GB2172209A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Game apparatus comprising a plurality of playing tokens, a playing surface (20) providing a plurality of demarcated sites at which to locate a playing token in the course of play, means defining a set of sites included within said plurality of sites which means is constituted by a set of magnets (13) below surface (20), the magnets interacting with magnets in the playing pieces to provide a signal when a playing token is at a site within the set by toppling the pieces, the arrangement being such that the identity of the sites constituting the said set can be changed during play by turning handle (5) to move the magnets. The game simulates e.g. horse or greyhound racing, and when a piece lands on one of the sites constituting the said set, a gamble procedure confirming a penalty or advantage upon the player, may be put into operation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Game apparatus The present invention relates to game apparatus. Principally, the invention relates to new board game apparatus but the principles of the invention may also be applied to other forms of game, for instance computer games.

There is a continuing need for fresh games as a source of amusement.

Board games are known in which pieces are moved over a course marked on the board, the winner being the first player to reach the end of the course. Such games frequently involve the use of dice as a principle chance element but add to this as a secondary chance element penalties or advantages conferred by cards selected by a player upon landing upon a selected location on the board.

However, the danger points on the board are constant and are readily identifiable and the approach to them therefore lacks surprise.

The present invention provides game apparatus comprising a plurality of playing tokens, a playing surface providing a plurality of demarcated sites at which to locate a playing token in the course of play, means defining a set of sites included within said plurality of sites, said set including at least one site, means for providing a signal when a playing token is at a site within the set, the arrangement being such that the identity of the sites constituting the said set can be changed during play.

Preferably, the identity of the site or sites constituting the set at any time is not apparent to the players.

It can be seen that the type of apparatus described above can be applied to a wide variety of games. In the context of board games, the principle can be applied to any board game in which playing tokens are moved over the playing surface of the board. When a playing token "lands" on a site which is for the moment within the defined set of sites, the signal will be provided and a penalty or advantage can be conferred upon the player. At stages during the game, the sites constituting the set can be changed and accordingly the obtaining of these advantages or penalties can come as a surprise to the player involved.

Preferably, means is provided operation of which causes a change in the identity of the site or sites constituting the set.

Preferably, the set of sites contains a plurality of sites.

Preferably, the demarcated sites provide a plurality of paths each from a start to a finish.

Preferably, the paths are arranged as lanes of a course from the start to the finish. Such apparatus is adapted for use in playing games of the nature of race games.

Preferably, the means for defining a set and the means for providing a signal are provided by co-operating pairs of members, one member of each said pair being provided on a playing token and the other being provided behind the playing surface, the co-operating members interacting when in close proximity to provide the said signal and thereby providing said signal when the playing token is at a site behind which is located a pair for the member provided on the playing token.

Preferably, at least one of the co-operating members is provided by a magnet. Preferably both members of the pair are magnets. In some kinds of apparatus according to the invention of this general kind it may be satisfactory for only one member of the pair to be a magnet, the other being a material being attractable by the magnet.

Preferably therefore, the means for defining a set of sites comprises at least one magnet behind the playing surface and movable with respect thereto so as to interact with any playing token placed on the playing surface directly opposite thereto.

Preferably, the magnet or magnets defining the set of sites are so positioned as to repel the magnets of the tokens at least when the latter are arranged in a design direction with respect to the playing surface.

Thus, the poles of the or each magnet defining the set of sites may be positioned so that a line joining them extends at right angles to the playing surface. Preferably then, each playing token has a magnet associated therewith which has its poles arranged in directly the opposite orientation so as to be repelled whenever directly opposite to a magnet behind the playing surface.

Alternatively, the poles of the or each magnet behind the playing surface may be arranged so that a line joining them extends parallel to the playing surface. A similarly arranged magnet associated with each playing token will then be either attracted or repelled depending upon the direction in which the token is pointing. In such an arrangement, it is preferred that the token bear an indication of the direction in which it is to point in play and that when arranged pointing in the direction in which it is to advance during the course of play over the playing surface, it is repelled by any magnet encountered below the playing surface.

Preferably, the power of the magnets and the nature of the playing tokens is such that the playing token will be over thrown by mutual repulsion of magnets when it is located at a site on the playing surface which is within the set of sites.

The magnets or magnet behind the playing surface may be loosely retained there such that their position can be altered by shaking the apparatus to displace the magnet or magnets and so change the identity of the sites constituting the set.

More preferably however, the magnet or magnets behind the playing surface are located on a member movable with respect to the playing surface so as to enable the identity of the sites constructing the set to be changed.

Such a movable member may for instance be a turntable rotatable behind the playing surface.

Since this will sweep any magnets located on the movable member over a circular path, this is particularly preferred where the playing surface depicts a circular path over which the tokens have to progress.

Alternatively, the member movable with respect to the playing surface may be constituted by a movable track located behind the playing surface. Preferably, the track is a continuous track.

The track may bear a toothed rack extending therealong in engagement with a pinion rotatable by suitable handle means whereby the track may be moved to alter the set of sites.

The invention will be illustrated by the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment according to the invention, Figure 2 is an exploded view of a second embodiment according to the invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates the invention embodied in a board game based on a horse or greyhound race.

The apparatus comprises the playing board illustrated and for each player a playing die of an individual colour and a playing token. The token may be for instance in the form of a model horse or greyhound figure standing on a base containing a small bar magnet arranged with its south pole at the head end of the figure.

The board constituting the main part of the apparatus comprises a lower platform (1) having an upstanding skirt wall providing a support ledge for carrying a playing surface above the level of the platform 1. Platform 1 is supported on a plurality of legs (2). The surface of the platform (1) has an oval zone (3). At the centre of each circular end of the oval is positioned above the platform (1) is toothed pinion (4) mounted for rotation. A crank handle (5) is provided protruding above the platform (1) by means of which the right hand pinion may be turned. The right hand pinion has on its upper surface a coloured marker (6) and a window (7) is formed in the platform (1) above the right hand pinion (4) so that the marker (6) can appear through the window (7) when the pinion is at a particular rotational position.

A chain (8) extends around each pinion (4) linking them in a driving relationship.

Four links of the chain (8) each carry a bar carrier (9) into which is threaded an elongate bar (10) to extend transversely of the chain beneath the platform (1).

The other ends of the bars (10) are received in a bar hanger (11) which has a slide member engaged with an oval groove (12) in which the hanger (11) runs and along which it is adapted to slide. Each hanger 11 is telescopically slideable into a bore in the respective bar 10 and a coil spring is provided attached between the slide member of the hanger and the end of the bar so as to allow extension or compression of the telescopic connection against the spring. Mounted on the upper surface of each bar (10) is a short bar magnet (13) having on its lower surface a projection, suitably provided by the head of a rivet holding the magnet (13) to the bar (10). The projection is -engaged in a corresponding groove (14) in the of the platform (1) to assist in guiding the magnet.

Rotation of the pinion (4) by the handle (5) causes all of the magnets to be driven around the oval in synchrony. Excessive friction between the hangers 11 and the groove 12 is prevented by the sprung telescopic mounting of the hangers 11 in bars 10. Each magnet is at a different spacing from the chain along its bar (10), the paths of the magnets surround the oval being equi-spaced.

The tops of the magnets are just below the level of the support ledge.

The playing surface is provided on a board (20) which is placed on top of the platform (1) to rest on the support ledge covering the zone (3) and the magnets. The board (20) is sufficiently thin that the influence of the magnets (13) is transmitted strongly through it.

The board (20) has printed thereon an oval race track (21) correspondingly in shape to the zone (3) divided into four oval lanes. Each lane is divided into a succession of boxes each constituting a "site". Some of the "sites" are marked with a number and a transverse line is provided as a start line and a second transverse line is provided as a finish line. Each magnet is approximately the size of one "site" and will therefore be able to be positioned randomly beneath one site or two adjacent sites.

The magnets are chosen to be sufficiently powerful having regard to the thickness of the board (20) that when a playing token is placed directly above a magnet (13), the playing token is overthrown due to repulsion of the aligned poles of the magnet.

In a modification of the apparatus illustrated, the support (1) is provided with a recess of oval race track shape divided by upstanding oval barriers into separate lanes corresponding to those of the board (20). The interior surface of the recess is covered by a relatively high friction material such as baize cloth and one magnet is placed within each lane of the recess and is free to move around its lane. The position of the magnets may therefore be altered by simply shaking the entire game apparatus to randomly distribute the magnets around the lanes. The separation between magnets in adjacent lanes should be sufficient to prevent the magnets tending to clump together and to this end each magnet may be provided with a covering on its sides.To prevent inadvertent movement of the magnets, the bottom of the magnets may be provided with a covering of a high friction material similar to that employed to cover the recess in the support (1).

An example of a game which may be played using such apparatus will now be described.

Initially, handle (5) is turned to being marker (6) below window (7). Each player is allocated a race horse or greyhound playing token which is placed in one of the lanes at the start line. Each player takes it in turn to roll all the dice together. The playing piece is moved the number of squares indicated by the die of the players colour. Each player may be permitted to roll more than one die of his own colour simultaneously to obtain higher scores if desired. Each die has one side marked to indicate that the player should carry out the "gamble" procedure described below.If the playing token lands on a site bearing a number, action is taken according to the following table: SITE NUMBER ACTION TAKEN 1 player moves playing token two further places forward: 2 player chooses between remaining in place and undertaking gamble procedure and moving forward six places if successful (see 10); 3 player moves back three places; 4 Remove pieces, turn the handle half turn and replace pieces 5 player stays and awaits the next throw; 6 player moves back six places pieces are removed, handle is turned half a turn and the pieces are replaced; 7 player moves forward one place; 8 player remains in position until able to throw "gamble" on the dice; 9 player re-throws the dice (i.e. has an extra turn); 10 gamble procedure (see below); 11 player goes back ten places and repeats the gamble procedure; 12 player proceeds to the finish and collects the winnings.

The "gamble" procedure may be as follows. Whenever the gamble procedure is called for, either because a player has landed on a site marked two, ten or eleven, or has thrown his die and the "gamble" side of the die has come up, all of the playing pieces are removed from the board, their position being noted, and the position of the magnets is altered by either turning of the handle (5) 12 turns or in the alternative embodiment of the game by shaking the game apparatus to displace the magnets. The playing tokens are then replaced in position. If any now coincide in position with a magnet they will be overthrown and the player concerned is out of the game.

If at any time a piece lands on a site above a magnet and is overthrown by magnetic repulsion then each occasion the "gamble" procedure is employed if they wish to continue in the race.

As shown in Fig. 2, a second embodiment according to the invention comprises a support (111) mounted on feed (112) and comprising a circular well containing a turntable (113) mounted for rotation of a hub (114) by a detachable crank handle (115) via a gearbox, (not shown) The gearbox will be such as to provide for a rotation by one complete turn of the handle producing less than a complete rotation of the turntable. The turntable (113) is divided into circular lanes three of which each contain a bar magnet as described with reference to Fig. 1. A sheet (117) is placed over the support (111) and has a circular aperture (118) through which may be passed the crank handle (115) by means of which the turntable (113) may be rotated beneath the sheet (117).Sheet (117) bears a circular race track marked thereon having lanes corresponding in size to those on the turntable (113) divided into sites by radial lines. Once again, a start and a finish line are provided and certain of the sites bear numbers indicating action to be taken if those sites are landed upon. Once again, the apparatus comprises playing tokens including bar magnets which cannot be positioned over the magnets on the turntable (113) without the playing token being overthrown. Whilst a similar game to that previously described can be played using this apparatus also, a further game will be described by way of illustration. In this game the playing pieces comprise one fox and a plurality of huntsmen mounted on horses, each playing token being provided with a bar magnet in its base as described above. The fox is placed in the lane without a magnet.A coloured die is provided for each player. The fox has first throw. Each player throws all the dice but moves the number shown by his own colour die. The action taken in response to landing on the different numbers may be as tabulated below: SITE NUMBER ACTION TAKEN 1 move four places forward; 2 fox stays still while the hounds throw the dice twice each; 3 go back three places; 4 gamble procedure A (see below); 5 fox remains still whilst each huntsmen throws the dice; 6 go forward two places; 7 throw the dice again (i.e. have a second time); 8 huntsmen go back three places and gamble procedure B; 9 fox moves back four places; 10 gamble procedure C 11 all the huntsmen move forward four places and gamble procedure A; 12 proceed to the finish.

The gamble procedures A, B and C involve removing all of the huntsmen playing pieces from the board and turning the crank handle by whole a turn, one and a half turns or two complete turns respectively thus bringing the magnets to new positions.

As before, any piece which either lands on a position where a magnet causes it to be overthrown or else is found to be overthrown by a magnet when replaced on the board after a gamble procedure is out of the game.

At each gamble procedure, players wishing to remain in the game may be called upon to increase their stake.

As before, each player's die may have one position occupied by a message to repeat the procedure indicated by the number ten, i.e. to repeat the gamble C procedure.

In either of the games described, the rules may require a random number of turns to be given to the handle rather than a fixed number in any situation.

It can be seen that the hidden magnets serve to define out of all of the demarcated sites of the playing surface a set of sites which are forbidden and which cause the elimination of any player who has landed thereon. The movable magnets enable the set of forbidden sites to be altered as the game progresses.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to particular features of the embodiments specifically described, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations thereof are possible within the scope of the invention.

For instance, the principal of the use of hidden magnets below the playing board and magnets associated with the playing pieces which are repelled by the magnets below the board may be used in conjunction with games other than race games to provide a further chance element.

Furthermore, it is possible to use means other than magnets as the means of defining the set of sites, for instance electronic circuitry may be employed to designate sites and the presence of playing tokens may be detected by their completing an electric circuit when in position.

Alternatively, the principles of the invention may be employed in computer games where the playing surface may be a computer display and the playing tokens may be items in the display and the set of sites equivalent to those adjacent the magnets in the mechanical versions of the game may simply be retained in the computer memory as sites upon which there is a penalty for the playing tokens "landing".

The use of opposed magnets as described above as a means of defining and signaling positions on the playing surface which can be altered and which has particular advantages of simplicity, robustness and low cost.

Means alternative to those shown may be employed for rotating the magnets below the playing surface in the embodiment illustrated. For instance a handle may be connected to turn the magnets through a spur reduction gear using bevel gears. A simple reduction gear may be employed. A rotor gear, a spindle gear or an epicyclic gear may all be employed.

Claims (21)

1. Game apparatus comprising a plurality of playing tokens, a playing surface providing a plurality of demarcated sites at which to locate a playing token in the course of play, means defining a set of sites included within said plurality of sites, said set including at least one site, means for providing a signal when a playing token is at a site within the set, the arrangement being such that the identity of the sites constituting the said set can be changed during play.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the identity of the site or sites constituting the set at any time is not apparent to the players.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, comprising means, the operation of which causes a change in the identity of the site or sites constituting the set.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the set of sites contains a plurality of sites.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the demarcated sites provide a plurality of paths each from a start to a finish.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the paths are arranged as lanes of a course from the start to the finish.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for defining a set and the means for providing a signal are provided by co-operating pairs of members, one member of each said pair being provided on a playing token and the other being provided behind the playing surface, the co-operating members interacting when in close proximity to provide the said signal and thereby providing said signal when the playing token is at a site behind which is located a pair for the member provided on the playing token.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein at least one of the co-operating members is provided by a magnet.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein both members of the pair are magnets.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the means for defining a set of sites comprises at least one magnet behind the playing surface and movable with respect thereto so as to interact with any playing token placed on the playing surface directly opposite thereto.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the magnet or magnets defining the set of sites are so positioned as to repel the magnets of the tokens at least when the latter are arranged in a design direction with respect to the playing surface.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the poles of the or each magnet defining the set of sites are positioned so that a line joining them extends at right angles to the playing surface.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein each playing token has a magnet associated therewith which has its poles arranged in directly the opposite orientation to said site defining magnet or magnets so as to be repelled whenever directly opposite to a magnet behind the playing surface.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the poles of the or each magnet behind the playing surface may be arranged so that a line joining them extends parallel to the playing surface.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein each token bears an indication of the direc tion in which it is to point in play and when arranged pointing in the direction in which it is to advance during the course of play over the playing surface, it is repelled by any set defining magnet encountered below the playing surface.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14 wherein the power of the magnets and the nature of the playing tokens is such that the playing token will be over thrown by mutual repulsion of magnets when it is located at a site on the playing surface which is within the set of sites.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 15 wherein the magnets or magnet behind the playing surface are loosely retained there such that their position can be altered by shaking the apparatus to displace the magnet or magnets and so change the identity of the sites constituting the set.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 15, wherein the magnet or magnets behind the playing surface are located on a member movable with respect to the playing surface so as to enable the identity of the sites constituting the set to be changed.

18. Apparatus as claimed 17, wherein the movable member is a turntable rotatable behind the playing surface.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the movable member is constituted by a movable track located behind the playing surface.

20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 19 wherein the track bears a toothed rack extending therealong in engagement with a pinion rotatable by suitable handle means whereby the track may be moved to alter the set of sites.

21. Game apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.