Patent Application
20110198807
The present invention generally relates to a board game, and more specifically relates to a Christmas-themed board game that may be enjoyed by people celebrating Christmas around the world.
In one aspect of the present invention, a game comprises a game board; a tree trunk for each player playing the game, the tree truck attachable to the game board; a plurality of branches for the each player playing the game, the plurality of branches attachable to the tree trunk; a tree topper; and a pair of dice; wherein players in turn roll the pair of dice and build a tree from the tree trunk and the plurality of branches based on rolls of the pair of dice.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for playing a game, comprises opening a game board; rolling a pair of six-sided dice within a center area of the game board; taking an action in response to the rolling of the pair of six-sided dice; and continuing to roll the dice and to take the action until a tree topper is placed atop a tree trunk.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a Christmas tree game that combines the joy of Christmas with a fun and challenging board game.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the Christmas tree game may comprise a game board 101, Christmas tree trunks 103, branches 104, colored dice 107, and a tree topper 108, such as a star.
The game board 101 may be a foldable board on which the Christmas tree game may be played. The game board 101 may be approximately 18-inches square and may have rounded corners. The game board 101 may comprise, for example, four pre-fastened bases 102 near each corner of the game board 101 that may accept the Christmas tree trunks 103 so that the Christmas tree trunks 103 may be held straight and firmly in place on the game board 101. The bases 102 may also be situated in an offset position so that the game board 101 may fold up flat. A center area 111 of the game board 101 may comprise a cone 106 at the center point 109 of the game board 101 and a containment fence 105 that forms a circle around the center area 111 of the game board 101. The cone 106 may protrude from the game board 101 and may scatter the dice 107 when the dice 107 are dropped over the cone 106. The containment fence 105 may help keep the dice 107 contained within the center area 111 of the game board 101 when the dice 107 are dropped on and scattered by the cone 106. The containment fence 105 may also be fixed in an offset position to allow the game board 101 to fold flat.
The Christmas tree trunks 103 may be affixed to the game board 101 by inserting the Christmas tree trunks 103 into the pre-fastened bases 102 on the game board 101. The trunks 103 may be straight rods having square holes 110 up and around its body that may accept the branches 104 of the Christmas tree in order to attach the branches 104 to the Christmas tree trunk 103.
The branches 104 of the Christmas tree may be inserted into the holes 110 of the Christmas tree trunks 103 to attach to the Christmas tree trunk 103. The branches 104 may be constructed in one piece and may have impressions of needles and/or secondary branches pressed into the branches 104. The branches 104 may also have decorative ornaments fixed or painted on to them to create a more colorful tree.
The tree topper 108 may be placed atop the Christmas tree created by a Christmas tree trunk 103 and branches 104 of the winning player. The tree topper 108 may light up, play a Christmas tune, and/or ring a bell when it is place on top of a Christmas tree.
The colored dice 107 may comprise a pair of dice 107 having the same color pattern. Each of the colored dice 107 may be a 6-sided dice having two opposite sides that may be red and the other four sides that may be green.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one to four players may play the Christmas tree game. The game board may be unfolded flat on a flat surface with the cone and the containment fence rising from the game board. Each player may have a Christmas tree trunk and branches to complete his Christmas tree.
The object of the Christmas tree game may be to be the first player to finish constructing his Christmas tree including placing a tree topper atop the Christmas tree. To play the Christmas tree game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each player of the game may be given game pieces for constructing a Christmas tree, including a tree trunk, branches, and a tree topper, and may take turns tossing the pair of dice within the area of the game board contained by the containment fence.
If the value of the pair of tossed dice is two red sides, the rules may instruct the player to remove one part of his Christmas tree. For example, the player may remove a branch from his Christmas tree trunk, remove the Christmas tree trunk from the game board if the player's Christmas tree trunk does not have any branches attached to it, or do nothing if he has not yet had the opportunity to attach his Christmas tree trunk to the game board.
If the value of the pair of tossed dice is two green sides, the rules may instruct the player to add a part to his Christmas tree. The player may attach his Christmas tree trunk to the game board via one of the pre-fastened bases on the game board if he has not yet had the opportunity to do so, attach a branch to his Christmas tree trunk if his Christmas tree trunk has already been attached to the game board and if his Christmas tree trunk is not completely full of attached branches, or place a tree topper on top of his Christmas tree if his Christmas tree trunk is completely full of attached branches, thus signifying that the player has won the game.
If the value of the pair of tossed dice is one green side and one red site, the dice may signify that the player should take no action and that his turn has ended.
The players of the Christmas tree game should take turn rolling dice and taking actions in accordance with the dice rolled, until one player wins by placing the tree topper atop his Christmas tree. After a player has placed the tree topper atop his Christmas tree, the game may be ended, or the remaining players may continue playing the game until they each are able to place a tree topper atop their respective Christmas trees.
In accordance with alternate embodiments of the present invention, the Christmas tree game may be implemented as a computer game, wherein the elements of the games and rules may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and/or software.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
