Interactive game

Abstract

Any interactive game involving a plurality of players where the game includes a game piece and at least one surface. The players are positioned along the outside edge or sides of the surface and form a temporary barrier to try to prevent the game piece from moving past the barrier. In a play of the game, one or more of the players generate and direct air at the game piece to cause the game piece to move relative to the surface. When the game piece or at least a portion of the game piece moves past the barrier, the game ends. A value or score may then be awarded to one or more of the players or teams participating in the game.

Description

BACKGROUND

People enjoy playing games for entertainment. Therefore, there are several different types of games. Some of these games include sports games, board games, card games and video games. Certain games are for one player and other games enable multiple players to play a game at the same time. Furthermore, there are games which are directed towards children or adults and games which are for all ages.

Accordingly, there is a need for new and exciting games which provide entertainment.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a game, and more specifically to an interactive game for a plurality of players.

In one embodiment, the interactive game includes an object or game piece and at least one surface. The plurality of players are positioned about the outside or outer edge of the surface and form a temporary boundary or barrier along the edges of the surface. The object or game piece is placed or dropped onto the surface to begin the play of the game. In each play of the game, one or more of the players direct air at or blow air at the game piece to cause the game piece to move relative to the surface. The game piece moves about the surface in all different directions and speeds based on the number of the players that are blowing at the game piece and the amount and force of the air being generated by the players. The play of the game ends when the game piece or at least a portion of the game piece moves past or beyond the barrier or boundary.

In one embodiment, an interactive game is provided which includes an object or game piece, a surface; and a barrier positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the surface. In each play of the game, at least one player of a plurality of players directs air at the object to cause the object to move relative to the surface until at least a portion of the object moves past a portion of the barrier such as the front surface of the barrier.

In an embodiment, the object is substantially made of paper.

In another embodiment, the surface includes a tabletop.

In a further embodiment, the barrier is formed by at least one of the plurality of players positioned adjacent to the surface.

In an embodiment, the barrier is formed by a plurality of the players positioned adjacent to the surface.

In another embodiment, the barrier includes a removable barrier or device.

In an embodiment, the game includes at least one blower operable by at least one of the plurality of players to generate and direct the air at the object.

Another embodiment of the interactive game is provided where the interactive game is playable by a plurality of players. The interactive game includes at least one game piece, a board having a plurality of edges and a barrier positioned adjacent to at least one of the edges, where the barrier is formed by the plurality of players. In a play of the game, at least one of the players directs air at the game piece to cause the game piece to move relative to the board until at least a portion of the game piece moves past a front surface of the barrier.

In an embodiment, the game piece is substantially made of paper.

In another embodiment, the barrier is formed by at least one of the plurality of players positioned adjacent to the surface.

In an embodiment, the barrier is formed by a plurality of the players positioned adjacent to the surface.

In an embodiment, the barrier includes a removable barrier.

In another embodiment, the game includes at least one blower operable by at least one of the plurality of players to generate and direct the air at the game piece.

In an embodiment, the game piece defines at least one of: a shape, a figure, a head, a face, an image, a letter, a number and a character.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a game which is playable by one or more players and enables the players to interact during the play of the game.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an interactive game that can be played by players of all ages.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a fast paced game that provides excitement and enjoyment for players.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating a player directing air at a game piece to cause the game piece to move relative to a surface.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are top views of an example of one embodiment of the interactive game of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a enlarge fragmentary view of one embodiment of a barrier employed by the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a game, and more specifically to an interactive game for a plurality of players. In one embodiment, a plurality of players stand or sit adjacent to a surface and form a temporary barrier or boundary along the outside edge of the surface. An object or game piece is placed or dropped on the surface to begin the game. One or more of the players direct air at or blow at the game piece to cause the game piece to move relative to the surface. The game piece moves about the surface in all different directions and speeds based on the number of the players that are blowing at the game piece. The play of the game ends when the game piece or at least a portion of the game piece moves past or beyond the barrier-or boundary. The interactive game of the present invention therefore provides significant enjoyment and excitement for player due to the interactive nature of the game and the generally fast pace of the game. Additionally, the interactive game of the present invention can by played by people of all ages which increases the appeal of the game.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the interactive game includes an object or game piece 100 and a substantial planar surface 102 such as a tabletop, game board, floor or other suitable surface. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the object or game piece 100 is made of a material which is movable by directing a flow or current of air generated by a player or other suitable air generator at the game piece. For example in FIG. 2, a player generates a flow or current of air 106 using their mouth 104 and directs the air at the game piece 100 to cause the game piece to move along the surface 102. The movement of the game piece 100 is based on the material which the game piece is made of, the weight of the game piece and the force and/or speed of the air generated by the player and directed towards or at the game piece. It should be appreciated that the object or game piece may be made of any suitable material and may be any suitable size, shape, and weight. In this embodiment, the game piece generally moves greater distances and/or moves more rapidly as the force of the air directed at the game piece increases. Similarly, the game piece generally moves slower and shorter distances as the force of the air directed at the game piece decreases. As described above, the surface 102 is a substantially planar surface such as the tabletop or countertop shown in FIG. 1. It should be appreciated that the surface 102 may be a planar surface, a non-planar surface or any suitable surface. It should also be appreciated that one or a plurality of surfaces may be used in the interactive game of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an example of one embodiment of the interactive game of the present invention is illustrated where the interactive game includes a surface 102 such as a tabletop and an object or game piece 100. In this embodiment, the game piece 100 is in the shape of a head or face of a person such as a famous person. It should be appreciated that the game piece may be any suitable size or shape and may define any suitable shape, letter, number, face, image or character. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a plurality of players 108 are positioned adjacent to the surface or tabletop 102. The players 108 are positioned so that their bodies form a temporary border, boundary or barrier 110 along the outside edge of the tabletop 102. The barrier 110 is formed to try to prevent the game piece 100 or at least a portion of the game piece from moving past the barrier and/or off of the surface 102. After the players 108 are positioned around the surface or tabletop 102 as shown in FIG. 3A, one of the players picks up the game piece 100 and drops or places it onto the surface or tabletop 102. The game piece 100 may be dropped or placed in the center of the surface 102 or at any suitable location or position on the surface 102. After the game piece is dropped or placed on the surface 102, one or more of the players 108 attempt to generate and direct or blow air 106 at the game piece 100 to cause the game piece 100 to move relative to the surface 102. As describe above, the game piece will move in many different directions and at different rates of speed based on the number of players directing air at the game piece, the angles at which the air is directed at the game piece, the force of the different air streams directed at the game piece, the size, shape and weight of the game piece and other factors. Ultimately, each player 108 is trying to blow the game piece 100 or at least a portion of the game piece past the barrier 110 formed by one or more of the other players.

In one embodiment, the players 108 are separated into different teams which are positioned on opposing sides of the surface or tabletop 102. In another embodiment, each person 108 plays the game independently. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of players and any suitable number of teams may play the interactive game of the present invention. In each play of the game, the players 108 continue direct air or blow air 106 at the game piece 100 until the game piece or at least a portion of the game piece 100 moves past the barrier 110 formed by the players 108. At this point, the play of the game ends and a value or score may be awarded to one or more of the players.

In one embodiment, the individual player or team which blew the game piece past one or more of the other players or past the other team is awarded a predetermined or designated value or score. The value or score may be any suitable value, score or award. In one embodiment, the players play the game until a predetermined or designated value or score is achieved by one or more of the players or teams. The player or team having the highest score or which reached the designated value or score first wins the game.

The interactive game of the present invention therefore provides significant excitement and enjoyment for players because the game piece moves randomly and rapidly in several different directions relative to the surface. Additionally, each player participates and interacts in the game as well as has a part in determining the outcome of the game which also adds to the excitement and enjoyment of the game.

In another embodiment, at least a portion of the edge of the surface 102 includes a removable barrier, boundary or border. As shown in FIG. 4, the removable boundary or border 112 inhibits or obstructs the game piece 106 so that the game piece 106 has difficulty moving past that portion of the barrier along the edges of a surface. The removable barrier can be employed in the game when there are less than a suitable number of players to completely form the barrier about the surface or tabletop 102. The removable barrier can also be used by players to change the configuration and play of the game. The removable barrier also enables the interactive game to be played by any suitable number of players.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an example of a removable barrier 112 is illustrated where the removable barrier includes a net 114 supported by one or more supports 116. Each support 116 includes at least one post 118 connected to one or more clamping members 120a and 120b. The post 116 may be any suitable post or pole and is attached to different locations of the net to hold the net in a substantially upright position. The clamping members 120a and 120b are connected to the post 118 so that the clamping members can be positioned on opposing sides of a surface such as a tabletop or game board. An adjuster 122 is movably connected to at least one of the claming members 120a and 120b. The adjuster includes a bumper 119 and a dial member or dial 121 which is turned in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to move the bumper 119 adjacent to or against the bottom of the surface 102. The dial is turned until a desired level of tension is reached between the bumper and the surface. The adjuster therefore enables the removable barrier to be held in place during game play. It is to be appreciated that the removable barrier 112 may be any suitable barrier, boundary or border and may be positioned along any suitable portion or portions of the tabletop or similar surface.

In another embodiment, the surface 102 is a board such as a game board. In this embodiment, the players are positioned about or along the outside edge of the game board to define the boundary or barrier in the plays of the game. It should be appreciated that the game board may be any suitable size or shape.

In a further embodiment, one or more air generators are employed by one or more players in a play of the game to generate and direct air at the object or game piece as described above. The air generators may be manual air blowers, electric air blowers or any suitable air generator.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An interactive game comprising: an object; a surface; and a barrier positioned adjacent to at least a portion of said surface, wherein at least one player of a plurality of players directs air at the object to cause the object to move relative to the surface until at least a portion of the object moves past a front surface of said barrier.

2. The interactive game of claim 1, wherein said object is substantially made of paper.

3. The interactive game of claim 1, wherein said surface includes a tabletop.

4. The interactive game of claim 1, wherein said barrier is formed by at least one of said plurality of players positioned adjacent to said surface.

5. The interactive game of claim 1, wherein said barrier is formed by a plurality of said players positioned adjacent to said surface.

6. The interactive game of claim 1, wherein said barrier includes a removable barrier.

7. The interactive game of claim 1, which includes at least one blower operable by at least one of the plurality of players to generate and direct the air at the object.

8. An interactive game for a plurality of players comprising: at least one game piece; a board having a plurality of edges; and a barrier positioned adjacent to at least one of said edges, said barrier formed by the plurality of players, wherein at least one of the players directs air at the game piece to cause the game piece to move relative to said board until at least a portion of said game piece moves past a front surface of the barrier.

9. The interactive game of claim 8, wherein said game piece is substantially made of paper.

10. The interactive game of claim 8, wherein said barrier is formed by at least one of said plurality of players positioned adjacent to said surface.

11. The interactive game of claim 8, wherein said barrier is formed by a plurality of said players positioned adjacent to said surface.

12. The interactive game of claim 8, wherein said barrier includes a removable barrier.

13. The interactive game of claim 8, which includes at least one blower operable by at least one of the plurality of players to generate and direct the air at the game piece.

14. The interactive game of claim 8, wherein the game piece defines at least one of: a shape, a figure, a head, a face, an image, a letter, a number and a character.