FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a game. More particularly, the invention relates to a game involving a player performing certain balancing challenges for recreational use as well as physical and occupational therapy.
BACKGROUND
Although there are a number of known games that may involve different aspects of physical activity, there remains a need for a game that tests and improves hand-eye coordination and dexterity while useful for physical and occupational therapy.
SUMMARY
The Applicant's game elements include a weighted object that is to be balanced by a player, a plurality of player selectable playing cards, and a game board for score keeping of a player's progress. The weighted object is to be balanced by a player while performing a challenge set forth on a selected playing card that includes a plurality of challenges. Each challenge among the plurality of challenges includes a requirement for the player to balance the weighted object. The game board includes a plurality of spaces for recording a player's progress upon successfully completing the specified challenge within a specified time period.
A method of playing the game is also provided. The method of playing a game comprises determining a challenge to perform from a plurality of challenges on a challenge card, attempting to perform the determined challenged for a specified period of time while balancing the weighted object, and advancing on a board if the determined challenged is performed successfully and timely. Each challenge among the plurality of challenges requires the player to balance the weighted object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary spinner for a game;
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary format for challenge card;
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary weighted object for the game;
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary mat for the game;
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary game board; and,
FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram for a method of playing the game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference now to FIG. 1, an exemplary spinner board 100 is illustrated. The spinner board 100 includes a plurality of designated areas 110, 120, 130, 140. The different areas 110, 120, 130, 140 on the spinner board may be designated by graphics, numbers, colors, texts, or other means of distinguishing among the various areas. For example, each designated area 110, 120, 130, 140 may be a different color; e.g., area 110 may be blue, area 120 may be red, area 130 may be yellow, and area 140 may be green. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the four different designated areas 110, 120, 130, 140, the spinner may include any number of designated areas. The spinner board 100 includes an indicator 150 that is mounted to the board for rotation. The indicator 150 may be spun or rotated by a player to determine which designated area 110, 120, 130, 140 should be used for a player's turn according to where the indicator 150 points or lands at the end of a spin.
FIG. 2 illustrates a challenge card 200 for the game. The game may include a plurality of challenge cards 200. Each challenge card 200 includes an exemplary plurality of challenges 210, 220, 230, 240 which may be written in text. Each of the stated challenges, 210, 220, 230, 240, includes a requirement for performance while balancing a weighted object 300 as shown in FIG. 3. The illustrated weighted object 300 is in the form of a weighted rod. Each challenge 210, 220, 230, 240 on a challenge cars 200 may require balancing the weighted object 300 on one finger while performing an additional activity. For example, challenge 210 may be balancing the weighted object 300 on one finger while singing a song; challenge 220 may be balancing the weighted object 300 on one finger while standing on one leg; challenge 230 may be balancing the weighted object 300 one finger with closed eyes; and, challenge 230 may be balancing the weighted object 300 on one finger while snapping fingers on the other hand. Each challenge card 200 of the plurality of challenge cards 200 can have different challenges or a different mix of challenges involving the weighted object 300. The challenges 210, 220, 230, 240 can be selected to may test or and improve hand-eye coordination and/or dexterity by using the weighted object 300 in the performance of the stated challenge.
The number of challenges 210, 220, 230, 240 on the challenge card 200 corresponds to the number of designated areas 110, 120, 130, 140 on the spinner 100. For example, the challenge card 200 shown in FIG. 2 has four challenges 210, 220, 230, 240 corresponding to the four designated areas 110, 120, 130, 140 on the spinner board 100 shown in FIG. 1. The indicator 150 on the spinner 100 indicates which challenge 210, 220, 230, 240 on the challenge card 200 is to be attempted by the player. For example, if the indicator 150 lands on designated area 110, the corresponding challenge 210 on the challenge card 200 should be attempted by the player. The challenges 210, 220, 230, 240 may be shown to correspond with a certain designated area 110, 120, 130140 via graphics, numbers, colors, or text. For example, the designated areas 110, 120, 130, 140 may correspond to the challenges 210, 220, 230, 240 by like colors. By way of example only, the text of challenge 210 may be blue to correspond to blue designated area 110, the text of challenge 220 may be red to correspond to red designated area 120, the text of challenge 230 may be yellow to correspond to yellow designated area 130, and the text of challenge 240 may be green to correspond to green designated area 140.
FIG. 3 shows an example weighted object 300. The illustrated weighted object 300 is a generally elongated cylindrical shape that is configured to have a balance point that will enables a player to balance the weighted object 300 on at least one finger. Different shapes and weights may be used to provide more or less of a challenge to balance the weighted object 300. For example, the weighted object 300 may have the shape of a lit match, as illustrated in FIG. 3, that includes a match stick portion 320 and a flame shaped portion 310.
The weighted object 300 may have a weight that is uniformly distributed along the weighted object 300. Alternatively, the weighted object 300 may have a weight that is not uniformly distributed along the object 300. For example, the weighted object 300 may heavier toward one end than the other end. The weighted object 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be heavier toward the flame shaped end 310. A player may have to find the center of gravity of the weighted object 300 in order to balance the weighted object 300, thereby testing and/or improving hand-eye coordination and/or dexterity.
The weighted object 300 may have a portion 310 that becomes illuminated or may emit a flash of light or lights different colors. For example, the flame shaped portion 310 of the weighted object 300 in FIG. 3 may emit lights of different colors. The weighted object 300 may also include a speaker 340 to emit sounds. Additionally, the weighted object 300 may be made to vibrate by including an eccentric mass vibrator in the match stick portion 320 that responds to movement of the weighted object 300.
The weighted object 300 may include a battery source and a button or switch 330 to activate and deactivate the light source in the illuminating portion 310, the speaker 340, and/or the vibrator. The weighted object 300 may emit a sound or vibrate when the weighted object 300 is dropped. The illuminating portion 310, the speaker 340, and/or the vibrator may be used as a timer. For example, the illumination portion 310 may change from orange to red to blue to indicate ten, twenty, and thirty seconds respectively after the button or switch 330 is activated. Some forma of a timer is used while the player attempts to perform a challenge 210, 220, 230, 240 from the challenge card 200. The challenge 210, 220, 230, 240 must be performed within a specified period of time in order for the player to successfully complete the challenge 210, 220, 230, 240. Alternatively, the player may earn a certain number of points depending on the amount of time they are able to successfully perform the challenge. The timer may also be used to indicate different times during the specified period of time. For example, if the specified period of time is 30 seconds, the timer may also indicate when the timer reaches 10 and 20 seconds.
With reference to FIG. 4, the game may also include a mat 400 upon which the specific challenge 210, 220, 230, 240 must be performed. The player may be required to remain on the mat 400 in order to complete the challenge 210, 220, 230, 240 successfully. If the player falls outside of the mat 400, the player may be deemed to have failed the challenge 210, 220, 230, 240.
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary game board 500 for the game. The game board 500 may include a plurality of spaces 530a-n. The player advances along the spaces 530a-n by beginning at start 510 and progressing when a challenge 210, 220, 230, 240 is completed successfully. In the present example, a challenge 210, 220, 230, 240 is successfully completed when it is performed within the specified period of time on the mat 400. A player may use a playing piece or marker to indicate progress through the spaces 530a-n. The first player to reach the finish line 520 wins the game.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of playing the game 600. The game includes the same details and embodiments described above.
In step 610, a player determines a challenge to perform from a plurality of challenges on a challenge card. Each challenge of the plurality of challenges includes balancing a weighted object. The challenge may include balancing the weighted object on at least one finger while also performing an additional activity. The challenge may be determined by spinning an indicator on a spinner.
In step 620, the player attempts to perform the determined challenge. The player attempts to perform the determined challenge for a specified period of time. For example, the player may have to perform the challenge for 30 seconds. The player may perform the challenge within a specified area. The specified area may be designated by a mat.
In step 630, the player advances on a board if the challenge is performed successfully. The player performs the challenge successfully if they are able to perform the challenge for the specified period of time. The challenge may be considered to be performed successfully if the player is able to perform the challenge for the specified period of time while remaining in the specified area or mat. The player may advance on the board by moving or marking spaces on the board. The first player who reaches the finish on the board wins.
Patent Application
20230330513
