GB2202159A

GB2202159A - Gaming die

Info

Publication number: GB2202159A
Application number: GB08806396A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gregory Alan Houlgate
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-03-17
Filing date: 1988-03-17
Publication date: 1988-09-21
Also published as: GB8706335D0; GB8806396D0; DE8803663U1

Abstract

An octahedron for use in playing a game comprises a cut and scored rigid sheet which may be erected to form an octahedron having triangular plan facets. A line of separation is provided extending between two opposed corners whereby force applied between said corners causes the octahedron to collapse to a flat form. An elastic member is provided internally connecting opposed parts each side of the line of separation, said elastic member acting to tend to erect the octahedron. <IMAGE>

Description

GAMING DIE This invention relates to a gaming die.

Gaming dies are known to consist of a solid six sided die which mist be of a size which is smaller than the box into which the die is to be packaged for sale as part of a game for example. The length of each side of such a die is usually 10 to 30 mm. Therefore, where die of larger dimensions are required the packaging must be designed to accoimrodate the die, thus increasing manufacturing costs.However, there is a need for such a gaming die to have a length of side of the order of 60 norm. or even larger without the disadvantages of increased pAckaging costs and the present invention seeks to overcome this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a polyhedron for use as a die and formed from a rigid sheet of material cut and scored to define facets Whereby said sheet can be erected to form a polyhedron each side being defined by a facet, means being provided to maintain the polyhedron erect.

In one preferred polyhedron according to the present invention the means which maintains the polyhedron erect comprises an elastic member internally extending between two opposed facets or parts connected therebetween. Conveniently, the polyhedron is an octahedron formed from rigid sheet material cut and scored and joined whereby when assembled an octahedron is formed with triangular playing facets, the die being held erect hiy an elastic member joining two opposed facets and arranged so that the die my be collapsed against the force of the elastic member to form a flat configuration.The cut and scored rigid sheet material may include cutouts whidh in an erect configuration have the effect of producing an octahedron without spices.

The polyhedron of the present invention can advantageously be of any length of side, 60 mm. or larger, and can be packed in game boxes of a conventional size whilst still being robust and strong to withstand much handling and throwing.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accoupanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preshaped blank cut from a sheet of material, Fig. 2a shows a die in an erect configuration in the hand of an operator, Fig. 2b shows the octahedron of Fig. 2a at a position intermediate erect and collapsed configurations, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an octahedron constructed from the blank of Fig. 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawings there is shown a gaming die in the form of an octahedron. Fig. 1 shows a cutout 1 having a plurality of generally equilateral triangular shaped interconnected facets 2 defined on a single sheet of rigid material, such as cardboard or plastics material by fold or score lines 3 and free edges 4.

Each apex of each triangular facet is removed as indicated at edge 5 and a flap or flange A, B, C or D is located along each side 6 opposite a central apex. Flange C provided with hook E defining a slot 7 therein which in the finished article is used to support an elastic band which biasses the octahedron into an erect configuration.

The cutout of Fig. 1 is substantially symmetrical about a central line 8, the only difference being that the hook E and slot 7 is located on flange D rather than flange C thereby provide support for the bias (not shown) on opposed faces of the octahedron.

Fig. 2a shcws an octahedron gaming die held in the hand between the first finger and thumb. As pressure is applied by the fingers and thuds as shown by the arrows 8 in Fig. 2b the octahedron collapses by dividing along edges 4 and folding along the fold or score lines until it lies flat with the top symmetrical portion overlying the facets of the second symmetrical portion. Upon releasing the pressure the elastic band bias causes the octahedron to return to its erect configuration.

The removal of each apex of the octahedron enhances the rolling characteristics of the gaming die because without "points" or "corners" the die rolls much more easily than if the apices s had been left in position.

Accordingly, there has been described an octahedron for use in playing a game comprising a cut and scored rigid sheet which can be erected to form an octahedron having triangular plan facets, a line of separation being provided extending between two opposed corners whereby force applied between said corners causes the octahedron to collapse to be flat form. An elastic member is provided internally connecting a opposed parts each side of the line of separation, said elastic member acting to tend to erect the octahedron.

The gaming die of the present invention can therefore be of any size and made from any suitable stiff rigid sheet material such as cardboard or plastics material. Furthermore, whilst an eight sided die has been described other dies with other numbers of sides can be formed in the same way.

In one alternative construction the biasing member can be replaced by a fixing device, such as interlocking tags along free edges 4, to hold the die in an erect configuration for as long as the die is in use. When packed away the interlocking tags are released and the die collapsed as described.

One advantage gained by use of a cardboard octahedral gaming die is that game information can be readily printed on the surface of the cardboard, such information not being available on standard gaming die.

Thus a greater variety in gaming play can be adhieved.

Claims

aAID:

1. A polyhedron for use as a die and formed from a rigid sheet material cut and scored to define facets whereby said sheet may be erected to form a polyhedron each side being defined by a facet, means being provided to maintain the polyhedron erect.

2. A polyhedron according to Claim 1, wherein the means which maintains the polyhedron erect comprises an elastic member internally extending between two opposed facets or parts connected therewith.

3. An octahedron for use as a die and formed from rigid sheet material cut and scored and joined whereby when assembled it forms an octahedron with triangular plan facets, the die being held erect by an elastic member joining two opposed facts and arranged so that the die may be collapsed against the force of the elastic member to form a flat configuration.

4. An octahedron according to Claim 3, wherein the cut and scored rigid sheet material includes cutouts which in an erect configuration have the effect of omitting each apex of the octahedron.

5. A polyhedral die as described herein.

6. An octahedral die as shown in the drawings.

7. An octahedron for use in playing a game comprising a cut and scored rigid sheet which may be erected to form an octahedron having triangular plan facets, a line of separattion being provided extending between two opposed corners whereby force applied between said corners causes the octahedron to collapse to a flat form, an elastic member being provided internally connecting opposed parts each side of the line of separation, said elastic member acting to tend to erect the octahedron.