WO1985005282A1

WO1985005282A1 - Crossword puzzle game

Info

Publication number: WO1985005282A1
Application number: PCT/US1985/000860
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jack M. Quartararo; Lisbeth P. Quartararo
Original assignee: Quartararo Jack M; Quartararo Lisbeth P
Priority date: 1984-05-14
Filing date: 1985-05-13
Publication date: 1985-12-05

Abstract

A crossword puzzle game including a pad of crossword puzzles (30) located in a recess (24) on a gameboard (20). The gameboard (20) is mounted on a conventional card table (12) with particular structure (27, 28) that permits it to rotate. The gameboard has peg holes (26) thereon for keeping score. A pair of multi-sided dice (50) are provided that generate a two digit number upon manipulation. The two digit number corresponds to a number on the crossword puzzle that is to be filled in by the player. The pair of dice can be ten-sided or six-sided. The game can also be played through the use of separate scoring boards as opposed to the rotatably mounted board.

Description

CROSSWORD PUZZLE GAME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to puzzle games of the crossword type for two teams having one or more indi¬ viduals on each team, and involving dice or either a mechanical or electronically generated counting device, a gameboard having scoring structure therewith, and pro¬ vision for holding a pad of crossword puzzles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are a number of prior art devices some¬ what related to the present invention as, for example, pads of conventional type crossword puzzles with suit¬ able questions to be answered vertically and horizontally associated therewith, and appropriately, in one form or another, answers to each of the puzzle sheets. Additionally, scoring devices such as generally used for cribbage are well known. Furthermore, multi-sided dice of various configurations, as well as mechanical or electronically generated counting devices, are also prevalent in the game art. The following listed patents are the closest prior art known to the applicant:

4,384,722 4,340,231

4,179,126

4,106,773

3,565,439

2,335,099 None of the known prior art devices show and combine the new and novel features of the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to pro¬ vide a crossword puzzle game having a combination scoring board and pad holder for crossword puzzles which is mounted for pivotable rotation on a table or other support surface. A pair of dice or a similar mechanical or electronic counting device are used for selecting the vertical or horizontal question number to be answered on the crossword pad by each team, one team being designated horizontal, and the other being designated vertical.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a crossword puzzle game using a pair of multi- sided dice for indicating a word to be answered on an associated crossword puzzle pad. The dice may beeither ten-sided or six—sided.

A further object of this invention is to pro- a pivotably supported gameboard, a pad of crossword puzzle sheets, an associated answer book for the puzzles on the pad, and playing dice. Suitable scoring structure may be combined with the gameboard, or provided as a separate pair along with the other components.

These together with other objects and ad- vantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF^" DESCRIPTION OF- THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the crossword puzzle game supported upon a conventional type card table. -3-

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 which shows the pivot structure for the rotatable gameboard.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a typical crossword puzzle sheet from a pad thereof with associated puzzle words for the blank vertical and horizontal spaces of the game block.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of ten- sided dice for the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows in perspective a scoring board modification of the gameboard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment for a short game utilizing a pair of six-sided dice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMEN (S) FIG. 1 shows in perspective a complete game mounted upon a support table indicated generally by reference numeral 10. Upon a conventional type folding card table 12 is rotatably supported a gameboard 20. The gameboard preferably has a dual set of scoring structures 26 along either side of a recessed center 24 for receiving a pad of crossword puzzles 30 there- within. A question and answer book 40 and/or separate sheets of vertical and horizontal words with separate answer sheets or books (not shown) are provided. To complete the game, two pair of dice 50 are also pro¬ vided.

FIG. 2 shows in cross-section the pivotable or rotatable gameboard 20 per se. This gameboard is preferably made in a square or rectangular shape. The material preferably is composite board, or plastic material 22. It is suitably arranged with a pair of scoring structures 26 along opposite parallel sides of the board. In center portion of the board, a -4-

rectangular or square recess 24 is provided to suitably hold at least one sheet, although preferably a pad of sheets, each sheet having a crossword puzzle thereon. FIG. 3A shows a typical crossword puzzle which can be provided for use with the present in¬ vention. Generally, a maximum of ninety-nine words in either direction are provided for. In the particular one depicted in FIG. 3A, ninety-nine horizontal (across) words are provided, and only ninety vertical (down) words, although the puzzle can be arranged with the converse word numbering and/or variations thereof.

FIG. 3B shows suitable puzzle questions for this particular crossword puzzle blank. Of course, a separate answer sheet Cor book 40) for these puzzle question words normally will be provided.

FIG. 4 shows one pair of the two pairs of dice as normally provided for the first embodiment of the invention. This embodiment, which is the pre¬ ferred one, is for a long game, and utilizes two pairs of dice 50 as depicted in FIG. 4. Each die is ten- sided and numbered consecutively with the numbers 0 through 9. As shown, the lower die has rolled to a stop with the number 1 at the top, i.e., reference numeral 51, and the topmost die has stopped with the number 8 upwardly, i.e., reference numeral 58. The colors for the two pairs of dice should be different.

As depicted in FIG. 6, another perspective view of a pair of six-sided dice 50' (two pairs again supplied) for a short game of the present invention are shown. In this embodiment, one of the six-sided dies is numbered from 1 to 6, and the other of the six- sided dies is numbered 0 to 5. In the drawing, one die has rolled to a stop with number 1 uppermost, i.e., 56, while the other die has^* the number 0 at the top, i.e., reference number 53. The colors for the two -5-

pairs are again different.

As can be easily visualized, this game offers a number of new and novel features not known prior to this invention. In summary, the game generally will comprise the following:

1. A crossword puzzle sheet or a pad of such sheets, each puzzle not exceeding 99 words.

2. Two pairs of ten-sided dice, each die numbered "0" through "9". It is important to know that when each die is rolled, the number on the face of the die always appears horizontal - in other words, face-up. Preferably, the pairs are of different colors, or black and white. 3. A combination board in the form of a square having scoring structure such as pegboard structure along at least two sides for keeping score of two players/ teams together with a central recess for holding the puzzle pad. Also, preferably, the board is mounted for pivotal movement and rotation. The crossword puzzle game is preferably sup¬ ported on a table and each player (or team) is supplied with a pair of 10-sided dice. One pair of dice will be black and the other pair of dice will be white. The pegs on the pegboard will match the color of the dice. The team or individual playing "across" will have the black dice and the black peg. The team or individual playing "down" will have the white dice and the white peg. All of this, of course, can be reversed. In other words, the whites can play across and the blacks can play down.

To start the game, one of the players picks up a white die in one hand and a black die in the other -6-

hand. These dice are concealed in that individual's hands and then offered to the opposing player or team to select one of the clenched hands. This will deter¬ mine which player will be white and which will be black. The blacks, being the "across" team, will go first. Once the colors have been determined, the player holding the black dice will roll first. Let us assume that the dice come up showing a "7" and a "9". This means that the player can fill in "7" across, "9" across, "16" (9 + 7) across, "63" (9 x 7) across,

"79" across, or "97" across. There are, therefore, six possibilities which may conform to the across or down numbers as the case may be. Of course, from the fore¬ going description, it can readily be seen that there are no minuses whatsoever in the actual point count, that is, either addition or multiplication occurs and not subtraction.

The player or team that has rolled the dice will attempt to answer each question that will apply as dictated by the roll of the dice. For purposes of an illustration, let us assume that of this particular roll a "9" across, a "79" across and a "97" across appear in the puzzle. Beginning with the lowest number first, the player rolling the dice can fill in the answer to the puzzle for "9" across. If that player or team declares it is not ready to do so, then the other player (in this case, the "down" player) had the option of filling in the answer if they so choose. Whichever player fills in the answer receives one point on their respective pegboard.

As each team makes its entry, there will be necessary "challenges". In other words, the opposing player or team can challenge a word selected by the opposition as being incorrect in that it is not responsive to the question, or, in the alternative, is misspelled. Once the challenge is made, the answer must be confirmed from the answer sheet for each puzzle. If the answer is incorrect, it must be cor¬ rected, and two points given to the player or team making the challenge. Two points are given to the challenged team or player should they survive the challenge. At this point also, the challenging team before looking up the answer can volunteer what they consider to be the correct answer. If the challenger is correct in this respect, then the challenger will receive one point for the correct answer and two points for being correct in the- challenge. However, if the team challenged was correct,- they will receive one point for the correct answer and two points for surviving the challenge.

Challenges can be made at any time by any team member or player for words previously accepted and incorporated in the puzzle. In other words, a player can challenge his own word later in the game. The reason for this is that the opposing team did not pre¬ sent a challenge at the time it was written and as a result, they have accepted the entry. If the challenge is correct, the challenger receives one point, and if the challenger was incorrect, the opposing team receives one point. No points are given for knowing the right answer at this stage of the game, and only one point is given for either surviving or not surviving the challenge.

As the game progresses to a point where there are only a few "down" words and a few "across" words, the possibility of rolling those few numbers decreases drastically. In order to move the game along, an additional rule is included to allow a player or team member to "lock" one of the die when the roll of the dice does not produce or generate a question. For -8-

example, assume that the "across" player has the dice and the only "across" numbers remaining on the puzzle are "39" and "44". On the roll of the dice, one die comes up "3^, and the other comes up an "8". No com- bination of the dice generates a question. The player can declare at this point that he wishes to "lock" the "3" die since he is looking to roll a "39". When it is his turn again, he may roll only one die in search of a "9". The winner of the game will be the team or player having the most points on the pegboard.

It is also possible to have a short game using pairs of 6-sided dice. In the case of the 6- sided dice, since there will be no "7", "8" or "9", the puzzle pads will have to be rearranged so that the numbers ending in "7", "8" or "9" are eliminated. This will yield only 50 questions when one of the dice is numbered "0" to "5" and the other is numbered "1" to " " . The rules are the same for both the long and short games. Also, while two pairs of dice are preferred for either the short or the long game, it is possible to play the game with only a single pair of dice, although, of course, the color matching with the scoring structure will of necessity have to be changed.

As far as the puzzles themselves are con¬ cerned, they preferably come in "easy", "medium" and "hard". The form of packaging and the method of setting forth the answers is a matter that can be worked out by the manufacturer. Generally, an answer book and/or answer sheets provided with each pad of crossword puzzles is the preferred method of handling this matter.

Another very important aspect of this game is that it is quite educational for use by young children ^■ 9-

for improving both their spelling and their vocabulary. Of course, these same benefits will generally be derived from adults playing the game as well.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

C L A I M S_

1. A game for improving one's intellectual knowledge, skill and vocabulary comprising: a crossword puzzle; at least one pair of dice provided with means for together indicating all of the possible reference numbers for words of said crossword puzzle; and means for keeping score of each player/team as the game is played.

2. The game of Claim 1, together with means for combining said crossword puzzle and score keeping means on a rotatably mounted gameboard.

3. The game of Claim 2, wherein said at least one pair of dice includes at least one die being ten-sided.

4. The game of Claim 3, wherein said ten- sided die is inscribed with the numbers 0 through 9 consecutively thereon.

5. The game of Claim 2, wherein said at least one pair of dice includes at least one six-sided die.

6. The game of Claim 5, wherein said at least one six-sided die is inscribed with the numbers 1 through 6 consecutively thereon.

7. The game of Claim 5, wherein said at least one six-sided die is inscribed with the numbers 0 through 5 consecutively thereon. -11-

8. The game of Claim 5, wherein one six-sided die is inscribed with the numbers 1 through 6 con¬ secutively thereon and the other six-sided die is inscribed with the numbers 0 through 5 consecutively thereon.

9. The game of Claim 2, wherein said cross¬ word puzzle is on a pad containing a plurality of said puzzles.

10. The game of Claim 9, wherein said means for combining said crossword puzzle and score keeping means includes a game platform of substantially square configuration, a recess provided in the center thereof for holding the crossword puzzle therewithin, and supporting bearing means for pivotably supporting said platform upon a table or like support surface.

11. The game of Claim 3, wherein two pairs of dice are included with both dies of each pair being ten-sided, and the dies of the respective pairs being of contrasting colors.

12. A method of playing a game comprising the following steps: providing a sheet having a crossword puzzle printed thereon, at least one pair of dice having num- bers inscribed thereon, and scoring structure for use in keeping score for at least two players; rolling said dice; reading the topmost numbers of the dice as rolled: matching a number combination of the num¬ bers indicated by the dice with a corresponding number -12-

for a word on the puzzle sheet; and filling in the word in the blanks therefor on said puzzle sheet.

13. A method of playing a game as set forth in Claim 12, including the further step of mounting the puzzle sheet on a rotatable game board, and turning said gameboard as desired to the players for their respective turns.

14. A method of playing a game as set forth in Claim 12, wherein said at least one pair of dice includes two ten-sided dies, each of which is numbered from 0 through 9, and the further step of rolling and reading the dice for combined numbers from 0 to 99.

15. A method of playing a game as set forth in Claim 12, wherein said at least one pair of dice includes two six-sided dies, one of which is numbered

0 through 5 and other of which is numbered 1 through 6, and the further step of rolling and reading the dice for combined numbers from 0 to 50.

16. A crossword puzzle game comprising: a pivotably mounted gameboard of substantially square shape; means for keeping score of at least two players associated with said gameboard; a pad of sheets each containing a different crossword puzzle thereon; means with said gameboard for holding said pad of crossword puzzles; and two pairs of dice, one pair foreach player, with said pairs being of contrasting colors. -13-

17. The game of Claim 16, wherein said means for holding the crossword puzzle pad includes a recess in the center portion of said gameboard of slightly larger size than the outside dimensions of the pad.

18. The game of Claim 16, wherein said means for keeping score comprises a plurality of pegholes along opposite sides of said gameboard, and pegs mountable therein for keeping the scores of the two players, with each scoring device being color coded to one pair of said two pairs of dice.

19. The game of Claim 16, wherein said means for keeping score comprise a separate pair of scoring pegboards, each individually separate from the game- board and usable by the respective two players of the game.

20. The game of Claim 16, wherein each of the dies in each of the pairs are multi-sided to correspond when rolled with any number 0 to 99 as on the corresponding crossword puzzle of said puzzle pad.

21. The game of Claim 16, wherein each of the dies in each of the pairs aremulti-sided to correspond when rolled with any number 0 to 50 as on the corresponding crossword puzzle of said puzzle pad.

22. The game of Claim 16, wherein said two pairs of dice for indicating the reference numbers for words of said crossword puzzle are replaced by a mechanical or electronic counting device. -14-

23. The game of Claim 1, wherein said at least one pair of dice for indicating all of the possible reference numbers for words of said crossword puzzle are replaced by a mechanical or electronic counting device.

24. A method of playing a game as set forth in Claim 12, wherein said dice are replaced by mechani¬ cal and/or electrical counting devices.