US20220118352A1

US20220118352A1 - Game playing apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US20220118352A1
Application number: US17/505,748
Authority: US
Inventors: Andy Dao Quang Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-12-13
Filing date: 2021-10-20
Publication date: 2022-04-21
Also published as: US20210178249A1

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for playing game. The apparatus includes a game board member, at least one circular ball member, and at least one biasing arrangement. The game board member includes a top portion, a bottom portion and opposite sides, and a game board body extending between the top portion, the bottom portion, and the opposite sides. The game board body includes a pattern configuration. The at least one circular ball member is adapted to move within the game board body along the pattern configuration. The at least one biasing arrangement is configured along at least one of the opposite sides of the game board member. The at least one biasing arrangement is adapted to be pulled to generate a biasing force to hit the at least one circular ball member to be moved within the game board body along the pattern configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates entertainment industry, and, more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for playing game.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Entertainment is one of the basic requirements of a happy lifestyle. There are various types ways to entertain oneself based on individual choice and habit. Most popular now a days are electronic games which are generally played nowadays on electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, computer and so forth. However, playing game on the electronic devices are very harmful and addictive. Therefore, a lot of option are being provided to move away from the habit of playing games on the electronic devices, such as games that can be played without the electronic devices. In spite of having various options of such gaming apparatus, there is still very much demand of new options to play games.
Accordingly, there is a need of providing new and altered option of playing game from that of the existing electronic medium or non-electronic medium, which may provide new experience to game players. In addition, there is a need of providing new and altered option of playing game which are easy as well as entertaining to play for all age group.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for playing game to include all advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent in the prior art.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for playing game, which may provide new experience to game players. In addition, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for playing game which is easy as well as entertaining to play for all age group.
In one aspect of the present disclosure an apparatus for playing game is provided. The apparatus may include a game board member, at least one circular ball member, and at least one biasing arrangement. The game board member includes a top portion, a bottom portion and opposite sides, and a game board body extending between the top portion, the bottom portion, and the opposite sides. The game board body includes a pattern configuration. The at least one circular ball member is adapted to move within the game board body along the pattern configuration. The at least one biasing arrangement is configured along at least one of the opposite sides of the game board member. The at least one biasing arrangement is adapted to be pulled to generate a biasing force to hit the at least one circular ball member to be moved within the game board body along the pattern configuration.
In one embodiment, the pattern configuration comprises at least one track configuration, a plurality of protruding member and an obstruct member. The at least one track configuration may extend from at least one of the opposite sides, towards the top portion. Further, the plurality of protruding member may extend upwardly from a surface of the game board body between the top portion, the bottom portion and the opposite sides. Further, the obstruct member may extend upwardly from the surface of the game board body along the plurality of protruding member, and the at least one track configuration.
In one embodiment, the at least one track configuration may include a track member having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion may extend from at least one of the opposite sides, towards the top portion. Further, the second portion may slantedly extend from the first portion, from at least one of the opposite sides, towards the top portion. Furthermore, the third portion may slantedly extend from the second portion downwardly from the top portion towards the bottom portion. In one embodiment, the first and the second portions may extend in spaced relation with at least one of a side edges of the at least one side of the opposite sides to form a narrow track arrangement to enable the at least one circular ball member to travel therewithin by the biasing force generated by the at least one biasing arrangement. In one embodiment, the third portion may enable the at least one circular ball member to provide a slope to pass through the obstruct member and the plurality of protruding member of the pattern configuration to reach to the bottom portion. In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a block member extending from the third portion to direct the at least one circular ball member.
In one embodiment, the plurality of protruding member of the pattern configuration may include a first set of the plurality of protruding member and a second set of the plurality of protruding member. The first set of the plurality of protruding member is formed along the at least one track configuration around the top portion. The second set of the plurality of protruding member is spaced from the first set of the plurality of protruding member and is formed along the at least one track configuration around the bottom portion. In one embodiment. the obstruct member is provided between the first set of the plurality of protruding member and the second set of the plurality of protruding member.
In one embodiment, the at least one biasing arrangement may include a shaft member, a helical spring and a spring stopper. The shaft member may be partially received within at least one of a recess along the at least one of the opposite sides of the game board member to partially extend in the at least one track configuration. Further, the helical spring is received on the shaft member. Furthermore, the spring stopper is provided in the at least one track configuration to hold the helical spring on the shaft member, when the at least one biasing arrangement is pulled to generate the biasing force to hit the at least one circular ball member.
In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a bell member configured along the top portion of the game board member. The bell member produces sound when the at least one circular ball member is hit by the at least one biasing arrangement to be moved within the game board body.
In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a winning area configured along the bottom portion of the game board member. The winning area may include a plurality of pockets to receive at least one prize or a playing card. A winner or the prize is decided based on which pocket of the plurality of pockets the at least one circular ball member is received.
In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a support stand member coupled along a back side, opposite to a front side, of the game board body, to provide support to the game board member and at slanted orientation with respect to a ground so that the at least one circular ball member rotate freely from the top portion towards the bottom portion of the game board member.
In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a storage area configured on the game board member to store the at least one circular ball member.
In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a billboard configured along the top portion of the game board member for display.
In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a covering member to cover the game board member to enable the at least one circular ball member to move within the game board body along the pattern configuration without coming out form the game board body.
In one another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for playing game using the apparatus is provided. The method of playing includes hitting the at least one circular ball member via the at least one biasing arrangement to move along the pattern configuration. The method may include, picking the at least one circular ball member from the storage area, and placing the at least one circular ball member in the at least one track configuration on the game board member for hitting thereto. The method may further includes placing the game board member at slanted orientation with respect to a ground so that the at least one circular ball member rotate freely from the top portion towards the bottom portion of the game board member. The method may include selecting a winner or distributing a prize based on which pocket of the plurality of pockets the at least one circular ball member is received.
This together with the other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, is pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively, illustrate a top and a perspective views of an apparatus for playing game, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of an apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively, illustrate a top and bottom view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively, illustrate front and rear views of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, illustrate a left-side view and a right-side view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively, illustrate a top and a perspective views of an apparatus depicting a pattern configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively, illustrate a top and a perspective views of an apparatus depicting a biasing arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

For a thorough understanding of the present disclosure, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present disclosure is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
The terms, “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for playing game. the apparatus includes a game board member, at least one circular ball member, and at least one biasing arrangement. The game board member includes a top portion, a bottom portion and opposite sides, and a game board body extending between the top portion, the bottom portion, and the opposite sides. The game board body includes a pattern configuration. The circular ball member is adapted to move within the game board body along the pattern configuration. The biasing arrangement is configured along of the opposite sides of the game board member. The biasing arrangement is adapted to be pulled to generate a biasing force to hit the circular ball member to be moved within the game board body along the pattern configuration.
Referring to FIGS. 1A to 6B, various view of an apparatus 100 and its components are depicted for playing a game, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, for example, FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively, illustrate a top and a perspective views of an apparatus for playing game. FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of an apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively, illustrate a top and bottom view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively, illustrate front and rear views of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, illustrate a left-side and right-side views of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively, illustrate a top and a perspective views of an apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B depicting a pattern configuration. FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively, illustrate a top and a perspective views of an apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B depicting a biasing arrangement. Reference of all the FIGS. 1A to 6B will be taken herein in conjunction to each other to describe the apparatus 100 and its components are depicted for playing the game.
In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 for playing game, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 4B, includes a game board member 110, at least one circular ball member 130 and at least one biasing arrangement 140.
In one example embodiment, the game board member 110 may include a top portion 112, a bottom portion 114 and opposite sides 116, 118. The game board member 110 may further includes a game board body 120 extending between the top portion 112, the bottom portion 114, and the opposite sides 116, 118. The game board body 120 includes a pattern configuration 122. Further, the circular ball member 130 is adapted to move within the game board body 120 along the pattern configuration 122. Further, the biasing arrangement 140 is configured along at least one of the opposite sides 116, 118, of the game board member 110. In one example embodiment, as shown in various figures embodiment, the biasing arrangement 140 is configured along both of the opposite sides 116, 118, of the game board member 110. In one embodiment, the biasing arrangement 140 is adapted to be pulled to generate a biasing force to hit the circular ball member 130 to be moved within the game board body 120 along the pattern configuration 122.
In one example embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the pattern configuration 122 indicating reference numerals of its various components are illustrated and will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 4B. The pattern configuration 122 includes at least one track configuration 124, a plurality of protruding member 125 and an obstruct member 126.
The track configuration 124 is adapted to extend from at least one of the opposite sides 116, 118, towards the top portion 112, of the game board member 110. As shown in various figures, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the track configuration 124 extend from both of the opposite sides 116, 118, of the game board member 110. In one example embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the track configuration 124 includes a track member 124 a. The track member 124 a includes a first portion 124 aa, a second portion 124 ab and a third portion 124 ac. In one example, the first portion 124 aa is adapted to extend from of the opposite sides 116, 118, towards the top portion 112 of the game board body 120. Further, the second portion 124 ab is adapted to slantedly extend from the first portion 124 aa from of the opposite sides 116, 118, towards the top portion 112 of the game board body 120. In one example arrangement, the first and the second portions 124 aa, 124 ab extend in spaced relation with a side edges 116 a, 118 a of the at least one side of the opposite sides 116, 118, respectively, to form a narrow track arrangement 124 b to enable the circular ball member 130 to travel therewithin by the biasing force generated by the biasing arrangement 140. Furthermore, the third portion 124 ac is adapted to slantedly extending from the second portion 124 ab downwardly from the top portion 112 towards the bottom portion 114 of the game board body 120. In one example arrangement, the third portion 124 ac enables the circular ball member 130 to provide a slope to pass through the obstruct member 126 and the plurality of protruding member 125 of the pattern configuration 122 to reach to the bottom portion 114.
In one example embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a block member 127 is provided to be extending from the third portion 124 ac to direct the circular ball member 130.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the plurality of protruding member 125 is adapted to extend upwardly from a surface 120 a of the game board body 120 between the top portion 112, the bottom portion 114 and the opposite sides 116, 118, of the game board member 110. In one example embodiment, the plurality of protruding member 125 of the pattern configuration 122 includes a first set of the plurality of protruding member 125 a and a second set of the plurality of protruding member 125 b. The first set of the plurality of protruding member 125 a is formed along the track configuration 124 around the top portion 112. Further the second set of the plurality of protruding member 125 b is spaced from the first set of the plurality of protruding member 125 a and is formed along the track configuration 124 around the bottom portion 114.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the obstruct member 126 is adapted to extend upwardly from the surface 120 a of the game board body 120 between the plurality of protruding member 125, and the track configuration 124. In one example embodiment, the obstruct member 126 is provided between the first set of the plurality of protruding member 125 a and the second set of the plurality of protruding member 125 b.
Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in one example embodiment, the biasing arrangement 140 indicating reference numerals of its various components are illustrated and will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 5B. As shown, the biasing arrangement 140 includes a shaft member 142, a helical spring 144 and a spring stopper 146. The shaft member 142 may be partially received within the respective recesses 116 b, 118 b along the opposite sides 116, 118, of the game board member 110 to partially extend in the track configuration 124. In one example arrangement, the shaft member 142 includes a base 142 a and a projection 142 b extending from the base 142 a. the projection 142 b is received within the recess 116 b, 118 b while the base 142 a may surrounds the recess 116 b to configure the shaft member 142 within the recess 116 b, 118 b.
Further, the helical spring 144 is received on the projection 142 b of the shaft member 142 and extends up to the base 142 a to rest thereon. Furthermore, the spring stopper 146 is provided in the track configuration 124 to hold the helical spring 144 on the shaft member 142 when the biasing arrangement 140 is pulled to generate the biasing force to hit the circular ball member 130.
Referring to back to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the apparatus 100 may further includes a bell member 150 configured along the top portion 112 of the game board member 110. The bell member 150 may produce sound when the circular ball member 130 hits thereto, upon the biasing arrangement 140 hits the circular ball member 130.
Further shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the apparatus 100 may further include a winning area 160 configured along the bottom portion 114 of the game board member 110. The winning area 160 may include a plurality of pockets 162 to receive at least one prize or a playing card. A winner or the prize is decided based on which pocket of the plurality of pockets 162 the circular ball member 130 is received.
Further shown in FIG. 1C, the apparatus 100 may further include a support stand member 190 coupled along a back side 119 a, opposite to a front side 119 b, of the game board body 120. The support stand member 190 may provide support to the game board member 110 to align in slanted orientation with respect to a ground so that the circular ball member 130 rotate freely from the top portion 112 towards the bottom portion 114 of the game board member 110 due to gravity.
Further shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the apparatus 100 may further include a storage area 170 configured on the game board member 110 to store the at least one circular ball member 130. As shown in shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the storage area 170 is shown to be configured along the top portion 112 of the game board member 110 to store the at least one circular ball member 130. However, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the storage area 170 may be configured along the bottom portion 114 or at any other place of the game board member 110 to store the at least one circular ball member 130.
Further shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the apparatus 100, in one example embodiment, may further include a covering member 195. The covering member 195 may cover the game board member 110 to enable the at least one circular ball member 130 to move within the game board body 120 along the pattern configuration 122 without coming out form the game board body 120.
Further shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the apparatus 100, in one example embodiment, may further include a billboard 180 configured along the top portion 112 of the game board member 110. The billboard 180 may be attached along the top portion 112 of the game board member 110 via coupling member 182. The billboard 180 may be used for display of advertisements or game rule and any other material as desired by the owner.
For playing the game using the apparatus 100, one or more player may place the game board member 110 at slanted orientation with respect to a ground so that the circular ball member 130 may rotate freely from the top portion 112 towards the bottom portion 114 of the game board member 110 due to gravity. Upon such placement of the game board member 110 (or the apparatus 100), the user may pick the circular ball member 130 from the storage area 170 to place the circular ball member 130 in the track configuration 124 on the game board member 110. Thereafter, the one or more player may pull the biasing arrangement 140 to hit the circular ball member 130 to move along the pattern configuration 122. The circular ball member 130 may hit the bell member 150 to produce sound. Further, the circular ball member 130 slides to the obtrude member 126 and to the winning area 160 and fall within a pocket of the plurality of pockets 162, based on which pocket the circular ball member 130, the player may receive prize or win if based on the selection of the playing card. The obstruct member 126 may also be used interestingly for playing the game, for example, if the circular ball member 130 gets in the obstruct member 126, which in one example is an inverted triangular arrangement, the user may lose directly, may double the points, switch points from one user to another, or take all the opponents points and add all to the playing user.
The apparatus 100 for playing game provides new experience to game players. The apparatus 100 for playing game is easy as well as entertaining to play for all age group. The apparatus 100 for playing game may be suitable for playing with family or commercial competitive games. The apparatus 100 for playing may be used as indoor or as outdoor game.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for playing game, the apparatus comprising:

a game board member having

a top portion, a bottom portion and opposite sides, and

a game board body extending between the top portion, the bottom portion, and the opposite sides, the game board body comprising a pattern configuration;

at least one circular ball member adapted to move within the game board body along the pattern configuration;

at least one biasing arrangement configured along at least one of the opposite sides of the game board member, wherein the at least one biasing arrangement is adapted to be pulled to generate a biasing force to hit the at least one circular ball member to be moved within the game board body along the pattern configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pattern configuration comprises:

at least one track configuration extending from at least one of the opposite sides, towards the top portion,

a plurality of protruding member extending upwardly from a surface of the game board body between the top portion, the bottom portion and the opposite sides; and

an obstruct member extending upwardly from the surface of the game board body along the plurality of protruding member, and the at least one track configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one track configuration comprises:

a track member having:

a first portion extending from at least one of the opposite sides, towards the top portion,

a second portion slantedly extending from the first portion from at least one of the opposite sides, towards the top portion, and

a third portion slantedly extending from the second portion downwardly from the top portion towards the bottom portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and the second portions extend in spaced relation with at least one of a side edges of the at least one side of the opposite sides to form a narrow track arrangement to enable the at least one circular ball member to travel therewithin by the biasing force generated by the at least one biasing arrangement.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the third portion enables the at least one circular ball member to provide a slope to pass through the obstruct member and the plurality of protruding member of the pattern configuration to reach to the bottom portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a block member extending from the third portion to direct the at least one circular ball member.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of protruding member of the pattern configuration comprises:

a first set of the plurality of protruding member formed along the at least one track configuration around the top portion; and

a second set of the plurality of protruding member spaced from the first set of the plurality of protruding member, and formed along the at least one track configuration around the bottom portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the obstruct member is provided between the first set of the plurality of protruding member and the second set of the plurality of protruding member.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one biasing arrangement comprises:

a shaft member partially received within at least one of a recess along the at least one of the opposite sides, of the game board member to partially extend in the at least one track configuration;

a helical spring received on the shaft member; and

a spring stopper provided in the at least one track configuration to hold the helical spring on the shaft member when the at least one biasing arrangement is pulled to generate the biasing force to hit the at least one circular ball member.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bell member configured along the top portion of the game board member, wherein the bell member produces sound when the at least one circular ball member is hit by the at least one biasing arrangement 140 to be moved within the game board body.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a winning area configured along the bottom portion of the game board member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the winning area comprises a plurality of pockets to receive at least one prize or a playing card, wherein a winner or the prize is decided based on which pocket of the plurality of pockets the at least one circular ball member is received.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a support stand member coupled along a back side, opposite to a front side, of the game board body, to provide support to the game board member and at slanted orientation with respect to a ground so that the at least one circular ball member rotate freely from the top portion towards the bottom portion of the game board member.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a storage area configured on the game board member to store the at least one circular ball member.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a billboard configured along the top portion of the game board member for display.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a covering member to cover the game board member to enable the at least one circular ball member to move within the game board body along the pattern configuration without coming out form the game board body.

17. A method for playing game using an apparatus, the apparatus having a game board member with a pattern configuration, at least one circular ball member, and at least one biasing arrangement, the method comprising:

hitting the at least one circular ball member via the at least one biasing arrangement to move along the pattern configuration.