Patent Grant
7287755
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and of the related application listed above contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to game apparatuses and methods for stimulating and enhancing storytelling and idea generation (e.g. brainstorming, therapy, employee training and teaching).
2. Background Art
The following are illustrative of prior art apparatuses and methods arguably related to the present invention: U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,290, to Neil, entitled “Board Game”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,992, to Bellizzi, entitled “Entertainment Device and Method for Developing Acting, Thinking, Writing and Public Speaking Ability”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,105, to Gostyla, entitled “Counter Rotating Pointer and Disc Chance Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,222, to Deutch, entitled “Random Number Selector Device and Method”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,140, to Foy, entitled “Wheel of Black History Game Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,665, to Klamer, entitled “Rotator Game Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,748, to Wismer, entitled “Method and Means for Randomly Selecting a Plurality of Groups of Numbers”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,455, to Bergstrom et al., entitled “Puzzle Game”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,556, to Bertin, entitled “Varied Track Advancement Game Mechanism”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,071, to Coffman et al., entitled “Teaching Aid”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,531, to Penders, entitled “Word Forming Game Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,172, to Aukens, entitled “Word Game”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,370,229, to Buckley, entitled “Game Apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,215,696, to Graves, Jr., entitled “Game Apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,150,303, to Walker, entitled “Game”; U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,664, to Eyles, entitled “Spinning Game”; U.S. Pat. No. 1,581,923, to Frome, entitled “Educational Appliance”; U.S. Pat. No. 894,274, to Lockwood, entitled “Educational Toy”; U.S. Pat. No. 636,508, to Eickershoff, entitled “Game Board”; and U.S. Pat. No. 629,046, to Osman, entitled “Educational Appliance”.
The present invention is of a group interaction method comprising: randomly selecting a plurality of indicia; requiring a first set of one or more persons to generate one or more texts containing words corresponding to the plurality of indicia; and having a second set of one or more other persons record one or more words that one or more of the first set is likely to use in one or more of the texts. In the preferred embodiment, the method additionally comprises randomly selecting a scenario within which the one or more texts must fall, preferably from a plurality of scenario cards. The indicia (preferably words) are preferably presented by employing a concentric-ring apparatus with a plurality of rings bearing indicia or a set of cards bearing indicia. The “likely” words preferably may not contain any of a predetermined list of words.
The invention is also of a concentric-ring apparatus comprising: a hub; a plurality of concentric wheels mounted around and spinnable about the hub; indicia on the wheels; and a timer mounted atop the hub. In the preferred embodiment, each of the wheels comprises one or more finger notches, the indicia are on rings removably attached to the wheels, and a base is employed comprising a plurality of bearings over which the wheels travel, the bearings comprising O-rings of a pliable material (preferably silicone). The apparatus employs a device (such as a bolt and various grooves and protrusions) for preventing the apparatus from disassembling when the apparatus is tipped or inverted. The bearings with O-Rings substantially eliminate noise when the wheels are spun about the hub. The timer is preferably a sand timer.
The invention is additionally of a concentric-ring apparatus comprising: a hub; a plurality of concentric wheels mounted around and spinnable about the hub; a base; and a plurality of bearings mounted in the base and over which the wheels travel, the bearings comprising O-rings of a flexible material. In the preferred embodiment, each of the wheels comprises one or more finger notches and the flexible material comprises silicone. The apparatus employs a device (such as a bolt and various grooves and protrusions) for preventing the apparatus from disassembling when the apparatus is tipped or inverted. The bearings with O-Rings substantially eliminate noise when the wheels are spun about the hub. The apparatus preferably additionally comprises indicia on the wheels and a timer mounted atop the hub, most preferably a sand timer.
Objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:
The following reference numerals are used throughout the Figures:
The present invention is of a storytelling game method, a concentric-ring apparatus supporting the method, and a novel bearing system for concentric-ring apparatuses. The apparatus and bearings will be described with reference to
The concentric-ring apparatus of the invention is a random generator (called “G”) of words, ideas, persons, places, things, and times (days, months, years, centuries, etc.). It comprises wheels 1, 2, 3 that spin around a center hub/cap 9, rings 4, 5, 6 adorned with text and/or graphics that sit on top of the wheels, a base 12, and a timer 11.
The wheels preferably have small nubs 8. The rings have small “receiving” holes which line up with the nubs on the wheels. The rings are laid on the wheels such that the nubs go through the holes in the rings and hold the rings in place. The rings are preferably reversible.
There is a ring for each wheel. Each ring is adorned with text and/or graphics that represent words, ideas, persons, places, things, and times (days, months, years, centuries, etc.). There may be several sets of rings, and rings of the same size are interchangeable.
Rather than having separate rings, the text/graphics can be applied directly to the wheels. The text/graphics can also be achieved electronically using a computer “brain” within the base (not shown) that transmits this information to the surface of the wheels.
At the center of the “G” is a hub/cap 9. The hub covers the main “locking” mechanism (e.g., a bolt 20) for the object. This locking mechanism holds the major pieces of the “G” together. This locking mechanism can be achieved in numerous ways:
At the center of the hub/cap is a small “breakaway” cap 19 (e.g., bolt cover) to allow access to the “locking” mechanism beneath the hub. Also preferably at the center of the hub/cap is a timing device 11 (e.g., sand timer, mechanical timer, digital timer, sound timer generating one or more of various sounds, such as a heartbeat.)
Visual lineup of the text and graphics on the rings/wheels can be achieved in numerous ways:
The cursor used for visual lineup can be opaque, transparent, and/or translucent. A magnifying material can be used to magnify the text/graphics. A prism-like cursor can be used to reflect the text/graphics at different angles.
Mechanical lineup, if desired, of the text and graphics on the rings/wheels can be achieved in numerous ways:
The “G” can be various shapes and materials (ex. wood, metal, plastic, cardboard, paper, etc.). The timer can also be various shapes and materials.
The hub, base, wheels and rings can be opaque, transparent, and/or translucent. The hub, base, wheels and rings can have various textures, such as highly polished, slightly textured, and varying degrees of texture.
The base and/or feet of the “G” can also take many forms:
The ability of the wheels to spin can be achieved in numerous ways as well, such as:
The assembly of the preferred apparatus of the invention, shown in
Furthermore, the preferred bearings silicone O-Rings of the preferred bearings prevent and absorb noise when the wheels of the apparatus are turned by a user. It is also preferred to use silicone grease on the bearing axles to reduce problems caused by imperfect axles. This silicone grease also helps to reduce noise. The preferred silicone O Rings and silicone grease also act to improve the “action” of the spinning wheels. They spin much more smoothly than they would without these two elements. Without the grease, every nick, burr and deformation of the axles and the slots they sit in/ride in would cause skipping, jumping, wobbling, etc. However, the grease acts to fill in and smooth over these imperfections, such that the axles ride smoothly. In a similar manner, the preferred O-Rings provide a pliable material between the bearing body and the underside of the wheels, reducing the effects of imperfections in both of these surfaces, such that the wheels ride smoothly on the bearings.
The text/graphics on the rings can be arranged to produce numerous versions, e.g.:
In the preferred method of the invention, the following are provided to game players: One “G”, two sets of word rings, one 60-second timer, 200 Scenario cards, six scratch pads, six pencils and an instruction booklet.
The following text concerning the objective of the game is preferably provided to the players: “First and foremost, Spinergy™ is a game about imagination. The objective is simple, but not always easy: create something new—a movie plot, a pickup line, a poem, even a commercial for a used-car dealership. To jump start your creative engine, you get 3 random words and a Scenario card. The rest is up to you.”
The following setup is preferred: Give every player a pad and pencil. Place the timer in the center of the “G.” (One can also play without the timer.) Choose a scorekeeper. Choose a player to be the first “Spinner.”
The following steps are preferably given to and followed by the two or more players:
“1. When it's your turn to be the Spinner, spin the 3 wheels of the “G” in any direction. When they stop, read out loud 3 words that generally line up with the pointer (one from each wheel). The other players write down these 3 words.
“Note: If the pointer points between 2 words on a wheel, you can choose either word. If a word has occurred before, you may choose the word above or below it (on the same wheel).
“2. Draw a card from the Scenarios box and read the entire card out loud, including the point value.
“3. Start the timer. Immediately, the other players begin writing. Using the 3 words, each player must write a response that completes the scenario set up by the Scenario card (see Sample Responses).
“Note: Players must use the 3 words in the exact form as they appear on the wheels, but they can use them in any order.
“4. While the other players secretly write their responses, you secretly write down words you think they'll use in their responses. You can guess as many words as there are players, not including yourself. So, if there are a total of 5 players, you can guess 4 words.
“Hint: You're trying to guess words the other players are most likely to use, so their goal is to avoid words you're most likely to guess. Note: You can guess any words except the “Unguessable Words” listed in these instructions. Please review these now.
“5. Alert everyone when time is up.
“6. Beginning with the player on your left, each player reads (sings, etc.) his response. At the end of his response, you reveal whether he used a word on your list. Only exact words count. If he did not, he wins the points on the Scenario card. If he did, you steal the points. Reveal which word he used. Even if he used more than one word, reveal only one. Scratch the word off your list before the next player reads her response. The remaining players are free to use any scratched word. You get the points for each player who uses an unscratched word on your list.
“Note: If a player fails to use one of the 3 words or doesn't use the exact form of one of the 3 words, neither you nor the player wins any points.
“7. The scorekeeper scores points as they are won. After all players have read their responses and scores have been recorded, play passes to the left.
“8. The player with the highest score after 3 rounds wins!
“Note: One round is completed after each player has been the Spinner. You can vary the number of rounds based on the number of players and length of playing time desired.”
The preferred list of “Unguessable Words” for English is as follows (the players may add others):
1. Any word used on the Scenario card in play.
2. All contractions.
3. Plus the following words: a, about, all, also, am, an, and, any, are, as, at, be, been, but, by, came, can, could, did, do, does, done, for, from, get, got, had, has, have, he, her(s), him, his, how, I, if, in, into, is, it(s), let, like, made, may, me, mine, my, no, of, oh, okay, on, once, onto, or, our(s), really, said, she, should, so, some, still, such, than, that, the, their(s), them, then, there, these, they, thing(s), this, those, to, too, uh, until, us, very, was, we, well, went, were, what, when, where, which, while, who(m), whose, why, will, with, would, yes, you, and your(s).
The following examples show how the method of the invention may be employed to engage in storytelling activities, particularly in accordance with the above instructions:
3 words: decoy, karate, refrigerator
Scenario: It's All About Me—Read an enthralling adventure from your autobiography.
Response: “As my refrigerator advanced menacingly, I assumed a fighting karate stance. It was then that I realized the fridge was a decoy and it was the stove behind me I should worry about.”
3 words: pyramids, east, measure
Scenario: Riddle Me This—Create a riddle: a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed.
Response: “The pyramids hold treasure,
for those who can measure,
the distance from east to west.”
3 words: cafe, caribou, lawyer
Scenario: Limerick—Create a Limerick: a humorous or nonsensical verse of five lines with the rhyme scheme a-a-b-b-a.
Response: “There once was a lawyer who liked to sue.
He ate lunch at a cafe in Waterloo.
When he refused to eat goose,
and was served up a moose,
cried “I object! I ordered a caribou!”
3 words: cactus, vanish, captain
Scenario: Tongue-Tied—Create a tongue twister.
Response: “Can the clever captain keep concealed behind the cactus to capture the vain, velcro™ villain before she can vanish victoriously?”
3 words: pickled, sneeze, mosquito
Scenario: Poetic Resignation—You are the poet-in-residence for a publishing house that sells children's books. Compose a rhyming letter in which you resign from your job.
Response: “I do not like to write kids' books,
An alternative method, named “Reverse Spinergy!”, follows the same instructions except that the Spinner is the only player who creates a response. The other players each secretly guess a word the Spinner will use in her response. After the Spinner gives her response, each player reveals whether the Spinner used his guessed word. Each player who correctly guessed a word receives the point value of the Scenario card. For each player who did not correctly guess a word, the Spinner receives the point value of the Scenario card.
Another alternative method, named “Spontaneous Spinergy!”, follows the same instructions except that after the Spinner chooses 3 words, but before the Scenario card is read, the other players each guess a word the Spinner will use in her response. The Spinner then draws a Scenario card and reads it out loud. Immediately, the timer is started. The Spinner must create and give her response preferably within 60 (alternatively, 30) seconds. If the Spinner does not finish in the allotted time, using all 3 words, no points are scored and play passes to the left.
An additional alternative method, named “Brainstorm Spinergy!”, employs the “G” and collective imaginations to create a plot, characters and scenes. The players are then encouraged to employ a video camera to produce a video. Similarly, the players can write a song and make a music video.
Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/075,057 entitled “Storytelling and idea Generation Game” to Kristina Kershner, filed on Feb. 11, 2002, to be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,290 on Apr. 13, 2004, and the specification thereof is incorporation herein by reference. That application claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/267,655, entitled “Random Generator Object with Spinning Concentric Wheels”, filed on Feb. 9, 2001, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 259920 | Reiff | Jun 1882 | A |
| 629046 | Osman | Jul 1899 | A |
| 636508 | Eickershoff | Nov 1899 | A |
| 894274 | Lockwood | Jul 1908 | A |
| 1581923 | Frome | Apr 1926 | A |
| 1837194 | Baumgarten | Dec 1931 | A |
| 1892664 | Eyles | Jan 1933 | A |
| 2081255 | Troth | May 1937 | A |
| 2150303 | Walker | Mar 1939 | A |
| 2215696 | Graves, Jr. | Sep 1940 | A |
| 2370229 | Buckley | Feb 1945 | A |
| 3143347 | Ruderian | Aug 1964 | A |
| 3163426 | Ruderian | Dec 1964 | A |
| 3355172 | Aukens | Nov 1967 | A |
| 3565439 | Krouse et al. | Feb 1971 | A |
| 3640531 | Penders | Feb 1972 | A |
| 3762071 | Coffman et al. | Oct 1973 | A |
| 3810628 | Vigan | May 1974 | A |
| 3891209 | Kritzberg | Jun 1975 | A |
| 4163556 | Bertin | Aug 1979 | A |
| 4171816 | Hunt | Oct 1979 | A |
| 4452455 | Bergstrom et al. | Jun 1984 | A |
| 4601407 | Gillard | Jul 1986 | A |
| 4601470 | Kadota et al. | Jul 1986 | A |
| 4666160 | Hamilton | May 1987 | A |
| 4671516 | Lizzola et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4674748 | Wismer | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4934711 | Runstein | Jun 1990 | A |
| 4941665 | Klamer | Jul 1990 | A |
| 5100140 | Foy | Mar 1992 | A |
| 5232222 | Deutch | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5340105 | Gostyla | Aug 1994 | A |
| 5553851 | Malavazos et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5657992 | Bellizzi | Aug 1997 | A |
| 6059290 | Neil | May 2000 | A |
| 6719290 | Kershner | Apr 2004 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60267655 | Feb 2001 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10075057 | Feb 2002 | US |
| Child | 10821315 | US |
