US815960A - Game-board. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAR. 27, 1906. S. B. KUHN. GAME BOARD.'

APPLICATION FILED Dno.11,'19o5.

MOA-E M zu. u w m @.w@ v

vente@ Azo ' tive or fort can be had.

UNITED STATES,

OFFICE.

SARAH E. KUHN, oFwAsHiNGToN, DIsTRIcToF COLUMBIA.

' GAME-Bomb.

Specification of Letters Patent. l

Patented March 27, 1906.

T 0 all whom/ t may con/067%: l

Be it known that I, SARAH E. KUHN, -a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Game-Boards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to games and game apparatus, and has special reference to an improved form of game-board designed speciallyfor playing a game with movable game pieces or ligures which are manipulated over a checkered surface in a manner somewhat Vsimilar to the games' of checkers and chess,

but embodying principles of movement in connection with a peculiarly-designed playing-surface whereby great interest and zest is given to the game.

To this end the invention primarily contemplates a game-board of the checkered type embodying means in connection with the movable game-pieces for playing what may be characterized as a war game, representing a battle of opposing forces for the position of an objective, such as a fort. In this connection the invention has in view a novel arrangementV of stations for the opposing forces or armies in connection with a lield of battle and an obstruction-field or moat overwhich the pieces or men may be moved checker fashion, accordingtol certain prei scribed rules before entrance into the objec- The novel arrangement of checkeredl iields on the playing-surface of the board in connectionwith the single objective or fort'provides a game representing what may be properly termed a siege, such, for instance, as the siege ofPortrArthur or the like. x

The essential features of the invention involved in the novel arrangement of checkered fields is susceptible to structural modification without departing fromthe scope of the invention, but a preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in whichi v Figure 1 is a plan view of a game-board embodying the present invention. Figs. 2, 3,

. and 4 are'sectional views of fragments of the vss game-board, showing thereon game pieces or gures of the type preferably employed in carrying out the invention.- I .y

Like references designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In carrying out the present invention the body portion l of the game-board is of the common type usually employed inconnection with the games of checkers, chess, parcheesi and the'like and is usually made in separate sections a a, hinged together, as at b, on a suitable fold-line for convenience in handling. The present invention contemplates laying ofl the'playin f-surface of the board l into a plurality of elds, certain. of which are divided up into regular rows of squares, thereby forming checkered fields which preservea certain definite relation for the purposes ofthe game which is played thereon. The right angularly intersecting lines forming all of the checkered fields are so arranged that there is a4 continuity of the rows of squares from one checkered field into another, thus admitting of the movement of the game-pieces from one field into another according to the rules of the game.

The' special relation occupied by the several checkered fields is plainly shown in Fig. lof the drawings. Referring to this figure, it will be observed that the board is provided on opposite portions of its playing-surface with the diametrically opposite station-fields 2, constituting army stations or army positions for the movable game-pieces representing the opposing ,armies which are supposed to battle for the vpossession of an objective in the shape of a fort. Thel opposite fields 2 are made up of any desired number of squares, according tothe size of theopposing forces,

and directly between and adjoining thesaid fields 2 the playing-surface of the board is formed with a checkered battle-field,3,'which is the common field of battlel for both forces. A distinctive feature of the invention resides in providing on the playingsurface of the board a checkered field, 4, which may properly be termed an .obstruction-iield, inasmuch as the same is intended to represent a moat lying between the station-fields and field of battle and an uncheckered objective field 5, which is preferablyplaced in an eX- tremeposition at one side or one end of the playing-surface of the board. The checkered obstruction field or moat 4 is arranged across one end of the battle-field in the line of vadvance ofv the game-pieces and also over- ICO IIO

representing the wall of a fort ywhich is in- 7 terrupted at -one point by va single square or space 7, constituting a projection from the checkered field 4, and such single square space provides a position which may be occupied by one of the game-pieces or men as a step to complete entrance into the fort or otherwise utilized, as may be prescribed by the rules. l

In the preferable form of game played on the board each of the opposing forces consists of a plurality of movable game-pieces 8 representing privates carrying guns, one game-piece representing a sharp-shooter 9, one ame-piece l0 representing a general or fiagcarer carrying a fiag, one game-piece 11 representing a cannon with a flag, while within the fort is intended to be arranged agamepiece l2, representing a cannon with a flagstaff only. It will be observed that it is preferable in carrying out the game to place the lcannon l1 of each side in a square of the station-fields 2, overlapped by the obstructionfield 4, and to arrange a sharp-shooter 9 for each side in one end of the obstruction-field or moat 4. It is the object of each of the opposing forces by alternate moves to take possession of the field or fort 5 by marshaling the greater number of men within the fort and planting its fiag in the fiagstaff of the piece 12. Hence it is the aim of the general to lead his men toward and into the fort and to carry the flag to the flagstaff.

Various rules may be provided for the movement of each of the different pieces to render it more or less diicult for the opposing forces to reach positions where entrance can be effected to the field 5,' but ordinarily each private may be moved one square or block forward or backward in the direction of the moat, but after reaching the moat of obstruction-field 4 he is compelled to follow the blocks or squares of the obstruction-field in any direction except back toward the battlefield. Each piece representing a private may capture any piece of the enemy by jumping. The piece 9 representing the sharpshooter of each army moves entirely within the area ofthe field or moat 4 without entering the field or fort 5. Special moves are assigned to the general or flag-bearer 10 and also to the cannon, so that the general obj eet may be carried out of protecting the men and flags from capture, while at the same time aiming to capture the men and fiags of the opposing forces and making moves with the constant aim of effecting an entrance into the fortfrom the single square or block 7. Without further reference in detail to each of the large number of possible moves for each of' the pieces it is thought that thc essential features of the gaine-board and game will be readily understood Wlthout further description.

What I claim is 1. A gaine-board of the class described provided on its playing-surface with diametrically opposite spaced checkered stationfields representing positions for movable game-pieces, a common checkered field lying between and adjoining said station-fields, a checkered obstruction-field arranged across and adjoining one end of the said common field, and an objective field arranged at one side and adj oining the obstruction-field and including a single square representing an entrance thereto.

2. In a game of the class described, the combinat'on of the gaine-board having on its playing-surface diametri cally opposite checkered fields, a common checkered battle-field between the station-fields, a checkered obstruction-field arranged across one end of the battle-field andv overlap )ing the contiguous corners of the station-fiellds, and an uncheckered objective field representing a fort and including a single square representing an entrance from the obstruction-field; movable game-pieces arranged for movement on the station-fields and movable into the field of battle and across the obstruction-field, and single game-pieces movable entirely within the obstruction-field.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SARAH E. KUHN.

Witnesses:

D. P. VVoLI-IAUPTER, A. M. PARKrNs.

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