WO1998001195A2

WO1998001195A2 - Magnetic card pick-up game and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1998001195A2
Application number: PCT/US1997/011709
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shlomi Avigal; Yakov Kedmi; Nir Manor; Avraham Pirchi
Original assignee: Friedman, Mark, M.
Priority date: 1996-07-08
Filing date: 1997-07-08
Publication date: 1998-01-15
Also published as: CA2226123A1; AU3651397A; WO1998001195A3

Abstract

This invention is a game apparatus which includes a magnet (10) tied to an elastic cable (12), and a number of cards (16) which are attractive to the magnet. To play the game, the player holds the elastic cable (12) and throws the magnet (10) so as to cause the magnet to impact one or more of the cards (16) so as to magnetically attract and retrieve at least one of them.

Description

MAGNETIC CARD PICK-UP GAME AND APPARATUS

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

5 The present invention relates to games and game apparatus, and,

more particularly, to games and associated apparatus for picking up cards

from a surface with the help of a device without the direct use of the hands.

Various games are available wherein the user is required to pick up

one or more objects lying on a surface without directly using his or her

l Ohands. For example, in typical 'fishing' games the player uses a rod at the

end of which is suspended a line which ends in a hook. A number of objects

having a suitable hoop or ring are arranged on a surface. The player is

required to slowly move the rod so as to cause the hook to engage the hoop

or ring and then to pick up one of the items. The game tests the hand-eye

15coordination and the patience of the player. A shortcoming of fishing games

is that the act of fishing items is relatively slow and not conducive to play by

a group of players.

Various games are available wherein the player is required to throw

an item at a target. The game of darts is typical. Here, the player is required

0to throw a dart at a target, typically hanging on the wall, and to cause the

dart to hit as near as possible to the very center of the target. A shortcoming

of dart games is that the dart ends up on a faraway board and needs to be

retrieved. Still other games involve the throwing of an item which remains

somehow attached to the player's hand and, as a result, returns to the user. A

classic example of this is a yo-yo. A shortcoming of yo-yo's is that they are

not conducive to competitive or multi-player games.

5 It would be highly advantageous to have a game suitable for fast

multi-person competition and associated apparatus wherein the player is

called upon to accurately throw a device at a target object so as to retrieve

the target object.

ST JMMAR Y OF THE INVENTION

10 According to the present invention there is provided a game

apparatus, comprising: (a) a magnet; (b) an elastic cable connected near one

of its end to the magnet; and (c) a plurality of cards attractive to the magnet.

Also according to the present invention, there is provided a game

comprising the steps of: (a) providing a game apparatus which includes: (i) a

I δmagnet; (ii) an elastic cable connected near one of its end to the magnet; and

(iii) a plurality of cards attractive to the magnet; and (b) while holding only

the elastic cable, causing the magnet to proximally approach at least one of

the plurality of cards so as to magnetically attract and retrieve at least one of

the cards.

20 According to further features in preferred embodiments of the

invention described below, the cards include a metallic paint, preferably

interposed between two portions of the card. According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments, the game further includes catching the magnet with the

retrieved card.

The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of

δpresently known games and game apparatus by providing a game and

apparatus which makes it possible to throw a device with the aim of

magnetically attracting and retrieving a certain object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with

0reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an overall depiction of a magnetic card pick-up game and

apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative card according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of several possible configuration of the

5card of Figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is of a magnetic card pick-up game and

apparatus which can be used to pick up cards as part of a competitive or

solitary game.

0 The principles and operation of a game and game apparatus

according to the present invention may be better understood with reference

to the drawings and the accompanying description. Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates the overall

concept. The game apparatus includes a magnet 10 which is directly or

indirectly connected near one end of an elastic cable 12. Magnet 10 may be

any suitable permanent magnet of proper dimensions and strength. Elastic

δcable 12 may be any cable, wire, line, thread, rope, band, and the like, (any

and all of which are, for convenience, termed 'cable' in the specification and

claims) provided that it has the ability to support magnet 10 and to stretch to

a significant extent and return to its former length. The elasticity of elastic

cable 12 should allow it to increase in length to at least 110% of its

l Ounstressed length, preferably it should be able to stretch to at least 150% of

its unstressed length.

Preferably, magnet 10 is not connected directly to elastic cable 12 but

is rather mounted in a body, most preferably, a figure 14, which is, in turn,

connected to elastic cable 12, as shown in Figure 1. Most preferably, figure

1514 is in the form of a face. Figure 14 serves at least two functions. First, it

provides suitable weight so that ensemble of figure 14 and magnet 10 have

the proper total weight for suitable play action. Second, the appearance of

figure 14 adds aesthetic value to the game apparatus, for example, allowing

the player to envision that it is the figure which is picking up the cards, as

20described below.

The game apparatus further includes a number of cards 16 which are

attractive to magnet 10 and which, under certain circumstances, can be picked up by magnet 10. Cards 16 may be of virtually any shape and may

have virtually any printing or marking on one or both of their faces (Figure

2). Preferably, cards 16 are substantially flat so that, when placed or thrown

on a reasonably flat surface, such as a floor 18, they lie substantially

δhorizontal, albeit with some deviation whenever cards 16 pile on top of one

another, as shown in cross-section in Figure 1.

Elastic cable 12 is preferably of sufficient length that a player

standing up is able to throw magnet 10 (with attendant figure 14, if any)

downward so as to cause magnet 10, after suitable stretching of elastic cable

1012, to impact, or come very near, cards 16 lying on floor 18. Preferably,

elastic cable 12 features a loop 20 near its top end which can be fitted

around one or more of the player's fingers prior to use. For shorter players,

or for play when the surface on which cards 18 are arrayed is higher than the

floor, the player may wrap a suitable portion of elastic cable 12 around his

15finger or fingers so as to effectively shorten elastic cable 12 to the proper

length.

Cards 16 are rendered attractive to magnet 10 through the inclusion

in cards 16 of a metal, such as iron, for example, which is attracted to

magnets. The metal in question can be included in cards 16 through a

20variety of means. For example, cards 16 may include a metallic layer 30

(Figure 3), preferably interposed between an upper portion 32 and a lower

portion 34 of card 16, possibly held together with a suitable adhesive (not shown). Metallic layer 30 may be in the form of a solid layer, such as a foil,

or in the form of a mesh of appropriate design.

Preferably, cards 16 include metal which is attractive to magnet 10

which is dispersed in a paint. The metallic paint can be used to paint one or

δboth outside faces of card 16 (e.g., Figure 2) or, preferably, metallic paint

(depicted schematically as 30 in Figure 3) can be painted on one or both of

upper portion 32 and lower portion 34 of card 16 and the two portions are

combined, with or without the use of a suitable adhesive (not shown) to

form the complete card 16 (Figure 2).

10 To play a game using the apparatus of the present invention, the

player holds on to one end of elastic cable 12, preferably by inserting one or

more of his or her fingers through loop 20. A number of cards 16 are places

or thrown onto a surface, such as floor 18. The player now aims and

releases and/or throws magnet 10 (or the combined structure including

I δmagnet 10 and figure 14) downward toward cards 16. The player attempts

to avoid giving magnet 10 insufficient force to reach cards 16 but not too

much force which will result in too large an impact of magnet 10 with one or

more card 16. The aim is to give magnet 10 just enough force to closely

approach or lightly impact (referred to hereinafter as "proximally approach")

20card 16 so as to maximize the time the magnet 10 is in close proximity of

card 16 which will maximize the chance of picking up, or retrieving, card 16

with magnet 10. Various rules may be applied for solitary and competitive group play.

For example, it may be a requirement to catch magnet 10 and the retrieved

card 16 as they come up after a successful retrieval.

For group play, it may be desirable for each player to throw in a

δnumber of cards. The player then take turns attempting to retrieve the cards,

as described above. The cards may have different point value depending on

their size, shape, markings, and the like. One or more unsuccessful attempts

at retrieval may obligate the player to throw in another card. Successfully

retrieving a certain card may provide

0the player with another turn. Many other rules and game configurations

may be envisioned using the basic game apparatus of the present invention.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited

number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations,

δmodificatiQns and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A game apparatus, comprising:

(a) a magnet;

(b) an elastic cable connected near one end to said magnet; and

(c) a plurality of cards attractive to said magnet, each of said

cards including a metallic layer selected from the group

consisting of substantially solid and mesh.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said magnet is

connected to a figure, said figure being connected to said elastic cable.

3. The game apparatus of claim 2, wherein said figure is a face.

4. The game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elastic cable

features a loop near an opposite end.

5. A game comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a game apparatus which includes:

(i) a magnet;

(ii) an elastic cable connected near one of its end to said

magnet; and (iii) a plurality of cards attractive to said magnet, each of

said cards featuring a metallic layer selected from the

group consisting of substantially solid and mesh; and

(b) while holding only said elastic cable, causing said magnet to

proximally approach at least one of said plurality of cards so

as to magnetically attract and retrieve at least one of said

cards.

6. The game of claim 5, further comprising:

(c) catching said magnet with said retrieved card.

7. The game of claim 5, wherein said magnet is connected to a

figure, said figure being connected to said elastic cable.

8. The game of claim 5, wherein said elastic cable features a

loop near an opposing end and wherein said holding of said elastic cable is

effected by inserting a finger through said loop.

9. A game apparatus, comprising:

(a) a magnet;

(b) an elastic cable connected near one end to said magnet; and (c) a plurality of cards attractive to said magnet, each of said

cards featuring metallic paint for attracting said magnet.

10. The game apparatus of claim 9, wherein said magnet is

connected to a figure, said figure being connected to said elastic cable.

11. The game apparatus of claim 10, wherein said figure is a face.

12. The game apparatus of claim 9, wherein said elastic cable

features a loop near an opposing end.

13. A game comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a game apparatus which includes:

(i) a magnet;

(ii) an elastic cable connected near one of its end to said

magnet; and

(iii) a plurality of cards attractive to said magnet, each of

said cards featuring a metallic paint for attracting said

magnet; and

(b) while holding only said elastic cable, causing said magnet to

proximally approach at least one of said plurality of cards so as to magnetically attract and retrieve at least one of said

cards.

14. The game of claim 13, further comprising:

(c) catching said magnet with said retrieved card.

15. The game of claim 13, wherein said magnet is connected to a

figure, said figure being connected to said elastic cable.

16. The game of claim 13, wherein said elastic cable features a

loop near an opposing end and wherein said holding of said elastic cable is

effected by inserting a finger through said loop.