Patent Application
20130043652
The present disclosure relates to a game, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for playing a racing game.
Board games are enjoyed by both children and adults of all ages. Racing games are particularly well-liked. Many versions of racing games exist. As nonlimiting examples, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,834,856, 5,092,605 and 5,749,582 each disclose known racing games including racing lanes and toy cars that advance in the lanes. The entire disclosures of each of the above-mentioned patents are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The known racing games are not versatile. For example, most exist in only one form, making it difficult for players to participate in the game under variable circumstances and in various locations. Additionally, most racing games are geared toward either children or adults, and cannot be altered to appeal to both children and adults in their various forms, using alternative rules and game add-ons.
There is a need for a versatile racing game appropriate for adults and children of all ages. Desirably, the racing game may be played in multiple locations and with various materials.
In concordance with the instant disclosure, a versatile racing game appropriate for adults and children of all ages, and which can be played in multiple locations and with various materials, is surprisingly discovered.
In one embodiment, a racing game includes a game surface having a race track with designated spaces and a pit area, and at least one game piece representing at least one player and capable of advancing one or more spaces around the race track. The racing game further includes at least two random number generators.
In another embodiment, the game surface is one of a floor mat, a table cloth, a place mat, a magnetic white board, a yard, and a board.
In a further embodiment, a method for playing a racing game includes a first step of providing a game surface having a race track with designated spaces and a pit area. At least one game piece representing at least one player and capable of advancing one or more spaces around the race track is also provided. At least two random number generators for generating at least two random numbers are also provided. Second, a lane is chosen for the at least one player using one of the random number generators. Third, the at least two random numbers are generated, wherein a first player uses the at least two random number generators to generate the at least two random numbers. Lastly, the at least one game piece representing the at least one player that corresponds to the at least two random numbers generated is advanced around the race track a number of space corresponding to the two random numbers generated, in the lane chosen for the at least one player.
All Rules & Wagers Need To Be Agreed Upon Before The Flag Drops!
After The Flag Drops It's On!
The above, as well as other advantages of the present disclosure, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in the light of the drawings described hereafter.
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should also be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features, In respect of the methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, is not necessary or critical.
As shown in
The race track 4 can include any number of lanes 10, The lanes 10 can be numbered or represented in any way that clearly designates each lane 10 differently. The number of players or teams should not exceed the number of lanes 10 on the race track 4. The race track 4 surrounds a pit area 12, where unused game pieces 6 may be placed. The racing game 2 can include additional slogans, symbols, logos, advertisements and sponsors, pit boxes, and seating areas (not shown), as desired.
The game pieces 6, in one exemplary embodiment, are toy cars. However, any item capable of advancing around the race track 4 may be used. For example, the game pieces 6 can be the actual players, magnets, wagering chips, crayon marks, or any other suitable item. There can be any number of game pieces 6 greater than one. However, the number of game pieces 6 must be equal to or greater than the number of players or teams participating.
The at least two random number generators 8 are typically dice, but can be any item capable of generating two random numbers or symbols that correspond to the lanes 10 on the race track 4 per each participant's turn. The random number generators 8 can be electronic number generators. The random number generators 8 must be capable of producing the different numbers or symbols representing each lane 10 in use while the racing game 2 is played. Each player can share the same number generators 8 or each player can have their own. The random number generators 8 can be one random number generator capable of producing to random numbers.
Additional accessories may include additional toy cars, gambling chips for making wagers, a device for keeping score, grand stands, additional pit accessories, and other items that replicate those items found at a conventional race track.
The present disclosure includes a method for playing the racing game 2. An exemplary method 100 for playing the racing game 2 is depicted in
In a particular embodiment, a first player, for example, chosen at random, rolls a single die to determine lane choice. The number generated by the die corresponds with the lane assigned to the first player rolling the die. For example, if the die displays the number “2”, the first player with be assigned to a Lane 2, The die is then passed from the first player to each of the other players, and each of the other players rolls the die to determine his or her assigned lane. If a player rolls the die and the die generates a number corresponding to a lane that has already been assigned, that player must pass the die to a next player who has not already been assigned a lane, and then wait to roll the die again, in turn. This passing of the die continues until all players are assigned a lane. If, for example, there are six players participating, there will be a Player 1 in Lane 1, Player 2 in Lane 2, Player 3 in Lane 3, Player 4 in Lane 4, Player 5 in Lane 5, and Player 6 in Lane 6.
Once all the players have their lane assignments, the game requires at least two random number generators 8 for the remainder of the game. For example, where the random number generators are dice, Player 1 rolls the dice first. The numbers generated by the dice indicate which players can advance their game piece forward one space. For example, if Player 1 rolls a “4” and a “6”, then the players in Lanes 4 and 6, Player 4 and Player 6, i.e., advance their game piece one space. Player 1 then passes the die in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction until each player has rolled the dice. This continues until a first game piece passes the finish line or until each game piece passes the finish line. The first player to cross the finish line wins. If a player rolls doubles (the dice display the same number), the player in the lane corresponding to the number displayed on both dice advances their game piece any number of spaces greater than two. For example, if Player 1 rolls the dice and both dice display the number “5”, Player 5 advances 3 places. The number of spaces that a player can advance if doubles are rolled should be determined prior to the start of the game.
To increase the speed of the game, each player can have their own set of dice. The players can all roll at once or can quickly roll one after the other. Any number of dice can be used for each player's turn. For example, if three dice are used, and the dice generate the numbers 1, 2, and 3, then Players 1, 2, and 3 each advance their game piece one space on the race track.
Prior to the start of the game, the players may determine how many laps around the race track are required prior to crossing the finish line. One or more laps can be required. For longer races, additional laps around the race track will be required.
Lanes can be assigned to individual players or to a team of players. Leagues can be formed such that numerous games can be played over a definite or indefinite time span, and the number of wins can be kept track of over that time span to determine a league winner.
Players can also decide prior to the start of the game whether wagers can be made on the game pieces in play. For example, players can use gambling chips to make wagers of money or other items of material value on a particular car crossing the finish line first. Wagers can also be made based on other uncertain outcomes as well, such as which car will cross the finish line last. Multiple wagers can be made on multiple cars. In a gambling environment, ghost cars (cars not assigned to a particular player) can advance around the track to fill in lanes where players are not assigned. The wagers and the rules relating to the wagers should be clearly identified prior to the start of the game.
Advantageously, the various forms in which the racing game 2 can be produced allow for the racing game 2 to be played virtually anywhere, and under variable circumstances. Additionally, the numerous ways in which the racing game 2 can be played allow for children and adults of all ages to enjoy the racing game 2 and tailor it to a specific age group at any given time. The racing game 2 also allows for any number of players to participate by including individual players, teams, and leagues. Furthermore, each game can be tailored to last a desired length of time.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/525,434, filed on Aug. 19, 2011. The entire disclosure of the above application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61525434 | Aug 2011 | US |
