US3110499A

US3110499A - Game apparatus having selectively movable cover elements for progressively exposing portions of a puzzle

Info

Publication number: US3110499A
Application number: US157312A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bernice L Boeskool
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-12-04
Filing date: 1961-12-04
Publication date: 1963-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1980-11-12

Description

Nov. 12, 1963 B. BOESKOOL 3,110,499

GAME APPARATUS HAVING SELECTIVELY MOVABLE COVER ELEMENTS FOR PROGRESSIV'ELY EXPOSING PORTIONS OF A PUZZLE Filed Dec. 4, 1961 A IECIEEI ME+ E E Elli: 84

' INVENTOR. EZRA/l6? 1. 505571001.

United States Patent GAME APPARATUS HAVING SELECTEVELY MOV- ABLE CST/ER ELEMENTS FGR PROGRETVELY EXPOING PQRTIONS 0F A PUZZLE Bernice L. Boesirool, 6631 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed Dec. 4, 1.)61, Ser. No. 157,312 9 Claims. (-01. 273-136) This invention relates to games, and more particularly to a game concept and structure capable of transforming the learning of informative facts and correlations from any desirable field of knowledge into an enjoyable and challenging process.

The process of mastering basic informative facts and correlations in any field of knowledge often constitutes mere drudgery to the persons involved, especially children. Ordinary reading and learning processes often fail to provide the stimulus to children, who would rather be playing a game, for example. Of course, children must learn certain facts to play games also, but this is considered by them to be mere fun rather than drudgery due to the challenge and entertainment which accompany games.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a game and game structure enabling the players, especially children, to be entertained and challenged while mastering basic facts and correlations in a field of knowledge. It is another object of this invention to provide such a game which is readily adaptable to any desired field of knowledge, thereby making the learning process interesting for many fields such as religion, science, history, etc. The game not only stimulates memorization, but also is capable of developing reasoning ability during the playing process. by applying elementary informative material to the basic structure, or may be adapted to adult level by utilizing more advanced material. The game is compact and necessitates no loose parts during playing, thereby being ideal for automobile trips as well as home use. The game is moreover relatively simple to manufacture.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from a study of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the game;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the game illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the information-bearing plates in the game of FIG. 1, and the cover means for the plate positioned in the covering position;

FIG. 4 is aside elevational sectional view of the structure in FIG. 3 with the cover means raised to expose the information on the plate;

PEG. 5 is a side elevation view of the structure in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the cover to a third position causing the plate to be rotated and raised to reveal part of an underlying visual puzzle;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a typical set of information tabs and visual puzzle sheet for the game;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another typical set of information tabs and visual puzzle sheet for the game; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a typical correlative visual scoring sheet for the game.

Basically, the game comprises the combination of a plurality of intercorrelated information-bearing elements normally covering and hiding a visual puzzle or scoring sheet, with portions of the sheet being progressively uncoverable during playing, upon the formation of correlations between the information bearers. The sheet is sup- The game may be entertaining for children 3,110,499 Patented Nov. 12, 1963 ported by a platform, along both sides of which the information-bearing elements or plates are movably mounted from a first position covering portions of the sheet to a second position uncovering portions of the sheet. The plates are preferably pivotally mounted on rods supported and elevated slightly above and adjacent the side edges of the platform. Each plate includes a cover means which is movable to uncover the information on a tab retained by the plate. These covers are preferably pivotally attached to the mentioned rods. The covers preferably are capable of causing the pivoting of the individual plates themselves. Further features of the inventive games will be apparent upon reading the detailed description to follow.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in the form of the invention illustrated, game 10 includes a flat platform means 11 on the ends of which are mounted suitable

vertical supports

12 and 14. Inserted through these supports is a pair of rod elements 1'6 and 18 positioned adjacent opposite sides of platform 11, and elevated slightly above it. Upon these rods are pivotally mounted in mirror image fashion two rows of information-bearing elements 20, each of which includes a plate 24 capable of receiving and retaining an information tab 26, and a cover 22 provided with an identifying indicia such as a numeral.

Each of the plates 24 is preferably formed from a piece of sheet metal having the sides bent upwardly in a parallel fashion. Other materials may of course be substituted. A portion of these sidewalls are deformed inwardly toward each other to define a pair of facing slots or grooves 39 and 32 capable of receiving and retaining the information-bearing tab 26. Plates 24 may be moved pivotally from a first position covering a' portion of the platform 11 and a puzzle or scoring sheet placed thereon, to a second position uncovering that same portion. The several plates thereby collectively cover the entire sheet when in the first position.

The visual puzzle sheets (see

alternate sheets

50 and 52 in FIGS. 6 and 7) may be retained on platform 11, as one example, by a pair of facing

elongated channel guides

36 and 38. Alternatively, they may be held in place by a suitable pair of

projections

42 and 44 inserted through punched holes in the puzzle sheet. As another alternate, a rectangular recess (not shown) may be formed in the platform to receive the sheet. Other combinations or equivalents of these may be used as desired. The puzzle sheets can be placed in a group onto the platform and removed one by one during play, or may be interchanged successively.

During the playing process, the covers 22 are pivoted around the respective rod, for example, rod 16 (FIG. 3) by pressing the outer end thereof. As the cover 22 pivots (here counterclockwise) around rod 16, the informationbearing tab retained on the plate 24 is revealed to enable observation of the material imprinted thereon (see tabs 3 and 17 in FIG. 1, and also FIG. 4). Further rotation of the cover causes the inner back surface thereof to contact the lower corner 23 of plate 24 (FIG. 4). Still further rotation of the cover causes plate 24 to rotate counterclockwise away from the platform. It may be made so that when the plate 24 is moved-to the position illustrated in FIG. 5, it falls of its own accord to reveal a portion of the puzzle positioned on platform 11.

The information to be correlated between the first row of elements mounted on the left side of the board and the second row of elements mounted on the right side of the board may be chosen from any particular field of knowledge. In FfG. 6 one illustration of these is shown. It will be seen that specific names on the tabs in the first column correlate with specific names on the tabs in the second column, e.g. Mary and Joseph, David and Jonathon, Jonah and Whale, etc.

. The puzzle sheet is of the visual type and usually concerns the same field of knowledge. it may illustrate words, pictures and letters, which indicate a city, an event, or a character. in sheet. 50, for example, the characters of Shadrach, Meshach,.Abednego are depicted in puzzle form (i.e. shade rack, met shack, and a bed knee go).

As stated, any field of knowledge may be applied to the puzzle. As another example, in FIG. 7 matters of geography are involved. Here the capitols of states are arranged on the tabs to be inserted in the right row or column, thereby enabling correlation between the two. The puzzle 52 is a map of the lower peninsula of Michigan with certain cities which, when uncovered, provide clues to the guessing of the state covered by the tabs.

Insead of ordinary puzzle sheets, score sheets may be used under the tabs. Thus, referring to FIG. 8, as tabs are uncovered on both sides of the game, scores of 4+4 or 5-2 or the like maybe uncovered.

Playing of the Game Before the game is started, a particular field of knowledge is chosen. Someone other than the players inserts the correlated tabs in the plates and inserts a puzzle sheet under the tab holders. The first player then uncovers one information-bearing plate in the left row, and one in the right row by rotating the covers of each. If the two he has chosen are not directly correlative, he closes the covers again for the next player. The next player likewise uncovers two. As soon as a correlation is made between one on the left row and one on the right row, that player is allowed to pivot the cover further to cause the plates themselves to rotate and reveal small sections of the puzzle. He then has the privilege of trying to guess from the small portion of the puzzle visible what the answer might be. For example, with the puzzle sheet of FIG. 6, he has to guess the three Bible characters times. With the puzzle sheet of FIG. 7, he has to guess that the map of Michigan is depicted. Of course, as more and more correlations are made, more of the puzzle becomes progressively revealed causing its solution to be simpler.

The playing of this game repeatedly drills the names and the correlations into the players minds. Of course, instead of mere names, other more sophisticated correlations may be made. For example, the word porton may be found in the left column with its definition placed somewhere in the right column. Or the name Nasser may appear in the left column with its correlative of President of the United Arab Republic appearing in the right hand column. For pre-schoolers, the information may simply constitute colors, symbols, or the like. These are merely a few of the many variations possible. Others within the spirit of this invention will readily occur to those studying this specification. The game structure may also be modified in various ways Within the inventive concept. In fact, the invention may be adapted in various ways to electrical operation, if desired, without departing from the broadest teaching of the invention. For example, correlative plates on opposite sides may, when rota-ted, close a pair of switches in electrical series with each other to indicate by lighting of a bulb that the proper choice has been made.

Thus, the invention is not to be limited to the illustrative form presented, but only by the scope of the appended claims and the reasonable equivalents thereto.

I claim:

1. A game comprising: a visual sheet bearing platform means; a printed puzzle sheet on said platform means; a plurality of information-bearing tabs mounted on said platform in a manner to individually cover a portion of said sheet and collectively cover all of said sheet so that the printed portions of said sheet are normally completely covered; each of said tabs being movable to a position uncovering its respective portion to progressively uncover said sheet and disclose its portion of said sheet; each of said tabs bearing information thereon corresponding with information on another tab, whereby matching of information can occur, and cover means for each of said tabs capable of hiding the information borne thereby, Whereby players, when uncovering corresponding tabs, can move the tabs to uncover .the respective portions for viewing information thereon.

2. A game comprising: first and second rows of information bearing elements; said first elements bearing items of information corresponding to items of information borne by said second elements; cover means for said elements by which selected ones of said elements may be uncovered to reveal the items of information thereon; when corresponding items are uncovered, the elements hearing such being movable; a sheet receiving means underlying all of said elements and capable of being revealed portion by portion as elements are moved; and a printed puzzle sheet on said sheet receiving means with all printed portions of said sheet being normally completely covered by said information bearing elements and being uncovered when said elements are moved, whereby a player, when uncovering corresponding items of information on elements in the first and second rows, can

.move the elements to expose respective portions of the puzzle sheet to reveal information thereon.

3; A game comprising: a puzzle sheet supporting means; a printed puzzle sheet on said supporting means; a first plurality of information-bearing elements movably mounted to said supporting means adjacent one side of said sheet and capable of being moved from a first position covering part of said sheet to a second position uncovering said part; a second plurality of information-bearing elements movably mounted to said supporting means adjacent the opposite side of said sheet and capable of being moved from a first position covering a second part of said sheet to a second position uncovering said second part; said first and second plurality of information bearing elements normally completely covering the printed portions of the puzzle sheet; the information on respective ones of said first plurality of information bearing elements corresponding to the information on respective ones of said second plurality of information bearing elements so that matching thereof can occur; a first and second plurality of cover elements movably mounted above said first and second plurality of information-bearing elements; said cover elements being movable from a first position covering said information to a second position uncovering said information, whereby selected ones of said first and second information-bearing elements bearing corresponding information may be matched, and when matched may be moved to uncover portions of said puzzle sheet to reveal information there on.

4. A game comprising: a support means capable of supporting a puzzle sheet; a puzzle sheet on said support means; rod elements mounted on opposite sides of said support means; a first plurality of information-bearing elements mounted on said rod elements; each of said information-bearing elements being pivotal to a position adjacent said platform and puzzle sheet to cover a portion of said sheet, and to a second position away from said platform'and sheet to uncover said portion; respective pairs of said information bearing elements bearing corresponding items of information; a second plurality of pivotal cover elements bearing identifying indicia; each of said second plurality of cover elements being pivotal from a first position covering the information on one of said first elements to a position uncovering said information, whereby a player, with matching of corresponding information-bearing elements by uncovering them with pivoting of said cover elements. may pivot said first elements to progressively uncover respective portions of said puzzle sheet to reveal information thereon.

5. A game structure comprising: a. platform capable of removably supporting a sheet; a puzzle sheet on said platform; rod elements mounted adjacent opposite sides of and slightly above said platform; a plurality of plates pivotally mounted on said rod elements; said plates on formation bearing tabs being corresponding to each other; 7

and each of said plates having movable cover means for hiding said information when desired, whereby a player may shift respective pairs of cover means to reveal information on the tabs thereunder, and with discovery of a pair of corresponding information tabs, may pivot said plates on said rod elements to reveal respective portions of said puzzle sheet and the respective information portions thereon.

6. The game structure in claim 5 wherein said retaining means comprises a pair of wall elements on opposite sides of each plate and defining mutually facing tab receiving grooves.

7. The game structure in claim 5 wherein said cover means is pivotally mounted on said rod elements.

8. The game structure in claim 5 wherein said rod elements comprise a single rod on each side of said platform, and wherein the individual plates and their respective cover means are both pivotally mounted on the same general portion of the same rod.

9. The game structure in claim 8 wherein each of said cover means is associated with its respective plate to enable its pivotal movement in a first position covering the plate adjacent said platform, to a second position uncovering said plate still adjacent said platform, and to a third position causing rotative movement of said plate away from said platform due to an operative engagement with said plate.

Bertram July 22, 1913 Bachman Oct. 3, 1961

Claims

1. A GAME COMPRISING: A VISUAL SHEET BEARING PLATFORM MEANS; A PRINTED PUZZLE SHEET ON SAID PLATFORM MEANS; A PLURALITY OF INFORMATION-BEARING TABS MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM IN A MANNER TO INDIVIDUALLY COVER A PORTION OF SAID SHEET AND COLLECTIVELY COVER ALL OF SAID SHEET SO THAT THE PRINTED PORTIONS OF SAID SHEET ARE NORMALLY COMPLETELY COVERED; EACH OF SAID TABS BEING MOVABLE TO A POSITION UNCOVERING ITS RESPECTIVE PORTION TO PROGRESSIVELY UNCOVER SAID SHEET AND DISCLOSE ITS PORTION OF SAID SHEET; EACH OF SAID TABS BEARING INFORMATION THEREON CORRESPONDING WITH INFORMATION ON ANOTHER TAB, WHEREBY MATCHING OF INFORMATION CAN OCCUR, AND COVER MEANS FOR EACH OF SAID TABS CAPABLE OF HIDING THE INFORMATION BORNE THEREBY, WHEREBY PLAYERS, WHEN UNCOVERING CORRESPONDING TABS, CAN