WO2011119212A2

WO2011119212A2 - Cube 3-d word/puzzle game system

Info

Publication number: WO2011119212A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/000518
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Velte
Original assignee: Stephen Velte
Priority date: 2010-03-24
Filing date: 2011-03-22
Publication date: 2011-09-29
Also published as: WO2011119212A3

Abstract

A large cube (14) is formed of small cubes in rows and columns, each small cube having a small square face with a central aperture (30). A plurality of similarly configured tiles (34) each have exterior and interior faces (34, 36) and a circular periphery. Each of a plurality of projections (40) extends perpendicularly from the interior face of each of the tiles. Each projection is in frictional contact with the aperture of an associated one of the small cubes. Indicia (56) in the form of letters is on the exterior surfaces of the tiles. Mechanisms allow rotational movement of the small cubes to rearrange the letters and to allow the twisting of the tiles to invert and revert the letters for increasing the readability of the letters and words spelled by the letters.

Description

CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE GAME SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a Cube 3-D

word/puzzle game system and more particularly pertains to replacing letters on a cube to spell words, the

repositioning of the letters and the spelling of the words being done alone and with others in competition,^"" the game being played for education and competition and

entertainment purposes.

Description of the Prior Art

The use of word games of known designs and

configurations is known in the prior art. More

specifically, word games of known designs and

configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of education, competition and entertainment purposes are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations,

notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the

fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Patent Number 4,421,311 issued December 20, 1983 to Sebesteny relates to a Puzzle- Cube. U.S. Patent Number 4,378,116 issued March 29, 1983 to Rubik relates to a Spatial Logical Toy. Lastly, U.S. Patent Number 4,872,682 issued October 10, 1989 to

Kuchimanchi relates to a Cube Puzzle with Moving Faces.

While these devices fulfill their respective,

particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system that allows replacing letters on a cube to spell words, the repositioning of the letters and the spelling of the words being done alone and with others in competition, the game being played for education and competition and entertainment purposes.

In this respect, the Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of replacing letters on a cube to spell words, the repositioning of the letters and the spelling of the words being done alone and with others in competition, the game being played for education and competition and entertainment purposes.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved Cube 3-D

word/puzzle game system which can be used for replacing letters on a cube to spell words, the repositioning of the letters and the spelling of the words being done alone and with others in competition, the game being played for education and competition and entertainment purposes. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of word games of known designs and

configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved Cube 3-D

word/puzzle game system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system for

repositioning letters on a cube to spell words, the repositioning of the letters and the spelling of the words being done alone and with others in competition. The game is played for education and competition and entertainment purposes. First provided is a large cube having six similarly configured large faces with twelve edges and eight corners. Each large face is formed of sixteen similarly configured elements. Each of the elements is formed as a hollow small cube having a length and a width and with six small faces. The elements of each large face are separated by three horizontal lines and three vertical lines to thus form four rows of small cubes and four columns of small cubes on each large face of the large cube. Each small face is square with a common length and width. Each small face has a central aperture forming a bearing surface of an axial length and a first diameter.

Next provided is a plurality similarly configured tiles. Each tile has an exterior face and an interior face. Each tile also has a circular periphery with a second diameter measuring between 90 percent and 100 percent of the common length and width of each small cube. A plurality of projections extend perpendicularly from the interior face of each tile. Each projection is formed to include an exterior end with a point and an interior end with a cylinder. The cylinder has an axial length and a third diameter essentially equal to the axial length and diameter of the aperture. Each projection also includes a conical surface adjacent to the point and a frustoconical surface adjacent to the cylinder. A ring is formed on each projection at a junction of the conical and

frustoconical surfaces. Each ring has a diameter between 10 and 25 percent greater than the third diameter of each cylinder. Each cylinder of the projection is in

frictional contact with the bearing surface of the

aperture for twisting each tile independently with respect to an associated one of the small cubes in which it is positioned. Next, a plurality of circular stickers is provided. One sticker is adhesively attached to each of the

plurality of exterior faces. Each sticker has a diameter between 90 and 100 percent of the second diameter of each tile. The majority of the stickers have primary indicia in the form of a letter and a number as a point value. A minority of the stickers have supplemental indicia chosen from the class of supplemental indicia including "2x word" for double score counting, "3x word" for triple score counting, and "wild" for use as any letter. Finally, conventional mechanisms are provided interiorly of the large cube. The mechanisms are adapted to allow

rotational movement of the large cube around any one of the horizontal lines and around any one of the vertical lines. In this manner, the small cubes are repositioned with respect to each other to create and recreate words with the indicia of the stickers. The rotational movement of the elements is in association with the twisting of the tiles to invert and revert the letters of the stickers to increase the readability of the letters and words spelled by the letters.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be

described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be

understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is

important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention .

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system which has all of the advantages of the prior art word games of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system which is of durable and reliable constructions.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which

accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such Cube 3-D

word/puzzle game system economically available to the buying public. Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system for

replacing letters on a cube to spell words, the

repositioning of the letters and.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved large cube formed of small cubes in rows and columns, each small cube having a small square face with a central aperture. A plurality of similarly configured tiles each have exterior and interior faces and a circular periphery. Each of a plurality of projections extends perpendicularly from the interior face of each of the tiles. Each projection is in frictional contact with the aperture of an associated one of the small cubes. Indicia in the form of letters is on the exterior surfaces of the tiles. Mechanisms allow

rotational movement of the small cubes to rearrange the letters and to allow the twisting of the tiles to invert and revert the letters for increasing the readability of the letters and words spelled by the letters.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which

characterize the invention, are pointed out with

particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is

illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed

description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the system taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of one of the tiles shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of one of the tiles with associated components illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective illustration of a cube configured with digraphs and trigraphs and also configured for use as a puzzle.

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the

arrangement of digraphs and trigraphs on a cube.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

The present invention, the Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a large cube, a plurality of similarly configured tiles, indicia, and rotational movement mechanisms. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. The Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system 10 is for repositioning letters on a cube to spell words, the repositioning of the letters and the spelling of the words being done alone and with others in competition. The game is played for education and competition and entertainment purposes. First provided is a large cube 14 having six similarly configured large faces 16 with twelve edges 18 and eight corners 20. Each large face is formed of sixteen similarly configured elements 22. Each of the elements is formed as a hollow small cube having a length and a width and with six small faces 24. The elements of each large face are separated by three horizontal lines 26 and three vertical lines 28 to thus form four rows of small cubes and four columns of small cubes on each large face of the large cube. Each small face is square with a common length and width. Each small face has a central aperture 30 forming a bearing surface of an axial length and a first diameter.

Next provided is a plurality similarly configured tiles 34. Each tile has an exterior face 36 and an interior face 38. Each tile also has a circular periphery with a second diameter measuring between 90 percent and 100 percent of the common length and width of each small cube. Ά plurality of projections 40 extend

perpendicularly from the interior face of each tile. Each projection is formed to include an exterior end with a point 42 and an interior end with a cylinder 44. The cylinder has an axial length and a third diameter

essentially equal to the axial length and diameter of the aperture. Each projection also includes a conical surface 46 adjacent to the point and a frustoconical surface 48 adjacent to the cylinder. A ring 50 is formed on each projection at a junction of the conical and frustoconical surfaces. Each ring has a diameter between 10 and 25 percent greater than the third diameter of each cylinder. Each cylinder of the projection is in frictional contact with the bearing surface of the aperture for twisting each tile independently with respect to an associated one of the small cubes in which it is positioned. Indicia is preferably provided to the exterior faces of the tiles by printing, more preferably by screen printing.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a plurality of circular stickers 54 is provided. One sticker is adhesively attached to each of the plurality of exterior faces. Each sticker has a diameter between 90 and 100 percent of the second diameter of each tile.

The majority of the tiles have primary indicia 56 in the form of a letter and a number as a point value. A minority of the tiles have supplemental indicia 58 chosen from the class of supplemental indicia including "2x word" for double score counting, "3x word" for triple score counting, and "wild" for use as any letter.

The original placement of the letters onto the cube are partially determined by the frequency of the digraphs and trigraphs or two and three letter combinations that occur most often in the English Language. Further, the words "SCRUBLE" and "CUBE" occur twice in the original tile positioning of the cubes. The letters spelling out "SCRUBLE" and "CUBE" are of a different color scheme than the other tile letters. The CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE game can thus be played as a puzzle while a player attempts to return the cube to its original position. There are 7.4 times 10 to the 45 th power positions but only one

solution as a puzzle. This is another new feature that is not found in earlier prior art devices.

Finally, conventional mechanisms (not shown) are provided interiorly of the large cube. The mechanisms are adapted to allow rotational movement of the large cube around any one of the horizontal lines and around any one of the vertical lines. In this manner, the small cubes are repositioned with respect to each other to create and recreate words with the indicia of the stickers. The rotational movement of the elements is in association with the twisting of the tiles to invert and revert the letters of the stickers to increase the readability of the letters and words spelled by the letters.

In another alternate embodiment, the letters include a first plurality of letters in a first color and a second plurality of letters in a second color. The first

plurality of letters are adapted to be arranged to spell out a unique word in the first color whereby the system may be utilized as a puzzle as well as a game. Only one puzzle solution out of 7401 septillion configurations will return the system to a proper puzzle solution.

The game of the present invention can be played strictly as a puzzle. The cube is shipped in an initial configuration with letter pegs that are a different color than all other letter pegs. In one example, the words for Scruble Cube as in red and are spelled out in two

directions across multiple faces of the cube. The

combination of letters AND colors to create a unique solution is the primary contribution.

SCRUBLE CUBE RB UE B L E

By including the colored letters, the game can be played strictly as a puzzle with only one correct solution out of 7401 septillion ( 10⁴⁵) configurations. Using this approach, the words that are spelled out can be changed and the cube can still be solved as strictly as a puzzle regardless of the words displayed. Provided instructions graphically depict the original configuration of the cube to assist with solving the puzzle.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a first plurality of first cubes are digraph cubes and a second plurality of second cubes are trigraph cubes. Each digraph and trigraph cube includes adjacent letters of frequently occurring sequential letters at the edges of cubes to increase the likelihood of common word creation. The frequently occurring letters at the edge of the cubes for digraphs and trigraphs preferably vary from country to country, language to language, for the target market for a particular game.

The layout of the cube is preferably tied to some very specific criteria. Individual letter frequency is determined by the frequency of occurrence of the letters in the target language of the game, i.e. English, Spanish, Swedish. However, the placement of the letters of the cube is tied to the edge relationships of letters on the cubes. Letters at the edges of the cube are permanently associated, i.e. attached to each other. Their placement and relationships are determined by placing two and three letter combinations, digraphs and trigraphs, that occur most frequently in the target language onto the edges. Utilizing this method of placement increases the

likelihood of common word creation when playing the game.

This method of determining letter placement is unique and creates a cube layout with very definitive

characteristics. A chart depicting most of the edge relationships and, therefore, letter relationships is shown in Figure 8.

The rules for playing the CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE game of the present invention are as follows:

CONTENTS: Game cube with 96 letter tiles, score pad and timer. OBJECT: In CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE, players form interlocking words, crossword fashion, on the cube using letter tiles of different values. The CUBE 3-D

WORD/PUZZLE game contains premium squares for added word and letter scoring. In CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE, words can be formed around the cube surface using adjacent letters so that more than one cube surface is part of the word formed. Diagonal words are not permitted.

SETUP: Players take the cube and begin their turn. Turns may be either timed, using the sand timer, or untimed until a suitable word is formed.

GAME PLAY Option #1

1. The first player forms a word consisting of two or more letters. The score is added up by combining the points for that word. In CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE Game Play Option #1, premium squares apply to adjacent letters and their point values at the beginning or end of a word. For instance a triple letter score at the end of the word "STREET" would add 3x1 (the letter value for "T") to the total score - in this case a total of 8 as all of the letters in this example have a point value of one.

Similarly a "Double Word Score" at the beginning or end of the same word would have a total score value of 12 as 6x2 is 12.

2. You complete your turn by announcing the word point total for your turn and passing the cube clockwise to the next player. The score is then recorded.

3. Unlike a crossword puzzle, in CUBE 3-D

WORD/PUZZLE, the next player may form an entirely new word- separate from any other words to get his own score. However, if the second player is able to form a crossword like connection to an existing word, that player will receive the score for both words. For example if the word "STREET" was intersected by the second player with the word "ELF" (a six point word) he would receive credit for both "ELF" and "STREET" for a total of 12 points. An intersecting word must consist of AT LEAST 3 letters.

4. New words may be formed by:

a) Adding one or more letters to a word or letters already on the board.

b) Placing a word at right angles to a word already on the board to receive credit for both words.

c) Creating an entirely new standalone word.

d) At least one new letter must be moved into a place for that player to record a score during a turn

5. Two "Wild Card" tiles exist in Game Play Option #1 and they may be used as any letter. They have no point value.

6. The game ends when one player exceeds a target number of points or a predetermined number of rounds have been played.

GAME PLAY Option # 2

1. All steps outlined in Game Play Option #1 apply except that ALL premium tiles are considered "Wild Cards" and may be used as any letter. Unlike "Wild Card" tiles they do have added value in that word score multiplying tiles are used to multiply the score of the words that they are part of. Letter score multiplying tiles are used to increase the score value of either adjacent letter (whichever has a higher value) as long as the adjacent tiles are part of that word.

2. Play ends when reaching an agreed to point total or number of turns.

SCORING

1. Scores are tallied at the end of each players turn. The score value of each letter is indicated by a number at the bottom of the tile. The score value of "Wild Card" tiles is zero.

2. The score for each turn is the sum of the letter values in each word(s) formed or modified on that turn- plus any additional points from premium squares adjacent to a complete word in Game Play Option #1 or part of the word in Game Play Option #2.

3. Letter values and the number of each letter in CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE are as follows:

1 point: Exll , Ax8 , 1x7 , 0x7 , x5 , Rx5 , Tx5 , Lx3 , Sx4 , Ux3 2 point: Dx3,Gx2

3 point: Bx2 , Cx2 , Mx2 , Px2

4 points: Fx2 , Hx2 , Vx2 , Wx2 , Yx2

5 points: Kxl

8 points: Jxl,Xxl

No Q or Z are present on the cube but Wild Card tiles may be used to create words with those letters. There are a total of 10 Premium tiles and Two Wild Card tiles in CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE.

4. In CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE, a word of five letters gets a bonus of 15 points. A word of six letters gets a bonus of 25 points and a word of seven or more letters gets a bonus of 50 points. A word of six or more letters that has letter components on THREE sides of a cube also receives a bonus of 50 points.

CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE LETTER FREQUENCY: CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE letter distribution is based on the frequency of letter occurrence in the English language. In

addition, letter placement on the cube is such that the most frequently occurring two letter combinations

(digraphs) and three letter combinations (trigraphs) are more likely to occur.

SCANNING and PATTERN RECOGNITION: When your turn begins it is a good idea to scan the CUBE 3-D WORD/PUZZLE cube for patterns and frequent letter combinations before beginning.

Order of frequency for trigraphs: the and tha ent ion tio for nde has nee edt tis oft sth men Order of frequency for digraphs: th er on an re he in ed nd ha at en es of or nt ea ti to it st io le is ou ar as de rt ve

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent

relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be

encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, 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

What is claimed is: 1. A word game system comprising:

a large cube formed of small cubes in rows and columns, each small cube having a small square face with a central aperture;

a plurality of similarly configured tiles, each tile having exterior and interior faces and a circular

periphery, a plurality of projections, each of the

projections extending perpendicularly from the interior face of each of the tiles, each projection being in frictional contact with the aperture of an associated one of the small cubes;

indicia in the form of letters on the exterior surfaces of the tiles; and

mechanisms to allow rotational movement of the small cubes to rearrange the letters and to allow the twisting of the tiles to invert and revert the letters for

increasing the readability of the letters and words spelled by the letters. 2. The word game system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each projection is formed to include an exterior end with a point and an interior end with a cylinder, each projection also including a conical surface adjacent to the point and a frustoconical surface adjacent to the cylinder, a ring formed on each projection at a junction of the conical and frustoconical surfaces, each ring having a diameter between 10 and 25 percent greater than the diameter of each cylinder, each cylinder of each projection being in frictional contact with an associated one of the apertures for twisting each tile with respect to an associated one of the small cubes in which it is positioned. 3. The word game system as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the indicia is printed on a plurality of circular stickers, each one of the stickers being adhesively attached to one of the plurality of exterior faces; and wherein the indicia includes a majority of the indicia in the form of letters and numbers as a point value and further includes a minority of the indicia chosen from the class of supplemental indicia including "2x word" for double score counting, "3x word" for triple score counting, and "wild" for use as any letter. 4. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the letters include a first plurality of letters in a first color and a second plurality of letters in a second color, the first plurality of letters adapted to be arranged to spell out a unique word in the first color whereby the system may be utilized as a puzzle as well as a game. 5. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein a first plurality of first cubes are digraph cubes and wherein a second plurality of second cubes are trigraph cubes, each digraph and trigraph cube including adjacent letters of frequently occurring sequential letters at the edges of cubes to increase the likelihood of common word creation. 6. A Cube 3-D word/puzzle game system (10) for repositioning letters on a cube to spell words, the repositioning of the letters and the spelling of the words being done alone and with others in competition, the game being played for education and competition and entertainment purposes, the system comprising, in

combination:

a large cube (14) having six similarly configured large faces (16) with twelve edges (18) and eight corners (20) , each large face being formed of sixteen similarly configured elements (22), each of the elements being formed as a hollow small cube having a length and a width and with six small faces (24), the elements of each large face being separated by three horizontal lines (26) and three vertical lines (28) to thus form four rows of small cubes and four columns of small cubes on each large face of the large cube, each small face being square with a common length and width and having a central aperture (30) forming a bearing surface of a common axial length and a common first diameter;

a plurality similarly configured tiles (34), each tile having an exterior face (36) and an interior face (38) and a circular periphery with a second diameter measuring between 90 percent and 100 percent of the length and width of each small cube, a plurality of projections (40), each projection extending perpendicularly from the interior face of each tile, each projection being formed to include an exterior end with a point (42) and an interior end with a cylinder (44), the cylinder having an axial length and a third diameter essentially equal to the axial length and diameter of the aperture, each projection also including a conical surface (46) adjacent to the point and a frustoconical surface (48) adjacent to the cylinder, a ring (50) formed on each projection at a junction of the conical and frustoconical surfaces, each ring having a diameter between 10 and 25 percent greater than the third diameter of each cylinder, each cylinder of the projection being in frictional contact with the bearing surface of the aperture for twisting each tile independently with respect to an associated one of the small cubes in which it is positioned;

a plurality of circular stickers (54), one sticker being adhesively attached to each of the plurality of exterior faces, each sticker having a diameter between 90 and 100 percent of the second diameter of each tile, the majority of the stickers having primary indicia (56) in the form of a letter and a number as a point value, a minority of the stickers having supplemental indicia (58) chosen from the class of supplemental indicia including "2x word" for double score counting and "3x word" for triple score counting and "wild" for use as any letter; and conventional mechanisms interiorly of the large cube adapted to allow rotational movement of the large cube around any one of the horizontal lines and around any one of the vertical lines to thereby reposition the small cubes with respect to each other to create and recreate words with the indicia of the stickers, the rotational movement of the elements being in association with the twisting of the tiles to invert and revert the letters of the stickers to increase the readability of the letters and words spelled by the letters.