US2045339A - Draughtboard or checkerboard - Google Patents

Description

June 23, 1936. E. J. BOLAND DRAUGHT BCARD 0R CHECKERBOARD Filed June 21, 1 954 INVENTOR. PH B O L A N D.

ATTORNEYS.

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Patented June 23, 1936 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 2,045,339 DRAUGHTBOARD on CHECKERBOAR-D Edward Joseph Boland, Cleveland, om Application June 21, 1934,- Serial No. 731,666 2 Claims. (or. 273-131) This invention relates to improvements in a checker-board, and has for its object the provision of four playing fields, whereon two players may play individually, for-two groups individually, or persons paired as partners.

One feature of the invention resides in that when the players are playing individually on the board, they play on the fields at right angles to each other and not on the aligned fields across from each other.

- Another feature of the invention is that when four individuals play paired as partners, they play in the right angled fields and not in the fields across from one another.'

A further feature of the invention consists in that the playing pieces or checkers are placed on the boardin a triangular formation with the base of the respective triangles afironting the players, as contra-distinguished from the rectangular placement of the playing pieces or checkers on a draught-board as in an ordinary game of draughts.

The playing field outline may be likened to a cross having its arms at right angles to each other, each arm having therewith a component likened in outline to a trapezoid. The boundary lines within the cross arms give each playing .field a sagittate configuration.

A further feature of the invention consists in that the playing pieces may carry identifying indicia in the nature of sequentially arranged numerals or numbers or otherwise, and the game may be played solely as in checkers, the objective being to score different results according to precedence established when the game is started, and this result may be accomplished by playing for the low numbered pieces on the board, or by playing for the high numbered .pieces on the board, or by playing for a definite computed number in which case it might be necessary to play a series of games, or playing for the largest or smallest total obtained at the end of a. game or games. The playing pieces may each carry similar indicia as to value, but this may be dispensed with. The indicia on the pieces tends to prevent a game from becoming monotonous,

In order that this invention may be clearly understood, reference is also to be made to the accompanying drawing which illustrates convenient playing fields and which may be used by way of example, in which- Figure l is a plan view of a portable draughtboard, or checker-board, the respective fields being conventionally coloured for purposes of identification.

.the coloured hatchings shown Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the playing fields showing the playing pieces arranged thereon in playing position previous to the opening play.

Figure 3 is aplan the same being marked in seriatim from 1 to 15.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, A designates a portable draught-board or checker board on which draughts or checkers may be played. The board is divided into a plurality .of bounded playing spaces or areas as at I, 2, 3, 4, etc., and some one hundred and forty one spaces or areas more or less are required to play a four handed game. Twenty of the spaces or areas are free or open to the players and are positioned in the center of the board. Each set of five free playing spaces is positioned on opposite sides of diagonal boundary lines in the center of the board.

In the center of the playing fields are two lines B and C diagonally arranged which bound the respective fields, and which are for the purpose hereinafter explained.

Below the apices D, E,

F, and G, in each play- 2r ing field may be located a secondary boundary line extending chevronwise as at H, I, J, and K, and which may be used when two individuals are playing as hereinafter described.

The playing squares or areas are designated by in the drawing in It is to be understood however that the color scheme may be varied as desired.

The cross-shaped area of the playing field contains forty-five playing spaces, and the trapezoidal areas adjacent thereto twenty-four playing spaces each.

Each player is Figure 1.

alloted 15, more or less, playing pieces which may be of any preselected colour, and when a. game is played by four the moves are similar to those made in a game of draughts, with the exception however, that the movement of the playing pieces is made at right angles to the players only, in other words a player must not cross into his partner's field.

When a game is played by two individuals only, it is played as in an ordinary game of draughts, with the exception however,.that only one half of the playing fields are used, that is playing fields at right angles to the players are only to be used, and not an aligned playing field, or a playing field directly opposite to each player.

After the playing pieces are moved over the chevronwise line (if one is provided), in its respective playing field, the playing pieces must be view of theplaying pieces, 5 y

manoeuvered on the board in a forward direction and over into the opponents field, but must not cross the diagonal line separating the unused playing fields on the board. The players as in draughts or checkers move their playing pieces alternately and endeavor to take their opponents pieces on the board as in an ordinary game of checkers or draughts.

The game of checkers well known as French checkers may be likewise played on the board.

The playing fields may be diversely coloured so that respective contestants will recognize their own territory. The playing pieces may likewise be coloured for the purpose 01' identification, or may be coloured to match the playing field, or otherwise.

While I have herein shown and described one example oi! my invention, it will be readily understood that changes and modifications therein may be found desirable or essential in meeting the various exigencies of use, and I desire to be understood as reserving the right to make any and all such changes or modifications as may be found desirable or essential, in so far as the same may fall within the ,spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims when broadly construed.

Having thus described claim is l. A four man checker board, comprising, an inner cross shaped area having four arms, the said area being divided into a plurality of alternate checkered subdivisio each arm of the cross containing three spaces and two non-playing spaces, tour trapezoidal areas each containing a plurality of alternate checkered subdivisions Joined to the arms of the cross, two of the playing spaces in each trapezoidal area adjoining the two non-playing spaces in the arms of the cross, and playing pieces for playing the game.

2. A four man checker board as claimed in my invention, what I claim 1 wherein diagonal lines are provided in the cross shaped area and dividing the cross into four sections, each section containing three playing spaces and one non-playing space adjacent to the spaces in the arms.

EDWARD JOSEPH BOLAND.

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