STRUCTURE BUILDING GAME

Abstract

A structure building game includes a stanchion and a number of curved pieces. Each of the pieces has a curved body in the shape of a half circle, and has a slot. During the game, a first one of the pieces is placed on the stanchion by engagement of the slot, then additional curved pieces are added, one at a time, at any location on any previously added one of the curved pieces. The object is to take turns amongst players coupling the pieces together, wherever and however each player desires. If an added piece causes the structure to fail, whereby one or more pieces comes in contact with the base or with the playing surface, then the game is over. To improve gripping, the pieces can include a coating such as rubber, and/or can have surfaces that are roughened, grooved, and/or ribbed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games, and more specifically building games using a plurality of individual elements to form a structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Building toys are known in the prior art. Such toys include a plurality of elements, such as building blocks which can either be identical or varied. Many well known children's toys involve connecting elements together to form structures.

However, it is a problem to provide entertainment for two or more children using building elements, and competitive games involving building are less common. It is a problem to provide a construction or building game with relatively simple rules that can be understood by children, and having intuitive play which allows for creativity.

It is a further problem to provide a construction game or building game having a plurality of identical building pieces together with a stand or stanchion for supporting the resulting structure. Further, it is a problem in the art to provide a construction or building game that is inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and easy to store and ship.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the device according to the present invention provides a set of building elements and a stand or stanchion, having relatively simple rules, allows for creativity, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and is easy to store and ship.

The device of the present invention provides a stanchion and a plurality of identical building elements which are curved pieces. Each of the building elements (pieces) has a curved body of generally uniform thickness in the shape of a half circle. The curved body has a relatively uniform width and thickness, is relatively thin, and has a first side edge, a second side edge, a concave surface, a convex surface, and two free ends. A slot extends into one side edge of the curved body, the slot having a width greater than the thickness of the curved body. The slot is not centered, rather it is located nearer one of the two free ends. The slot extends into the curved body at a substantially right angle to said first side edge. The slot is a receiving means for binding and gripping the stanchion as well as the other pieces.

During the game, a first one of the curved pieces is placed on the stanchion by engagement of the slot. Additional curved pieces are added, one at a time, at any location on any previously added one of the curved pieces. The pieces bind by engagement of the slot of one curved piece with the body of another curved piece with which it is to be connected. By sliding the slot of each piece onto the stanchion or each other, the off set weight of the piece causes the slot to bind and grip the piece or stanchion that it is coupled to. In this fashion the pieces can be interconnected in many and varied ways. As the always unique structure is built, a constant awareness must be kept to the weight shift of each piece, or the structure will fail.

The object of the game, named herein as “Curly Cues”, is to take turns amongst players coupling the pieces together, wherever and however each player desires. If a player adds a piece that ultimately causes the structure to fail, whereby one or more of the pieces comes in contact with the base supporting the stanchion or with the playing surface, then the game is over.

For example, the torque on connected pieces from the supported weight can vary depending on the structures being supported. This can be due to changes in the overall center of gravity of the weight supported at each connected location. Torque affects the gripping of the connected pieces since the slot is greater in size than the thickness of the piece it is connected with. Additionally, slipping or sliding can occur due to the total weight supported at a given connected location. This is especially true when that torque may be reduced when the center-of-gravity of the supported weight is changed by addition of a piece.

Each such curved piece can be composed of material suitable for making structures of this type and which is safe for children. Such materials include plastic, wood, metal, composite materials, and coated materials. A coating such as rubber or silicone can be used.

Further, the convex surface and/or the concave surface of each curved piece can include a roughened surface and/or a resilient surface to enhance gripping. Moreover, the convex surface and/or the concave surface of each curved body can include a grooved and/or ribbed surface, to enhance gripping.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structure building game including a container with a lid.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an individual curved piece, according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base which supports a stanchion, according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an early position of the game pieces as assembled and supported on the stanchion.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an advanced position of the game pieces as compared with FIG. 4, as assembled and supported on the stanchion.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view as viewed from the right of FIG. 5 of another advanced position of the game pieces as assembled and supported on the stanchion.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an insert piece, for use with the game pieces of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of the insert piece of FIG. 7, showing a groove.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a portion of the body of an alternative embodiment of the game pieces, showing ridges.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment showing a portion of a game piece and a covering portion or coating portion, that covers or coats the game piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structure building game 100 including a container 10 with a lid 20. The container 10 holds a plurality of nested game pieces which constitute building elements or pieces 30.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an individual curved piece 30. Each of the building elements (pieces) 30 has a curved body 32 of generally uniform thickness in the shape of a half circle having a diameter B and an angular extent A. The curved body 32 has a relatively uniform width E and a thickness D, is relatively thin, and has a first side edge visible in FIG. 2, a second side edge which is not visible in FIG. 2, a concave surface, a convex surface, and two free ends. A slot 34 extends into one side edge of the curved body 32, the slot 34 having a width C greater than the thickness D of the curved body 32. The slot 34 is not centered, rather it is located nearer one of the two free ends. The slot 34 extends into the curved body 32 at a substantially right angle to said first side edge. The slot 34 is a receiving means for binding and gripping a stanchion 42 (shown in FIG. 3) as well as the other pieces 30. The following values are merely exemplary and are approximate; and the present invention is not limited thereto: B equals 2.25 inches, C equals 0.25 inches, D equals 3/16 inches, E equals 1.25 inches, and the angle A is approximately 30 degrees and preferably can range between 20 and 45 degrees. The depth of the slot 34 is preferably about 90% of the full width E.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base 40 having a bottom member 48 which supports the stanchion 42, according to the invention. A pair up support members 44 and 46 support the stanchion 42 upon the bottom member 48.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an early position of the game pieces 30 as assembled and supported on the stanchion 42.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an advanced position of the game pieces 30 as compared with

FIG. 4, as assembled and supported on the stanchion 42.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view as viewed from the right of FIG. 5, of another advanced position of the game pieces 30 as assembled and supported on the stanchion 42.

The device of the present invention provides the stanchion 42 and a plurality of identical building elements 30 which are referred to hereafter as curved pieces 30.

During the game, a first one of the curved pieces 30 is placed on the stanchion 42 by engagement of the slot 34. Additional curved pieces 30 are added, one at a time, at any location on any previously added one of the curved pieces 30. The pieces bind by engagement of the slot 34 of one curved piece 30 with the body 32 of another curved piece 30 with which it is to be connected. By sliding the slot 34 of each piece 30 onto the stanchion 42 or each other, the off set weight of the piece 30 causes the slot 34 to bind and grip the piece 30 or stanchion 42 that it is coupled to. In this fashion the pieces 30 can be interconnected in many and varied ways. As the always unique structure is built, a constant awareness must be kept to the weight shift of each piece 30, or the structure will fail.

The object of the game, named herein as “Curly Cues”, is to take turns amongst players coupling the pieces 30 together, wherever and however each player desires. If a player adds a piece 30 that ultimately causes the structure to fail, whereby one or more of the pieces 30 comes in contact with the bottom member 48 supporting the stanchion 42 or with the playing surface which can be a floor or table top (not shown), then the game is over.

For example, the torque on connected pieces 30 from the supported weight can vary depending on the structures being supported. This can be due to changes in the overall center of gravity of the weight supported at each connected location. Torque affects the gripping of the connected pieces 30 since the slot is greater in size than the thickness of the piece 30 it is connected with. Additionally, slipping or sliding can occur due to the total weight supported at a given connected location. This is especially true when that torque may be reduced when the center-of-gravity of the supported weight is changed by addition of a piece 30.

Each such curved piece 30 can be composed of material suitable for making structures of this type and which is safe for children. Such materials include plastic, wood, metal, composite materials, and coated materials. A coating such as rubber or silicone can be used.

Further, the convex surface and/or the concave surface of each curved piece can include a roughened surface and/or a resilient surface to enhance gripping. Moreover, the convex surface and/or the concave surface of each curved body 32 can include a grooved and/or ribbed surface (such as seen in FIG. 9, discussed below), to enhance gripping.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an insert piece 200, for use with the game pieces 30 of FIGS. 1-6. The insert piece 200 has a U-shaped body 202 having a left arm portion 206 and a right arm portion 208, a connecting portion 204, a front surface 212, and a rear surface 214 (shown in FIG. 8). There is a groove 210 running along the entire outside edge of the U-shaped body 202, shown in dashed outline. The groove 210 can engage edges of the game pieces 30 that bound the slot 34, so as to be secured to the game piece 30 at the region of the slot 34, which thereby narrows the slot 34.

FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of the insert piece 200 of FIG. 7, showing the groove 210 in the left arm portion 206 and in the right arm portion 208. The portion of the groove 210 that runs along the central region (in the connecting portion 204) is shown in dashed outline, and in a side view (not shown) of the insert piece 210 that portion in the would resemble the groove as shown in the left arm portion 206 and in the right arm portion 208. The other numerals correspond to those described with respect to FIG. 7 above.

The insert piece can be composed of any material suitable for use in play by children, including soft plastic, rubber, semi-rigid plastic, ceramic material, metal, and any other types of material known to any one having skill in the building toy arts.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a portion of the body of an alternative embodiment of the game pieces 32, showing ridges 320. This alternative embodiment can also be viewed as having grooves, that is, wherein the grooves are disposed between the ridges 320. The height, thickness, and spacing of the ridges 320 can be changed; and many variations of these are possible. All such variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment showing a portion of a game piece 32 and a covering portion or coating portion 260, that covers or coats the game piece 30. The coating can be composed of plastic, rubber, ceramic material, powdered metal, or any other material suitable for use in play by children, and including any other types of material known to any one having skill in the building toy arts. All such variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

Additionally, it will be understood that other forms of the base 40 can be provided, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Any such base need only have at least one portion that can be connected with the notch 34 in one of the game pieces 32.

Variations in sizes, colors, thickness, shape, curvature, and the like can be varied within the range of skill of one having ordinary skill in the building toy arts, and all such variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A structure building set, comprising: a base;a stanchion supported by said base; anda plurality of curved pieces; each of said curved pieces having a body which has a thickness and a width; and each one of said curved pieces respectively having a slot therein; said slot having a width larger than said thickness of said body;whereby any one of said plurality of curved pieces can be connected to another one of said curved pieces using its slot to engage the body of said another one of said curved pieces.

2. A structure building set as claimed in claim 1, where each of said curved pieces has a generally uniform thickness and extends in a shape of a half circle.

3. A structure building set as claimed in claim 1, where each of said curved pieces has a relatively uniform width and thickness, is relatively thin, and includes a first side edge and a second side edge.

4. A structure building set as claimed in claim 3, where each of said curved pieces has a concave surface, a convex surface, and two free ends.

5. A structure building set as claimed in claim 1, where said slot of each respective one of said curved pieces is disposed substantially closer to one of said two free ends; and wherein said slot is a receiving means for binding and gripping said stanchion as well as other ones of said plurality of curved pieces.

6. A structure building set as claimed in claim 1, where each of said curved pieces has a coating of a resilient material to aid in gripping.

7. A structure building set as claimed in claim 1, where each of said curved pieces has a coating of a rubber material to aid in gripping.

8. A structure building set as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one insert member, adapted to engage with said slot in any one of said plurality of curved pieces, said insert member conforming to said slot so as to reduce the opening of said slot, whereby gripping is improved when said notch is engaged with another one of said plurality of curved pieces.

9. A structure building game, comprising: a base;a stanchion supported by said base; anda plurality of curved pieces; each of said curved pieces having a body which has a thickness and a width; and each one of said curved pieces respectively having a slot therein; said slot having a width larger than said thickness of said body;whereby any one of said plurality of curved pieces can be connected to another one of said curved pieces using its slot to engage the body of said another one of said curved pieces;and wherein during a game, a first one of said plurality of curved pieces is placed on said stanchion by engagement with its said slot, and wherein additional ones of said curved pieces are added, one at a time, at any location on any previously added one of said plurality of curved pieces; and wherein the game ends when a player adds one of said plurality of pieces that causes at least one of said plurality of pieces to come into contact with said or with a playing surface.

10. A structure building game as claimed in claim 9, where each of said curved pieces has a generally uniform thickness and extends in a shape of a half circle.

11. A structure building game as claimed in claim 9, where each of said curved pieces has a relatively uniform width and thickness, is relatively thin, and includes a first side edge and a second side edge.

12. A structure building game as claimed in claim 11, where each of said curved pieces has a concave surface, a convex surface, and two free ends.

13. A structure building game as claimed in claim 9, where said slot of each respective one of said curved pieces is disposed substantially closer to one of said two free ends; and wherein said slot is a receiving means for binding and gripping said stanchion as well as other ones of said plurality of curved pieces.

14. A structure building game as claimed in claim 9, where each of said curved pieces has a coating of a resilient material to aid in gripping.

15. A structure building set as claimed in claim 9, where each of said curved pieces has a coating of a rubber material to aid in gripping.

16. A structure building set as claimed in claim 9, further comprising at least one insert member, adapted to engage with said slot in any one of said plurality of curved pieces, said insert member conforming to said slot so as to reduce the opening of said slot, whereby gripping is improved when said notch is engaged with another one of said plurality of curved pieces.