US3806126A

US3806126A - Space station board game apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3806126A
Application number: US00332270A
Authority: US
Inventors: B Gilbert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-02-14
Filing date: 1973-02-14
Publication date: 1974-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-23

Abstract

A space station game includes a three-sided length of solid material having a triangular cross section which is formed so that its ends are joined to provide an endless loop configuration similar to a Mobius ring. The length of solid material is twisted prior to joining so that one end of a first side or plane joins one end of a second side or plane, the other end of the second side joins one end of a third side or plane and the other end of the third side joins the other end of the first side. The thusly formed loop provides a continuous, endless path having holes formed therein for receiving player pieces which are moved by players of the game in response to chance instructions such as the roll of dice. The player piece represent space vehicles which ''''orbit'''' the endless loop and are capable of ''''destroying'''' an opponent''s space vehicle. Further, the pieces can receive an attachment to form a two-stage vehicle capable of moving laterally from plane to plane.

Description

United States Patent Gilbert SPACE STATION BOARD GAME APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Bertram C. Gilbert, 4535 Butler St.,

Fort Meade, Md. 20755 [22] Filed: Feb. 14, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 332,270

' [52] U.S. Cl. 273/134 GM, 273/134 AE, 273/134 AA, 273/134 D, 273/136 C, 273/137 AE, 273/137 AB, 273/137 AD [51] Int. Cl. A63f 3/00 [58] Field of Search 273/134, 136, 137

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,614,104 10/1971 Gregory 273/134 AA 3,359,003 12/1967 Kass 273/131 AD 2,810,578 10/1957 Pacitti 273/134 GM 1,450,958 4/1923 .lohannesen 273/134 GM 2,757,933 8/1956 Gilmour 273/134 AC 3,373,995 3/1968 Fors 273/134 AA Primary Examiner-Delbert 13. Lowe Attorney, Agent, or FirmWalter G. Finch [57] ABSTRACT A space station game includes a three-sided length of solid material having a triangular cross section which is formed so that its ends are joined to provide an endless loop configuration similar to a Mobius ring. The length of solid material is twisted prior to joining so that one end of a first side or plane joins one end of a second side or plane, the other end of the second side joins one end of a third side or plane and the other end of the third side joins the other end of the first side. The thusly formed loop provides a continuous, endless path having holes formed therein for receiving player pieces which are moved by players of the game in response to chance instructions such as the roll of dice. The player piece represent space vehicles which orbit the endless loop and are capable of destroying" an opponents space vehicle. Further, the pieces can receive an attachment to form a two-stage vehicle capable of moving laterally from plane to plane.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SPACE STATION BOARD GAME APPARATUS This invention relates to a game apparatus for a space station game, and more particularly pertains to an endless loop, multiplane, Mb'bius ring type, playing surface for receiving player pieces which are movable over the surface in response to a chance device.

Games involving movement of player pieces usually include some form of surface over which the pieces are moved. In some instances, the surfaces are smooth and in others the surfaces include apertures which receive the pieces. A considerable number of these surfaces are uniplanar and provide little excitement and add little to the enjoyment of the game.

A game using a uniquely structured playing surface would provide a challenge to the players as well as add interest and excitement to the game beyond the movement of the player pieces.

Additionally, the selective manner of movement of the player pieces on the playing surface, for example to and fro as well as laterally, would also provide excitement and challenge for the players. Further excitement and challenge are provided when the playing pieces are permitted to assume a different and more versatile status during the game.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a game apparatus which is uniquely structured for exciting and challenging player piece movement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a uniquely arranged game surface for the movement of player pieces thereover.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an endless loop, game apparatus having multiplanar surfaces which permits the movement of player pieces in forward, backward and lateral directions.

A further object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus having player pieces which are capable of assuming multi-directional capabilities, and identifiable as such, over a multi-planar, endless loop playing surface.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the following detailed specification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game apparatus embodying certain principles of the invention and showing a M'dbius ring type loop mounted on a pin which is supported by a base; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing that the loop of FIG. 1 is triangular in cross section and is formed with holes in three surfaces and further showing a player piece and attaching structure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a game apparatus includes a base 12 and a pin 14 mounted in and extending upwardly from the base. A Mb'bius ring type, endless loop 16 is formed from a length of material having a triangular cross section. Thus the loop 16 is multiplanar and has three

sides

18, 20 and 22. The length of material is twisted in the fashion of a M'dbius ring and the two ends of the length are joined to form the endless loop 16. Additionally, the twist formed in the length prior to end joining links the ends of the

different sides

18, 20 and 22 to form a continuous path of the three sides in serial alignment.

The

sides

18, 20 and 22 are formed with a series of spaced, inwardly tapering

holes

24, 26 and 28, respectively. As illustrated, each of the holes 24 are formed in a crosssectional plane with

corresponding holes

26 and 28. This arrangement permits holes forward, rearward and laterally of each hole formed in the three

sides

18, 20 and 22. In the use of the game apparatus 10, selected

holes

26 and 24 are marked in some fashion, such as with different

colored markings

30 and 32, respectively, to indicate a starting point for players of a game using the apparatus. A third colored marking (not shown), of a color different from the

colored markings

30 and 32, surrounds a selected one of the holes 28 for the same purpose.

The upper end of the pin 14 is located within a mounting hole 34 formed in the endless loop 16 and the lower end is located within a mounting hole 36 formed in the base 12. In this manner, the loop 16 is supported in a vertical position spatially above the base 12. This permits all of the

holes

24, 26 and 28 to be visible for players of a game using the game apparatus 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, a two-stage player piece assembly 38 includes a player piece 40. The player piece 40 is formed with a tapered end 42 and a direction pointer 44 extending laterally from an intermediate portion of the player piece. The taper of the end 42 conforms to the taper of the

holes

24, 26 and 28 which receive and support the player piece 40 during use of the game apparatus 10.

A clip-on player piece 46 is included in the assembly 38 and is formed with handles 48. The handles 48 are used to spread a web spring of the clip-on player piece 46 so that the clip-on player piece can be assembled with a shank end of the player piece 40. The handles 48 are then positioned, as shown in FIG. 2, to give the assembly 38 a winged appearance. In one use of the game apparatus 10, the endless or continuous loop 16 provides an orbiting path for the player piece 40 in a space station game. The player piece 40 assumes the status of a space vehicle. Three player pieces 40 are colored to match the colors of the markings, such as

markings

30 and 32, surrounding the selected ones of the

holes

24, 26 and 28 to indicate the starting point for the corresponding colored, space vehicle, player pieces. These color-marked

holes

24, 26 and 28 provide a launch site" and a home base" for the corresponding colored space vehicle. When a player piece 40 is resting in its color marked

hole

24, 26 or 28, it is in a safe area and cannot be destroyed by an opponent player piece if the opponent player piece should land on the first player piece. In fact, the opponent player piece 40 would be destroyed if it should land on a second player piece while the second player piece is resting in its color-matched

hole

24, 26 and 28.

As noted. the space vehicle" is the piece 40 and is referred to as a single stage space vehicle. Each vehicle is launched from its color-marked launching site (

holes

24, 26 or 28) by a specified roll of dice or some other chance device such as turnover cards, chance wheel, spinner, top or the like. Once the vehicle is launched, it moves over the playing surface of the loop 16 in one direction in accordance with subsequent dice rolls. If the path of a moving vehicle is blocked by another vehicle, the moving vehicle must reverse its direction because they may not jump over each other. Additionally, once the direction of the vehicle is reversed, it must continue in that direction on subsequent moves until it is blocked again at which time its direction is reversed again. The direction pointer 44 provides a means for indicating the current direction of movement of the associated space vehicle. A single stage vehicle cannot move laterally over the edge of the plane or side to another plane or side. When a single stage vehicle is blocked from forward or rearward movement by other space vehicles, it is considered destroyed and must be removed from the playing surface. The destroyed vehicle may be used as a new vehicle and await the specified dice roll for another launching from the launch site.

When a single stage vehicle (player piece 40) has moved completely aroundthe loop 16, or, having been forced to reverse its original direction, passes or lands on its launching site, it gains the second stage which is represented by the player piece 46. The two-stage vehicle has additional capabilities in that it can move laterally over one edge. However, it must always move 'to the right one space and then forward. When the two stage, or winged, vehicle is positioned adjacent to one or two vehicles of the same color, that is, pieces 40 controlled by a single player, it can link with that vehicle, or those vehicles. The combined group of vehicles can now move with the two stage vehicle regardless of the former direction of those vehicles taken on by the two stage vehicle. When it is to the advantage of the taken on vehicles, they may separate but they may only rejoin with the two stage vehicle on the basis of dice throws just as before.

Ultimately, a winner of the game is declared when one player has all ofhis vehicles in the two stage form and has them linked as a space station surrounding any cross-sectional plane of the M'o'bius ring type, loop 16. For example, each of three player pieces 40, which form the two stage vehicles, will be in an associated one of the

sides

18,20 or 22 in a set of

holes

24, 26 or 28, respectively, within a given cross-sectional plan of the loop 16.

In playing the space station game, a first player rolls three dice until he gets a double or any two of the dice which total at least eight. This sum is referred to as the players entry speed. As an example, if the double is two fives, the entry speed will be and will remain 10 for the rest of the game. Therefore, each time this player wishes to launch a vehicle from the players launch site, he must roll the dice equaling the entry speed.

When the first player has rolled the required double, he puts his vehicle into play by starting at the corresponding

colored hole

24, 26 or 28 and moves in either direction on the

same side

18, or 22, respectively, the number of spaces corresponding to the total of the three dice. I

lf a player has only one vehicle on the loop 16, he moves that one vehicle over spaces corresponding to the total of the three dice. If the player has two vehicles on the loop 16, he moves one vehicle a number of spaces corresponding to the total of two of the dice, and he moves the other vehicle a number of spaces corresponding to the count on the remaining die. If the player has three pieces on the loop 16, each vehicle is moved in accordance with the count of an associated one of the dice.

When the vehicles are linked by one or more two stage vehicles, the aggregate assembly 38 moves a distance which corresponds only to the count on the highest die.

The players, which number two or three in this embodiment of the invention, roll the dice in successive order and always roll three dice. Each vehicle on the loop 16 should be moved after each roll. In order to avoid confusion, the vehicle moved in response to the highest number on the dice should be moved first, then the second highest and finally the lowest. The player can select the order of the vehicles to be moved after each roll of the dice.

Entry onto the loop 16 by the second and third vehicles of each player is made whenever the entry speed double count is rolled on the dice. For example, if the entry speed is 10, when the player rolls a double five on two of the three rolled dice, he will enter another vehi-' cle at the color marked

hole

24, 26 or 28. If an opponents vehicle occupies the launching site of the entering vehicle, the opponents vehicle is destroyed and must be removed from the loop 16. The destroyed vehicle may enter the loop 16 again only when the entry speed double count is rolled on the dice.

Whenever a vehicle lands on the space occupied by an opponents, or his own, vehicle, the vehicle priorly occupying the space is destroyed and must gain entry speed by double count of the dice roll before re-entry is permitted.

In any instance where a vehicle is destroyed, it must be 're-entered as a single stage vehicle even though it may have been a two stage vehicle when it was destroyed. The re-entered, single stage vehicle must now progress through the same procedure, by circling the loop 16 or passing over the entry spot, before the second stage capability can again be assumed.

Whenevera player rolls a triple successive sequence of numbers, such as three, four and five, the player may move any one of his vehicles, which is already on the loop 16, any number of spaces along the

side

18, 20 or 22 until blocked by another vehicle.

Whenever a player rolls a triple of the same number, such as three twos, he may add a second stage to any one of his single stage vehicles which is already on the loop 16. Thus the attainment of second stage capabilities is possible by a single stage vehicle when the vehicle moves from its launching site, over the continuous, endless loop 16 and returns to or passes over its launching site, or is forced to reverse its forward direction and ultimately passes over or returns to its launching site, or the player rolls a triple of the same number on each of the dice.

The object of the game is for a player to obtain second stage status for all three of his vehicles and to then link the three, two stage vehicles in a common crosssectional plane of the loop 16.

The space station game can be expanded to a lengthier playing surface and time and also could include more players by changing the cross sectional configuration of the loop 16 to square, oblong, pentagonal and so on.

While the use of the game apparatus 10 has been described with respect to the space station game,it could be used for a variety of chess, checker or cribbage type of games. The structure of the game apparatus 10 provides a three dimensioned aspect requiring complicated calculations and planning. Other games could be devised using the apparatus 10 wherein the player pieces could be given varying abilities to move along the planes or around the edges.

Tick marks can be provided in or adjacent to selected apertures or holes 26 or 24, as required, as an aid to counting. In addition to the above, other means can be utilized for attaching playing pieces to the game apparatus, such as magnetic type player pieces or clip on type player pieces.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. Game apparatus, comprising:

a three-dimensional endless continuous surface formed into a loop from a length of multisided material which is twisted longitudinally and joined at its ends so that ends of adjacent sides are linked to form said continuous surface;

player pieces for movement over said continuous surface; and

means formed in said surface for locating said player pieces at selected positions along said surface.

2. Game apparatus as recited in claim 1, and additionally means for supporting said three-dimensional surface in a plane which exposes all portions of said surface so that all portions are usable.

3. Game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said locating means are holes formed in equal displacement along said continuous surface for receiving said player pieces.

4. Game apparatus as recited in claim 3, and additionally means formed about at least a pair of said holes to identify a starting location for said player pieces.

5. Game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said player pieces are each formed with a directional pointer to indicate the direction of movement of said player pieces.

6. Game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said length of multisided material is of a triangular cross section twisted to form a loop having three sides.

7. Game apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein the means for locating said player pieces are disposed in all three sides of said multisided material.

8. Game apparatus as recited in claim 1 and further comprising means for signifying assumption of additional capabilities by the player pieces, said lastmentioned means being attachable to said player pieces.

9. Game apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the last-mentioned means comprise a clip-0n piece attachable to said player pieces.

10. Game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said locating means are formed spatially in a longitudinal path along each side of said continuous surface with each locating means of any one side being adjacent to one locating means in adjacent sides.

Claims

1. Game apparatus, comprising: a three-dimensional endless continuous surface formed into a loop from a length of multiSided material which is twisted longitudinally and joined at its ends so that ends of adjacent sides are linked to form said continuous surface; player pieces for movement over said continuous surface; and means formed in said surface for locating said player pieces at selected positions along said surface.

8. Game apparatus as recited in claim 1 and further comprising means for signifying assumption of additional capabilities by the player pieces, said last-mentioned means being attachable to said player pieces.

9. Game apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the last-mentioned means comprise a clip-on piece attachable to said player pieces.