Patent Application
20050130726
The present invention relates generally to puzzles and games. More specifically, the present invention relates to a puzzle game that includes arranging an assembly of a plurality of game pieces to create one of multiple pictures or designs, and to display the assembly for visual entertainment or for use as a game board.
Puzzles and games have been available for a considerable number of years. Consequently, an assortment of puzzles and games has been developed. Puzzles are commercially available in a variety of types, including picture puzzles, and logic puzzles, and in both 2- and 3-D form-factors. Commercially available games include activity games incorporating coordination and skill of the participant, such as board games, card games, games of chance, and a plurality of other sorts of games. Some games incorporate one or more elements, such as chance and logic.
Known picture puzzles generally comprise a single image that is formed as a result of assembling constituent pieces of the puzzle in a single predetermined manner. One ubiquitous picture puzzle is manufactured from a planar sheet of cardboard backing on which an image is adhered. The image and backing are divided into a plurality of separable interlocking pieces. Generally, the pieces each are irregularly shaped, and are configured to have a planar size, in both width and height directions, which is substantially greater than a size in a thickness direction that is orthogonal to the width and height of the piece. Typically, the portion of the original image carried on the piece, and the shape of the piece, provide clues to a user to indicate an assembly position for the piece to recreate the original image.
Such planar picture puzzles are generally assembled on a horizontal flat surface, such as a top of a table. The principle contemplated use of the puzzle is simply to solve it by reassembling the disassembled constituent pieces. However, a user often only uses such picture puzzles once or twice. After conquering one picture puzzle, a user typically then moves on to other puzzles, which can present different challenges. In general, the conquered puzzle is simply disassembled and placed back into its container.
Displaying the image formed by an assembled picture puzzle is often problematic, as many puzzles are not capable of mounting for display of the formed image in a substantially vertical plane without first destroying the puzzle's ability to be disassembled. The picture puzzles discussed above offer no convenient arrangement to permit moving the assembled puzzle to make a substantially vertically oriented visual display of the image. The physical nature (size and shape) of the puzzle's component pieces typically causes the assembly to break apart upon an attempt to lift the assembly from the table's top or other support. Furthermore, such puzzles generally lack structure operable to suspend, or hold, an assembled image in a vertical orientation.
Therefore, some sort of constraint must first be applied to the pieces of an assembled ubiquitous cardboard picture puzzle to permit forming a vertically disposed display of the puzzle's image. For example, it is possible to apply a transparent media to the assembled puzzle to affix the pieces in an assembled position. The media can be a liquid plastic that cures, or hardens subsequent to exposure to the atmosphere, to form a semi-flexible sheet that retains the individual pieces in a fixed position. Such a composite arrangement may then more conveniently be mounted on a wall as a visual display object.
Other puzzles are known that display a second image on a lower surface, or are capable of assembly in a few different ways to form one of a few designs. One type of picture puzzle includes a second image on the opposite side from the first image, thereby increasing difficulty of assembly of each puzzle image. Such dual-image puzzles also fail to provide a convenient arrangement to permit display of the assembled images in a vertical or hanging orientation.
A type of 3-D puzzle is provided by multi-piece sets of interlocking building elements that are commercially available under the Lego™ brand. The constituent brick-like building elements can be assembled to form a variety of 3-D shapes in the form of cars, trucks, castles, buildings, and the like. However, structures formed by assembling Lego™ elements generally lack suspension structure, and do not lend themselves to display in a vertical orientation, such as by hanging them from a wall.
Certain known logic puzzles are formed by a collection of different square tile-like pieces configured in an interlocking planar arrangement to slide in a grid pattern with respect to one another in trapped engagement in a frame. The individual pieces of such logic puzzles are structured to resist their removal from the frame at any time. The pieces are arranged in orthogonal rows and columns, with pieces filling all available positions except one. As a tile is moved to the unoccupied position, a new unoccupied position is created in its wake. One such puzzle includes a numeral carried on a visible surface of each tile (e.g. 1-15). The goal of that puzzle is to place the numerals into consecutive order, subsequent to scrambling that order. Therefore, an identical image is formed each time, at completion of game play.
One 3-D logic puzzle is commercially available and is generally known as Rubik's cube. Such a logic puzzle is arranged as a cube having each of the six sides of the cube divided into nine square colored elements disposed in a regular grid arrangement. The cube is structured to permit rotating rows and columns to move colored elements into different display positions. The goal of the game is to arrange the elements so that all nine elements on each face of the cube have the same color. Similar games are available in different 3-D forms, such as pyramids. However, each of such puzzle games forms the same image on completion of each game play. The constituent elements are not separately removable to permit forming alternative images. Furthermore, such 3-D puzzle games lack holding structure operable to suspend the puzzle from a wall to form a vertically disposed visual display of the puzzle's image.
The display surface of boards used in board games incorporates a static image, and that image provides spaces that may be occupied by game pieces in accordance with rules of play of the corresponding game. Separate and distinct game boards are available for various games such as Monopoly™, chess/checkers, backgammon, etc, and each such game board has a corresponding unique image. Typically, the image is affixed to a substrate or is formed in the substrate as a unitary composition. Some substrates can be folded to reduce space required to store a game. However, no games are known in which separable construction elements may be reordered to form an alternative image to change the arrangement of spaces on which game pieces may be placed in accordance with rules of the game.
Accordingly, a puzzle game that allowed multiple designs and pictures to be created, by reusing constituent pieces, and for the resulting designs and pictures to be oriented as desired to form a visual display or to be utilized for a gaming surface, would be an improvement in the art.
The present invention is directed to a puzzle game that may be used to form different pictures, or designs, using the same pieces. Embodiments constructed according to principles of the invention include a tray defining an area in which to receive a plurality of removable game construction pieces in side-by-side planar assembly. One currently preferred tray is constructed to receive construction pieces in a rectangular array including 25 rows and 25 colurnns. A second preferred tray holds a game board formed by between about 50 and 150 of the construction pieces. Certain preferred trays include a plurality of storage bins configured to accommodate game pieces. Trays may also be structured to accentuate the position of certain special spaces, such as formed by start and stop pieces.
In general, game construction pieces include parallelepiped structures defined by six substantially planar surfaces. Desirably, at least two of the parallelepiped's surfaces are structured to be visually distinguishable from each other. A colored block with different colors on the different planar surfaces of the block is operable as a construction piece. Such colored blocks may be inserted into the tray to form a mosaic design. Each of the six faces of a block, such as a cube, may carry a different one of six colors. Alternatively, a plurality of differently colored faces may be distributed among a plurality of blocks to provide a color assortment including a total of at least 6 colors. A different operable arrangement includes a plurality of differently colored faces distributed among a plurality of blocks to provide a color assortment including a total of at least 36 colors. Sometimes, construction pieces include a designated start piece and a designated stop piece. Typically, such a designated piece carries visible indicia effective to differentiate over all other construction pieces.
Desirably, a mechanism for retaining the game construction pieces in the tray is also included. For example, a picture may be formed by arranging colored blocks in a predetermined pattern with the tray in a horizontal position. The tray may then be placed in a vertical position, as by hanging on a wall, to display the picture formed by the blocks. An operable mechanism is effective to resist departure of the game construction pieces from an ordered position in the design as the tray is reoriented from a substantially horizontal configuration to a substantially vertical configuration. One useful mechanism for retaining the game construction pieces in the tray includes a transparent lid securing over the tray. An alternative mechanism for retaining the game construction pieces in the tray includes a close fit between adjacent construction pieces and between perimeter construction pieces and bounding structure associated with the tray. Embodiments may include, or be used with, holding structure adapted to maintain the tray in an orientation operable to place the design in a substantially vertical display orientation.
Any number of different pictures may be formed by reordering, or rotating, individual of the construction pieces in the tray. A number of potential pictures may be provided to a user as written instructions. Such instructions may be provided in the form of a book, detailing different puzzles. Software may be provided as an addition to or with the puzzle game allowing users to create instructions in order to turn pictures of their choice into a picture formed by the blocks of the puzzle. Such software is operable in a computer system to form an instructional color map based upon an input picture, the map providing sufficient instructions for a user to orient construction pieces in the tray effective to produce a digitized replication of the input picture as a mosaic display.
In another illustrative embodiment, a design formed by the colored blocks may be used as a game board for use in play of a game. The colored top of each block may form a space for the movement across the game board. Game pieces may be moved across the surface of the board in accordance with a set of rules that determine moves based on color of the space and a separate action, such as the roll of a die. The rules and game play may include the construction of the game board. As each game board can be different, based on the individual puzzle constructed, game play and strategy will need to be adjusted by the players for each game.
A game board structured according to the instant invention may be used in combination with game playing pieces including dice and markers, and/or taws. Operable dice include a first die with six differently colored faces, and a second die with six faces that are each structured to indicate a different number. Markers may be color-coded in agreement with colors carried by construction pieces. Operable taws include a plurality of taws forming 2 different and distinguishable groups, individual taws of each group being structured to resemble one-another.
One method of using the invention includes arranging a plurality of removable game board construction pieces in a tray configured to receive the construction pieces, such that the resulting collection of visible surfaces of the construction pieces cooperatively forms a game board with spaces on which a game may be played by moving a game piece from space-to-space. Once the game board is assembled, play continues by moving one or more game play pieces along the constructed game board from space-to-space according to rules of play of a game. The method may also include providing a first die having six differently colored faces; and selecting the color of a destination space, for a player's game piece during that player's turn, by rolling the first die. Additionally, game play may include providing a second die having six faces individually arranged to indicate a different number; and selecting the number of spaces between a start position and a destination space for a player's game piece during that player's turn by rolling the second die. In certain cases, subsequent to a first period of game activity, play may include rearranging an orientation of certain game construction pieces to form a game board having a different design effective to change the arrangement of spaces on the game board from the arrangement provided during the first period of game activity.
In the drawings, which depict the best modes presently known for carrying out the invention:
is a top view in perspective of a second embodiment of a puzzle board game structured in accordance with principles of the present invention;
The present invention provides a puzzle game that may be used to create different pictures by reusing the same constituent construction pieces. The assembled puzzle game may then be used as a visual display, which can be positioned in space in a substantially vertical display orientation. The invention can also be used to create differently colored patterns for use as a game board. Embodiments structured according to principles of the invention may be dismantled and reassembled as many times as desired, thereby permitting creation of a plurality of different images. Different aspects and inclusions may be provided to facilitate the creation of different pictures, or to enhance the play of a game on a resulting game board.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described, while illustrating certain specific and exemplary embodiments, are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that various combinations or modifications of the disclosed embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Turning to
Desirably, the tray 100 and cover 104 are cooperatively structured to permit a user to move a completed puzzle game 90 from a typical substantially horizontal game-play, or assembly, orientation to a substantially vertical display orientation. In currently preferred embodiments, the cover 104 operates to maintain the individual game construction pieces 102 in reception in tray 100, or otherwise resists departure of game construction pieces 102 from an ordered position in the assembled design or picture. One workable cover 104 can be formed from a clear plastic material including boundary walls arranged to form a socket structured to fit in close siding assembly with respect to edges of tray 100. It is within contemplation for a cover 104 to be hinged from tray 100, or to be structured to form an interference fit with cooperating structure of tray 100. Various catches and latching mechanisms may be included to hold a cover 104 in assembled position with respect to tray 100 in workable alternative embodiments.
An operable set of game pieces, including six game construction pieces 102a-f, is indicated generally at 110 in
In the embodiment depicted in
A number of different colors selected from the visible spectrum may be provided for display in a game 90, generally with one color assigned to each respective side surface of the game pieces 102. Since each cube-shaped block 102 has six planar sides, each such block 102 may be used to provide six different potential colors to a user for inclusion in the picture or design image. In one preferred embodiment of a puzzle game 90, thirty-six different colors are provided, and are illustrated in the color chart schematically depicted in
Of course, it will be appreciated that fewer or additional colors can be provided for use in a game 90, as desired. The number of colors included in a game 90 will have a direct effect on the number of pictures that may be assembled from the game's constituent construction pieces 102. Similarly, the number and size of construction pieces 102 that may be placed in a tray 100 has a direct effect on the level of resolution to which a picture can be reproduced in the assembly. More than 36 colors can be provided, e.g. by including additional sets 108 that are assigned different colors, increasing the number of elements 102 included in a set 108, or including other groups of alternatively decorated blocks 102, with different colors on the sides thereof. Similarly, the puzzle game 90 may be provided with either the exact number of constituent game pieces 102 that a corresponding tray 100 is configured to hold, e.g. to facilitate game clean-up and storage, or may be provided with excess game construction pieces 102 to allow for the creation of a greater number of pictures.
In practice, each individual color of the color chart of
An instruction manual may be provided with the puzzle game 90 of
Upon creation of a desired picture, cover 104, which may be a clear plastic lid, may be placed, or secured, over tray 100 to retain blocks 102 in the desired conformation. Puzzle game 90 may then be supported, or held, by a display structure, such as a hook, hole, or other structure that can be associated with the rear surface of tray 100, or even placed upon a constructed holding shelf or other support, to display the created picture in a substantially vertical orientation.
It will be appreciated that alternative ways for retaining blocks 102 in tray 100 may be used and are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the fit between the inserted blocks 102 and the sides of the tray 100 may be close enough that a sufficient friction is formed there between to retain the blocks 102 in the tray 100. Alternatively, a resilient structure, such as a ribbon spring or a soft layer of foam can be mounted around the inside wall of tray 100. Upon insertion of blocks 102, the resilient structure would press inwards upon the blocks 102, retaining them in the tray 100. Alternatively, the inner surface of the tray 100 may be configured to interact with a structure on the blocks 102, retaining each block therein.
In another aspect of the invention, computer software can be provided that is configured to create instructions for the reproduction of pictures using the puzzle game 90. With reference now to
Turning now to
As illustrated in
With reference to
In certain embodiments, walls 210 are arranged to form a pocket 214 in which to receive one or more start block 206. In such embodiments, a second pocket 216 is generally also provided to receive one or more stop block 208. Furthermore, wall 210 desirably is arranged to form one or more storage bins 218 in which to hold game play pieces, or other materials related to a game. In preferred embodiments, such storage bins 218, or pockets 214, 216 may operate to accentuate the position of the start and stop pieces 206, 208. It is desirable to include one or more finger holes 220 in the bottom of a pocket 216, 218, to facilitate removal of the construction pieces 202, 206, 208.
In general, a cover 222 is included as a structure operable to maintain a position of construction pieces 202 in proscribed order in a game board image. Contrary to the exaggerated illustration of
Covers 104, 222 and trays 100, 200 may be manufactured from materials nonexclusively including: plastic, wood, metal, and paper products, such as various types of cardboard. Construction elements 102, 202 may be manufactured from any workable material, or composition of materials, including plastic, wood, metal, and paper products. The individual components of a puzzle game may be decorated as desired, such as by painting, dying, embossing, or coating with colored materials.
One exemplary embodiment of game 190 includes a pair if throwing dice, generally indicated at 228 and 230 in
In one currently preferred version of game 190, there will be 6 colored playing pieces 232a-f, with each marker 232i denoting a different color that corresponds to a color carried on each surface of the construction blocks 202. For example, the displayed colors may include 232a=red, 232b=yellow, 232c=green, 232d=blue, 232e=purple, and 232f-black. Also included in the exemplary game 190 are a number of disc-like taws 234 and 236, respectively. Illustrated taws are disk-like, similar to pieces found in a conventional checkers game. Desirably, taws 234 are one color, such as red, and taws 236 are a different color, such as black. Alternative colors may be applied to taws, such as brown and ivory. In the exemplary preferred embodiment, 14 taws are included; 7 each, of two distinguishable colors. Markers and taws may be manufactured in any desired 3-D shape, from any operable material.
In one version of play, players arrange the game board by placing construction elements 202 in tray 200 in any desired configuration. Next, each player chooses one of the colored playing pieces 232 to be their color. Then, all players roll the numbered die 230 to determine who goes first. One rule dictates that the player with the highest roll goes first, although an alternative selection may be made. All players begin the game with their pieces off the board.
Play begins, and players take turns in rotation. Each turn will include the following: a dice roll, a beginning square, a counting, and a landing square. The first player rolls both dice 228 and 230 and then, if possible, moves their marker 232 the number of squares indicated by the numbered die 230, to land on a square (or space defined by a block 202) that is the color indicated by the colored die 228. In some versions of the rules of play, the players must count the start block 206 as “number one” of their first move onto the board, while in subsequent moves the players do not count the square on which their marker 232i rests (the beginning square) when they move. If a player can move, then the player must move, following which it becomes the next player's turn. If a player cannot move as the dice indicate, it becomes the next player's turn.
In accordance with one set of currently preferred rules, players can move their markers 232i forward, backward and side-to-side. Diagonal moves are not allowed in such currently preferred version of play. It also is preferably not allowed for a player to count any square twice during any turn, including the beginning square. It may also not be allowed to count a square that is occupied by another player. However, in some versions, a player may land on a square occupied by another player's marker 232i and, upon doing so; send that player's piece 232i off the board and back to start (capture the opponent's piece). Certain rules of game play provide that, should a first player miss a possible move, and another player determine that a move could have been made, the first player's piece 210 is sent off the board and back to start. The first player to land on the stop block 208 is the game winner.
In a second version of play intended for two players, each player has number (such as seven) game playing pieces, or taws 234 or 236, to play with. As before, the players arrange the game board by placing blocks 202 in tray 200 in any desired configuration, or according to a configuration proscribed by rules of the game. Next, each player chooses a set of game playing pieces, such as one set of either Red 234 or Black 236. One player will have the start block 206 as their “home” and the other player will have the stop block 208 as their “home.” Players line their pieces (e.g. 234 or 236), across the row of blocks 202 just above their “home” block. Then, the players select who will have the first turn, such as by each player rolling the numbered die 230 to determine that the player with the highest roll has the first turn.
The first player rolls both dice 228 and 230 and then, if possible, moves any one of their game plying pieces 234 (or 236) the number of squares indicated by the numbered die 230, and then lands on a square that is the color indicated by the colored die 228. According to one set of rules, players may not count the square on which their flat piece 234 (or 236) was resting (the beginning square) when moving that flat piece 234 (or 236). If a player can move, then a move must be made, following which it becomes the next player's turn. If a player cannot move, the dice are passed to the next player and it becomes the other player's turn. The basic rules call for one roll, per-player, per-turn.
Players can move their flat pieces 234 (or 236) forward, backward, and side-to-side. Diagonal moves are not allowed. It may also not be allowed to count any square twice during any turn, including the beginning square. It may also not be allowed to count a square occupied by any of the player's own flat pieces 234 (or 236) or any of the opposing player's flat pieces 236 (or 234). If a player lands his game piece on a square occupied by any one of the opposing player's pieces, that opponent's piece is captured and removed from the board. Captured flat pieces 234 (or 236) remain out of play for the rest of the game.
Should a player determine the opposing player that could have moved any one of their flat pieces 234 (or 236) and did not, thus “missing” a move, they can capture the opponent's flat piece 234 (or 236) that could have moved. The first player to land on the opposing player's “home” square or the first player to capture all of the opposing player's flat pieces 234 (or 236) is deemed the winner.
Games may be played using the invention with any combination of above-mentioned rules, and any of the following options. One operable rule is that players may invent their own rules. A “land mine” color may be designated—land on that designated color and your game piece is sent back to start. A “wild card” number or color may be selected, e.g. roll a preselected number or color with the dies 230 or 228 and your turn continues with another roll. Landing on a space that is the same color as your marker can enable an additional roll to extend a player's turn. Multiple players may play in an elimination tournament format, where play continues until all but one player lands on the stop block. The remaining player may be eliminated from the subsequent round of play. A longer game may include an “up-and-back” path, wherein a player must traverse his game piece from the start block to the stop block, and then return to the start block. The game board may be constructed with fewer than the total number ofpossible construction pieces 202, e.g., to create a “racetrack” having an open portion at the center of the board. Play may then progress in a clockwise, or counterclockwise, direction around such “track.” One or more laps may be required to complete a game. One or more blocks 202 can be removed from the board to leave a “hole.” If the only move a player can make puts their game piece “in the hole,” they must jump “in the hole” and lose their next turn. Play called “Red light, Green light” can entail losing a turn for a red roll, and gaining an additional turn (or roll) for each green roll of the die. A “red zone” can be created in the game board design, and all players may try to move their playing pieces into that “red zone.” Optionally, a player may not be required to move a piece out of the “red zone” even if no other move is possible. However, a player may optionally move out of the “red zone” to capture an opponent's piece. The player with the most pieces in play and all pieces in the “red zone” is declared the winner.
The outcome of the game may then be used to design the arrangement of blocks 202 in tray 200 to form the game board for a subsequent game. For example, the winner of a game may design the board (e.g. by arbitrarily rearranging the position of displayed colors), for subsequent play. Alternatively, the losing players, or the position of the remaining play pieces 234 and 236 may be used to determine a proscribed arrangement of blocks 202 for a subsequent game.
It will be apparent that details of the apparatus, processes, and methods herein described can be varied considerably without departing from the concept and scope of the invention.
Claim of Priority: Pursuant to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), this application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/259,655, filed Dec. 15, 2003, for “MULTIPLE DESIGN CREATION PUZZLE GAME AND DISPLAY,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60529655 | Dec 2003 | US |
