Patent Application
20210101072
The present disclosure relates generally to game surface systems. In particular, game surface systems enabling homemade game surfaces to be used effectively on play surfaces are described.
Known game surface systems art not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing game surface systems typically utilize commercially manufactured game surfaces, such its game boards or maps on thick card stock. The expense associated with commercial game surfaces is significant. Further, individuals utilizing commercial game surfaces are limited to the game surface designs offered by game manufacturers, which can limit gameplay variety and creativity. It would be advantageous for a player to utilize game surfaces prepared at home to reduce expenses and provide more flexibility.
Size limitations are another challenge facing conventional game surfaces. The size of conventional game surfaces is generally limited to the size of the game surface provided with a game. However, some games are capable of being played on larger or smaller game surfaces for unique gameplay experiences. It would be desirable to have a game surface system that enabled players to increase or decrease the size of a game surface to modify the gameplay of a given game.
Most existing game surfaces are not intended to be marked on by players, such as to indicate scores or reflect current game events. Marking game surfaces may also be convenient or intuitive for games where players are expected to draw pictures or write down words. Marking on most commercial game surfaces would quickly degrade the game surface and interfere with its use in successive games. Since most commercial game surfaces are expensive and/or hard to replace, players can not afford to degrade the game surfaces by marking on them.
Erasable game sheets are an existing attempt to provide a reusable or customizable game surface. For example, with such erasable game sheets users may attempt to form a rectilinear grid on a first side of the erasable game sheet and a hex grid on the back side. However, conventional erasable game sheets have multiple drawbacks. For instance, they typically require users to create grids or other game surface designs by hand, which takes considerable skill and time. The erasable games sheets also do nor lie flat very well, especially when they are intended to be folded, which interferes with game play.
Attempts have been made to utilize game surfaces printed at home on regular paper, but such attempts have not been fully satisfactory. Homemade game surfaces tend to not stay in place on a table or other play surface. Further, the homemade games surfaces are prone to being damaged through normal gameplay given the relatively thin, fragile paper on which they are printed.
Thus, there exists a need for game surface systems that improve upon and advance the design of known game surface systems. Examples of new and useful game surface systems relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
The present disclosure is directed to game surface systems configured to display a game sheet on a play surface. The game surface systems include a first module configured to support and protect the game sheet. The first module includes a back member and a cover sheet. The back member abuts the rear surface of the game sheet and is disposed between the game sheet and the play surface. The cover sheet abuts the display face of the game sheet and covers the game sheet. The game sheet includes a display face facing away from the play surface and a rear face facing the play surface. The cover sheet is coupled to the back member. In some examples, the game surface system includes a frame. In certain examples, the game surface system includes a transition module and a transition sheet.
The disclosed game surface systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations: however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various game surface systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.
“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need nor conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.
“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identity various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.
“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components.
With reference to the figures, game surface systems will now be described. The game surface systems discussed herein function to display a game sheet on a play surface.
The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that the presently disclosed game surface systems address many of the shortcomings of conventional game surface systems. For example, the novel game surfaces systems described in this document enable a player to utilize game surfaces prepared at home to reduce expenses and provide more flexibility.
Indeed, the novel game surface systems below are configured to utilize homemade game surfaces rather than living solely dependent on commercially manufactured game surfaces, such as game boards or maps on thick card stock. By utilizing homemade game surfaces and the presently disclosed systems, the significant expense and availability limitations associated with commercial game surfaces are avoided.
By not limiting individuals to commercial game surfaces, the novel systems below expand the potential game surface designs well beyond the limited selection offered by game manufacturers. Accordingly, the systems described herein significantly increase the potential gameplay variety and creativity beyond what is possible with commercial game surfaces.
Size flexibility is another improvement over conventional game surface contexts. Unlike conventional game surfaces, which are generally limited to the size of the game surface provided with a game, the novel systems below readily enable larger and smaller game surfaces. By enabling larger and smaller game surfaces, the systems described herein facilitate unique gameplay experiences in more expansive or more focused contexts.
A benefit of the systems described below is that they facilitate using disposable game surfaces suitable for marking. As such, players using the novel systems described herein have the luxury of indicating scores or reflecting current game events directly on the game surfaces they are using to play a game. Further, the systems discussed below allow for more convenient and intuitive gameplay when players are expected to draw pictures or write down words. By using disposable game surfaces, degrading the game surface by marking on it does nor interfere with successive games because new game surfaces can easily and inexpensively be created by the player as needed.
The game surface systems described herein more successfully utilize homemade game surfaces than have prior attempts. The novel systems below help keep homemade (or commercial) game surfaces in place on a table or other play surface. Further, the systems described in this document protect thin and fragile homemade games surfaces from damage that would otherwise occur through normal gameplay.
Ancillary features relevant to the game surface systems described herein will first be described to provide context and to aid the discussion of the game suffice systems.
Play surface 102 serves to support game surface system 100 from below. In the present example, play surface 102 is a tabletop. In other examples, the play surface may be a floor, a counter, a bench, or a bed.
The play surface may be any currently known or later developed type of play surface. The reader will appreciate that a variety of play surface types exist and could be used in place of the play surface shown in the figures. In addition to the types of play surfaces existing currently, it is contemplated that the game surface systems described herein could incorporate new types of play surfaces developed in the future.
The size of the play surface may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the play surface is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the play surface is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the reader should understand that the play surface and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions.
The shape of the play surface may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application.
With reference to
In the example shown in
The game sheets function to define the play area for a game. Play areas may take a wade variety of forms, such as grids, patterns, maps, gameplay spaces or paths, and the like. In the present example, game surface system 100 includes a plurality of game sheets, including game sheet 101 and second game sheet 122.
The reader can see in
In the present example, first display 123 and second display 124 each display a rectilinear grid. In other examples, the displays display a grid of other shapes, such as triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or other regular polygons. The displays may additionally or alternatively display a map, a fantastical scene, gameplay regions, or other game indicia.
In the present example, the game sheets are made at home by printing the displays on paper with a printer. However, the game sheets may be any currently known or later developed type of game sheet, including commercially prepared game sheets. The reader will appreciate that a variety of game sheet types exist and could be used in place of the game sheets shown in the figures. In addition to the types of game sheets existing currently, it is contemplated that the game surface systems described herein could incorporate new types of game sheets developed in the future.
In the present example, game sheet 101 is composed of paper. However, the game sheet may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used.
The size of the game sheet may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the game sheet is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the game sheet is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the reader should understand that the game sheet and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions.
The shape of the game sheet may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the game sheet may have a face in the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the game sheet may include a face having an irregular shape.
The present example includes a plurality of game sheets. However, the number of game sheets in the game surface system may be selected to meet the needs of a given application, such as a single game sheet or a few game sheets. The reader should understand that the number of game sheets may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some game surface system examples include additional or fewer game sheets than described in the present example.
The role of each module is to support and protect game sheets. The example depicted in
With reference to
The reader can see in
Back member 106 functions to support game sheet 101 and to interface with cover sheet 107 and frame 112. As shown in
The back members may be disposed in any position relative to rear face 104 of game sheet 101. In some examples, the back members are disposed near edges of the game sheets. For example, as depicted in
The number of back members in the game surface system may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should understand that the number of back members may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some game surface system examples include additional or fewer back members than described in the present example.
Back member 106 is configured to magnetically couple with cover sheet 107 to hold game sheet 101 securely between back member 106 and cover sheet 107. In other examples, the back member couples to the cover sheet with mechanical fasteners in addition or alternatively to magnetic couplers. The reader can see in
As shown in
With reference to
The reader can see in
The size of the back member may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the back member is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the back member is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the reader should understand that the back member and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions.
In the present example, the back members are substantially rectangular and planar to be thin and unobtrusive under the game sheets. However, the shape of the back member may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the back member may include a face having the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, mangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the back member may include a face having an irregular shape. In three dimensions, the shape of the back member may be a sphere, a pyramid, a cone, a cube, and variations thereof, such as a hemisphere or a frustoconical shape.
In the present example, back member 106 is composed of plastic. However, the back member may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, ceramics, wood, and composite materials.
Cover sheet 107 serves to protect game sheet 101 while allowing a user to view game sheet 101 through cover sheet 107. With reference to
As depicted in
The cover sheet may be any currently known or later developed type of cover sheet. The reader will appreciate that a variety of cover sheet types exist and could be used in place of the cover sheet shown in the figures. In addition to the types of cover sheets existing currently, it is contemplated that the game surface systems described herein could incorporate new types of cover sheets developed in the future.
The number of cover sheets in the game surface system may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should understand that the number of cover sheets may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some game surface system examples include additional or fewer cover sheets than described in the present example.
The shape of the cover sheet may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the cover sheet may include a face having the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the cover sheet may include a face having an irregular shape.
The size of the cover sheet may be varied its needed for a given application. In some examples, the cover sheet is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the cover sheet is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the reader should understand that the cover sheet and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions.
In the present example, cover sheet 107 is composed of plastic. However, the cover sheet may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used. Plastic and glass are examples of suitable materials.
The role of frame 112 is to support the modules from play surface 102 and to hold them in place to maintain their position during gameplay. As depicted in
The reader can see in
As depicted in
Second group of magnets 115 are arranged in a second defined sequence 116. Second group of magnets 115 magnetically couple with first group of magnets 113 of back member 106.
As described above, first group of magnets 113 are arranged in first defined sequence 114. The reader can see in
The size of the frame may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the frame is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the frame is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the reader should understand that the frame and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions.
In the present example, the shape of the frame complements the size, position, and orientation of the back members. However, the shape of the frame may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application.
The number of frames in the game surface system may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should understand that the number of frames may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some game surface system examples include additional or fewer frames than described in the present example.
The frame may be any currently known or later developed type of frame. The reader will appreciate that a variety of frame types exist and could be used in place of the frame shown in the figures. In addition to the types of frames existing currently, it is contemplated that the game surface systems described herein could incorporate new types of frames developed in the future.
In the present example, frame 112 is composed of plastic. However, the frame may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used. Suitable materials include glass, metals, polymers, ceramics, wood, and composite materials.
With reference to the figures not yet discussed in detail, the discussion will now focus on additional game surface system embodiments. The additional embodiments include many similar or identical features to game surface system 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of the additional embodiments below will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between the additional embodiments and game surface system 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the different game surface system examples.
Turning attention to
As shown in
The reader can see in
As depicted in
The shape of the transition sheet may be adapted to be different than the specific examples shown in the figures to suit a given application. For example, the transition sheet may include a face having the shape of a regular or irregular polygon, such as a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle pentagon, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the transition sheet may include a face having an irregular shape.
The size of the transition sheet may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the transition sheet is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the transition sheet is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the reader should understand that the transition sheet and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions.
In the present example, transition sheet 227 is composed of paper. However, the transition sheet may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for the applications described herein for which it is used.
The number of transition sheets in the game surface system may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should understand that the number of transition sheets may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some game surface system examples include additional or fewer transition sheets than described in the present example.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” clement, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
This application claims priority to copending U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/951,337, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62951337 | Dec 2019 | US |
