US3099451A

US3099451A - Solar space games

Info

Publication number: US3099451A
Application number: US12126A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elmer M Newhouse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-03-01
Filing date: 1960-03-01
Publication date: 1963-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1980-07-30

Description

July 30, 1963 E. M. NEwHoUsE SOLAR SPACE GAMES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1. 1960 I N VEN TOR. [L msx M NEW/10u55 BY w A7701? EY E. M. NEWHOUSE SOLAR SPACE GAMES July 30, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March l. 1960 fla. 3

IN VEN TOR "Mfe M. NEM/cwi BY b,

Ar o July 30, 1963 E. M. NEwHousE 3,099,451

soLAR SPACE GAMES Filed March 1. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f IN VEN TOR. EL Msn M. /Vfwf/az/.sf

United States Patent O 3,099,451 SLAR SPACE GAMES Elmer M. Newlxouse, 2582 Druid Parli Drive, Baltimore, Md. Filed Mar. 1, 196i), Ser. No. 12,126 5 Claims. (Cl. 273-134) This invention relates in general to games and, more particularly, to a solar space game.

It is lan object .of the invention to' provide a game of chance which will at the saine time impart to the players some information relating to the solar system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sol-ar space game including a game broaznd, provided with suitable indicia for the various planets of the solar system wand including :a spinner wheel and dice for enabling` the players to reach the various planets. Suitable ags, plastic coins land miniature space vehicles Iare also provided for use Aas indicators during the course of play.

Yet another .object of the invention is to provide a solar vspace game which :contains the elements of chance in its play, lis well adapted `lior amusement purposes and yet, 'at the sarne time, has educational value.

The invention consists of the novell constructions, aruangements and devices -to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the above-stated objects and such other objects as will appear 'from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents the game board on which the sol-ar space gaine is played;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 represent green dice which are used to reach various )of the planets;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 represent black dice which are used to reach the remaining planets;

FIG. 9 Iis a perspective yof one of the novel dice;

FIGS. lO, 'l1 and 12 lare scoring discs;

FIG. 13 shows one of the indicia used on the reverse side of the discs shown in FIGS. l0, 11 Aand 12;

FIG. 14 is a representation :of a il'ag designating la particular player;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are side and front views, respectively, of a miniature space ship;

FIG. 17 is -a top View of a spinner Wheel used to reach the moon; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective of la scoring pad which may be used in lieu of the scoring :discs set out in FIGS. 10, 1l and 12.

Like numerals refer to like parts :throughout the varions views.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the game board sho-wn therein is Ia representation of the solar system. -At `the center of ,y the system is sun 10, sur-rounded by planets mercury 11,

venus 12, ear-th 13, including its moron 14, `and mars 15. The Iaforementioned planets represent the socalled inner group. Moving 'out to the outer group, there is planet jupiter 16, saturn 17, .uranus V18, nept-une 19, and pluto 20. Each planet has the correct astnonomical symbol represented thereon land, in addition, bears the name nearby along with the period to complete one revolution around the sun.

The game board Ifurther bears, for :informative purposes only, la list of the nine planets and the sun Aand the moon with the correct astronomical gure adjacent thereto. Also on the board, is `a Time Schedule for Space Explonation, which represent-s the number of daystit would take a space ship to reach the various planets from a space station on the rnoon.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 :and 5 represent face representation of

dice

21, 22, 23 and 24, used to reach the laorernentioned "ice ou-ter group of planets. FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are representations of dice 25, 26 :and 27, used lto reach the aorementioned inner group of planets.

In scoring the game, various points yare Iawarded to the lirst player to reach 'a planet, to ia second player to reach that particular planet, and Ltot the thind player to reach that particular planet. The point values awarded 'are l12, 7 and 5 respectively. In order to laid in keeping score, the

scoring discs

28, 29 and 3l), as set ont in FIGS. d0; 11 `and 12, yare provided, there being one set of three rdiscs for each planet. yOn the reverse side of each set of discs will `appear the astnonomical symbol for each of the nine planets, as shown on the game board. Disc 31, as shovvn in FIG. 13 for example, bears the astronomical symbol for mars.

Each player is given an identifying flag 32, ia-s shown in FIG. `14. Each ilag 32 comprises a base portion 33, a mast portion 34, and an identifying portion 35. It will be apparent that the various identifying portions 35 will be distinguished one from the other by any suitable color or delineation.

A 'miniature space ship 36, .as set out in FIGS. 15 and 16, comprises a body portion 37 .and -a cabin portion 38. There will be one space ship 36 for each player, and it will be noted that the space ships will be diierentiated simil-arly to the ilags 32, so that each player will have his ilag :and space ship the same color and delineation.

A spinner wheel 39 is provided for reaching the escape velocity necessary to `overcome the gravitational pull of the earth and enable the space explorer to reach the moon. The spinner wheel 39 comprises a Wheel portion 419, inscribed with the numerals l through l2 thereon, and a rotating arrow 41, suitably mounted ion a bearing 42, so that it may be spun on the Wheel portion 40.

In keeping score, a scoring pad 43 is provided as an option lt-o replace

scoring discs

28, 29 and 30. Each sheet of the scoring pad bea-rs the names of the planets lin the left hand column vtill thereof, :and opposite thereto la number :of blank columns with space for the names of the players at the top of each colurnn.

The object of the Igame is for la player to leave the ieanth :and reach the moon, which is then used as a space station. Each player then attempts to reach the planets from the moon. Various points are awarded for the nst, second and third player to reach each particular planet. After each pla-net has been reached by a player, that player nrust return to his base on the moon before he can travel to the next planet. When all of the planets have been visited by the various players, the game is over, with .the winner being the player having the highest number of points. For a player to reach the moon from the earth, an escape velocity of at least 7 miles per second, or more, must be attained. Once .on the moon, the dice are used to reach the Various planets. The green dice to reach the outer gnoup of planets, land the black dice to reach the inner group of planets.

In play, a player spins arrow 41 on spinner wheel 39. If the ar-row points to 7, Kor any higher number, he has then reached lan escape velocity suilicient to carry him away from the gravitational pull of the earth to the moon. He then moves his miniature space ship 36 to the vicinity of the rnoon. Each player, in turn, spins Iarrow 41 until such time as he is 'able to move his space ship to the moon. Dependent on whether one wishes to reach an outer planet or an inner planet, one throws the green dice or the black dice. In the Time Schedule for Space Exploration it will be noted, for example, that it takes days to reach mercury. If la player is attempting to reach this particular planet, he throws the black dice. If the numerals 1-0-5 ,appear uppermost on the Idice after they have stopped rolling, the particular player may then move his space ship to mercury, receiving 12 points for being the first player to reach the planet. He is then given a disc 30, bearing the numeral 12 thereon, with the reverse side having the correct astronomical symbol for the planet mercury, Yas set Iout in the list of astronomical symbols on the `game board. To return from mercury to the moon, he must again throw the black dice until the numerals 1-0-5 appear, yafter which he moves his space ship back from mercury to the moon, leaving his llag 32 on the planet to indicate that he has been there. He is then free to try for 'any other planet.

As a further example, if `a player were to try to reach the planet neptune, 30107 astrons fare required according to the Time 'liable `for Space Exploration. An astron is merely a convenient unit to use, since the number of days required would be astronomical. Using the green dice then, the player must `continue to throw each time his turn is reached until the numerals 3-0-04 app-ear uppermost on the dice, :at which time he is free to move his space ship to the planet. As before, the same dice must be thrown with the same numerals uppermost for return to the moon, at which time the particular players ila-g will be left on the planet. ln order to secure the greatest number of points, it will ybe apparent that each player would attempt first to reach :a planet that had not previously been reached by another player, so that he may secure the 12 points for :being the iirst. At the same time, it will be apparent that any one player may not only be the first to reach the planet, but ialso the second and third, in which case one player could Ireceive the total of 24 points for reaching any one planet three times. When 'all the planets have been reached by at least one player, as indicated by the fact of :a flag on each planet, the game is over. Each player then counts his

discs

28, 29 or 30, as the case may be, with the player having the greatest num-ber of points declared the winner of the game.

It will be `apparent that I have provided a game with the various elements of chance, suspense, some element of skill, and one which is .adapted for whiling away many `a pleasant hou-r. At the saine time, the particular players will be rgiven lan introduction to the solar system, which has educational benets These benefits comprise learning the various planets of the system, and also act as a stimulus to further knowledge.

I Wish it to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific `constr-uctions and `arrangements shown and described, except only insofar as the claims maybe so limited, .as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made Without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Game apparatus comprising a playing board having a represent-ation of the solar system thereon, said representation comprising the sun at the center thereof and the solar system planets represented as lbeing in orbit around the sun, said orbits being spaced radi-ally outwardly according to their position in the solar system; a space station for space travel on the board; said game apparatus including a chance device having associated therewith a plurality of different indicia, .and comprising means for selecting by chance one of said indicia, said indicia representing different velocities, some of which tare arbitrarily designated as escape velocities enabling a player to move his game piece to the space station; said game apparatus `also including a member having thereon a schedule in units of time for. space exploration setting out the time required to travel from the space station to the various planets, each of `a first group of said planets having travel times comprising :a first set number of digits, and each of a second group of said planets having travel times comprising a second differing set number of digits; said game apparatus further including a first set of dice having digits therein including those on the time schedule for space exploration whereby a player may leave the space station for space exploration to said first group of planets, the number of dice in said set being equal to the number of digits in said first set of digits; and a second set of dice having digits thereon including those on the time schedule for space exploration whereby a player may leave the space station for space exploration to said second group of planets, the number of dice in said second set being equal to the number of digits in said second set of digits, said first and second sets of Adice being differentiated from each other ffor selection Iand use in travel to either the first group of planets or the second group of planets.

2. Game apparatus comprising a playing board having a representation of the solar system thereon, said representation comprising the sun :at the center thereof and the solar system planets represented as lbeing in orbit 4around the sun, .said orbits being spaced radially outwardly from the sun according to their position in the solar system, said representation further including la space station depicted Iby the earths moon; said Agame apparatus including a spinner wheel having associated therewith a plurality of different indicia, and compris-ing means for selecting `by chance one of said indicia, said indicia representing different velocities, some of which are arbitrarily designated as escape velocities enabling a player to -move his game piece to the space station; said game apparatus also including )a member :having thereon a schedule in units of time for space exploration, said schedule setting out the time required to travel from the moon to the various planets, each of a first group of said planets having travel times comprised of three digits, and each of a second group of said planets having travel times comprised of -four digits; sai-d game .apparatus further including =a first set of three dice having digits thereon including those on said time schedule whereby a player may leave the moon for space exploration to said first group of planets; and a second set of four dice having digits thereon including those on said time schedule whereby a player may leave the moon for space exploration to said second group of planets, said Irst land second sets of dice being differentiated from each other for selection and use in travel to either the first group o-f planets or the second group of planets.

3. G-ame appanatus as set out in claim 2 further including a plurality of space ships, one for each player and separately dilierentiated.

4. Game apparatus as set out in claim 3 further including .a plurality of marker flags differentiated similarly to said space ships.

5. Game apparatus as set out in claim 4 further including a plurality of setsl of scoring discs, one said set for each planet other than earth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 836,878 Guillaume Nov. 27, 1906 1,567,975 Muir Dec. 29, 1925 2,316,862 Haggard :et al. Apr. 20v, 1943 2,611,616 Kloss Sept. 23, 1952 2,658,760 Brost Nov. 1'0', 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 29,957 Great Britain Feb. 27, 1897

Claims

1. GAME APPARATUS COMPRISING A PLAYING BOARD HAVING A REPRESENTATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM THEREON, SAID REPRESENTATION COMPRISING THE SUN AT THE CENTER THEREOF AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM PLANETS REPRESENTED AS BEING IN ORBIT AROUND THE SUN, SAID ORBITS BEING SPACED RADIALLY OUTWARDLY ACCORDING TO THEIR POSITION IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM; A SPACE STATION FOR SPACE TRAVEL ON THE BOARD; SAID GAME APPARATUS INCLUDING A CHANCE DEVICE HAVING ASSOCIATED THEREWITH A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT INDICIA, AND COMPRISING MEANS FOR SELECTING BY CHANCE ONE OF SAID INDICIA, SAID INDICIA REPRESENTING DIFFERENT VELOCITIES, SOME OF WHICH ARE ARBITRARILY DESIGNATED AS "ESCAPE" VELOCITIES ENABLING A PLAYER TO MOVE HIS GAME PIECE TO THE SPACE STATION; SAID GAME APPARATUS ALSO INCLUDING A MEMBER HAVING THEREON A SCHEDULE IN UNITS OF TIME FOR SPACE EXPLORATION SETTING OUT THE TIME REQUIRED TO TRAVEL FROM THE SPACE STATION TO THE VARIOUS PLANETS, EACH OF A FIRST GROUP OF SAID PLANETS HAVING TRAVEL TIMES COMPRISING A FIRST SET NUMBER OF DIGITS, AND EACH OF A SECOND GROUP OF SAID PLANETS HAVING TRAVEL TIMES COMPRISING A SECOND DIFFERING SET NUMBER OF DIGITS; SAID GAME APPARATUS FURTHER INCLUDING A FIRST SET OF DICE HAVING DIGITS THEREIN INCLUDING THOSE ON THE TIME SCHEDULE FOR SPACE EXPLORATION WHEREBY A PLAYER MAY LEAVE THE SPACE STATION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION TO SAID FIRST GROUP OF PLANETS, THE NUMBER OF DICE IN SAID SET BEING EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF DIGITS IN SAID FIRST SET OF DIGITS; AND A SECOND SET OF DICE HAVING DIGITS THEREON INCLUDING THOSE ON THE TIME SCHEDULE FOR SPACE EXPLORATION WHEREBY A PLAYER MAY LEAVE THE SPACE STATION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION TO SAID SECOND GROUP OF PLANETS, THE NUMBER OF DICE IN SAID SECOND SET BEING EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF DIGITS IN SAID SECOND SET OF DIGITS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SETS OF DICE BEING DIFFERENTIATED FROM EACH OTHER FOR SELECTION AND USE IN TRAVEL TO EITHER THE FIRST GROUP OF PLANETS OR THE SECOND GROUP OF PLANETS.