SUDOKU GAME BOARD KIT AND METHOD

Abstract

A board game kit includes a Sudoku board, a set of board markers, and a plurality of standard six-sided dice. The board game kit is useful for providing a Sudoku board game for competitive play by a plurality of players.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of games and more specifically relates to a Sudoku board game.

2. Description of Related Art

Sudoku is a widely popular game. It is a logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzle. The objective is to fill a 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 subgrids that compose the grid contains all of the digits from 1 to 9. The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid, which for a well-posed puzzle has a single solution. However, it's typically enjoyed alone without any friendly competition or additional challenges.

Board games that lend themselves to team play provide an opportunity for building communication skills. People who prefer to play games with friends and or a group of people may not even attempt to play traditional Sudoku. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,677,570 to Michael Hohenstein relates to a competitive Sudoku board game. The described competitive Sudoku board game includes a competitive board game for two to nine players is disclosed. The game board is initialized by placing markers on the game board in a specified fashion. Distinct markers are distributed, and play progresses in turn by each player placing a marker on the game board such that each row, column, and box does not contain two identical markers. In an alternative embodiment, a board game for team play is disclosed. The board game may also be implemented in a computer or other electronic device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known board games art, the present disclosure provides a novel Sudoku game board kit and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a Sudoku board game that can be used for competitive play by a plurality of players.

A board game kit for competitive play is disclosed herein. The board game kit for competitive play may include a Sudoku board, a set of board markers, and a plurality of standard six-sided dice. The Sudoku board includes a parent grid defined by nine sub-grids arranged 3-by-3 on the Sudoku board, the plurality of sub-grids each including nine cells segmented into rows and columns arranged 3-by-3 within its respective sub-grid. Each board marker has two sides and is configured for removable placement of one of the two sides on an individual cell of the Sudoku board. Further, each board marker includes a number indicia on a first side which has a first format and the number indicia on a second side which has a second format, the first format distinguishable from the second format. Additionally, the set of two-sided board markers includes at least nine two-sided board markers indicating each number between one and nine.

A method of using a board game kit for competitive play is also disclosed herein. The method of using a board game kit for competitive play may include the steps of: providing the board game kit as above; competitive playing by the plurality of players using the Sudoku board, the set of board markers, and the plurality of standard six-sided dice; compactly folding the Sudoku board; inserting the set of board markers into the storage pouch; and storing the compactly folded Sudoku board, the storage pouch may include the set of board markers, and the plurality of six-sided dice within the game board box.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a Sudoku game board kit and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a board game kit for competitive play during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the board game kit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the board game kit of FIG. 1, illustrating a set of board markers, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the board game kit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for a board game kit for competitive play, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to games and more particularly to a Sudoku game board kit and method as used to improve the Sudoku game by providing competitive play by a plurality of players.

Generally, the present disclosure is a game system that allows players to build their own Sudoku playing board as they solve puzzles. It accommodates one to four individual players or up to four teams. This prevents boredom with traditional Sudoku puzzles in books, newspapers, and magazines. Team Sudoku may combine the traditional game of Sudoku with a board game that allows players to play with or against other players and incorporates more challenges. The system may include a Sudoku board game for one to four players or up to four teams with a playing board, measuring approximately 14″ length and 14″ width, with a 2″ blue border around the edge and number squares on all four sides. The name of the game can be printed on each side within the blue border. Each number square can have a slightly raised border with a heavy, 0.25″ thick outline. Within the number squares can be thinner gridlines, creating smaller squares, measuring approximately by 1″ in length and 1″ in width.

The disclosed board game kit provides, for a method of play, a unique game. The objective of the game may be to solve the game and be the player with the lowest score. The game can be played with one to four players. Further, the game may include six dice. A team can play with all six dice or reduce the number to make game more challenging. In operation, the team may first determine the elimination score for the game. The higher the score the longer the game may take. Each player may roll one dice. The highest number on the dice may be the first player (matched numbers have a play off and roll again). The game can rotate clockwise or counter clockwise. The winning player can use the number on the dice he or she rolled to make the choice of how many dice are used to play. The first player may take all six dice (or number rolled in step two) and roll them all at once (lesser number of dice can be used to make game more challenging). If all dice rolled are the number 1, the person rolling the dice can roll a second time and add all dice from both rolls as a total. Then, the player may total up the dice and select that number of squares from the bag. The first player may position the tiles on the board with red side up and no matching numbers in same column, row or 9 block square, or tiles may be divided up between players and all players position the red tiles. Player or players can put as many red numbers in square of nine blocks, row or column as he or she chooses as long as there are no matches. All players may check the board for errors (no identical numbers in column, row or same block of 9 squares). The red tiles may then be locked in place.

After the red tiles have been laid down, starting with first player, each player may take 10 tiles from the bag and lay with blue numbers up. The players can hide numbers from other players or lay out in open for all to see. After the first player has made his or hers play, a game tile is pulled from the game bag (this will happen until all squares have been used up in bag). Going in either clockwise or counter clockwise rotation, the next player may lay a game tile on the game board and draw a new game piece from the bag. This may continue until the game is solved or stopped due to a mismatched tile in column, row, or block of 9 squares and game ends.

A player during his play may move a blue game tile in that nine block group to another square in the same nine block group. Red game pieces cannot be moved after the first blue square has be placed on the board. Movement of a blue game tile is that player's play and he or she must take a square from the bag. (If no squares are left in the bag, no square is taken and game continues). The blue squares may be moved several times in the same 9 block group during a game however this will result in additional game pieces for that player until the game bag is empty.

If the game is solved, each player gets a negative 25 on score and everyone is a winner. If the game cannot be solved and ends due to a match tile in a row, column or 9 block square each player totals their tiles and this is a positive score. A new game can be started.

During the game, if a player lays a square in error during his play (matches another square in the same row, column, or 9 block square, player can be challenged by another player only during that play). Each of the other players may give one of their tiles to the player that made the error, and the game comes to an end. Each player totals his squares (adds the numbers) and puts on a score sheet a positive number. If an error is found that was made in a previous play and was not challenged during the play of that tile in question, the game may end and each player totals squares and adds to the score sheet.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a board game kit 100 for competitive play.

FIG. 1 shows a board game kit 100 for competitive play during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the board game kit for competitive play 100 may include a Sudoku board 110, a set of board markers 120, and a plurality of standard six-sided dice 130. In a preferred embodiment, the board game kit 100 may further include a marker storage pouch 122 configured to store the set of board markers 120.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the board game kit for competitive play 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the board game kit 100 may include the Sudoku board 110, the set of board markers 120, and the plurality of standard six-sided dice 130. Illustrated here is the Sudoku board 110 and the set of board markers 120 during play of the game. As shown, the Sudoku board 110 may include a parent grid 114 defined by nine sub-grids 111 arranged 3-by-3 on the Sudoku board 110, the plurality of sub-grids 111 each including nine cells 112 segmented into rows and columns arranged 3-by-3 within its respective sub-grid. In the preferred embodiment, each cell 112 may be square in shape. Further, each of the nine sub-grids 111 may include a raised border configured to inhibit at least one of the set of board markers 120 from movement between the nine sub-grids 111.

The set of board markers 120 may each have two sides, and may be configured for removable placement of one of the two sides on an individual cell of the Sudoku board 110. Each board marker 120 may be square in shape. Accordingly, each board marker 120 may be a tile-shaped and may be sized and dimensioned to cover each individual cell 112. Similarly, each board marker 120 may have a footprint substantially equal in size to each individual cell 112. In one embodiment, each board marker 120 may be at least 1 inch×1 inch in size.

The board game kit 100 may further include a board marker holder 123 configured to retain the board markers 120 during competitive play. Further, the board marker holder 123 may be configured to obscure the number indicia 121 on the board markers 120 from at least one of the plurality of players 40 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of the board game kit for competitive play 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown here is the board marker 120 illustrating a first side 124 having a first format, and a second side 125 having a second format, and the plurality of standard six-sided dice 130. As above, the set of board markers 120 may each have two sides and may be configured for removable placement of one of the two sides on an individual cell of the Sudoku board 110. Each board marker may further include a number indicia 121 on a first side having a first format and the number indicia 121 on a second side having a second format, the first format distinguishable from the second format, the set of two-sided board markers 120 including at least nine two-sided board markers 120 indicating each number between one and nine. The first format may include a first color and the second format may include a second color. In the preferred embodiment, the first color may be red, and the second color may be blue. In further examples, the first color and the second color may be chosen from green, purple, yellow, pink, orange, and the like. In one embodiment, each board marker 120 may be made of a plastic. In further examples, each board marker 120 may be made of a ceramic, stone, metal, glass, or the like.

In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of standard six-sided dice 130 may be a set of 6 die. All 6 die may be used at once during game play or the number of die may be chosen by the players 40 (FIG. 1).

As illustrated, the board game kit 100 may further include a marker storage pouch 122 configured to retain the board markers 120. Similarly, the board game kit 100 may further include a die storage pouch 131 configured to retain the plurality of standard six-sided dice 130.

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the board game kit for competitive play 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Demonstrated here are the components of the board game kit 100 and how they fit together. As shown, in the preferred embodiment, the Sudoku board 110 may be made from cardboard and configured to fold at least once for compact storage. Further, as illustrated, the board game kit 100 may include a board game box 140 configured to store the Sudoku board 110, the set of board markers 120 and the plurality of six-sided dice 130. In addition, in this embodiment, the board game kit 100 may include the set of instructions 150 describing a method of competitive play for the plurality of players 40 (FIG. 1). The board game kit 100 may further include the marker storage pouch 122 configured to retain the board markers 120, and the die storage pouch 131 configured to retain the plurality of standard six-sided dice 130.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a board game kit for competitive play 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of using a board game kit for competitive play 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing the board game kit 100 as above; step two 502, competitive playing by the plurality of players 40 using the Sudoku board 110, the set of board markers 120, and the plurality of standard six-sided dice 130; step three 503, compactly folding the Sudoku board 110; step four 504, inserting the set of board markers 120 into the storage pouch; and step five 505, storing the compactly folded Sudoku board 110, the storage pouch including the set of board markers 120, and the plurality of six-sided dice 130 within the game board box 140.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for a board game kit for competitive play (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A board game kit for competitive play by a plurality of players, the board game kit comprising: a Sudoku board including a parent grid defined by nine sub-grids arranged 3-by-3 on the Sudoku board, the plurality of sub-grids each including nine cells segmented into rows and columns arranged 3-by-3 within its respective sub-grid;a set of board markers, each board marker having two sides and being configured for removable placement of one of the two sides on an individual cell of the Sudoku board, each board marker including a number indicia on a first side having a first format and the number indicia on a second side having a second format, the first format distinguishable from the second format, the set of two-sided board markers including at least nine two-sided board markers indicating each number between one and nine; anda plurality of standard six-sided dice.

2. The board game kit of claim 1, further comprising a marker storage pouch configured to retain the board markers.

3. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein each cell is square in shape.

4. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein each board marker is square in shape.

5. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein each board marker is a tile-shaped and is sized and dimensioned to cover each individual cell.

6. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein each board marker is made of a plastic.

7. The board game kit of claim 1, further comprising a board marker holder configured to retain the board markers during competitive play.

8. The board game kit of claim 7, wherein the board marker holder is further configured to obscure the number indicia on the board markers from at least one of the plurality of players.

9. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein each board marker has a footprint substantially equal in size to each individual cell.

10. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein each board marker is at least 1 inch×1 inch in size.

11. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein each of the nine sub-grids include a raised border configured to inhibit at least one of the set of board markers from movement between the nine sub-grids.

12. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein the first format includes a first color and the second format includes a second color.

13. The board game kit of claim 14, wherein the first color is red, and the second color is blue.

14. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dice is a set of 6 die.

15. The board game kit of claim 1, further comprising a die storage pouch configured to retain the plurality of standard six-sided dice.

16. The board game kit of claim 1, further comprising a board game box configured to store the Sudoku board, the set of board markers and the plurality of six-sided dice.

17. The board game kit of claim 1, wherein the Sudoku board is made from cardboard and configured to fold at least once for compact storage.

18. The board game kit of claim 1, further comprising a set of instructions describing a method of competitive play for the plurality of players.

19. A board game kit for competitive play by a plurality of players, the board game kit comprising: a Sudoku board (110) including a parent grid defined by nine sub-grids arranged 3-by-3 on the Sudoku board, the plurality of sub-grids each including nine cells segmented into rows and columns arranged 3-by-3 within its respective sub-grid;a set of board markers (120), each board marker having two sides and being configured for removable placement of one of the two sides on an individual cell of the Sudoku board, each board marker including a number indicia on a first side having a first format and the number indicia on a second side having a second format, the first format distinguishable from the second format, the set of two-sided board markers including at least nine two-sided board markers indicating each number between one and nine; anda plurality of standard six-sided dice (130);a first storage pouch configured to retain the board markers;a board marker holder configured to retain the board markers during competitive play;a second storage pouch configured to retain the plurality of standard six-sided dice;a board game box configured to store the Sudoku board, the set of board markers and the plurality of six-sided dice;a set of instructions describing a method of competitive play for the plurality of players; andwherein each cell is square in shape;wherein each cell board marker in square in shape;wherein each board marker is tile-shaped and is sized and dimensioned to cover each individual cell;wherein the board marker holder is further configured to obscure the number indicia on the board markers to at least one of the plurality of players;wherein each board marker has a footprint substantially equal in size to each individual cell;wherein each board marker is at least 1 inch×1 inch in size;wherein each of the nine sub-grids include a raised border configured to inhibit at least one of the set of board markers from movement between the nine sub-grids;wherein the first format includes a first color and the second format includes a second color;wherein the first color is a red color, and the second color is a blue color;wherein the plurality of dice is a set of 6 die; andwherein the Sudoku board is made from cardboard and configured to fold at least once for compact storage.

20. A method of using a board game kit for competitive play by a plurality of players, the method comprising the steps of: providing a board game kit including: a Sudoku board including a parent grid defined by nine sub-grids arranged 3-by-3 on the Sudoku board, the plurality of sub-grids each including nine cells segmented into rows and columns arranged 3-by-3 within its respective sub-grid, the Sudoku board being made from cardboard and configured to fold at least once for compact storage,a set of board markers, each board marker having two sides and being configured for removable placement of one of the two sides on an individual cell of the Sudoku board, each board marker including a number indicia on a first side having a first format and the number indicia on a second side having a second format, the first format distinguishable from the second format, the set of two-sided board markers including at least nine two-sided board markers indicating each number between one and nine,a plurality of standard six-sided dice,a storage pouch configured to retain the board markers, anda board game box configured to store the Sudoku board, the set of board markers and the plurality of six-sided dice;competitive playing by the plurality of players using the Sudoku board, the set of board markers, and the plurality of standard six-sided dice;compactly folding the Sudoku board;inserting the set of board markers into the storage pouch; andstoring the compactly folded Sudoku board, the storage pouch including the set of board markers, and the plurality of six-sided dice within the game board box.