Patent Application
20220134216
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The present invention relates in general to games, and, more particularly, to timed, three-dimensional puzzle games that are fun and cooperatively involve excitement, competition, strategy, skill, and luck or chance. The games of the present invention are both single and multi-player, offer different formats (e.g., cubic blocks with or without a solution template, etcetera) and range in playing time from a few minutes to several minutes.
Games, puzzles, and associated assemblies have been known in the art for years and are the subject of a plurality of patents and publications, including: U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,703 entitled “Puzzle Game Incorporating a Rotational Element and Methods of Playing Thereof,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,700 entitled “Strategic Board Game,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,595 entitled “Crossword Puzzle Game,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,742 entitled “Block and Board Puzzle Game,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,681 entitled “Two Dimensional Logical Toy,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,027 entitled “Multi-Level Game Board Apparatus,” U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,039 entitled “Three-Dimensional Board Game Apparatus,” U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,615 entitled “Board Game Apparatus,” United States Patent Application Publication Number 2010/0096804 entitled “Knight-Walk Puzzle Game,” and United States Patent Application Publication Number 2005/0023754 entitled “Puzzle Game and Methods of Playing Thereof”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including all references cited therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,703 appears to disclose a puzzle game and method of playing that provides for sequentially ordering a plurality of tiles that are originally oriented in a random pattern, and where a rotational element is included to increase the challenge. The game includes a frame with a central horizontal shaft defining a plurality of slide rows. A plurality of tiles are slideable along the horizontal axis within each of the plurality of slide rows, each of the plurality of tiles having a design on a front facing portion of the tile and an inverted form of the design on a rear facing portion of the tile. A sub-frame is rotatably mounted in the frame for rotating about the shaft. When the player rotates the sub-frame by one-hundred eighty degrees during game play, the plurality of slide rows containing a sub-set of the plurality of tiles are oriented such that the rear facing portions of the sub-set of the plurality of tiles are viewable from the front facing portion of the frame, and the plurality of slide rows are inverted as viewed along the vertical axis. Using the puzzle game, a player slides the tiles in each row left or right along the horizontal axis. The player selectively rotates the sub-frame to orient the slide rows and corresponding tiles in a different position as viewed along the vertical axis. The sliding and rotating steps are repeated until the designs on the tiles are positioned in a logical or sequential pattern.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,700 appears to disclose a turn-based strategic board game that is played on a gridded board with different strength piece types, wherein a player's higher strength piece is able to move or freeze an opposing player's lower strength piece. A player wins by moving one of his lowest strength pieces to the row farthest away from the winning player. The game board has one or more predetermined trap spaces wherein if a piece is on a trap space, then under certain conditions the piece will be removed from the game. Movement turns proceed in sequence among players. During a player's turn, the player may make optionally multiple moves, optionally divided among a plurality of the player's pieces. Initial setup involves each player placing his pieces in self-determined spaces of the player's first two board rows. In a preferred embodiment, two players can play on an appropriately marked chess board using standard chess pieces.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,595 appears to disclose a method and apparatus for playing a competitive crossword puzzle game that includes a crossword puzzle having individual word portions having associated definitions constituting clues for the solving of the individual word portions of the puzzle. Additional numerical indicia associated with each individual word portion representing the length of each word forming a word portion. Marking apparatus for filling in the individual word portions of the crossword puzzle in distinguishable characters. A die including numerical indicia on different ones of the sides of the die and with each indicia constituting the number of letters representing the length of the word to be used for filling in the individual word portions of the crossword puzzle. The players taking turns filing in the individual word portions of the crossword puzzle using the marking apparatus. Each turn for each player including rolling the die to determine the length of the word to be filled in by the player. Each player during each individual turn matching the numerical indicia provided by the roll of the die with the additional numerical indicia and awarding points to each player based on the length of each word filled in correctly by each player during their respective turns.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,742 appears to disclose a puzzle game that includes a game board with a square playing surface, and a plurality of blocks defined by cubes, at least one of the blocks being a single cube and the remaining blocks including two or more cubes defining L-shaped, T-shaped, cruciform and straight blocks. The blocks can be arranged on the board to cover the entire playing surface, or stacked to form a cube, T-shaped walls or sets of stairs. Recesses can be provided in one surface of the blocks for receiving pegs, which increases the number of games which can be played with the puzzle game.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,681 appears to disclose a two-dimensional logical toy that comprises a frame structure having a slide passage in which a slide plate is slidably mounted and on an apertured surface of which a plurality of parallel grooves are formed together with a single transverse groove, a lift including an elongated pedestal slidably and rotatably mounted within the aperture in said slide plate and provided with a platform on one end in which two sets of parallel grooves are formed, one set of grooves being normally disposed in alignment with the parallel grooves formed in the slide plate and the other set of grooves being transverse thereto, said lift being movable in said aperture in a direction axially of said pedestal and being rotatable so as to cause the second set of grooves in the lift platform to become aligned with the parallel grooves formed in the slide plate, and a plurality of unitary elements slidably mounted in the grooves formed in the guide plate and in the platform so as to form a wide variety of geometric patterns.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,027 appears to disclose a multi-level game board apparatus, adapted to be played with playing pieces such as chess men or the like, consists of a chess or checker board divided into a plurality of levels for play. The board appears, in perspective view, to have the arrangement of bilaterally colored dark and light squares of the shape and number of squares of a conventional chess or checker board. The board, however, is separated into a central portion at one level and a plurality of surrounding portions of square configuration separately supported at least at one other level. The separate square portions supported at another level are separately supported on support members permitting rotation of each square portion about its center. In the play of the game, the playing pieces are placed on the board initially, and are moved, as if all of the portions of the board were in a single plane. The game differs from a standard game board, however, in that one or more of said portions supported at different levels may be rotated to position a playing piece at a different relative location without moving the piece on the surface of the board.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,039 appears to disclose a game apparatus that includes a game board having an eight-by-eight array of square playing positions. Each playing position is provided with a peg hole centrally thereof to accommodate a support peg of a game piece. Three games are disclosed, each game comprising a distinct set of game pieces. All game pieces include transparent plastic bodies and vertically depending support pegs to permit the game pieces to be removably disposed in the peg holes of the game board and moved from one playing position to another. In addition, each game piece is provided with at least one peg hole in the body thereof so as to permit game pieces to be stacked on top of one another. In the first of the three games, the game pieces may be stacked on top of one another in various angular orientations to accomplish an objective somewhat similar to a three-dimensional tic-tac-toe game. In the second game, the game pieces are simply vertically stacked on one another but are provided with directional programming indicators to provide an objective similar to that of the game of checkers but with additional complexity and variation. In the third game, the game pieces are provided in an assortment similar to the standard game of chess and the game objective is similar with the additional facet of game piece stacking and compounding of power.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,615 appears to disclose a game apparatus having a number of octagonal playing pieces which two or more players can alternately place on a pre-marked game board having a plurality of parallel starting lines on each side and end thereof. Four such octagonal pieces when placed together will leave a square at the center thereof. Each of the playing pieces has at least one line across the piece in different configurations. The squares at the centers of the octagonal pieces also may have lines across them in different configurations. The object of the game is to line up the pieces in such a way that a continuous line is formed across the board from one starting line to another and making use of both the lines on the octagonal playing pieces and on the squares, and the first player to complete a line wins.
United States Patent Application Publication Number 2010/0096804 appears to disclose a puzzle game consisting of a field of play having associated positions upon which place-indicators are placed during game play along a predetermined game path. Placement of the place-indicators represents a sequential series of steps from a starting point along a game path in the field of play to an end point. Each of the steps is dependent on a predetermined step pattern and the place-indicator is placed on the position upon which the end of the step pattern falls. The solution to the puzzle is achieved by the placement of all place-indicators between the starting point and the end point. In order to indicate a particular game path, at least two place-indicators are pre-placed as givens in the solution. The place-indicators may be, by non-limiting example, numerals, letters or a group of shapes with a predetermined series displayed on the game play interface, but outside of the field of play.
United States Patent Application Publication Number 2005/0023754 appears to disclose a puzzle game and method of playing that includes a pegboard frame having a plurality of recesses therein. A challenge card is placed on an upper surface of the pegboard frame. A plurality of posts are placed through the openings in the challenge card and contact the recesses in the pegboard frame. A plurality of elongated planks are placed between adjacent posts, and a figurine is placed at one side of the challenge card on one of the posts. The figurine traverses the challenge card from one side to another side in a series of segments, with each segment including traversing from one of the posts to another of the posts along a plank disposed therebetween. The plurality of planks are initially positioned on the challenge card to thereby require sequences in which planks must be lifted and repositioned between others of the plurality of posts as the figurine traverses the challenge card.
While the above-identified patents and publications do appear to disclose various games, puzzles, and associated assemblies, their configurations remain non-desirous and/or problematic inasmuch as, among other things, none of the above-identified games and puzzles appear to provide timed, three-dimensional puzzle games that are fun and cooperatively involve excitement, competition, strategy, skill, and luck or chance.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.
The present invention is directed to a game, comprising, consisting essentially of and/or consisting of the steps of: (a) providing three-dimensional puzzle pieces that are originally oriented in a random pattern; (b) providing a solution template that collectively corresponds to a surface of each one of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces; (c) shaking and rolling the three-dimensional puzzle pieces onto a surface; (d) isolating all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that have a surface that correspond to the solution template; (e) collecting all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that do not have a surface that corresponds to the solution template; (f) repeating the steps of shaking, rolling, isolating, and collecting until all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces have a surface that corresponds to the solution template; and (g) arranging all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces to conform with the solution template to, in turn, solve the puzzle.
The present invention is further directed to a timed, three-dimensional puzzle game that is fun and cooperatively involves excitement, competition, strategy, skill, and luck, comprising, consisting essentially of and/or consisting of the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces that are originally oriented in a random pattern; (b) providing a solution template that collectively corresponds to a surface of each one of the plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces; (c) providing a container that is adapted for containing, shaking, and rolling the plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces; (d) shaking and rolling the plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces onto a surface from the container; (e) isolating all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that have a surface that correspond to the solution template; (f) collecting all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that do not have a surface that corresponds to the solution template; (g) placing all of the remaining three-dimensional puzzle pieces that do not have a surface that corresponds to the solution template into the container; (h) repeating the steps of shaking, rolling, isolating, collecting, and placing until all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces have a surface that corresponds to the solution template; (i) arranging all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces to conform with the solution template to, in turn, solve the puzzle; and (j) timing the puzzle game from the initial roll to solving the puzzle.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of providing a plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces includes the step of providing 16 three-dimensional puzzle pieces.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of providing a plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces includes the step of providing a plurality of cubic, six-sided blocks.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of providing a plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces includes the step of providing a plurality of cubic, six-sided blocks that correspond to six different solution templates.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of providing a solution template includes the step of providing a solution template that corresponds to a random array of indicia, indicia that corresponds to a theme, a picture, a photograph, and combinations thereof.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of shaking and rolling the plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces onto a surface from the container includes the step of rolling the plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces onto a table.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of timing includes timing an individual for the individual's personal best time.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first person solves the game puzzle, a second person solves the game puzzle after the first person, and a winner is determined based upon the shortest completion time.
The present invention is yet further directed to a timed, three-dimensional puzzle game that is fun and cooperatively involves excitement, competition, strategy, skill, and luck, comprising, consisting essentially of and/or consisting of the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces that are originally oriented in a random pattern; (b) providing a container that is adapted for containing, shaking, and rolling the plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces; (c) shaking and rolling the plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces onto a surface from the container; (d) isolating all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that have a surface that correspond to a recognizable image; (e) collecting all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that do not have a surface that corresponds to the recognizable image; (f) placing all of the remaining three-dimensional puzzle pieces that do not have a surface that corresponds to the recognizable image into the container; (g) repeating the steps of shaking, rolling, isolating, collecting, and placing until all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces have a surface that corresponds to the recognizable image; (h) arranging all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces to conform with the recognizable image to, in turn, solve the puzzle; and (i) timing the puzzle game from the initial roll to solving the puzzle.
Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted.
It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodiments of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.
Referring now to the drawings, and to
Three-dimensional puzzle pieces 12 preferably comprise cubic blocks or hexagons. However, any three-dimensional polygon that has a top side/face is likewise contemplated for use in accordance with present invention.
Puzzle game 10 preferably includes from between approximately 9 to approximately 25 three-dimensional puzzle pieces, and more preferably 16 three-dimensional puzzle pieces.
Three-dimensional puzzle pieces 12 may be fabricated from a metal, a metal alloy, a natural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a composite, wood, and/or combinations thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention, puzzle game 10 preferably includes one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etcetera) solution templates 14. Solution templates 14 preferably correspond to a random array of data, indicia, and/or indicia that corresponds to a theme, a picture, a photograph, and combinations thereof. In other embodiments of the present invention a solution template is omitted because the solution to the puzzle corresponds to a recognizable image, such as, but not limited to, pictures and/or photographs known to the player.
Optional container 16 can be used for shaking and/or rolling three-dimensional puzzle pieces 12 during game play and for storing three-dimensional puzzle pieces 12 after game play.
In a first game mode or operation, puzzle game 10 comprises the steps of: (a) providing three-dimensional puzzle pieces that are originally oriented in a random pattern; (b) providing a solution template that collectively corresponds to a surface of each one of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces; (c) shaking and rolling the three-dimensional puzzle pieces onto a surface; (d) isolating all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that have a surface that correspond to the solution template; (e) collecting all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that do not have a surface that corresponds to the solution template; (f) repeating the steps of shaking, rolling, isolating, and collecting until all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces have a surface that corresponds to the solution template; and (g) arranging all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces to conform with the solution template to, in turn, solve the puzzle.
In a second game mode or operation (See
In a third game mode or operation (See
Example of Game Rules (Single Player)
The game is timed and the shortest time wins. Pick as many rounds as you wish or construct each of the different puzzles one time for a full game.
Player one—shuffle the picture cards, then draw one. Note: The six puzzle themes will be distinct enough to determine your puzzle from the others. Start a smart phone stop-watch, then roll all the puzzle blocks out of their container. When your puzzle pieces land face up, move them aside and keep rolling, using the container, until all of your pieces land face up. After all your pieces have landed face up, you may begin to assemble the puzzle. Assemble your puzzle correctly according to the picture. There could be several different versions in each picture group. When you finish say ‘time’ or stop the watch. Record your time, then pass to the next player. Compile your times for as many rounds as you have chosen. The shortest total time wins.
Example of Game Rules (Team Mode)
Teams of two can play, if desired. Follow same basic rules as single player—except for these changes. Each team must designate one puzzle roller and one puzzle builder. The roller will roll the blocks then distribute the correct blocks to the builder after each roll. The builder should start configuring the puzzle pieces as soon as possible according to the picture. The roller may give verbal advice to the builder, but not touch the blocks after they are given to the builder. Time the assembly of each puzzle and compile your times. Shortest total time wins.
The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.
The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etcetera shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology. Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understood to include those elements specifically recited and those additional elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of” excludes any element not specified.
The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etcetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etcetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.
All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.
Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.
