity board 28 chosen for use, from the plurality of magnetic activity boards 28, contained in the folding case 13. The activity boards 28 may be rigid however a flexible activity board 28 is somewhat easier to store and handle during use. The magnetic planar surface 12 can be used as an activity board as well.
In this mode of the device 10, When employed while in the back of a car or RV during travel, the slip-proof surface engagement between the activity boards 28 and the planar surface 12 of the sliding or folding case 13, is most important for the users. This is because a moving vehicle will impart lateral and vertical forces to both the activity board 28 and the playing pieces 29 and frequently cause them to slide or to dislodge vertically. This is especially true during fast turns and fast stops or while traversing bumpy roads.
By forming the activity or game pieces 29 in a manner making them receptive to the activity board 28 and/or the planar surface, and the activity boards 28 attractive to the planar surface 12, all of the components employed by the users are provided a means for securement to the case 13 to prevent dislodgement from inertia when the device 10 is in a moving vehicle.
The activity boards 28 as noted would best be provided in a kit with the kit having a plurality of different activity boards 28 which allow the users to play any of a plurality of different games or activities. The activity boards 28 in this mode of magnetic attraction, are formed preferably using sheet magnets wherein the flexible sheet has a magnetic attraction to the magnetically attractive to the magnetically receptive planar surface 12 to frictionally and magnetically engaged the side of the activity board 28 opposite the activity surface of the activity board 28 which will in most instances have indica 30 thereon relating to the game or activity being played.
The activity pieces 29 such as game pieces, numbers and letters 47, puzzle pieces 45, and the like, would have magnets 31 on their lower surfaces which are magnetically attracted to a forced engagement upon the activity board. The force of the magnetic attraction of the activity pieces 29 will insure a solid movable engagement of the activity pieces 29 upon the chosen activity board 28, such as checkers on a checkerboard.
The activity boards 28 as noted would be provided in a kit featuring a plurality of activity and/or game boards and game pieces to play them, including one or a combination of chess, checkers, Parcheesi, backgammon, tic-tac-toe, craps, Chinese checkers, dominos, and snakes and ladders. Any other activity boards 28 which may be formed upon the magnetic sheets and game pieces therefor as would occur to those skilled in the art may also be included and are considered in the scope of this patent.
Or, the activity boards 28 in one favored mode of the device 10 would employ laminated paper having magnets thereon to engage the activity board 28, or, may be a clear envelope 27 having magnets 31 thereon, adapted to receive an insert therein with indica thereon. This would allow for crossword puzzles, and other activities and games on the insert to be played and held in place by the magnets 31 on the envelope 27 holding them. The activity board 28 may also be a sheet of paper with drawings on it, which can be secured to the planar surface 12 with magnetic strips 41.
It is also very preferred to employ a planar surface 12 that is adapted for the use of dry markers which are erasable. In this fashion should users simply wish to draw, they may do so using dry markers stored in the cavity 25 inside the case 13, on the planar surface 12 which will provide an erasable drawing surface.
The interior sections 24 and 26, within the cavity 25, are adapted to hold the activity boards 28 and the activity pieces 29 which are employed for use in combination with a respective activity board 28. In the preferred mode of the device, the activity boards 28 would engage in a stacked relationship with each other either within the cavity 25 on the side of the case 13 adjacent to the opposite surface of the planar surface 12. The stored activity boards 28 will be magnetically attracted to the planar surface 12 and held in position within the cavity 25 during movements of the case 13 in a vehicle or when carried. This insures that they don't fall out when opened and maintains them in a neat and easily reviewed fashion inside the cavity 25.
Alternatively, a pouch 33 may be provided to hold the inventory of boards 28 stacked within. The pouch 33 and stacked activity boards are then magnetically stayed adjacent to the receptive surface 12 within the internal cavity 25 thereby providing the secure mount during travel and case opening.
The other half portion 23 of the folding case 13 is adapted to hold the respective activity pieces 29 for the activity boards 28 included in the kit. This can be done with one or both of compartments 35 or bag type containers 37 which may be sealed with zipper 39, or hook and loop fabric, or other means to seal the opening providing access to the interior of the containers
Also provided as one of the activity boards 28 can be a whiteboard which has no indicia 30 but does provide an erasable drawing surface for the user. The surface of the planar surface 12 may be formed as the whiteboard for dry markers or it may be magnetically attracted to an engagement with the planar surface 12. This would allow users to draw on the game board 28. Or, the clear envelope 27 can be erasable and allow the user to complete a crossword puzzle or draw and the like based on indicia on the chosen inserted paper within the envelope 27. The whiteboard may also be formed as a layer on the planar surface 12 and such is preferred as it provides one less component to be housed in the cavity 25 and provides the white board in a fashion where it is always accessible without opening the case 13.
Additionally provided in another preferred mode of the device 10 is a frame 40 which engages upon the magnetically receptive planar surface 12 and has an aperture 43 formed along an interior edge. The frame 40 or magnet strips 41 provides a means to engage a paper 44 upon the planar surface 12 to allow the user to draw, or preferably fill in pre-drawn images 46 such as those in a coloring book. Alternatively, the frame 40 may be employed to engage paper activity boards 28 to the planar surface 12 to allow the use of disposable activity boards 28 which may employ activity pieces 29 upon them which would magnetically engage with the planar surface 12 underneath. This mode of the device 10 would allow users on a trip to continually engage new pieces of paper 44 with new images 46 to color and in a method of employing the device 10 the paper 44 with different images 46 might be given away at restaurants. Alternatively, the pieces of paper 44 may have indicia thereon making them a game or activity board 28. The device 10 in this mode is employable in a method to provide entertainment and education to users traveling through the provision of providing activity boards or paper 44 with images 46. In this fashion, a restaurant chain will have one or both of activity boards 28 or paper 44 with images thereon for the user to color or read. The chain would endeavor to form predicted user travel routes along an interstate or other highway stretch where they maintain multiple restaurants. Different of the activity boards 28 and/or paper 44 with images 46 or other indica 30 thereon adapted for interaction with users would be positioned for dispensing at sequentially positioned restaurants. Each of the determined sequence of restaurants would provide a different paper 44 with new or sequentially colorable images 46 for users to color, or an activity board 28 and/or activity pieces, at each one of the restaurants in the determined restaurant sequence during a trip. The restaurant chain would endeavor to have each restaurant along an interstate highway or in different states to distribute a different activity board 28 or paper 44 with different images 46 to users. Users would be encouraged to visit multiple restaurants to obtain the next or a new paper 44 with images 46 to color along the next leg of their trip. This would have a dramatic increase on repeat customers and higher sales volume to the restaurant chain.
Or alternatively, the restaurants may give away or sell different activity boards 28 in a similar sequentially determined manner, thereby allowing the users to change the game or activity being played with each stop, and providing a method of encouraging the users to become customers of the restaurant during cross country travel through giving away the sequential paper 44 images 46 or activity boards 28 and applicable activity pieces 29 for the users to employ therewith.
As noted earlier, the device 10 may also employ a case 13 having a means of access to the internal cavity 25 through a sliding lid 52 providing access to a single internal cavity 25 in which the activity boards 28 and activity pieces 29 are stored in the same fashion as noted above but in apportioned space in the internal cavity 25. The folding case 13 using means for rotational engagement such as a hinge or flexible edge to provide a means for access to the internal cavity 25 by allowing the sides to rotate away from each other is preferable in confined areas like the back of a vehicle since it would require less room to open and close. Of course those skilled in the art will realize that other means of accessing the internal cavity 25 may be provided and such are anticipated in the scope of this application.
As noted, FIG. 5 depicts another mode of the device 10 having two opposing magnetically receptive planar surfaces 12 on the case 13 which is rotationally engaged along one edge. A restraint 49 is engageable between the two halves of the case 13 in a manner to allow the case 13 to be elevated with both opposing planar surfaces 12 to be on opposite sides of a pyramid like shape. This mode of the device will allow two people to use it at once individually or to play some type of competitive game or the like against each other. The restraint 49 is preferably a resilient material to hold the two halves in a fixed or spaced position spaced from each other to allow the case 13 to be inverted with the hinged portion elevated and the two opposing planar surfaces 12 in an angled relation to each other.
FIG. 6 depicts a mode of the device 10 where elongated magnetic strips 41 provide a means to hold the depicted piece of paper 44, or an activity board 28, or game board or other component adapted to engage the magnetically receptive planar surface 12. Much like the frame 40, the magnetic strips 41 hold paper 44, or an activity board 28 or the like, in a sandwiched engagement between themselves and the planar surface 12.
In addition to being well adapted for educational purposes and game playing, the device 10 in a preferred mode may be employed for occupational or physical therapy as noted above. When employed for occupational or physical therapy, the magnetically attractive activity boards 28, puzzles 45, and other included attachable components will be used for practicing and developing motor skills, and to retrain the brains of patients. To that end, in addition to including a plurality of games and puzzles 45, and assembled attachable components for the patient to use, a varied magnetic attraction between the planar surface 12 or surfaces 12, and the playing pieces 29, letters and numbers 47, and especially puzzles 45 and the like may be employed. These components may be provided in kits which may be used sequentially by the patient. Each kit can have an increasing level of difficulty to the words to be formed with the letters and numbers 47, and difficulty of the puzzles 45 and the like. Physical dexterity may be given an increasing challenge by providing components in the kits which have an increasing magnetic attraction to the receptive planar surface 12.
In this manner, the patient will be required to not only assemble puzzles, form words and such with increasing mental difficulty, their dexterity and hand coordination will meet additional challenge since they will be required to use more force to both move and remove parts and pieces and by making sequentially provided components more magnetically attracted to the receptive planar surface 12. This will provide the therapist a means to vary both mental and physical difficulty to patient needs.
While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the combination portable game container with magnetically receptive support surface have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A multi-configurable magnetically engageable game or playing apparatus comprising:

a case, said case having a planar first surface opposite a second surface;

a sidewall, said sidewall extending between said first surface and said second surface;

an internal cavity defined by an area between said first surface, said second surface, and said sidewall, said internal cavity accessible from outside said case;

one or a plurality of activity surfaces, each said activity surface sized for storage within said cavity;

means for magnetic attraction between said activity surfaces and said first surface;

said activity surfaces each having a contact surface engageable through said magnetic attraction upon said first surface to an engaged position, thereby providing means to prevent said activity surface from dislodging during a lateral or vertical movement of said case such as would occur in a moving vehicle; and

a playing surface opposite said contact surface of said activity surfaces, said playing surface configured for drawing thereon or bearing indicia to play a game or draw thereon, whereby said case with said activity surface in said engaged position provides an elevated positioning of said playing surface for a user to play or draw upon.

2. The game or playing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for magnetic attraction comprises:

said activity surfaces having a means for magnetic engagement to said first surface; and

said first surface being magnetically receptive.

3. The game or playing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said internal cavity is accessible by a movement of said first surface away from said second surface through a rotational engagement of said first surface to said case.

4. The game or playing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said internal cavity is accessible by movement of said first surface away from said second surface through a rotational engagement of said first surface to said case.

5. The game or playing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said internal cavity is accessible a translational engagement of one of said first surface with said sidewall; and

said first surface separable from said case rendering it employable in said engaged position with said activity surface with said first surface in a position remote to said case.

6. The game or playing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said internal cavity is accessible a translational engagement of one of said first surface with said sidewall; and

7. The game or playing apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising:

game pieces for employment on said playing surface, said game pieces being magnetically engageable with said activity surfaces while in said engaged position thereby providing means to prevent a dislodgement of said game pieces from said activity surfaces during any said vertical or horizontal movements of said case.

8. The game or playing apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising:

9. The game or playing apparatus of claim 5 additionally comprising:

10. The game or playing apparatus of claim 6 additionally comprising:

11. The game or playing apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising:

a plurality of letters of the alphabet stored in said internal cavity, each of said letters magnetically engageable to either one of a said activity surface or said first surface; and

said letters providing users means to spell words when engaged upon either of said first surface or a said activity surface.

12. The game or playing apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising:

13. The game or playing apparatus of claim 5 additionally comprising:

14. The game or playing apparatus of claim 6 additionally comprising:

15. The game or playing apparatus of claim 8 additionally comprising:

16. The game or playing apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising:

17. The game or playing apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising:

a puzzle formed of a plurality of engageable puzzle pieces stored in said internal cavity, each of said puzzle pieces magnetically engageable to either one of a said activity surface or said first surface; and

said providing users means to complete multiple puzzles when engaged upon either of said first surface or a said activity surface.

18. The game or playing apparatus of claim 6 additionally comprising:

19. The game or playing apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising:

20. A method of employing the game or playing apparatus of claim 1 for promotion of a business with multiple locations comprising:

positioning a different said activity surface from a plurality of said activity surfaces, at individual said locations for disbursement to said users visiting each said location.

21. The game or playing apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising:

said activity surfaces having a means for magnetic engagement to either of said first surface or said second surface; and

both said first surface and said second surface being magnetically receptive.

22. The game or playing apparatus of claim 21 additionally comprising:

said case positionable to a substantially vertical position with said each of said first planar surface and said second planar surface angularly inclined between a support surface on respective first ends, and a rotational engagement between said first and second surfaces at respective opposite ends; and

a restraint engageable between said first ends of said first planar surface and said second planar surface to maintain them spaced from each other; and

said first planar surface and said second planar surface being usable by two users sitting on opposite sides of said case in said vertical position.

23. The game or playing apparatus of claim 2 adapted for employment for physical or occupational therapy and additionally comprising:

therapeutic kits, said therapeutic kits including one or a combination of kit components from a group of kit components including, a plurality of letters of the alphabet stored in said internal cavity, each of said letters magnetically engageable to either one of a said activity surface or said first surface, and a puzzle formed of a plurality of engageable puzzle pieces, each of said puzzle pieces magnetically engageable to either one of a said activity surface or said first surface.

24. The game or playing apparatus of claim 23 additionally comprising:

said kits provided for a sequential employment by a user;

said sequential employment providing means for increasing a challenge to a user; and

said means for increasing a challenge including one or both of: providing increasingly hard physical tasks through providing said kits having said letters and said puzzle pieces with an increasing magnetic attraction to said activity surface with each sequentially provided said kit, and providing increasingly hard mental exercises through provision of puzzles which are harder to form of said puzzle pieces and increasingly hard words to form with said letters with each sequentially provided said kit.

25. A multi-configurable storage and entertainment apparatus comprising:

a case, said case having a planar first surface opposite a second surface;

said case having a sidewall, said sidewall extending between said first surface and said second surface;

means to access said internal cavity;

a whiteboard positioned upon at least one of said first or said second surface;

said internal cavity adapted to hold means for erasable marking upon said whiteboard such as crayons or dry markers; and

whereby said whiteboard provides a user-transportable erasable surface for writing or drawing upon, which is elevated above a support surface for the other of said first or second surface from that on which said whiteboard is positioned, and which is adapted to concurrently transport said means for erasable marking which may be employed for said writing or drawing on said whiteboard.

26. The multi-configurable storage and entertainment apparatus of claim 25, additionally comprising:

at least one of said first surface or said second surface having at least a surface portion which is magnetically receptive; and

said internal cavity having one or a plurality of activity pieces stored therein, said activity piece having means of magnetic attachment to said surface portion, said activity piece employable by users for educational exercises or playing of games, by affixation thereof to said surface portion according to instructions for said educational exercises or games.

27. The multi-configurable storage and entertainment apparatus of claim 25, additionally comprising:

said first surface, said second surface, and said sidewall of said case being formed of non metallic material, said non metallic material being formed from one or a combination of materials from a group of materials including plastic, paper, and wood.

28. The multi-configurable storage and entertainment apparatus of claim 26, additionally comprising:

29. The multi-configurable storage and entertainment apparatus of claim 26, additionally comprising:

said activity pieces including at least one activity piece, from a group of activity pieces including, puzzles, stickers, story board pieces positionable sequentially to tell a story, paper having indica thereon for employment by a user for coloring, paper having indica thereon for game playing, an activity board having indica thereon for employment of game playing, an activity board having indica thereon directing user steps for educational lessons, letters employable by a user for spelling words, numbers employable by a user for mathematics, paper having indica thereon and employable by a user for drawing or marking and having a transparent coating covering said indica rendering said drawing or marking erasable, and an envelope having a transparent side surface and a pocket therein for insertion of paper to an inserted position where said indica is viewable through said side surface and employable by a user for drawing and marking upon said side surface.

30. The multi-configurable storage and entertainment apparatus of claim 29, additionally comprising:

said activity pieces are adapted for a user action though adaptation of said activity pieces respectively bearing said indica to direct said user action;

said user action including one or a combination of user actions from a group of user actions including, promoting learning of a subject, forming numbers, forming words, educational travel, physical therapy of said to treat a specific user physical impairment through an eliciting of movements by said user predetermined to provide said physical therapy, occupational therapy for a user an eliciting of movements by said user predetermined to provide movements and brain stimulation predetermined to benefit said user for said occupational therapy, and, game playing by one or a plurality of users.