Patent Application
20230381618
The present invention relates to recreational game equipment and a method of playing a game associated with said game equipment, and more particularly a game that involves physical activity for a plurality of players
Games provide entertainment fun at parties or any social gathering. Conventional games do not allow for physical interaction for all ages. Existing games either require a player to have a prerequisite level of physical strength or size, or they are too simple to play and/or boring that does not encourage participation during turns.
As can be seen, there is a need for a floor game that permits participation for all age groups that is also entertaining to play.
In one aspect of the present invention, a game apparatus wherein a plurality of players move according to predetermined rules of movement is disclosed, with the game apparatus comprising: a game floor mat comprising a start line, a finish line, and a plurality of differently colored lanes arranged in parallel and interposed between the start line and the finish line, with each lane comprising a plurality of step spaces; and a spinner device comprising: a plurality of differently colored wedges that correspond to the plurality of differently colored lanes, with each wedge comprising a step instruction defined thereon; and a spinner pointer configured to be spun which results in the spinner pointer landing on one of the wedges.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game wherein a plurality of players move according to predetermined rules of movement is disclosed, with the method comprising the steps of: providing a game floor mat comprising a start line, a finish line, and a plurality of differently colored lanes arranged in in parallel and interposed between the start line and the finish line, with each lane comprising a plurality of step spaces; providing a spinner device comprising: a plurality of differently colored wedges that correspond to the plurality of differently colored lanes, with each wedge comprising a step instruction defined thereon; and a spinner pointer; and spinning the spinner pointer, which results in the spinner pointer landing on one of the wedges.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the present invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a spinner game that includes a game mat and a spinner. The game mat generally includes: (1) a plurality of colored columns/lanes, each colored column/lane comprising a different color and a plurality of indicia configured to be stepped on by a player; (2) a start line at a first end of the game mat; and (3) a finish line at a second end of the game mat. The game spinner generally includes: (1) a plurality of wedges corresponding to respective different colors of the columns/lanes on the game mat; and (2) a spin pointer configured to be spun and land on a respective wedge of the plurality of wedges.
According to certain aspects of the present invention, participants compete to win a prize provided by the host. In order to do so, participants must according to a provided turn along a specified path according to predetermined rules of movement to reach the prize. More specifically, each participant moves along a colored path on a game mat. The participants may dance and move to music while waiting for their turn to move. In order to practice the present invention, a game spinner and game mat are necessary for play. Game music may be optionally provided, but it adds more excitement to the presently described spinner game.
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In order to play the game, players/participants select and stand behind a color-coded lane 14, 16, 18, 20. Then, a host or other individual spins the game spinner 28 to direct the players to move accordingly. Players move when the game spin pointer 30 lands on one of their colored wedges, and they move a corresponding number of steps as indicated on the wedge. Music may be played through a boom box or blue tooth speaker provided by host to provide a more fun atmosphere.
More specifically, a method of using the present invention may include the following. First, a host (or guest at a gathering) finds a clear floor space, for example, at least eight feet by twelve feet. The host (or guest at the gathering) then rolls out game mat and gets a plurality of players (for example, four) to line up behind a respective colored path/lane at the start line. The host (or guest at the gathering) then spins the game spinner. Once the game spinner pointer lands on a particular wedge including a color and number of steps, the host calls out the landed upon player color and number of steps. Once that has occurred, the player whose lane has been called out moves the required steps along the step spaces provided on the game mat towards the finish line. This process is repeated until a player reaches the finish line (e.g., which occurs when the player steps on the tenth step on the game mat, which overlaps with the finish line). The play who makes it to the finish line wins the game/the prize (which, as mentioned, may be disposed in the prize circle). Players may dance and move to the music while waiting to see if the spinning pointer lands on their color.
In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, instead of a game spinner, an individual may also use color-coded numbers or balls to move the players participating in the game. The game mat may also use blocks (or other appropriate shapes) to move along instead of footprints. In other embodiments, a systemic software application with a display device may alternatively be used to randomly select which player moves, with a colored light that flashes on a screen along with a number of steps underneath the color. When the player's light flashes, he or she moves the number of steps under the colored light.
A method of making the present invention may include the following. The game mat may be formed from plastic or a cloth material. It may be sewn or fused. However the mat is formed, it should be light and flexible with different colors for step movements along the paths, and further provided with a start line and a finish line. The gamer spinner may be formed from molded plastic or any other appropriate material.
While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.
While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.
