Game devices, and particularly board games, are very popular. Examples of prior art board games include Chutes And Ladders® and Candy Land™ both marketed by Hasbro, Inc. of Rhode Island. These and other such games typically use a two-dimensional playing surface having a path marked thereon and tokens or other game pieces for moving along the path to a finish line. The games are often distinguished by the indicia on the playing surface, the aesthetic configuration of the game pieces, and the method of selecting where game pieces are to be moved.
Three-dimensional game devices and methods of their use and manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment, a game device is provided for use with a plurality of game pieces. The game device includes a three-dimensional pathway segmented into a plurality of distinct spaces in which the game pieces fit. The pathway rises and falls in elevation with at least one portion of the pathway passing over at least one other portion of the pathway such that the game pieces pass over the underlying portion and under the overlying portion when traveling along the pathway. The pathway is at least partially defined in a housing.
In another embodiment, a game system includes a primary portion and an entry portion. The primary portion has a pathway segmented into a plurality of distinct spaces, and at least part of the pathway is recessed inside a housing. The entry portion has an opening, and a slide extends downwardly from the entry portion opening to the pathway in the primary portion. A plurality of game pieces are configured to pass through the entry portion opening, the slide, and the primary portion pathway; and at least one selection device is provided for determining advancement of the game pieces.
In still another embodiment, a method of playing a game includes the steps: (a) placing a game piece on a first slide and allowing the game piece to move along the first slide and come to rest at one of a plurality of spaces along a pathway; (b) moving the game piece along the pathway in accordance with guidance from at least one selection device; and (c) placing the game piece on a second slide and allowing the game piece to move along the second slide and exit the pathway through a covered opening.
a shows a portion of a pathway of the game device of
b shows a portion of a pathway of a game device according to another embodiment.
a shows a plurality of game pieces for use in the game device of
b shows another plurality of game pieces for use in the game device of
c shows yet another plurality of game pieces for use in the game device of
c illustrate three-dimensional game devices 100, according to various embodiments. One device 100 includes game pieces 110, a selection device 120, and a pathway 140. In some embodiments (such as shown), the game pieces 110 are selected to represent food items and the pathway 140 is configured to represent a human digestive system.
Focusing first on the game pieces 110, the game pieces 110 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the game pieces 110 may be three-dimensional representations of items (e.g., three-dimensional representations of food, as shown in
The selection device 120 is shown in
Attention is now directed to the pathway 140. The pathway 140 extends in three dimensions, with some portions passing directly above other portions. As noted above and as can be seen from the drawings, the pathway 140 in the embodiment 100 is configured to represent a human digestive system. While the pathway 140 may clearly be an abridged version of the human digestive system, it may nevertheless be desirable for each distinct part of the digestive system to be present in some manner, and it may further be desirable for the distinct parts to be generally proportional in some manner (e.g., diameter). In some embodiments, it may by particularly desirable for the distinct parts of the digestive system to be represented in a generally anatomically correct manner except for the length of the large and small intestines.
The pathway 140 of the embodiment 100 may be conceptually separated into three portions: an entrance portion 142, a primary portion 152, and an exit portion 172. The entrance portion 142 includes a representation of a human head 143 having an open mouth 144, and a downwardly-sloping tunnel 145 extends from the mouth 144 to the primary portion 152 of the pathway 140. The entrance portion 142 may be generally formed with (or fixedly coupled to) the primary portion 152, or (as shown in
The primary portion 152 of the pathway 140 is formed inside a housing 150 having an upper surface 150a (which may, but need not, be generally planar) and an external perimeter 150b, and at least part of the pathway 140 extends below the upper surface 150a such that the pathway 140 forms an uncovered tunnel. Different portions of the pathway 140 may be located at different relative heights inside the housing 150, causing the pathway 140 to raise and fall. Moreover, the pathway 140 may be segmented into distinct spaces 153 through indicia 154a (
The housing 150 may be constructed in various manners. For example, the housing 150 may be vacuum formed, blow molded, stamped, or cast to define a hollow housing with a relatively thin but sturdy sidewall. While the housing 150 may alternately be formed in a manner that is generally not hollow, the additional material and weight added by such configurations may be undesirable. In some embodiments, the housing 150 may define cavities 158 (
As best shown in
Turning now to the exit portion 172 (
In some embodiments, the housing 150 is contained in a box 180 (e.g., a cardboard box) having lower and upper portions 182, 184, as shown in
To use the three-dimensional game device 100, an overlay 148 (
After both players have begun by using the tunnel 145, the players alternately use the selection device 120 to determine how many spaces 153 to advance the game pieces 110. As shown in
As the game pieces 110 advance, the slope of the pathway 140 may cause the game pieces 110 to advance or retreat along the pathway 140 from one space 153 to another space 153, and the game pieces 110 will eventually pass below and above other portions of the pathway 140. In addition, indicia on the spaces 153 may cause the game pieces 110 to advance or retreat along the path 140, or to remain at a space 153 and miss a turn.
Once a game piece 110 reaches the exit portion 172, the game piece 110 passes downwardly through the covered pathway section 174 and out of the housing 110 (and the box 180, if the box 180 is present). The player whose game piece 110 passes out of the housing 110 first may be declared the winner. By passing along the three-dimensional path 140, the players may learn the portions of the digestive system and obtain an appreciation for the intertwined nature of the various parts, all while being enjoyably entertained.
After use, all elements may be located inside the box 180, and the box 180 may allow the game to be securely stored.
Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. The specific configurations and contours set forth in the accompanying drawings are illustrative and not limiting.
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