US3030112A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

A ril 17, 1962 Filed July 22, 1958 W. W. S. SCHARP GAME APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i8 I 52 (Q 4 444 52 50 A 52 7 2; 54 fi/ 50 a? 50 W J 22 JZQ 50 F I nun 0 O 0 O O O O O O O O nu". um. A

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O O 0 O O O O O 0 O 0 O O O 6 O O O O 0 O O O O 9 O O O O INVENTOR WESM-Y M 5'- Sc/MPP BY 24W pawn dam A'FTORNEY S W. W. S. SCHARP I GAME APPARATUS April 17, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 22, 1958 INVENTCR 11 h FSLEY M S. Say/42 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,030,112 GAME APPARATUS Wesley W. S. Scharp, P.0. Box 200, Nassau Point, Cutchogue, N.Y. Filed July 22, 1958, Ser. No. 750,214 10 Claims. (Cl. 273-136) This invention relates to game apparatus, and in particular apparatus adapted for use in playing any one of a number of challenging games by one or more persons.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide game apparatus to be used by one or more players, adults or children, and adapted for use in playing a multitude of different games based upon selections made by the players from any one or more of a very large number of available paths of play.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide port-able game apparatus characterized by being simple with respect to manufacture and use, and serving as the basis for numerous games of challenge founded upon area selections made by one or more of the players.

In furtherance of the aforesaid objects, it is a further object of the instant invention to provide game apparatus in the form of a right rectangular pyramid made up of stacked platforms, certain of which are turnable, so as to provide a multitude of playable paths to be selected by one or more players in playing out any one of numerous games, and wherein the apparatus in modified form may be further simplified by being set out on stacked flat boards or a single fiat board or on a revolvable flat playing area turnable on a convenient frame.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view looking down onto the top of the game apparatus embodying the invention in the form of a right rectangular pyramid;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional and elevational view of said apparatus taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional and plan view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary and top plan view of a modified embodiment of the game apparatus wherein the play areas thereof are set out on a flat board;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary and sectional elevation taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the game apparatus wherein a turnable triangular board constitutes the play area;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the invention in another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 9 after assemblage; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary section taken along line 1111 of FIG. 10.

Reference is now made to the figures and in particular FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In its preferred embodiment, the basic structure of the game apparatus com-prises a right rectangular stepped pyramid 20. Stepped pyramid 20 is made up of six substantially square platforms 21 to 26 and a squared base pyramid 27 mounted on the top of the sixth platform 26. The vertical height of each platform is preferably the same, whereas the square area of each platform is proportionately reduced in size such that each platform when stacked one on top of the other defines step-s 22 to 33. The formed steps 28 to 33 are preferably all of equal area in setback. The periphery of the base of pyramid 27 is dimensioned to maintain 3,939,112 Patented Apr. 17, 1962 the stepped formation. Triangulary shaped thin. fins 34 to 39 extend integrally from the four corners of each platform 21 to 26. Fins 34 to 39 are oriented so that the triangular surface areas thereof are substantially coplanar wtih diagonal lines along the top faces of platforms 21 to 26. The six platforms 21 to 26 equipped with fins 3439 and top mounted pyramid 27, mounted one on top of each other as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 form the stepped right rectangular pyramid 20, wherein the fins are aligned along a straight line extending from the corners of bottom platform 21 to the corner edges of top pyramid 27 so as to form four separate playing areas a, b, c, and d.

The formed playing areas may be identified by markings or symbols a, b, c, and d. If desired, each of the symbols a, b, c, and d may be printed on a correlated vertical wall of platform 21, as illustrated in FIG. 2; or the play areas can be distinguished one from another by different color codings, for example: play area a may be coded yellow as indicated at y, area b-blue as indicated at z, area c-orange as indicated at o and area d-green as indicated at x. The selection of color codings is arbitrary. However, some thought should be given to the selection of colors to avoid difficulty in distinguishing same by persons who are color blind. The substantially confronting faces 4l-45 of each pair or set of fins 34-39, that is the fins to the left and right hand sides of any given play area, are the same color as the interjacent play area when color coding is used. When color coding is used, it is also preferable that the surfaces of the inclined edges 47 of the fins have the same color as the play area to its right.

The steps 28-33 formed by the setback and vertical walls of stacked platforms 2126 and pyramid 27 are numbered I-VI, which numbers appear on the fin faces. The vertical wall of platform 21 is divided into fourteen consecutively numbered areas, from left to right, by vertical lines 46 printed or otherwise provided thereon leaving unnumbered areas to the left and right ends of the numbered wall areas. The vertical walls of succeeding platforms 2246 are similarly numbered except that wall areas of platforms 22-26 are numbered, respectively, 1 through 12, 1 through 10, 1 through 8, 1 through 6, and 1 through 4, from left to right.

Horizontal step 28 of platform 21 is also divided into fourteen stepped areas by horizontal lines 56 drawn from the top end of the aforesaid vertical lines 46 and along the exposed portion of the surface of step 28. The steps of succeeding platforms 22-26 are similarly divided into stepped areas. It will be noted that each of the formed stepped areas of a given platform is in alignment with a numbered area of the vertical wall of its platform.

Consequently there are as many stepped areas as there are numbered vertical areas for any given platform. Each stepped area is numbered with digits 1 to 6 selected in a predetermined manner. Triangular shaped unnumbered areas appear adjacent correlated fin faces 40-45 at the left end and at the right end of the numbered stepped areas of each platform. The sequence in which the stepped areas are numbered, that is to say, the method employed in selecting the number assigned to the particular stepped area will determine the quantity and nature of the paths of travel available for selection by persons playing the numerous games afforded by pyramid 20 as one progresses from one platform step to the next. A further discussion of this will appear hereinafter.

In addition to the numbers appearing on the horizontal stepped areas, these areas are also lettered with symbols P, Y, R, A, M, I wherein the letter P appears in the same stepped area provided with the digit 1. The remaining letters are associated with the other digits as follows: the letter Y appears with number 2; the letter R appears with number 3; the letter A appears with number 4; the letter M appears with number 5; and the letter I appears-with number 6. The inclined faces 55 of top pyramid 27 are marked with the letter D. The fifty-four numbered stepped areas of each of the four playing areas contain a hole 48 for receiving a playing peg 49. In addition, each inclined surface 55 of top pyramid 27 also contains a hole 48 for insertion of playing peg 49.

In using the apparatus, platform 21 and the top mounted pyramid 27 remain stationary, whereas platforms 22-26 are turnable about a vertical axis either clockwise or counterclockwise. When the turnable platforms 22-26 are repositioned in their new positions they should be lined up square with each other to reform the right rectangular stepped pyramid 20. In turning any one of turnable platforms 22-26, the color (if color coding is used) of the playing areas will change from its original solid color at the start of the game to any variation of the four colors being employed. In spite of such turning, it will be noted that the numbering on fins 34 and 39 remains the same since all fins at the same level are similarly numbered. It will be understood that sequence of the particular numbers or symbols given to any row of stepped areas of a particular platform is not necessarily the same as the sequence of markings applied to another row of stepped areas of the same platform. For example, the stepped areas of the lowest platform 21 as seen in FIG. 1, are made up of the following sequence in play area a: Y 2; P 1; I 6; P 1; M 5; etc., whereas an adjacent side, play area d, is marked accordingly: P l; A 4; P 1; Y 2; etc. Consequently, the permutations of available paths for the players to use in playing a game increases manifold by the reason of the fact that platforms 22-26 are turnable so as to allow reforming of a multitude of different arrangements wherein the aforementioned structure actually provides the players with the possibility of 4,096 playing areas from which to choose.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a simple mechanism may be employed to facilitate turning of platforms 22 through 26. Vertically aligned holes 50 are drilled through the center of each platform. Since platform 21 is stationary, it is provided with a central upright rod 51 provided with preferably four groove slots 52 extending along the length of rod 51. The top of rod 51 is preferably threaded at 53 to which top pyramid 27, also adapted not to turn in playing of a game, is threadedly secured. Each turnable platform 22-26 may be provided with an extensible and retractable spring actuated ball member 54 suitably positioned and secured from the walls of the platform holes 50 to extend radially in order to engage a correlated groove 52 of rod 51. When a turnable platform is revolved, ball member 54 thereof will snap out of the correlated engaged groove 52 as its spring depresses; thereafter each ball member 54 Will roll along rod 51 until it falls into the next groove 52. Ball members 54 releasably lock the turnable platforms 22-26 in desirable position, but require no more than a slight turning force to any one of the fins, clockwise or counter clockwise, to rotate the correlated platform.

Use of pyramid apparatus for a game now will be illustrated. Pyramid apparatus 20 may be employed by one to four or more players. .If four players are available, each player will select a playing area a, b, c, or d by any one of many ways. If there are more than four players, it is preferable that there be no more than two on a team for each playing area. Play requires dice; standard six-sided dice may be used wherein the die side marked represents the letter P. The sides marked (K a I 0 represent, respectively, Y, R, A, M, and I. As an alternative, the game apparatus may be supplied with dice marked with the letters P, Y, R, A, M, I in lieu of standard die markings. The rule of the illustrated game requires that all players simultaneously throw a die. The

first player to throw a P (or may choose his playing area and select his path therein by choosing a stepped area of the lowest platform step 28 with P into which area he places his peg. The pegs may be color coded to distinguish one from another. Since there are several paths in each playing area, the player should carefully examine the playing area he selects and prudently choose the path he believes best to follow. Once having started by pegging in a selected area he cannot change. On succeeding throws the other players must throw a P in order to advance to their respective first steps. On the other hand, the player already pegged in his first step has to throw a Y to advance to his second step. Wherein upon successfully throwing a Y, he proceeds to the second platform step 29, but the Y square selected on step 29 must be vertically in line with the P of step 28 or diagonally to its right or left. On the next successful throw in order to advance to the third step 30, the player must throw an R, and then an A to advance to the fourth step 31, an M to the fifth step 32, and an I to the sixth step 33. In each instance, in order to advance to the next succeeding step, the stepped area required for such advancement must be vertically in line or diagonally either to its right or left of the pegged area on the platform from which the player is advancing. To reach the letter D top pyramid 27, the dice must be thrown such that each die comes up with a letter I or its equivalent. The game can be modified in numerous respects, for example, the game can be prearranged to end when the first player reaches the top and pegs in at D. To make the game longer and interesting, the game may continue until a player returns to ground level. To do so, the player arriving at D next must throw an I to descend to an I area on the sixth platform from his pegged position in D. For further variations of play, the players may choose the same path they used in ascent or the game may be again varied by requiring the players to use a different path for descent. The throwing of the die for descent proceeds as for the upward climb but in reverse order.

For the purpose of playing the foregoing described game or any of the many other games playable with pyramid apparatus 20, the letters and/ or numbers applied to the stepped areas may be selected by mathematical procedures, and the selection and arrangement of the stepped area indicia may be such that each of the four playing areas will always provide one or more paths for the players to follow in ascent to top pyramid 27 and descent to the bottom platform 21. The mathematics for solving the combination of digits 1 through 6, or letters P through I as the correlated indicia, for the stepped areas is not necessary to the understanding of the claimed invention. Suffice to say that there are generally three methods for mathematically predetermining the combinations of digits 1 to 6 and letters P to I for the disclosed apparatus. One method will provide play areas with a large number of paths from the bottom platform to the top for every play area wherein certain of the paths terminate or dead end before the top is reached. The dead end paths introduce an extra challenge to the players in some types of games. A second method differs from the first only in that the dead end paths are eliminated entirely. A third method will produce an arrangement in which the majority of paths terminate before the top or bottom platform is reached, depending upon whether the paths start from the top or the bottom platform so as to leave only a few paths of travel from the starting point to the finish.

It will be understood that the game apparatus 20 may be used for numerous other games of diverse variations playable by one or more players. The games may be devised by the players themselves or set forth in instructions accompanying game apparatus 20. As an example of another game wherein standard dice may be used, the Roman numerals I-VI on the fin faces serve as indicia. As before, the player first entitled to peg in must throw a which allows him to select his play area and the stepped area of its step 28 as indicated by fin face I. In order to advance to the second step 29 as indicated by fin face II, the player must throw the to advance to the third step he must throw a at n and so on until top pyramid 2.7 as indicated by fin face VI is reached. The game may be varied in many respects by requiring the player to start off at the right end or left end of the playing area, that is to say a stepped area immediately adjacent the fin faces and upon advancing to the next step to move diagonally no more than one or two stepped areas or as otherwise specified by the rule of the game.

The arabic numbers along the vertical walls of stepped platforms 21-26 will assist the players in keeping track of their respective moves as each player pegs into his selected stepped area. The players may track the moves of their opponents by noting the correlated vertical wall numbers and its color so that the score of any player may be checked even though during play, any one or more of the platforms 22-26 have been turned.

It will be understood that right rectangular pyramid 20 may be modified in structure for example, the platforms may be five-sided, six-sided or take on any other division of a pyramid without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the game apparatus may be modified as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this instance, the game apparatus may be printed on a flat four-sided square board 60 made of wood, cardboard or paper. Diagonal lines 61 from the four corners of the board separate the four playing areas a, b, c, d wherein each side of board 60 is a base line for a respective triangular play area. Horizontal and vertical lines 62 define'successive rows of stepped areas for each playing area. Each stepped area is numbered and identified by letters P, Y, R, A, M, I as noted hereinbefore. If a thick board is used, each stepped area may be provided with hole 48 to receive pegs 49. The apex region of each playing area is symbolized by the letter D and also may be provided with hole 48. If board 60 is made of paper, each player may use a different color crayon to allow the players to track their respective moves, which paper board may be discarded upon completion of a game.

Another structural variation of game apparatus is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 wherein the play area consists of a single rectangularly shaped flat board 70 of suitable material. The stepped areas and apex area D of the play area are defined by horizontal and vertical lines 62 as noted hereinbefore with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 5. The apex area is provided with a hole '71. Board 70 is adapted to slidably rest on a relatively square shaped frame 72 having a central upright rod 73 extending through hole 71. The one playing area of this embodiment is used by all the players and the position of each player may be distinguished by a different colored peg or if the board is made of slate each player may use a different color chalk. Board 70 will be turned about the axis of rod 73 so that its base line 75 coincides with the next of the four sides of frame 72 so that in turn it confronts each player for his respective move.

Another structural variation of game apparatus is shown in FIGS. 9, and 11. Game apparatus 80 is made up of a plurality of four-sided stacked platforms 81 to 86 provided with opposed top and bottom surface areas of predetermined dimensions such that successive platforms from bottom to top are progressively smaller in area to form setback steps 88a to 88f upon advancing from one platform to the next. Lines 89-90 in cooperation with the edges of each platform mark out the various stepped areas on the setback steps of platforms 81-36 as described hereinbefore. Each stepped area is distinguished by indicia markings 95 as noted hereinbefore to provide the stepped areas to be selected by a player upon progressing from one platform step to the next as part of a game. Top platform 86 has diagonal lines 87 in the central portion providing areas corresponding to the pyramid areas represented by letter D in the foregoing embodiments. Platforms 82 through 86 are turnable by being provided with aligned central through bores to permit mounting over upright column 91 extending integrally from lower platform 81. The bottom of column 91 may be flanged at 92 and thus fastened or otherwise glued to a recessed groove in platform 81. Upon stacking platforms 81-86, the top end of column 91 may be flanged at 93, rivet fashion, to prevent separation of the platforms but with clearance so as not to bind same against turning any one of the individual platforms 82 through 86. To facilitate holding platforms 82-86 in desired alignment, detents 94 are provided in platforms 81-86 wherein the anterior and posterior surfaces thereof register when the platforms are aligned. A slight turning force applied to any of the turnable platforms will permit repositioning same. Platforms 81-86 may be of any suitable material such as relatively thin cardboard, wood, slate, and if desirable color coded. In addition, platforms 81-86 may be provided with holes such as 48 shown hereinbefore to receive playing pegs 49. In lieu of pegs, the players may use colored chalk to mark and trace their paths of play which markings may be erased or washed away after use when platforms 81-86 are made of Wood or other suitable material.

Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is: I

1. Game apparatus comprising, a plurality of stacked platforms having vertical walls and also having opposed top and bottom surface areas of predetermined dimensions, the surface areas of successive platforms from bottom to top being progressively smaller to form setback steps upon advancing from one platform to the next, a pyramid mounted on the top platform and having a peripheral base of predetermined dimensions with respect to the area of the top platform to form a right rectangular pyramid with said stacked platforms, a fin mounted at each platform corner, adjacent ones of said fins defining sets of fins wherein interjacent vertical walls and setback steps in combination with a correlated side of said top pyramid form individual play areas, means rotatably mounting any one of said platforms except for the lowest platform about a vertical axis with respect to the other platforms wherein any of said rotatable platforms may be revolved and then repositioned to reform the right rectangular pyramid, means along said setback steps for dividing said setback steps into individual stepped areas, and indicia for distinguishing any one of such stepped areas from another and providing a sequence of stepped areas to be selected by a player upon progressing from one platform step to another as part of a game.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein, said stacked platforms except for the lowest platform are provided with aligned central through bores, said mounting means comprising a rod extending integrally and upright from said lowest platform and through said bores, said top pyramid having an underneath side contiguous with said top platform and also having an opening extending inwardly from said underneath side for mounting over the top end of said rod.

3. Game apparatus comprising, a plurality of stacked four-sided platformshaving vertical walls of predetermined height and also having opposed top and bottom surface areas of predetermined dimensions, the surface areas of successive platforms from bottom to top being progressively smaller to form setback steps upon advancing from one platform to the next, a pyramid mounted on the top platform and having a four-sided peripheral base of predetermined dimension with respect to the area of the top platform to form with said stacked platforms a right rectangular pyramid, a fin mounted at each platform corner and having upright faces substantially aligned with diagonal lines along the platform surfaces, adjacent ones of said fins having substantially juxtaposed faces wherein the interjacent vertical walls and setback steps in combination with a correlated side of said top pyramid form individual play areas, means for rotatably mounting any one of said platforms except for the lowest platform about a central vertical axis with respect to the other platforms wherein any of said rotatably mounted platforms may be revolved and then repositioned to reform the right rectangular pyramid, spaced lines along said setback steps of each playing area, said lines dividing said setback steps into individual stepped areas, and indicia for individually identifying such areas and providing a sequence of stepped areas to be selected by a player upon progressing from one platform step to another as part of a game.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 further comprising, means including indicia along the vertical walls of each platform for dividing said vertical walls into individually numbered areas, the vertically numbered areas of a given platform being the same in quantity as the stepped areas possessed by said platform, and each numbered area of a given platform being in alignment with a correlated stepped area of said platform.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein, each playing area and including the juxtaposed fin faces to the left and to the right of the given playing area is provided with a color code different than the color of the other playing areas so as to distinguish one playing area from another for at least one formation of the right rectangular pyramid.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein, said stacked platforms except for the lowest platform are provided with aligned central through bores, said mounting means comprising a rod extending integrally and upright from said lowest platform and through said bores, said top pyramid having an opened underneath side for mounting over the top end of said rod, a plurality of grooves extending axially along said rod, a retractable and extensible spring biased ball member carried by individual ones of said rotatably mounted platforms and adapted to engage respective ones of said grooves when said game apparatus is formed as a right rectangular pyramid, said ball members being characterized by releasably holding said rotatably mounted platforms in right rectangular pyramid formation and permitting the rotating of any one of said rotatably mounted platforms, each ball member being adapted to roll out of an engaged groove and along the surface of said rod to engage a succeeding groove upon the rotating of a correlated platform as it is being repositioned to reform the right rectangular pyramid, and the engaging portions of the top end of said rod and top pyramid opening being threaded wherein said top pyramid and lowest platform are relatively stationary.

7. Game apparatus comprising, a plurality of four-sided stacked platforms having opposed top and bottom surface areas of predetermined dimensions, the surface areas of successive platforms from bottom to top being progressively smaller to form setback steps upon advancing from one platform to the next, means rotatably mounting any one of the platforms except the lowest platform about a vertical axis with respect to the other platforms wherein any one of said rotatable platforms may be revolved and then repositioned with the edges thereof aligned with the edges of the other platforms, means along said setback steps for dividing said setback steps into individual stepped areas, and indicia for distinguishing any one of such stepped areas from another and providing a sequence of stepped areas to be selected by a player upon progressing from one platform step to another as part of a game.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein, said stacked platforms except for the lowest platform are provided with aligned central through bores, said mounting means comprising, a rod extending integrally and upright from said lowest platform and through said bores, and means at the top of said rod maintaining said pi atforms stacked one on the other.

9. Game apparatus comprising a plurality of stacked platforms having vertical side walls and opposed top and bottom surface areas of preselected dimensions, means rotatably mounting the platforms in common except for the lowest platform about a vertical central axis, said stacked platforms forming at least one playing area substantially triangular in shape having a base line in predetermined relationship with the sidewalls of said platforms, mews defining successive rows of steps in said playing area, said rows being parallel to said base line, means generally transverse to said base line for dividing each row of steps into a plurality of separate and distinct rectangular stepped sections, indicia for individually identifying said stepped sections and providing a sequence of stepped sections to be selected by a player upon progressing from one row of steps to the next row of steps as part of a game and substantially aligned means along opposed sides of said playing area with respect to said base line and extending from said base line and converging toward said vertical central axis forming the apex of said playing area to provide successive rows of steps in said playing area with progressively less stepped sections in advancing from said base line toward said apex, each of said stepped sections having a hole to receive a peg to identify the position of a player at any time during a game, said rotatably mounted platforms being revolvable to reposition the base line relative to the side walls of said platforms in accordance with the rules of the game.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said stacked platforms comprise two platforms, the upper platform being formed of a triangularly shaped board whose base line is the base line of said playing area, said lowermost stationary platform being formed of a substantially square frame having four sides wherein any one of said sides is adapted to coincide substantially with said base line, and wherein said rotatable mounting means includes an upright rod extending from said lower platform into a recess opening in the apex portion of said triangularly shaped board whereby said triangular board may be rotated from one position to another where, for any one position, said base line substantially coincides with a side of said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 766,118 Saunders July 26, 1904 1,119,870 Pettit Dec. 8, 1914 1,295,993 Kleissl Mar. 4, 1919 1,627,501 Goldthorpe May 2, 1927 2,199,745 Harris May 7, 1940 2,215,696 Graves Sept. 24, 1940 2,595,938 Grant May 6, 1952 2,729,451 Larson Ian. 3, 1956 2,839,842 Keyko June 24, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 143,032 Great Britain May 20, 1920

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