This disclosure relates to games, and more particularly to games playable in and around water and wet environments.
Many people enjoy playing a variety of different games using card decks such as standard face cards, Pinochle, UNO, Old Maid, Rook, matching card decks, and the like. There is one place, however, that a deck of playing cards generally does not play well: water. In addition to problems of immersion and commensurate damage to the cards, the cards sink, making it difficult to continue playing when the cards are inevitably dropped. Damage may include warpage, smudging of printed matter, moisture absorption, surface distortion, etc.
Given the high popularity of casual gatherings in pools and hot tubs, as well as the popularity of bath toys, manufacturers have created a variety of water toys and entertainments, but these are generally toys such as rubber ducks, water pistols, etc., geared toward children and usually involving splashing or moving about in the water. Little attention has been paid to water games and entertainments for post-adolescent people, who are more likely to enjoy more sedentary entertainments—(many children may enjoy sedentary water entertainments as well). Some board games have been developed involving a floating board or table on which the game is played in water, with the obvious disadvantage of the bulky and unwieldy nature of the board, which must be hauled around to be accessible where and when it is wanted. For this reason some floating playing surfaces have simply been incorporated into existing water animals and devices—a large rubber animal with a checkerboard on its back, for example. A problem is that sedentary entertainments almost always require a playing surface, which must be purchased, transported, and be on hand with prior art games.
From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for water playing cards that can be used for game play in water without a board or other surface, without damage or loss to the cards, and without inconvenience through cards sinking or otherwise being displaced.
In one embodiment, a floating card game apparatus includes a playing card comprising a laminate of a plastic layer and a foam layer which floats on the surface of water. In one embodiment, the playing card is approximately 75/1,000ths of an inch thick, with the plastic layer being polypropylene and approximately 15/1,000ths of an inch thick, and the foam layer being ethylene vinyl acetate and approximately 60/1,000ths of an inch thick. The playing card, together with other cards, similarly constructed, may form a playing card deck.
In another embodiment, a method for playing a card game while partially immersed in water includes providing a deck of water-resistant playing cards, the playing cards being configured to float on or near the surface of water, and using the surface of the water as a playing surface.
In another embodiment, a floating card game system includes a deck of floating, water-resistant cards and a container containing the cards. The container may comprise a bag, box, elastic band, cage, or other apparatus apparent to those skilled in the art configured to contain the cards such that they remain a deck and don't scatter or separate.
In certain embodiments, a floating card game apparatus includes a playing card having a substantially planar surface having an image. The playing card is made of a material having a density less than a density of water. In one embodiment the playing card has a structural integrity sufficient to substantially maintain a shape of the playing card.
In another embodiment the material of the playing card has a thickness and a structural integrity sufficient to shuffle the playing card. In certain embodiments the material of the playing card includes a foam layer. In another embodiment the material of the playing card also includes a plastic layer. In one embodiment the plastic layer and the foam layer are glued and pressure laminated together. In yet another embodiment the playing card further includes a second plastic layer positioned opposite the plastic layer with the foam layer positioned between the plastic layer and the second plastic layer.
In one embodiment the playing card is approximately 75/1,000ths of an inch thick. In certain embodiments the plastic layer is approximately 15/1,000ths of an inch thick and the foam layer is approximately 60/1,000ths of an inch thick. In certain embodiments the plastic layer is composed of polypropylene and the foam layer is composed of ethylene vinyl acetate.
In another embodiment the apparatus includes an additional playing card. In certain embodiments the additional playing card includes a plastic layer and a foam layer. The additional playing card floats on the surface of water and the plastic layer of the playing card temporarily adheres to the foam layer of the additional playing card when both cards are wet.
In one embodiment the apparatus includes a number of additional playing cards. Each additional playing card may be made of a material having a density less than a density of water such that each additional playing card floats on the surface of water. In certain embodiments the additional playing cards all have substantially planar surfaces having images such that they collectively comprise a standard card deck.
In another embodiment the apparatus includes a number of additional playing cards. Each additional playing card may be made of a material having a density less than a density of water such that each additional playing card floats on the surface of water. In certain embodiments the additional playing cards have substantially planar surfaces having images. The images on each card within a first group of the playing cards include a representation of the front portion of an animal and the first letters of the animal's name. The images on each card within a second group of the playing cards include a representation of the rear portion of an animal and the last letters of the animal's name. Each card of the first group is configured to join with any card of the second group to form a complete representation of a real or fanciful animal and the name of the real or fanciful animal.
An embodiment of a floating card game system is also disclosed. The system includes a deck of floating, water-resistant playing cards, and a container. Each playing card has a substantially planar surface having an image. In one embodiment each playing card is made of a material having a density less than a density of water. In certain embodiments the material that makes up each playing card includes a foam layer and a plastic layer. In one embodiment each playing card has a structural integrity sufficient to substantially maintain a shape of the playing card. In certain embodiments the playing cards are contained within the container.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized or are in any single embodiment. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments.
These features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the advantages of the subject matter will be readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. The drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope. The drawings are not to scale.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the subject matter of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the subject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the disclosure.
The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.
It has been found that the precise thickness dimensions described for both layers 102 and 104 give the card 100 sufficient heft and flexibility to allow for ease of play, shuffling, dealing, forming hands, etc. Other thicknesses may be used while still maintaining the flotation characteristics of the card 100, though variations in thickness will change the handling characteristics of the card 100.
Special coatings including polymer-based coatings may be applied to the card 100 to prevent water absorption. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of chemicals and coatings may be applied, if desired, to prevent water absorption and protect from harsh chemicals common in man-made water environments, such as chlorine.
The foam layer 102 allows for flotation, and also gives the card 100 a distinctive feel, characteristic of toys and apparatuses used in water, which sets it apart from regular playing cards and indicates its intended use in water environments. It also imparts some adhesiveness to the card 100 when wet, which allows the card to temporarily adhere to tile walls, other similar playing cards, etc. As shown in
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The face 106 of the card 100 has a playing card image or design 107 displayed on it: the queen of hearts, in the embodiment shown in
The back and face of the card may constitute surfaces of the same layer, such as with card 300 in
A succession of matching cards with designs similar to the cards 400 and 402—i.e., one with the image of the front half of an animal and one with the back half, with commensurate wording—may be constructed to form a deck of such cards, which can then be used in a matching game, matching cards to form complete animals and words. A card with a front half image and wording for one animal can also be matched with a card with a back half image and wording for another animal, forming a fanciful animal and name, such as described above with regard to cards 400 and 410. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the images and letters to not have to correspond exactly with the halves of the animal and the animal's name—e.g., one card may display the head of the animal and the other the body.
The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/183,551 entitled “Floating Card Game and Methods” and filed on Jun. 3, 2009 for David Williams, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61183551 | Jun 2009 | US |