WO2002062438A1

WO2002062438A1 - Game apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2002062438A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/000507
Authority: WO
Inventors: George William Liddle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-05
Filing date: 2002-02-05
Publication date: 2002-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2003-08-05
Also published as: GB2371760B; GB0102814D0; GB2371760A

Abstract

Apparatus (20) for playing a game comprising an inclined path (23) and a plurality of dividers (1 to 12) which are spaced apart along the length of the path (23) to define at least partially, between adjacent pairs thereof, a plurality of compartments (101 to 112) for receiving therein respective playing pieces (251 to 262), at least part of each divider (1 to 12) being at least partially removable from the path (23), to communicate the corresponding adjacent pairs of compartments (101 to 112) with each other when so-removed.

Description

GAME APPARATUS

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to apparatus for playing a game.

Accordingly, the invention provides apparatus for playing a game, comprising an inclined path and a plurality of dividers which are spaced apart along the length of the path to define at least partially, between adjacent pairs thereof, a plurality of compartments for receiving therein respective playing pieces, at least part of each divider being at least partially removable from the path, to communicate the corresponding adjacent pair of compartments with each other when so-removed.

Preferably, the path is at least partially constituted by the base wall of a channel which, in accordance with the invention, is divided into compartments for receiving respective playing pieces.

In an embodiment of game apparatus to be described hereinbelow, each divider is totally removable from the path, so that corresponding adjacent pairs of compartments are in communication with each other

Each compartment may accommodate at least one playing piece which can be slid or is capable of sliding under the influence of gravity, depending at least partially upon the mass of the playing piece and the coefficient of friction between the playing piece and the surface of the inclined path, down the path, when at least part of the corresponding lower divider is at least partially removed. Alternatively, the or each playing piece could be capable of rolling down the path when at least part of the corresponding lower divider is at least partially removed.

The path may be of any suitable cross-sectional profile, for example, planar or arcuate, such as concave.

When the path is at least partially constituted by the bottom surface of a channel, the dividers may be located removably in the channel by guide means arranged on opposed sides of the channel. For example, such guide means may comprise pairs of slots on respective opposed sides of the channel for receiving generally planar, suitable-shaped dividers therein. Alternatively, any other suitable means may be provided for removably locating at least part of each divider with respect to the inclined path.

Thus, and during playing of the associated game, when at least part of the lower divider of one compartment is at least partially removed from the path, to communicate that compartment with the next downstream compartment, the playing piece in that compartment can be slid or slides or rolled under gravity down the path until it reaches the next downstream divider Thus, as at least part of each divider is at least partially removed from the path, a plurality of playing pieces can accumulate in the compartment associated with the next downstream divider.

A receptacle for receiving playing pieces therein may be provided downstream of the lowermost divider and associated compartment.

The apparatus may also comprise such a receptacle, as well as playing pieces and, optionally, at least one dice. In the preferred embodiment of game apparatus to be described hereinbelow, a pair of six-sided dice or a single twelve-sided dice may be used.

The invention also provides apparatus for playing a game, comprising an inclined path divided into compartments and means arranged to communicate adjacent pairs of compartments with each other during playing of the associated game. Each compartment may be arranged to receive therein a playing piece and may be at least partially defined by a pair of adjacent removable dividers.

further, the invention provides a kit or set for playing a game, this kit or set comprising apparatus as defined above, and any modification thereof, a set of playing pieces and, optionally, at least one dice and/or a playing piece- receiving receptacle In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment in accordance therewith will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of apparatus for playing a game;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partially cut-away of a second embodiment of game apparatus, ready to play; and

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partially cut-away, of the game apparatus of Figure 2, during play.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a first embodiment of game apparatus, indicated generally at 20, comprises a generally triangular support structure 21 whose base 22 can be rested upon a generally horizontal support surface (not shown). The hypotenuse of the structure 21 defines an inclined, elongate path 23 of concave cross-section. A plurality-of dividers 1 to 12 are spaced apart at regular intervals along the length of the path to define, between adjacent pairs of dividers 1 to 12, a plurality of compartments 101 to 1 12 for receiving therein respective playing pieces (not shown) The uppermost compartment 1 12 is, in fact, defined between the divider H and the top wall 24 of the elongate path 23 Each divider 1 to 12 is removable from the path 23, to communicate the corresponding adjacent pairs of compartments 101 to 1 12 with each other Each divider 1 to 12 is located removably in the channel-shaped path 23 by a pair of guide slots 25 on respective opposed sides of the path 23. Also, each divider 1 to 12 may be marked, on at least one major face thereof, with a number from "1" to " 12", with the lowermost divider 1 being marked with the number "1" and the uppermost divider 12 being marked with the number "12".

Each divider 1 to 12 is generally planar, with a straight upper edge and a lower edge having a shape which is complementary with that of the concave, channel- shaped path 23.

At least one, and preferably a single, playing piece can be located in each compartment 101 to 1 12

A playing piece may be of any suitable shape, for instance, spherical, in which case, it is capable of rolling down the inclined path 23. Alternatively, the playing piece may be generally planar, for example, rectangularly-shaped or disc-shaped, in which case, the gradient of the- inclined path 23 and the coefficient of friction between each playing piece and the surface of the path 23 are such that the playing piece can slide down the path 23 solely under the influence of gravity. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, a second embodiment of playing apparatus, indicated generally at 220, again comprises a generally triangular support structure 221 whose base 222 is rested upon a substantially horizontal support surface (not shown).

The hypotenuse of the structure 221 defines, in this embodiment, an inclined, elongate path 223 which is generally flat, as opposed to the arcuately cross-sectioned path 23 of the first embodiment of Figure 1.

Again a plurality of dividers 201 to 212 are spaced apart, at regular intervals, along the length of the path 223, to define," between respective adjacent pairs thereof, a plurality of compartments 231 to 242. In each of these compartments 23 1 to 242, as shown in Figure 2, is accommodated a playing piece 251 to 262 Again, each divider 201 to 212 may be marked, on at least one of its major surfaces, with a number from "1" to " 12", with the lowermost divider 201 being marked with the number "1" and the uppermost divider 212 being marked with the number "12".

In this particular case, each playing piece 251 to 262 is in the form of a rectangular block, although any other suitable- shape may be employed, for example, a disc-shaped or spherical playing piece

As in the case of the embodiment of game apparatus described above with reference to Figure 1 , each divider 201 to 212 is located removably with respect to the channel-shaped path 223 by pairs (only one shown) of guide slots 25 arranged on respective opposed sides of the path 223.

The arrangement shown in Figure 2 provides a starting point for a game to be played with the game apparatus 220 and associated playing pieces 251 to 262.

In Figure 3, the game apparatus 220 and associated playing pieces 251 to 262 are shown during a game being played therewith. At this particular stage of the game, the lowermost divider 201 has been removed, such that the lowermost playing piece 251 has slid under gravity down the inclined path 223 into a receiving container 300 located at the lower end thereof. The divider 203 has also been removed, so that the playing piece 253 has slid down the inclined path 223 until it engages the playing piece 252 which is still in its original position, blocked by the divider 202.

In a similar manner, the playing pieces 257, 259 and 262 have slid under gravity down the inclined path 223 and have been halted by their engagement with the corresponding playing pieces 256, 258 and 261 which are retained in their original positions by respective dividers 206, 208 and 211.

The remaining playing pieces 254, 255 and 260 are also retained in

their original compartments 234, 235 and 240 by respective dividers 204, 205 and 210 At the beginning of the game, which is marketed under the trade mark "KLONDIKE GOLD", the game apparatus 220 and associated playing pieces 251 to 262 in the form of replica gold bullion bars, are set-up as shown in Figure 2.

The game may be played with two six-sided dice or one twelve-sided

dice.

The players of the game take it in turns to throw the dice and

whichever number is thrown, the corresponding divider 201 to 212 is

removed, such that the corresponding gold bullion bar 251 to 262 slides under

gravity until its stopped by the next, lower bar 251 to 261 still retained in its respect compartment 231 to 241 by the corresponding divider 201 to 21 1.

If a number is thrown using the dice, for whose corresponding divider

201 to 212 has already been removed, then no further action is taken by that

player and the dice is passed, on to the next player.

At a particular s±age n the game, the game apparatus 220, its dividers

201 to 212 and the associated game pieces 251 to 262 may be in the condition shown in Figure 3, as described above The winning object of the game is to secure the most gold bullion bars which eventually drop into the receiving container 300 at the bottom end of the inclined path 223 as a result of the playing pieces 251 to 262 sliding down that path 223, as the dividers 201 to 212 are removed one by one during the game.

Thus, it can be seen that the invention provides apparatus for playing a game which can be considered to be an activity game and which is both entertaining and, for certain age groups, educational.

Claims

1. Apparatus (20) for playing a game comprising an inclined path (23) and a plurality of dividers (1 to 12) which are spaced apart along the length of the path (23) to define at least partially, between adjacent pairs thereof, a plurality of compartments (101 to 112) for receiving therein respective playing pieces (251 to 262), at least part of each divider (1 to 12) being at least partially removable from the path (23), to communicate the corresponding adjacent pair of compartments (101 to 1 12) with each other when so-removed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the path (23) is at least partially constituted by the base wall of a channel which is divided into the plurality of compartments (101 to 112) for receiving respective playing pieces (251 to 262).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each divider (1 to 12) is totally removable from the path (23), so that corresponding adjacent pairs of compartments (101 to 112) are in communication with each other.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each compartment

(101 to 1 12) is arranged to accommodate at least one playing piece (251 to 262) which can be slid or is capable of sliding under the influence of gravity, depending at least partially upon the mass of the playing piece (251 to 262) and the coefficient of friction between the playing piece (251 to 262) and the surface of the inclined path (23), down the path (23), when at least part of the corresponding lower divider (201) is at least partially removed.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each compartment (101 to 1 12) is arranged to accommodate a playing piece (251 to 262) capable of rolling down the path (23) when at least part of the corresponding lower divider (201) is at least partially removed.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the path (23) has a cross-sectional profile which is planar or arcuate, such as concave.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5 or claim 6 when dependent thereon, wherein the dividers (1 to 12) , are located removably in the channel by guide means (25) arranged on opposed sides of the channel .

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said guide means (25) comprises pairs of slots on respective opposed sides of the channel for receiving generally planar, suitable-shaped dividers (1 to 12) therein.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6 including means for removably locating at least part of each divider (1 to 12) with respect to the inclined path (23).

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a receptacle (300) for receiving playing pieces (251 to 262), which can be provided downstream of the lowermost divider (201) and associated compartment.

1 1. Apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising playing pieces (251 to 262) and, optionally, at least one dice.

12. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising an inclined path (23) divided into compartments (101 to 112) and means arranged to communicate adjacent pairs of compartments (101 to 112) which each other during playing of the associated game.

13. Apparatus according claim 12, wherein each compartment (101 to 112) is arranged to receive therein a playing piece (251 to 262).

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein each compartment (101 to 1 12) is at least partially defined by a pair of adjacent removable dividers (1 to 12).

15. Apparatus for playing a game, substantially as hereinbefore described with references to the accompanying drawings.

16. A kit or set for playing a game, comprising apparatus (20) according to any preceding claim.

17. A kit or set according to claim 16 including playing pieces (251 to 262) and, optionally, at least one dice and/or a playing piece-receiving receptacle (300).