Patent Application
20230114052
The present general inventive concept relates generally to a table-top board game, and particularly, to a customizable board game.
Board games are a form of entertainment that engage players in a physical medium using playing pieces and a set of rules. One well known board game includes playing pieces moved around a game board using dice and cards to amass the most money by capturing property and building homes and/or hotels on the captured property.
However, conventional board games are fixed on a single theme. Moreover, the conventional board game comes with a fixed game board. Specifically, the fixed game board comprises printed material disposed on folded cardboard and/or plastic. In other words, the conventional board game is limited in scope as to how players can play the game. Moreover, the conventional board game is the same experience because a layout of the game board is always the same.
Although the conventional board game may provide an enjoyable experience, the shelf life and enjoyment from repeat plays will decrease due to the static nature of the game. As such, many board game players will look for new games to try or even invent house rules for old games, just to enhance game play.
Some board games come in compilations that include multiple games in one box. For example, chess and checkers may be included together. However, these compilations do not change the layout of the game board. In other words, the game board remains unchanged during play of chess and/or checkers.
Therefore, there is a need for a board game that allows players to customize the game board and changes type of play based on the variations of the layout of the game board.
The present general inventive concept provides a customizable board game.
Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.
The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a customizable board game, including a game board, including a plurality of board locations to removably connect to each other, and a plurality of board fields disposed on at least a portion of each of the plurality of board locations, a plurality of removable tokens, each of the plurality of removable tokens to removably connect within at least one of the plurality of board fields, and a plurality of figurines to move around the plurality of board locations and represent a position of at least one player on the game board.
Each of the plurality of board fields may be bordered by at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board locations.
Each side of the plurality of board locations that surrounds at least one of the plurality of board fields may have a spring surface thereon.
Each of the plurality of board locations may springingly eject at least one of the plurality of removable tokens disposed within at least one of the plurality of board fields in response to three of the plurality of figurines being disposed on at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board locations forming each corner of at least one of the plurality of board fields where the at least one of the plurality of removable tokens is disposed.
The game board may further include a plurality of illuminated connecting edges disposed around a perimeter of each of the plurality of board locations to removably connect the plurality of board locations to each other.
Each of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges may illuminate at least one of a color, blink, flash, strobe, and stripe corresponding to at least one of another of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges, the plurality of removable tokens, and the plurality of figurines based on a state of a game during play prior to disassembly.
The customizable board game may further include a plurality of connectable locations to removably connect to at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board locations.
Each of the plurality of connectable locations may include a connected location, and a plurality of connected fields disposed on at least a portion of the connected location.
The connected location may have a size and a shape similar to a size and a shape of each of the plurality of board locations.
The game board may be modular and changes based on a position of each of the plurality of board locations.
The customizable board game may further include a plurality of communication units disposed within at least a portion of each of the plurality of board locations, each of the plurality of removable tokens, each of the plurality of connectable locations, and each of the plurality of figurines to transmit a signal of the position of a last recorded position based on a state of a game during play prior to disassembly of each of the plurality of board locations, each of the plurality of removable tokens, each of the plurality of connectable locations, and each of the plurality of figurines to an external device.
These and/or other features and utilities of the present generally inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
Various example embodiments (a.k.a., exemplary embodiments) will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thicknesses of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity.
Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbers refer to like/similar elements throughout the detailed description.
It is understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art. However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a term deviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill, this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context this definition is given herein.
The customizable board game 100 may be constructed from at least one of metal, plastic, cardboard, wood, rubber, or any other material known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
The customizable board game 100 may include a game board 110, a plurality of removable tokens 120, a plurality of connectable locations 130, a plurality of figurines 140, and a plurality of communication units 150, but is not limited thereto.
The game board 110 may include a plurality of board locations 111, a plurality of board fields 112, and a plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113, but is not limited thereto.
Referring to
The game board 110 may be a cardboard based board, a plastic based board, and/or a metal based board. Alternatively, the game board 110 may include electronic components therein to activate functions within the game board 110.
Each of the plurality of board locations 111 may correspond to different areas of an environment, such as outer space, school, a farm, and/or the North Pole. For example, at least three of the plurality of board locations 111 may represent outer space, at least one of the plurality of board locations 111 may represent a mothership, and/or at least one of the plurality of board locations 111 may represent a moon. Each of the plurality of board locations 111 may be removably connected to each other.
The plurality of board locations 111 may be inverted (i.e., turned upside down) without affecting function and/or appearance with respect to gameplay.
Each of the plurality of board fields 112 may be disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of board locations 111. Moreover, each of the plurality of board fields 112 may be considered an aperture. Additionally, each of the plurality of board fields 112 may be bordered by at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board locations 111. In other words, each of the plurality of board locations 111 may form a frame around each of the plurality of board fields 112. Referring again to
Each of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113 may include a light, a groove, an interlocking knob, an interlocking channel, an adhesive, a clip, a clasp, a clamp, a magnet, and/or any combination thereof.
The plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113 may be disposed around a perimeter of each of the plurality of board locations 111. Each of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113 may removably connect the plurality of board locations 111 to each other using the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113. For example, a first of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113 that protrudes in a T-shape may slide into a T-shaped channel of a second of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113 to interlock therein. Alternatively, each of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113 may magnetically connect to each other to prevent movement of the plurality of board locations 111 while connected to each other.
Referring again to
Each of the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be removably inserted and/or connected within at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board fields 112. Also, each of the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be removably connected without tools (e.g., screwdriver, wrench, power tool, etc.) and/or a fastener (e.g., screw, nail, bolt, washer, nut, etc.). In other words, the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be quickly connected and/or removed during game play due to a lack of necessity of using tools for removal. Furthermore, each side of the plurality of board locations 111 that surrounds at least one of the plurality of board fields 112 may have a spring surface thereon. As such, the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be springingly disposed within at least one of the plurality of board fields 112.
Each of the plurality of connectable locations 130 may include a connected location 131, a plurality of connected fields 132, and a plurality of illuminated location edges 133, but is not limited thereto.
Referring again to
The connected location 131 may removably connect to at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board locations 111. The connected location 131 and/or each of the plurality of connected fields 132 may correspond (i.e., is similar) in size and/or shape to the size and/or the shape of each of the plurality of board locations 111 and/or each of the plurality of board fields 112, respectively. In other words, referring again to
Each of the plurality of connected fields 132 may be disposed on at least a portion of the connected location 131. Moreover, each of the plurality of connected fields 132 may be considered an aperture. Additionally, each of the plurality of connected fields 132 may be bordered by at least a portion of the connected location 131.
Each of the plurality of illuminated location edges 133 may include a light, a groove, an interlocking knob, an interlocking channel, an adhesive, a clip, a clasp, a clamp, a magnet, and/or any combination thereof.
The plurality of illuminated location edges 133 may be disposed around a perimeter of the connected location 131. Each of the plurality of illuminated location edges 133 may removably connect the connected location 131 to another connected location 131 using at least one of the plurality of illuminated location edges 133. For example, a first of the plurality of illuminated location edges 133 that protrudes in a T-shape may slide into a T-shaped channel of a second of the plurality of illuminated location edges 133 to interlock therein. Alternatively, each of the plurality of illuminated location edges 133 may magnetically connect to each other to prevent movement of the connected location 131 while connected to the another connected location 131.
The plurality of figurines 140 may include playing pieces and dice, but is not limited thereto.
The plurality of figurines 140 may have any shape and/or design. For example, each of the plurality of figurines 140 may be a raccoon, a unicorn, a cow, a goat, a mouse, a dog, a pig, a monkey, a bird, a rabbit, a human, a robot, and/or a dinosaur. Also, each of the plurality of figurines 140 may identify a position of at least one player on the game board 110.
Each of the plurality of board locations 111 and/or each of the plurality of board fields 112 may springingly eject (i.e. spring biased to eject) the at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 disposed therein in response to three of the plurality of figurines 140 being disposed on each corner (e.g., each corner may have a trigger peg protruding above and/or a planar surface trigger flush with the rest of the space location 111) of at least one of the plurality of board fields 112 where the at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 is disposed. In other words, each of the plurality of board locations 111 and/or each of the plurality of board fields 112 may springingly eject the at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 disposed therein in response to three of the plurality of figurines 140 being disposed on at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board locations 111 forming each corner of at least one of the plurality of board fields 112 where the at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 is disposed. Also, this function may be applied where the plurality of board locations 111 are rectangular (e.g., four of the plurality of figurines 140) may be required, or a circle, where a predetermined number of the plurality of figurines 140 (e.g., two, three, four, five, etc.) disposed on portions around each of the plurality of board locations 111.
Each of the plurality of communication units 150 may include a processing unit, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a device capable of wireless or wired communication between other wireless or wired devices via at least one of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, infrared (IR) wireless communication, satellite communication, broadcast radio communication, Microwave radio communication, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, near field communication (NFC), and radio frequency (RF) communication, USB, global positioning system (GPS), Firewire, and Ethernet. Furthermore, each of the plurality of communication units 150 may include a power source, such as a battery and a solar cell.
The plurality of communication units 150 may be disposed within at least a portion of each of the plurality of board locations 111, each of the plurality of removable tokens 120, each of the plurality of connectable locations 130, and/or each of the plurality of figurines 140. Each of the plurality of communication units 150 may have a program running thereon to continuously monitor and/or record a position of each of the plurality of board locations 111, each of the plurality of removable tokens 120, each of the plurality of connectable locations 130, and/or each of the plurality of figurines 140 during play. Additionally, the plurality of communication units 150 may transmit a signal of the position of a last recorded position of each of the plurality of board locations 111, each of the plurality of removable tokens 120, each of the plurality of connectable locations 130, and/or each of the plurality of figurines 140 to an external device 10, such as a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.) and/or a computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, etc.). As such, the plurality of communication units 150 may allow the players to save a state of a game that was in progress, but had to be disassembled, such that the external device 10 may identify the save state of the previous game to facilitate set up.
Alternatively, each of the plurality of communication units 150 may be connected to the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113. Each of the plurality of communication units 150 may provide power to the game board 110. Each of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113 may illuminate at least one color, blink, flash, strobe, and/or striped to identify the save state of the game. For example, a first side of a first of the plurality of board locations 111 and a first side of a second of the plurality of board locations 111 connected to the first side of the first of the plurality of board locations 111 may illuminate red, whereas a second side of the first of the plurality of board locations 111 and a first side of a third of the plurality of board locations 111 connected to the second side of the first of the plurality of board locations 111 may illuminate blue to identify where each piece was before disassembly to facilitate set up of the previous game. Furthermore, the same principle may apply to other components, such as each of the plurality of removable tokens 120, each of the plurality of connectable locations 130, and/or each of the plurality of figurines 140 used during play. Accordingly, each of the plurality of removable tokens 120, each of the plurality of connectable locations 130, and/or each of the plurality of figurines 140 may also have a light disposed therein to correspond to the applicable light pattern used to save the state of the game.
The following description may describe use of the game board 110 with respect to an outer space variation. However, the game board 110 may be changed for other types of games.
During play, the game board 110 may be set up differently based on a preference of each player. Referring to
To begin play, a color of the plurality of connectable locations 130 may be chosen, as well as, a set of the plurality of removable tokens 120 and a set of the plurality of figurines 140. It is important to note that a color of the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be selected to correspond to the color of the plurality of connectable locations 130, but may not be necessary. Typically, a number of the plurality of figurines 140 used per player may be ten. The plurality of figurines 140 may represent space agents of the player. The game board 110 may be set up with each player taking a turn to place at least one of the plurality of board locations 111 to connect with each other.
Subsequently, the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be exchanged and/or evenly distributed to the players. For example, in a two-player game, all of the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be exchanged. In a three-player or more game, the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be evenly distributed amongst the other players. Accordingly, after this step, each player may have only other player tokens and lack their original plurality of removable tokens 120. Referring again to
At least one of the plurality of board locations 111 may be removed from the game board 110 in response to at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 being absent from at least one of the plurality of board fields 112 corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of board locations 111.
Thereafter, the plurality of figurines 140 may be removably connected to at least a portion of the connected location 131. More specifically, referring again to
The players take turns moving at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 on their respective turns. The at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 may move into a single adjacent space (i.e., intersection portions) of at least one of the plurality of board locations 111 and/or at least one space jump over another at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 based on a direction the at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 is moving. During a space jump, any number of figurines 140 may be jumped over. Also, even after the at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 lands, the at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 may continue another space jump. Movement on the space location 111 corresponding to the moon, may require the at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 to be arranged similar to the arrangement of the plurality of figurines 140 during set up on the connected location 131 as described above. Optionally, during the space jump, any of the plurality of figurines 140 that are from another player and are jumped over may be sent to the moon. Any of the plurality of figurines 140 may be sent to the moon in response to a lack of movement, such as being blocked where the space jump is not possible.
At least one of the plurality of figurines 140 moving from the moon to the outer space area (e.g., at least one of the plurality of board locations 111 to another one of the plurality of board locations 111), may move to the outer space area that has the least number of the plurality of figurines 140 and/or the plurality of removable tokens 120. Furthermore, any of the plurality of board locations 111 that has an absence of either the plurality of figurines 140 and/of the plurality of removable tokens 120, that space location 111 may be removed from the game board 110.
At least one of the plurality of figurines 140 that has been surrounded on all sides by the plurality of figurines 140 whether it is the current player's and/or another player's, the at least of the plurality of figurines 140 may be moved to the moon on a space that is farthest from a last row. At least one of the plurality of figurines 140 may move to any space on any of the plurality of board locations 111 in response to moving the at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 to jump over an edge of an opposite side of the moon (i.e., jumps over the moon), such that the at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 may move to any space with a lowest number of plurality of figurines 140 and/or the plurality of removable tokens 120. Also, the at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 that returns to any of the plurality of board locations 111, the at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 may be restricted from moving on the next turn. In other words, the player may have to skip the next turn.
Finally, any outer space area (e.g., at least one of the plurality of board locations 111) that lacks at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 and/or at least one of the plurality of figurines 140 occupies a border of the outer space area, that particular outer space area may be removed.
The player who goes first may be chosen by whoever placed the plurality of removable tokens 120 last. The plurality of removable tokens 120 may only be picked up by three of the plurality of figurines 140 surrounding the plurality of removable tokens 120. In other words, three of the plurality of figurines 140 must be disposed on each corner of the plurality of board fields 112 that surround at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 before the at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be taken (i.e., cleaned up). The first player to collect all of the plurality of removable tokens 120 selected at the beginning wins the game.
Furthermore, the plurality of figurines 140 surrounding the at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 must be on the same team and/or same player. In other words, if two of the plurality of figurines 140 from a first team surround the at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 and one of the plurality of figurines 140 from a second team is disposed on a corner of the plurality of board fields 112, the at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 may not be removed.
Some variations of play include team play. For example, a first player and a second player may share the plurality of figurines 140. All other rules described above remain the same, such that the first player and/or the second player each have a same number of the plurality of figurines 140 (e.g., ten). Similarly, the first player and/or the second player have a same number of the plurality of removable tokens 120. The number of plurality of removable tokens 120 may be adjusted based on a length of play (i.e., play time) the players agree to play. However, the number of the plurality of removable tokens 120 should remain at an even number. Typically, the number of the plurality of removable tokens 120 should be at least four.
The important rule here is that if you are on the same team, you cannot speak to your teammate about the game, you cannot communicate to your teammate your plans or where you would like them to move, etc.
Although the above description and rules with respect to the customizable board game 100 has been described as taking place in space, the customizable board game 100 may be applied to other themes and/or scenarios. More specifically, the customizable board game 100 may be an adaptable board game 100 that can be themed based on a preference of the players. The following description may highlight some variations of the customizable board game 100.
The customizable board game 100 may be Santa versus the Grinch. The customizable board game 100 may have a sleigh for Santa, a sleigh for Santa's elves, and/or a sleigh for the Grinch. Moreover, the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be a plurality of present tokens 120. The plurality of figurines 140 may include a plurality of miniature Santas, a plurality of miniature elves, and/or a plurality of miniature Grinches.
The customizable board game 100 may be an agriculture collection game. The customizable board game 100 may have a harvesting machine for farmers. Moreover, the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be a plurality of agricultural tokens 120, such as corn, wheat, rice, soybean, fruits, and/or any other agricultural crops.
The customizable board game 100 may be a letter collection game. The customizable board game 100 may have a school bus for students and/or teachers. Moreover, the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be a plurality of letter tokens 120, such as letters of the alphabet.
The customizable board game 100 may be a math number collection game. The customizable board game 100 may have a school bus for students and/or teachers. Moreover, the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be a plurality of number tokens 120, such as numbers and/or arithmetic operations.
The customizable board game 100 may be a party animal collection game. The customizable board game 100 may have a party vehicle (e.g, a bus, a van, a truck, a shuttle, etc.) for party-goers. Moreover, the plurality of removable tokens 120 may be a plurality of party tokens 120. Additionally, the plurality of party tokens 120 may include tasks identified on a rear surface thereof, for the player to perform after collecting at least one of the plurality of tokens 120 (e.g., drink a beverage, truth or dare, etc.).
As described in the above paragraphs, the customizable board game 100 may be adapted to other themes and/or have additional rules to change the game.
Therefore, the customizable board game 100 may entertain players based on cleaning space debris during an outer space mission.
The present general inventive concept may include a customizable board game 100, including a game board 110, including a plurality of board locations 111 to removably connect to each other, and a plurality of board fields 112 disposed on at least a portion of each of the plurality of board locations 111, a plurality of removable tokens 120, each of the plurality of removable tokens 120 to removably connect within at least one of the plurality of board fields 112, and a plurality of figurines 140 to move around the plurality of board locations 111 and represent a position of at least one player on the game board 110.
Each of the plurality of board fields 112 may be bordered by at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board locations 111.
Each side of the plurality of board locations 111 that surrounds at least one of the plurality of board fields 112 may have a spring surface thereon.
Each of the plurality of board locations 111 may springingly eject at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 disposed within at least one of the plurality of board fields 112 in response to three of the plurality of figurines 140 being disposed on at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board locations 111 forming each corner of at least one of the plurality of board fields 112 where the at least one of the plurality of removable tokens 120 is disposed.
The game board 110 may further include a plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113 disposed around a perimeter of each of the plurality of board locations 111 to removably connect the plurality of board locations 111 to each other.
Each of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113 may illuminate at least one of a color, blink, flash, strobe, and stripe corresponding to at least one of another of the plurality of illuminated connecting edges 113, the plurality of removable tokens 120, and the plurality of figurines 140 based on a state of a game during play prior to disassembly.
The customizable board game 100 may further include a plurality of connectable locations 130 to removably connect to at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of board locations 111.
Each of the plurality of connectable locations 130 may include a connected location 131, and a plurality of connected fields 132 disposed on at least a portion of the connected location 131.
The connected location 131 may have a size and a shape similar to a size and a shape of each of the plurality of board locations 111.
The game board 110 may be modular and changes based on a position of each of the plurality of board locations 111.
The customizable board game 100 may further include a plurality of communication units 150 disposed within at least a portion of each of the plurality of board locations 111, each of the plurality of removable tokens 120, each of the plurality of connectable locations 130, and each of the plurality of figurines 140 to transmit a signal of the position of a last recorded position based on a state of a game during play prior to disassembly of each of the plurality of board locations 111, each of the plurality of removable tokens 120, each of the plurality of connectable locations 130, and each of the plurality of figurines 140 to an external device 10.
Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
