GB2302038A - Mountaineering board game - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a board game and comprising a game-playing board whose playing surface comprises a succession of playing squares and is characterised by the features, firstly, that there are depicted upon the playing squares an array of features and conditions relevant to a mountain-walking or hill-walking expedition, and secondly, that the depiction is such as to adapt the board for use in a board game seeking to simulate such an expedition. The game apparatus also comprises "Chance" cards, a random number generator (Figure 10) in the form of a compass which acts in combination with a ruler to indicate direction and distance of moves. The apparatus may also comprise "Credit" cards and "Equipment" cards.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A BOARD GAME Field of the Invention This invention relates to apparatus for playing a board game, and in particular the kind of apparatus comprising: a board; one or more sets of game-playing cards; one or more random number generators (for example a die or dice); rules governing the mode of game play.

Background to the Invention The above-described apparatus provides the basis for a wide variety of board games.

Many board games have the aim of simulating a real-life sport or pastime, using a board, game-playing cards and counters for example, to mimic events likely to be encountered in the actual sport or pastime in question.

These games often do not accurately simulate the sport or pastime in question and do not enable the player or players to acquire skills and/or knowledge which would be useful should they subsequently participate in the actual sport or pastime.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for playing a board game which accurately reflects the sport or pastime in question, and preferably teaches useful skills relevant to the pursuit of that sport or pastime in real-life.

To the best of the applicant's knowledge, a game-playing board as described herein has not been previously described.

Summarv of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game playing board whose playing surface comprises a succession of playing squares upon which are depicted features and conditions relevant to a mountain or hill-walking expedition, the arrangement being such that the board can be used in a board game to simulate a mountain or hill-walking expedition.

In a preferred embodiment, said playing squares depict hazards or obstacles relevant to a mountain or hill-walking expedition, which squares require a player or players of the game to possess or purchase the necessary equipment (for example depicted upon playing cards) to overcome said hazards or obstacles.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided position-finding equipment, for use in conjunction with a game-playing board as described above, comprising a random-event selector, for example a spinning dial, marked with a plurality of values, one of which values can be randomly selected when the random-event selector is operated; and a measuring template so sized and shaped to fit over a number of playing squares on said game-playing board, whereby a playing piece's new position is determined by selecting a value using the random-event selector, using said template to measure a distance or angle corresponding to said value from the playing piece's initial position and moving a playing piece to the playing square at the new position.

In a preferred form, said random-event selector is marked with a plurality of angular values and/or compass bearings. Preferably, said measuring template is in the form of a circular compass face, marked with a plurality of angular values and/or compass bearings and further comprises a central aperture so sized and shaped so that, in use, the aperture substantially encloses the playing square representing the player's initial position.

Alternatively, said random-event selector is marked with a plurality of numbers corresponding to kilometres or other units of distance. Said measuring template is in the form of a ruler, with divisions of substantially the same separation as the length of one side of a playing square, the divisions being labelled with said numbers corresponding to kilometres or other units of distance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for playing a board game for simulating a mountain or hill-walking expedition comprising: a) a game-playing board as described above; b) one or more sets of game-playing cards carrying instructions which the players carry out during the course of the game, or having a designated value; c) distance and bearing-finding equipment as described above; and d) rules specifying the method of game play, the apparatus being intended for use with playing pieces and/or counters and a random number generator (for example a die or dice) for dictating the movement of each playing piece.

The invention includes specifically within its scope apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings and tables, since these constitute currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice.

Brief Description of the Drawings and Tables Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings and tables, wherein: Figure 1 is a representation of one-half of the game-playing board; Figure 2 is a representation of the second half of the game-playing board, the two halves intended to be joined at edges A-A; Figures 3-5 represent the "chance" cards; Figure 6 represents a set of "credit" cards; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a position-finding dial; Figure 8 is a representation of the markings on the upper face of a "bearing dial"; Figure 9 is a representation of the markings on the upper face of a "distance/credit exchange dial"; Figure 10 is a top view of a bearing measuring template; Figure 11 is a top view of a distance measuring template;; Table 1 lists the equipment needed to overcome each listed hazard during game play; Table 2 lists available "equipment" cards.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figures 1 and 2 show the general layout of the game-playing board; each half is intended to be joined to the other along edge A-A. Board 1, constructed from stiff cardboard and preferably coloured green to represent a mountain or hill-side, is marked with a number of playing squares 2.

The significance of each of the various types of playing-square 2 is described in Appendix A, which is the basis of an "instructions for use" brochure intended to be included with the board game for the players' information.

Briefly, the different types of playing square 2 depicted in Figures 1 and 2 are as follows: 3. Orange coloured START and FINISH squares located in the first and final positions respectively on board 1 and between which the players' counters move (in the manner shown in Appendix A).

4. Blue-outlined "Advantage" squares.

5.. Red-outlined "Hazard" or "Disadvantage" squares.

6. Brown-shaded "Chance" squares.

7. Squares through which the depiction of a river passes.

8. Blue-hatched "Choose to Spin" squares.

9. Blue and red-hatched "Spin" squares.

10. Yellow-shaded "Summit" squares.

11. Pale blue-edged "Square 421".

12. Partially-pink-shaded "Throw a double" squares.

Board 1 is foldable about line A-A in order to fit it inside a carrying box (not shown) which is intended to store all of the apparatus necessary for the board game.

Each player has his or her own playing piece (not shown) which moves across the board 1 according to the rules during game play. The playing pieces may be counters or, preferably, small pebbles or stones - either naturally of differing colours or artificially coloured to distinguish between each player's playing piece. Alternatively, the playing pieces could take the form of human figures, such as mountaineers.

Two conventional dice are used to dictate the movement of each playing piece according to the rules of the board game.

There are three types of game-playing cards. "Chance" cards 13 are shown in Figures 3-5. "Credit" cards 14 are shown in Figure 6 and "Equipment" cards are listed in Table 2. The three sets of game-playing cards could be colourcoded in order to facilitate distinction between them.

One of the key skills necessary for mountain or hill-walking is the ability to find compass bearings, which obviously involves familiarity with angular measurements.

The present invention aims to use this skill during play and thus the game is particularly suitable for children and others who need practice in finding bearings.

Various pieces of position-finding equipment are provided for this purpose and are illustrated in Figures 7-11.

In certain circumstances during game play (see Appendix A) such as when a playing piece lands on a blue "Choose to Spin" square 8 or a blue and redhatched "Spin" square 9, the movement of the playing piece is temporarily no longer governed by the dice. Instead, the player must find firstly a bearing and secondly a distance to travel and then use these to determine the next movement of his or her playing piece.

The bearing and distance are randomly selected using a dial 15 such as that shown in Figure 7. The dial comprises a base 16 on which is marked a circular face 17, divided into segments each having a different value labelled thereon. A peg 18 supports a rotatable pointer 19, the pointer being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of peg 18, so as to randomly select one of the values on face 17.

Figure 8 shows the values marked on face 17, one of which is to be randomly selected as the bearing for the playing piece's next move.

A second dial 15 is used to randomly select the distance for the playing piece to move. This second dial 15 has markings upon its face 17 as shown in Figure 9. The outer ring of values 20 represents distances in kilometres. The inner ring of values 20A are "Credit" value whose purpose is described in Appendix A.

The bearing and distance values selected using dials 15 are translated into an actual move for the playing piece using the measuring templates shown in Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 10 shows a bearing measuring template 21 comprising a disc in the form of a compass face and having on its upper surface markings which correspond to the markings shown in Figure 8 on the face 17 of dial 15. The bearing measuring template 21 has a central aperture 22 whose dimensions approximate that of a playing square 2 on game playing board 1.

In use, bearing measuring template 21 is placed on board 1, with central aperture 22 aligned over the playing square 2 on which the player's playing piece is currently situated (the "initial" position).

Distance measuring template 23, shown in Figure 11, is then used to measure the randomly-selected distance along the selected bearing, thus locating a second playing square 2 (the "new" position). Use of this apparatus is further described in Appendix A Distance measuring template 23 comprises a cardboard "ruler", the dimensions of each division 24 approximating the dimensions of a playing square 2.

In this way, throughout the game, the players are required to practice their bearing and distance-finding skills and this, along with the many other features (described in Appendix A) provide a board game which accurately reflects the situations encountered during a mountain or hill-walking expedition.

It will be appreciated that alternative embodiments can be envisaged by those skilled in the art, and all such embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of this application.

MOUNTAIN TREK RULES CONTENTS 1 game board 2 dice 6 counters I pack of C (Chance) cards 1 pack of equipment cards 1 pack of credit cards 1 bearing spin dial I spin dial combining the distance dial and the credit exchange dial 1 bearing measuring disc I distance measure GENERAL The game is made up of squares over which each players counter moves, the number thrown on the two dice ascertains how many squares the player moves.

The direction of travel is as shown here: TO START TEE GAl.iE

The equipment cards are shuffled and 5 cards are dealt to each player.

The C cards should be shuffled and placed near the board face down. The credit cards and equipment cards should be kept in a pool, face up.

Each player receives a total of 5 credits.

The player who throws the highest number on the dice goes first.

The first player rolls the 2 dice and moves his counter the appropriate number of squares.

Certain squares have instructions written on then; if theee are landed on then the instructions on them must be followed.

If the counter lands on a C square, then the player must take the top C (Chance) card from the pile and do what is written on it.

EAZARDS The hazard (or disadvantare) squares are outlined in red.

If the total thrown on the dice means that you have to cross or go through a hazard, you may do so providing that you give in to the pool the appropriate equipment card (see the "Equipment nceded" table). You need to give in the equipment card when you actually cross the boundary of a hazard.

If you haven't got the appropriate equipment card, then you must spin the credit exchange dial to see how mang credits you need to give in to the pool.

If you h2ven't ergot enough credits then you are allowed to riS5 a turn and collect 2 credits from the pool.

If you have to stay in the hazard for another throw, then you must c-gain give in the same number of credits as you did previously.

Each tine a rivcr is crossed the appropriate "river bridge?? card or nunbcr of credits must be handed in.

GAINING CREDITS Each tine gou pass over a summit square

coloured yellow, you can take 2 crcdits from the pcol.

Each time you pass through. a camp, you can take 2 credits from the pool.

You can pick up 2 credits from the pool if you miss 2 turn.

EXCHANGING CREDITS During the game it is possible to exchange credits for equipment (see the "Equipment needed" table), but if you do this then that must count es your turn.

BEARING DIAL AND 11 STANCE DIAL If you land on a square labelled

alternate blue and red lines, then you must spin both the bearing and distance dials to see how far and in which direction you must travel. To work out the exact direction, lay the round bearing measurer so that the square hole in the centre is exactly over the square that your counter is on.Then lay the distance measurer so that the Okm. mark is in the centre of the square that your counter is on, and lay the measurer in the direction of the bearings You must then move your counter to the square underneath the appropriate distance

mark, as shown in the diagram: ffi" The North line must point to the top of the board when you are measuring the bearing. Clcarly, this can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on what comes up on the dials.

If your counter lands on a square with only blue markings, then you have a choice whether you spin the dials or not.

If the distance spun means that your counter will go off the board, you must move your counter to the squ re nearest to the ecge of the board in the direction indicated on the bearing dial.

If your counter finishes up on 2 hazard square, then you must treat it as a hazard square as normal.

The advantage squares arc outline in blue.

The winner is the first person to reach the actual sumnit square, at r0000 feet. The exact number must be thrown.

If the counter lands on one of the two squares labelled

then the player can reach the summit if he/she throws a double.

HAPPY TREKKING! LUCKY SQUARE If you land on the square labelled "Square 421" then you can ove our counter directly to the 10000' sunmit square.

Claims (9)

1. Apparatus for playing a board game and comprising a game-playing board whose playing surface comprises a succession of playing squares and is characterised by the features, firstly, that there are depicted upon the playing squares an array of features and conditions relevant to a mountain-walking or hill-walking expedition, and secondly, that the depiction is such as to adapt the board for use in a board game seeking to simulate such an expedition.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said playing squares depict hazards or obstacles relevant to a mountain-walking or hill-walking expedition, and the depiction requires a player or players of the game to possess or purchase, theoretically, equipment deemed necessary to overcome said hazards or obstacles.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 and further comprising position-finding equipment comprising a random-event selector, for example a spinning dial, marked with a plurality of values, one of which values can be randomly selected when the random-event selector is operated; and a measuring template so sized and shaped to fit over a number of playing squares on said game-playing board, whereby a playing piece's new position is determined by selecting a value using said random-event selector, using said template to measure a distance or angle corresponding to said value from the playing pieces initial position and moving a playing piece to the playing square at the new position.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said random-event selector is marked with a plurality of angular values and/or compass bearings.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein said measuring template is in the form of a circular compass face, marked with a plurality of angular values and/or compass bearings and further comprises a central aperture so sized and shaped so that, in use, the aperture substantially encloses the playing square representing the player's initial position.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said random-event selector is marked with a plurality of numbers corresponding to kilometres or other units of distance.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 6 wherein said measuring template is in the form of a ruler, with divisions of substantially the same separation as the length of one side of a playing square, the divisions being labelled with said numbers corresponding to kilometres or other units of distance.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and further comprising one or more sets of game-playing cards either carrying instructions which the players carry out during the course of the game and/or having a designated value; and rules specifying the method of game play, the apparatus being adapted for use with playing pieces and/or counters and a random number generator (for example a die or dice) for dictating the movement of each playing piece.

9. Apparatus for playing a board game substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings and tables.