The present invention relates to the general field of games and in particular those games intended to engage and entertain travelers, both children and adults. More specifically, the present invention relates to Bingo-style games and the materials and rules used in such games.
For those people who travel in groups, for example, a group of adults or a family that includes both adults and children, it is often desirable for the members of these groups to engage in activities that can potentially alleviate the boredom often experienced by people as they travel. Such boredom is especially widespread among children when trapped, for example, in an automobile or airplane for an extended period of time. Advances in technology in the past decade have made it possible to incorporate DVD players into the confines of the car in order to occupy the attention of its occupants particularly children. However, these DVD players can carry a hefty price tag and parents often feel that such methods are detrimental for their child as they are simply being entertained and not engaged. These parents, as well as anyone else traveling with a group, would be especially appreciative of a simple and informative game that could be enjoyed by the members of the group. Such a game would necessarily be highly portable and enjoyable to those of all age groups.
Travel games in general are not new. There are of course numerous games in existence today that seek to be simple and enjoyable while at the same time being highly portable. Several of these games designed for travel are in fact various embodiments of a Bingo-type game. Examples of travel and Bingo-style games disclosed and claimed in U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications are as follows: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,495,700; 4,084,823; 4,139,270; 4,373,722; US2005/0098950.
However, none of the games disclosed in these patents/applications, nor any game applicant has been made aware of, meet all of the above identified criteria satisfactorily. The area where this is most evident is in that of portability. Most games are by their very nature portable. However, a game desired to be played by those who would seek to play it while traveling must be highly portable and capable of safe use in an area where mobility and space may be significantly limited. Such a game would also be capable of use while players are themselves moving, for example, on a walking tour of the sites in London. A thorough survey of the art makes it clear that there still exists a need for a travel game that satisfies these conditions, that is, a game that is simple and informative, while at the same time being both highly portable and capable of grasping and holding the attention of the players.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a unique and interesting game that is especially suited for travelers, for use during travel, such as while occupying an automobile, train, airplane or other means of travel, as well as for use while sightseeing, that draws the attention of the travelers to passing sights to educate them as to various objects, animals, geographical sights and the like thus making trips more interesting and enjoyable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a game sheet which, rather than being marked or completed when a particular number and/or letter is called, instead intends that the squares of this game be marked by the player with a pen or pencil each time an indicia listed or photograph displayed inside a square is sighted by the player.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a game, which has a point structure, which permits the giving of multiple prizes, rather than (or in addition to) a single prize award based on the first person to reach Bingo.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a game, which can be used by more than one person who are not necessarily in the same location at the same time, for example, persons traveling in different automobiles to the same end destination.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a game, which utilizes game sheets of a convenient size and shape that are inexpensive to manufacture due to their simple construction and are disposable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a game, which utilizes game sheets with perforations for ease in detaching each game sheet yet integrally form a travel brochure.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a game which features an alternative award structure where the judge(s) is encouraged to be creative in awarding prizes to guarantee each player wins. Award sheets are included, to be completed and awarded by the judge(s).
Referring specifically to the drawings, it can be readily seen that Bingo style sheets are employed with the present invention game. The sheets contain one or more squares, preferably a grid of five squares high by five squares wide, that themselves do not contain numbers, letters or blank spaces, but instead include indicia, including, by way of example, photographs, drawn pictures or wording that depict or describe places and/or things for the player(s) to find. In many cases, the various depictions will only indicate a general item to be found, for example, a clock. However, in some instances a specific item will be depicted, for example, Big Ben. On the back of each sheet there is an award sheet (
Each game brochure 10 is a self-contained unit, consisting of a single, double-sided sheet that has been folded in a manner similar to that of a map. Also, the game brochure 10 incorporates several game sheets 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, formed together. The sheet can, but must not necessarily, have perforations 17 along the folds so that the individual game sheets 22-26 can be detached from the game brochure 10. Once a game has been played and is completed, the entire game brochure 10, which is intended for one-time use, can be discarded. As stated, the game brochure 10 is a self-contained unit and includes everything needed to play the game except a pencil, pen or other writing utensil.
The present invention game is played according to the Rules sheet 21 as generally set out in
In general, the rules of the game include the following features:
In the embodiment illustrated in
The invention sheets can also be produced as regional versions and/or versions suited to airports. In the various regional versions, the indicia present on the sheets would correspond to the desired regions. For example, in London one indicia may be Big Ben, whereas in Paris, an indicia might be the Eiffel Tower. In the airport version, the various indicia might possibly include things that people could see within an airport, for example, a yellow suitcase or a particular restaurant. Such a version would be immensely popular with parents of young children who have had their flight unexpectedly delayed as they would have a quick, inexpensive way to entertain and educate their children. Also, cruise ship versions, resort versions, and advertising versions offer variations of the present invention.
In another embodiment, the invention comprises:
In another embodiment, the invention comprises:
In another embodiment, the invention comprises:
It will of course be understood that while the invention has been particularly shown and described, there may exist various modifications that might be made by those skilled in the art, including modifications in form and detail, which will not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as described and as defined in the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60683137 | May 2005 | US |