GB2605655A

GB2605655A - Game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2605655A
Application number: GB2105718.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Delaney Shaun
Original assignee: Sjd Games Ltd
Current assignee: Sjd Games Ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-09
Filing date: 2021-04-21
Publication date: 2022-10-12
Also published as: GB202105102D0; GB202105718D0

Abstract

A game apparatus 1 comprises an upright playing grid 2 having a plurality of apertures 6 that are accessible from first and second sides of the playing grid. The apparatus has a plurality of playing tiles 4 configured to be releasably retained within respective apertures. Each tile comprises a first face for displaying first indicia and a second opposing face for displaying second indicia. Each tile is insertable into an aperture of the grid by a user such that either face of a tile is displayed on either side of the grid. The first and second faces of the tiles each comprise at least one projection extending therefrom (7a, 7b, 8a figure 6). The tiles may be releasably attached to the frame via at least one clip. The tiles may comprise a pair of clips on opposing edges such that the tile may only be retained in the grid in four orientations. Also disclosed is a method of playing a game.

Description

Game apparatus The present invention relates to game apparatus.

A multitude of board games have been devised. Such games are often played by both adults and children for both enjoyment, but also to teach children particular skills. In general operation of a board game may be supervised by an adult to ensure that the same is played correctly.

However, in an instance where part of a game is hidden from another player direct supervision may not be possible.

The present invention seeks to allow adults and children to play particular board games together without the adult requiring full supervision of the child's actions.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a game apparatus comprising: an upright playing grid having a plurality of apertures that are accessible from first and second sides of the playing grid; a plurality of playing tiles configured to be releasably retained within respective apertures; wherein: each tile comprises a first face for displaying first indicia and a second opposing face for displaying second indicia; each tile is insertable into an aperture of the grid by a user such either face of a tile is displayed on either side of the grid; the first and second faces of the tiles each comprise at least one projection extending therefrom.

The provision of at least one projection extending from both faces of a tile allows both players to readily handle a tile when inserting it and removing it from an aperture.

Preferably the rotational symmetry of the shape of each tile around an axis that passes through the centre of the faces of the tile is of order 2 or of order 0.

By providing tile shapes that have a rotational symmetry around an axis that passes through the centre of the faces of the tile of order 2 or 0, the at least one projection may then act as a visual indicator as to whether or not a tile has been correctly inserted such that indicia are being correctly displayed on both sides of the grid.

S

A tile may be correctly retained in an aperture in only four orientations (order 2) or in only two orientations (order 0).

Preferably the at least one projection is positioned adjacent an edge of a face.

In some embodiments a single projection is positioned at an edge of a face.

In some embodiments two projections are positioned at opposing edges of a face.

In some embodiments the tiles and apertures are shaped such that a tile may be releasably retained by an aperture in only two or four orientations.

By shaping tiles and apertures such that a tile may be releasably retained by an aperture in only two or four orientations a user may be forced to orient a tile such that its indicia are correctly displayed.

In some embodiments tiles are releasably attached to the grid in apertures by the provision of at least one clip.

In some embodiments tiles are releasably attached to the grid in apertures by a single clip at an edge of a tile such that a tile may be releasably retained by an aperture in only two orientations.

In some embodiments tiles are releasably attached to the grid in apertures by a pair of clips at opposing edges of a tile such that a tile may be releasably retained by an aperture in only four orientations.

In some embodiments the faces of the tiles are substantially rectangular with each face comprising four edges.

In some embodiments the apertures each comprise at least one peripheral projection and the tiles each comprise at least one peripheral recess, the peripheral projections being configured to engage with the peripheral recesses so as to releasably retain tiles in apertures.

In some embodiments each aperture comprises a single peripheral projection and each tile comprises a single peripheral recess.

In some embodiments each aperture comprises a pair of peripheral projections positioned at opposing edges of an aperture and each tile comprises a pair of peripheral recesses positioned at opposing edges of a tile.

In some embodiments indicia are letters, or are shapes, or are numbers, or are flags, or are arrows.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a game with the apparatus of any preceding statement of invention comprising the steps of: providing players with a plurality of tiles; inserting tiles into the grid; removing a plurality of tiles from the grid when a particular sequence of tiles has been created; inserting further tiles into the grid.

When a player removes a sequence of tiles a void is created that can radically affect and sometimes frustrate the player's opponent, who is aiming to create a sequence on the other side of the tiles. Thus an exciting and dynamic gameplay is created.

In some embodiments the game apparatus comprises a base and once a particular sequence of tiles has been removed from the grid it is stored by a player on the base.

In some embodiments the player that removes the greatest number of sequences wins the game.

In some embodiments the player that removes the greatest number of tiles wins the game.

In some embodiments the sequence is a word, or is a mathematical equation, or is a number sequence, or is a set of pictures.

Advantageously provision of at least one projection extending from both faces of a tile allows either player to remove a tile when a particular sequence has been created.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of tiles for use with the game apparatus as described above.

In some embodiments the plurality of tiles of claim 20 wherein the plurality is at least 40 tiles, or is at least SO tiles, or is at least 60 tiles, or is at least 70 tiles, or is at least 80 tiles, or is at least 90 tiles, or is at least 100 tiles.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an upright grid for use with the game apparatus as described above.

In some embodiments the grid is releasably attachable to a base that comprises a plurality of recesses for storing tiles and/or comprises a tile rack.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a game apparatus made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a first side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a second side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 Figure 4 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 5 illustrates apertures of the grid of the game apparatus of Figure land a tile being retained within the grid; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a tile of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a first side view of the tile of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a second side view of the tile of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a first perspective view of a tile made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a first side view of the tile of Figure 8; and Figure 11 is a second side view of the tile of Figure 8.

Referring to the Figures, a game apparatus 1 comprises an upright grid 2 that is mounted on a base 3 and a plurality of substantially cuboid tiles 4.

In Figure 1 to 4 only three tiles 4 are shown for illustrative purposes, in a full set of game apparatus many more tiles (not shown) are provided for the purposes of game play. In an embodiment later described 90 tiles are provided.

Upright grid 2 comprises a first substantially planar side 2a and a second substantially planar side 2b, which during gameplay faces a second player.

Upright grid 2 further comprises a plurality of substantially square apertures 6 that are accessible from both sides of grid 2. Each aperture is configured to releasably retain a tile 4 therein. In the present embodiment the grid comprises 49 apertures (7x7) Base 3 comprises a first side 3a and a second side 3b. First side 3b of base 3 comprises a plurality of recesses 5a and a tile rack 7a for a first player to store their tiles 4.

Similarly, second side 3b of base 3 comprises a plurality of recesses 513 and a tile rack 7b for a second player to store their tiles 4.

Tiles 4 each comprise a first substantially square face 4a and a second substantially square face 4b on an opposing side of tile 4. Faces 4a and 4b are provided with printed indicia (not shown for the purposes of gameplay.

Face 4a comprises an upper arcuate projection 7a adjacent its upper edge and a lower arcuate projection 8a adjacent its lower edge.

Similarly face 4b comprises an upper arcuate projection 7b adjacent its upper edge and a lower arcuate projection 8b adjacent its lower edge.

Each pair of arcuate projections (7a, 8a) and (7b, 8b) is intended to be gripped by a user to aid in manipulation of tile 4.

Located between upper arcuate projections 7a, 7b at an open upper face of tile 4 are located curved clip members 9a, 10a that together define a substantially discorectangular recess 13a that is open at opposing ends adjacent arcuate projections 7a, 7b.

Similarly located between lower arcuate projections 8a, 8b at an open lower face of tile 4 are located curved clip members 9b, 10b that together define a substantially discorectangular recess 13b that is open at opposing ends adjacent arcuate projections 8a, 8b.

Upper arcuate projections 7a, 7h are both downwardly curved such that the free ends of clip members 9a, 9b are exposed when tile 4 is viewed in profile, as illustrated in Figure 7.

Similarly, lower arcuate projections 8a, 8b are both upwardly curved such that the free ends of clip members 10a, lob are exposed when tile 4 is viewed in profile, as illustrated in Figure 7.

Recesses 13a and 13b are therefore located at the periphery of tile 4 and may therefore be considered to be peripheral recesses.

The above features of tile 4 having symmetry, combined with the substantially planar side faces 12a, 12b of tile 4 result in the rotational symmetry of the shape of tile 4 around an axis that passes through the centre of faces 4a, 4b being of order 2.

Apertures 6 each comprise an upper peripheral projection 11a and a lower peripheral projection 11b. Upper and lower peripheral projections are substantially identical in size and shape and are configured to engage with peripheral recesses 13a, 13b that are formed on tile 4.

Thus, with a particular tile face (4a or 4b) facing in a particular direction an apertures 6 is able to house a tile 4 in only two different orientations as for a tile 4 to be inserted into a recess 6 the peripheral recesses 13a, 13b must be aligned to engage with peripheral projections 11a, 11b.

S

Thus, the peripheral recesses 13a, 13b, and protrusions 11a, 11b limit the orientations in which a tile may inserted into a recess.

A tile of the present embodiment may be inserted into a recess in only four different orientations.

Advantageously this restricts the way a player inserts a tile into a recess, which may be particularly beneficial in certain circumstances. For example if an adult is playing a child the adult can be reassured that letters having been correctly oriented on both sides of the grid, without supervision of the child's letters.

Furthermore, the restriction of orientations allows tiles to be produced with combinations of indicia that could otherwise not be used (in comparison to an apparatus that allowed insertion of tiles in any orientation).

Even further, by forcing players to insert tiles into recesses in particular orientations new games may be developed.

The advantages of the invention may also be realized without physically restricting the manner in which tiles may be inserted into recesses but merely by the provision of one or more projections such as upper and lower arcuate projections 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b.

These projections act as a visual indication to a player as to whether or not a tile has been inserted correctly.

Furthermore, some games may require not only insertion of tiles into the grid but also removal of tiles from the grid during gameplay. The provision of at least one projection on each indica-bearing side of the tile allows for either player to insert and remove a particular tile during gameplay.

Whilst in the present embodiments both upper and lower arcuate projections are provided only a single projection on each side of a tile, for example a lower arcuate projection might be provided.

S

Indeed, the benefits of the present invention are keenly realized by provision of a tile that has rotational symmetry of order 0 around an axis that passes through the centre of its faces. Such a tile is illustrated in Figures 9 to 11.

Tile 14 is substantially identical to tile 4 except it only comprises lower arcuate projections and a single lower discorectangular recess.

Thus tiles 14 each comprise a first substantially square face 14a and a second substantially square face 14b on an opposing side of tile 14.

Face 14a comprises a lower arcuate projection 15a adjacent its lower edge and face 14b comprises a lower arcuate projection 15b adjacent its lower edge.

Located between lower arcuate projections 15a, 15b at an open lower face of tile 14 are located curved clip members 16a, 16b that together define a substantially discorectangular recess 17 that is open at opposing ends adjacent arcuate projections 15a, 15b.

Tile 14 comprises a substantially planar upper face 18 and substantially planar side faces 19a, 19b.

The apertures of the grid (not shown) with which tile 14 is to be used comprises only single lower projection at each aperture so as to engage with recess 17.

Thus tile 14 can only be retained by an aperture in two distinct orientations. The first orientation involves face 14a of tile 14 facing the player using tile 14 and the second orientation involves face 14b of tile 14 facing the player using the tile. In both orientations tile 14 must be inserted such that recess 17 mates with the projection at the lower edge of the aperture.

Thus, both players are certain that any tile inserted into the grid is correctly oriented.

An example set of rules for a word game using the apparatus of the present invention will now be described.

OBJECT OF THE GAME

To be the first player/team to correctly spell a 3, 4, 5 and 6 letter word, horizontally, vertically or diagonally (words can be spelt in any direction; left to right, right to left, bottom to top or top to bottom), and this has to be achieved by not looking at the opponent's letters or grid.

TO START

Choose which player/team should be red or blue. Put all the tiles into the bag, each player/team takes 3 tiles at random.

The youngest player starts, and they can place one of their tiles anywhere into the grid, so that their coloured letter, is facing them The player then takes another tile from the bag, so that each player always has 3 tiles.

REMOVING WORDS FROM THE GRID

Play alternates with each player/team placing a letter into the grid until it is possible to spell a 3, 4, 5 or 6 letter word (please check in any standard English Dictionary if any word is in dispute). However, some words are not allowed. They include abbreviations, prefixes, acronyms and suffixes. You cannot use a word that requires a hyphen or an apostrophe. the same applies to those requiring a capital letter.

Once a player declares a correct word, they spell it out to their opponent and if the word is agreed as correct, they remove the word from the grid and place it in the allotted space on the platform. This will leave blank spaces in the grid. The player with the winning word must show their opponent the word, letter by letter, so that there is no ambiguity with the order of the letters. If a player incorrectly declares a word, the tiles remain, or are returned to the grid and the player will miss their next turn.

It is possible when placing a letter in the grid, that a player will complete a word for their S opponent. On their next go the opponent can therefore remove the word that has been created (if they still require a word of that length) and continue with their turn.

STALEMATE

If all the 49 spaces are used, the winner is the player/team who have completed the largest number of words (a 4,5 and 6 letter selection would beat a 3,4 and 5 selection). If it is a draw then a tie breaker is played and whoever's turn it is can swap 2 letters already within the grid to formulate a missing word on their platform (a player is not allowed to swap letters previously changed by their opponent during stalemate), and play continues alternately until the winner is decided.

TACTICS

It is always advisable to try and spell S and 6 letter words early on while there is still space.

If possible, make use of the tiles placed by your opponent, because you may be able to spell a word and remove tiles before your opponent is able to create a word of their own. Once words have been removed, be aware that this will change the whole nature of the game.

SCORING FOR DIFFERENT ABILITIES

If, for instance, a family is playing with mixed ages and abilities, they could spell 3 and 4 letter words instead, while the adults play the normal game. Another alternative is to play without the requirement of making a 6-letter word.

End of rules.

In this specification an apparatus/method/product "comprising" certain features is intended to be interpreted as meaning that it includes those features, but that it does not exclude the presence of other features.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

15 20 25 30

Claims

Claims: 1. A game apparatus comprising: an upright playing grid having a plurality of apertures that are accessible from first S and second sides of the playing grid; a plurality of playing tiles configured to be releasably retained within respective apertures; wherein: each tile comprises a first face for displaying first indicia and a second opposing face for displaying second indicia; each tile is insertable into an aperture of the grid by a user such either face of a tile is displayed on either side of the grid; the first and second faces of the tiles each comprise at least one projection extending therefrom.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotational symmetry of the shape of each tile around an axis that passes through the centre of the faces of the tile is of order 2 or of order 0.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the at least one projection is positioned adjacent an edge of a face.
4. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein a single projection is positioned at an edge of a face.
5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein two projections are positioned at opposing edges of a face.
6. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the tiles and apertures are shaped such that a tile may be releasably retained by an aperture in only two or four orientations. 30
7. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein tiles are releasably attached to the grid in apertures by the provision of at least one clip.
8 The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein tiles are releasably attached to the grid in apertures by a single clip at an edge of a tile such that a tile may be releasably retained by an aperture in only two orientations.
9 The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein tiles are releasably attached to the grid in apertures by a pair of clips at opposing edges of a tile such that a tile may be releasably retained by an aperture in only four orientations.
10. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the faces of the tiles are substantially rectangular with each face comprising four edges.
11. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the apertures each comprise at least one peripheral projection and the tiles each comprise at least one peripheral recess, the peripheral projections being configured to engage with the peripheral recesses so as to releasably retain tiles in apertures.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each aperture comprises a single peripheral projection and each tile comprises a single peripheral recess.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each aperture comprises a pair of peripheral projections positioned at opposing edges of an aperture and each tile comprises a pair of peripheral recesses positioned at opposing edges of a tile.
14. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein indicia are letters, or are shapes, or are numbers, or are flags, or are arrows, or are pictures.
15. A method of playing a game with the apparatus of any preceding claim comprising the steps of: providing players with a plurality of tiles; inserting tiles into the grid; removing a plurality of tiles from the grid when a particular sequence of tiles has been created; inserting further tiles into the grid.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the game apparatus comprises a base and once a particular sequence of tiles has been removed from the grid it is stored by a player on the base.
17. The method of claim 15 or 16 wherein the player that removes the greatest number of sequences wins the game.
18. The method of claim 15 or 16 wherein the player that removes the greatest number of tiles wins the game.
19. The method of any of claims 15 to 18 wherein a sequence is a word, or is a mathematical equation, or is a number sequence, or is a set of pictures.
20. A plurality of tiles for use with the game apparatus of any of claims 1 to 14.
21. The plurality of tiles of claim 20 wherein the plurality is at least 40 tiles, or is at least SO tiles, or is at least 60 tiles, or is at least 70 tiles, or is at least 80 tiles, or is at least 90 tiles, or is at least 100 tiles.
22. An upright grid for use with the game apparatus of any of claims 1 to 14.
23. The upright grid of claim 24 wherein the grid is releasably attachable to a base that comprises a plurality of recesses for storing tiles and/or comprises a tile rack.