Patent Application
20180028887
The present invention relates generally to games. In particular the invention relates to shape and color matching retrieval games to be played in a body of water such as a swimming pool.
The present invention relates to a game, method and apparatus for playing the game providing improvements over prior art games in terms of offering educational benefits as well as swim exercise benefits during entertaining competitive play. A unique multi-game aspect allows use of a single set of game apparatus to play three different swimming games, each attuned to a different level of swimming ability and of ability of players to match colors, shapes, and words. Thus the game is adaptable to entertain and educate players of different age and education levels.
The apparatus for the game comprises base stations, cover panels, and retrieval objects. In a preferred embodiment, a base station is generally in the nature of a box-shaped base to which cover panels can be removably affixed. The base and the cover panels each have on their top surfaces a series of position markers in the nature of recesses, depressions, or slots formed in various geometric shapes. The base and its matching subset of retrieval objects are used for play of a first version of the game (Level I). Preferably, the apparatus includes a first cover panel and a matching subset of the retrieval objects for playing a second version of the game (Level II). Preferably the apparatus also includes a second cover panel with another matching subset of retrieval objects for playing a third version of the game (Level III). In this manner, the apparatus allows for a method of playing an educational and entertaining three-in-one game, with progressively more challenging swimming and matching tasks to engage, educate, and physically and mentally challenge the players.
The apparatus for the game comprises base stations, cover panels, and retrieval objects. In a preferred embodiment, a base station is generally in the nature of a box-shaped base to which cover panels can be removably affixed. The base and the cover panels each have on their top surfaces a series of position markers in the nature of recesses, depressions, or slots formed in various geometric shapes.
A representative embodiment of a base station is shown in
The base 1 has a rear surface 4 shown in
The base may have a closed bottom surface, but preferably the base 1 is in the shape of a box with an open bottom side on the bottom plane on which it rests, the base 1 supported by the bottom edges of the front 3, rear 4, and side 5, 5 surfaces resting on the ground near the pool P. The base 1 with such an open bottom side may preferably be sized and shaped to have a slight incline in its front, rear, and/or side surfaces. This configuration has the upper edges of these surfaces tilted slightly inwardly from their respective lower edges, so that the top surface 2 of the base 1 is slightly smaller than the open bottom side of the base 1, to facilitate stacking of the bases 1, 1 on top of one another for compact storage.
The base 1, as well as the other game parts including the cover panels and retrieval objects described below, preferably is formed of a resilient thermoplastic material resistant to fading, cracking, mold formation, and degradation arising from exposure to sunlight, heat, swimming pool chemicals, and wet conditions. All parts preferably are formed of material that is sufficiently pliant to avoid injury to players who handle and bump into the parts during play. All parts preferably have smooth edges to avoid injury to players during play.
As seen in
In the Level I game, each one of the zones 8, 9, and 10, has a set of retrieval objects 7, 7 that is of the same color as the corresponding zone. For example, zone 8 shown in
The retrieval objects 7, 7 preferably are formed of a thermoplastic material. A representative set of retrieval objects for one player in the Level I game is shown in
The retrieval objects 7, 7 are formed in a number of different geometric shapes, preferably as flat objects that are sized and shaped so as to be retrieved by players by hand from the bottom of the swimming pool. The thickness of a retrieval object is about three-quarters of an inch. The retrieval objects are adapted to sink in water. If the material of which the objects 7, 7 are formed is not sufficiently dense to drop to the floor of the pool P, the objects may comprise weights affixed to or embedded within the objects 7, 7, so that each object 7 is sufficiently dense to drop to the floor of the swimming pool P when tossed or otherwise distributed into the pool P. In an embodiment of the game, instead of being sufficiently dense to fall to the bottom of the pool P, the objects 7, 7 may be less dense than water, such that the objects float on the top surface of the water when tossed or otherwise distributed in the pool.
As seen in
The Level I game may be played by one or more players. In the example depicted in
Method of Playing Level I Game.
The apparatus as described above for the Level I game is used in a method for playing a game as follows. The steps for game play are as follows. The base 1 (and optionally second base 11 to allow for additional players) are provided. The apparatus is prepared as follows. The bases 1, 11 are positioned by the side of a swimming pool P (shown in
Playing of the game then commences. At a start signal to begin play, all of the players start from a designated start area, which might preferably be outside the pool P, or in the pool near the players' zones on the bases, according to the preferences of the players and the game master. At the start signal, each player swims toward the objects 7, 7 of that player's assigned zone color, retrieves the assigned objects (i.e., the objects that match the color of the player's assigned zone), and places the objects into the matching slot 6 in that player's assigned zone. The player is allowed to retrieve more than one of that player's assigned objects on each dive to retrieve objects 7, 7. No player is allowed to retrieve any other player's assigned objects 7, 7. In the nature of a race, the winner is the first player to successfully retrieve all of the player's objects 7, 7 of the player's assigned color, and to properly place the objects 7, 7 into the matching slots 6, 6 in that player's assigned zone. The game is finished when all of the players have completed the task of placing their respective objects 7, 7 into their corresponding slots 6, 6.
The Level I version of the game is primarily designed for players of lower ages and education levels, and having less developed swimming and diving skills, such as children aged four to six years of age. Thus, the Level I version of the game is preferably played in a shallower end of a swimming pool in cases where players have less developed swimming and diving skills. The base 1 is positioned on the side of the pool near the shallower end, and the objects are distributed in the pool nearer the shallower end, so that the tasks of swimming and diving to the bottom of the pool to retrieve the objects are easier for younger and smaller players. The Level I version of the game provides mental and physical educational benefits for younger players, such as learning to distinguish between and match colors, reading geometric shape names, developing gross motor skills in swimming and diving in a competitive race, and developing cognitive and fine motor skills in matching geometrically shaped objects 7, 7 into their matching slots 6, 6.
The game apparatus may also preferably include additional equipment for playing games in addition to the Level I game described above. For clarity, the plurality of retrieval objects matched to the Level I base zones as described above may be referred to as the base group of the plurality of base retrieval objects, and the position markers of the base zones may be referred to as base position markers. This designation may distinguish those base portions of the apparatus from those of the Level II and Level III cover panel portions described below, which have cover zones, cover position markers, and cover groups of retrieval objects of the apparatus as more fully explained below.
The Level II cover panel 15 preferably is formed of a resilient but deformable thermoplastic material. The cover panel 15 is structured to be of a shape and size to be removably fitted to the base 1 to cover the top surface of the base 1.
A feature for the removable affixation of the cover panel 15 to the base 1 is exemplified by a snap latch feature, such as one schematically depicted in cross-section in
The cover panel 15 provided for playing the Level II version of the game comprises one zone for each player. The player number labels 3L shown in
As seen in
Additionally, a second Level II cover panel that is similar to the first Level II cover panel 15 may be affixed to a second base 11 in order provide additional zones for additional players. In the Level II game, the second Level II cover panel is identical in color and configuration to the first Level II cover panel 15.
In the Level II game, each zone in the cover panel 15 has slots matched, in geometric shape, to a set of retrieval objects 7, 7. Unlike in Level I, in Level II, each one of the retrieval objects 7 for a given player zone is a different color.
In Level II objects, the shape names are printed as shape name labels 7L onto the objects 7, 7 in the same manner as described above with respect to the Level I version. As seen in
In an embodiment of the Level II cover panel 15, the interior surface of each slot is painted or formed in a color that matches the color of the object in question. For example, the octagonally-shaped slot 6 of each player zone is colored red to match the red octagon object 7-RE that fits into the slot. In this manner, the Level II game differs from the Level I game, in that every player will be retrieving objects of different colors, whereas in Level I, each player retrieves objects of only one color. The apparatus must include additional retrieval objects for play of the Level II version as compared to Level I, because more than one shape in a given color is needed (e.g., for six players at the Level II game, six red octagons are required). Also, to increase the level of challenge for Level II players, more complex and unusual geometric shapes preferably may be used, such as a hendecagon 7-TU in Level II, as contrasted to an oval in Level I.
Method of Playing Level II Game.
A method for playing the Level II game employing this apparatus may be undertaken as follows. To set up a game for Level II play, the base 1 for up to three players is provided near the side of a pool P as for Level I play. Optionally, a second base 11 for additional players is also provided. Each base is fitted with a Level II cover panel 15 as shown in
The game master gives a start signal to begin play of the game. At the start signal, each player starts from a designated start area, which might preferably be outside the pool, or in the pool near the player's assigned player zone on the cover panel 15 affixed to a base. The player leaves the start area to swim toward and collect the scattered retrieval objects 7, 7. The goal is for each player to collect the correct retrieval objects necessary to fill all the slots in the player's assigned zone with the matching objects of the matching shape and color. Thus, for example, if there are six players, there are six red octagon objects 7-RE, and any player can retrieve any one of those six red octagon objects 7-RE to fill that player's octagon-shaped slot in the player's assigned zone. The player is allowed to retrieve only one of that player's assigned objects at a time; a separate swim or dive must be made to retrieve each one of the player's objects.
No player is allowed to retrieve any other player's assigned object. If a player retrieves the wrong object (e.g., player 1 retrieves mistakenly retrieves an extra octagon after player 1 already has filled the octagon slot in player 1's assigned zone 16), then that player must place the wrongly-collected object into an opposing player's slot. The player that made the mistake must first attempt to place the wrongly-collected object into the opposing player's zone that is to the immediate right of the player who made the mistake (in this example, player 1 must place the octagon into the octagonal slot in player 2's zone 17). If the corresponding slot in the immediate-to-the-right zone is already filled, then the player who mistakenly retrieved the object must take the wrongly-retrieved object to the next following zone to the player's right for insertion into the matching-shaped slot (in this example, player 1 would find player 2's octagon slot in zone 17 already full, and so must put the octagon into the octagonal slot in player 3's zone 18), until the player finds an opponent's open slot that fits the shape of the object that had been retrieved by mistake. Thus, a player's mistake in retrieving the wrong object aids the player's opponent by filling in one of the opponent's slots. The Level II game is in the nature of a race where the winner is the first player to successfully retrieve and place all of the objects 7, 7 needed to fill all of the slots in the player's assigned zone. Thus, if player 1 is the first to fill all of the slots in her assigned zone 16, player 1 is the winner. The game is finished when all of the players have completed the task of filling all the slots 6, 6 in their respective assigned zones.
Level II play is aimed at children of ages of seven to twelve years, with educational and swimming/diving skills that are more highly developed than those of Level I players. Level II play is educational for this age group, as it teaches players reading skills in the nature of different names of geometrical shapes. The apparatus and method of Level II play encourages memory skills by rewarding a player for recalling during a swim which slots remain unfilled in the player's assigned zone, so that the player does not mistakenly retrieve a duplicate of a shape already retrieved. Level II play requires a number of separate swims and dives because each object must be retrieved separately, so faster swimming skills, and improved diving, breath-holding, and physical endurance may be developed by Level II play.
In an embodiment of the game, the apparatus comprises equipment for playing a Level III version of the game. The Level III version of the game presents a higher challenge level than the Level I and II versions. In Level III play, during each dive, the player must retrieve the correct object that matches not only the shape, but also the color, of the particular slot in the player's assigned zone. This represents a higher level of challenge than Level II play, where, for example, all octagons are red, and so the Level II player is able to choose the correct object, even if the player remembers only the color and not the shape.
In an example, a Level III game apparatus for three players includes a first Level III cover panel 19 as shown in
The Level III game apparatus includes, for each one of the slots in the first Level III cover panel 19, a matching object having the same color and shape as the given slot. The recess color of a given-shaped slot is different in each one of the player zones, as shown in
In a representative example as shown in
Other than the differing shape/color patterns above, the Level III cover panel 19 may otherwise preferably be structured similarly to the Level II cover panel 15, in that the Level III cover panel 19 also is preferably formed of a thermoplastic material, in a shape, size, and structure to be removably fitted to the bases 1, 11 to cover the top surface of the bases 1, 11. Features for removable affixation of the cover panel 19 to the base station 1 or 11 may be similar to those features described above with respect to affixation of Level II cover panel 15 to a base (see
The Level III objects have, other than the differing color/shape combinations as described in
Preferably, the Level III game apparatus may also include a second Level III cover panel 23 as shown in
In the six-player version of Level III game, the recess color of a given-shaped slot is different in each one of the six player zones. Thus, the apparatus includes objects matched to player zones four through six that have shape and color combinations as shown in
The Level III cover panels 19, 23 each may preferably be removably affixed to a base 1. Alternatively, each Level III cover panel 19 or 23 may preferably be adapted to be removably affixed to a Level II cover panel 15. In this way, the Level II cover panel 15, may, in turn, be removably affixed to a base 1, in a stacked arrangement with the base on the bottom and the cover panels stacked together on top of the base. The removable affixation between a given cover panel and the cover panel or base below it may be accomplished by a snap latch feature like the one schematically depicted in
Method of Playing Level III Game.
A Level III game using the apparatus described above may be set up for a method of playing a game as in the following example. The following example represents a Level III game for six players, but it is understood that a larger or smaller number of players may play. The first base 1 is fitted with a first Level III cover panel 19 as shown in
At a start signal for play of the Level III version of the game, each player starts from a designated start area, which might preferably be outside the pool, or in the pool near the player's assigned zone on the base station (see
The goal for each player is to fill each one of the slots in the player's assigned zone with the correct objects, with each object matching the color as well as the shape of the respective slot. In view of the particular shape and color combinations as set forth in the piece listings in
No player is allowed to retrieve any other player's assigned object. If a player retrieves the wrong object (e.g., player 1 assigned to zone 20-BB mistakenly retrieves the red rhombus object 7-RE that is assigned to player 2 playing in the 21-BG zone, instead of the correctly-colored turquoise rhombus object 7-TU), then that player must place that mistakenly-retrieved object into an opposing player's correct slot. In this regard, in Level III play, a player's mistake results in the player losing a great deal of time in the race, because the player who made the mistake must then take the additional time to find the correct opponent's slot that matches the particular color as well as shape of the mistakenly-retrieved object. Unlike Level II, the player who made the mistake in the Level III game does not merely put the object into the matching shaped slot of her neighboring opponent to the right. Instead, the player who made the mistake must find the correct slot matching both color and shape of the mistakenly-retrieved object. Also, a player's mistake in retrieving the wrong object aids the player's opponent by filling in one of the opponent's slots.
The game is in the nature of a race where the winner is the first player to successfully retrieve and place all of the correct objects 7, 7 to fill all of the slots in the player's assigned zone. The game is finished when all of the players have completed the task of placing the objects 7, 7 into their corresponding slots 6, 6 in all their assigned zones.
Level III play is aimed at older children of ages thirteen and over, and adults, with educational and swimming/diving skills that are more highly developed than those of Level I and Level II players. Level III play is educational for this age group, as it requires a player on each dive to exercise recall skills to remember both the particular color and the shape of the object that is needed to fill the open slot on the player's zone. The printed names of the shapes on the retrieval objects helps to improve the vocabulary skills of players, as they learn to recognize the printed names and associate them with the respective shapes. In particular, use of shape names rarely encountered in ordinary reading tasks, such as hendecagon, helps to expand players' vocabularies.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. For example, the particular shapes and colors depicted herein are merely examples, and the disclosure is not restricted to those particular shapes or colors. Any features that allow players to distinguish one zone from another, or one retrieval object from another, are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. No restriction as to number or size of particular game parts is intended by depictions in the drawings or this written description, as the numbers and sizes have been selected to provide a representative example instead of a limiting description.
It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In view of economy and the other benefits arising from simplicity of design, the exclusion of elements is contemplated as within the scope of the invention herein, including elements described herein as well as those known in the field but not mentioned in this description.
In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. When an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional application Ser. No. 62/367,543, filed Jul. 27, 2016, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62367543 | Jul 2016 | US |
