Patent Application
20080029961
The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
Along the sides of the game board 100 are three stripes, namely the first-stripe 102, the second stripe 104, and the third stripe 106. These stripes 102, 104, 106 are repeated along both the side peripheries of the game board 100. The game board 100 includes a rectangular display of mathematical operations at each corner adjacent to the stripes 102, 104, 106, 108, 110. More particularly, the upper left-hand corner includes a first rectangle 130 displaying addition mathematical operations, the upper right hand corner includes a second rectangle 132 displaying subtraction mathematical operations, the bottom left-hand corner includes a third rectangle 134 which displays multiplication mathematical operations, and the bottom right hand corner includes a fourth rectangle 136 which displays division mathematical operations. Between the rectangles 130,132, 134, 136 which corresponds to mathematical operations and in the center of the game board 100 are four large ‘M’s (Horizontal 3 and Vertically 3). The ‘M’ stand for magical Mathematical Mastermind which can be abbreviated to Triple M and finally to TM.
The present invention is a game that is similar to Monopoly or Scrabble, but the game of the present invention requires the players to apply their intellect in rudimentary mathematical skill. The game helps develop the player sense of intelligent calculation. The board 100 includes a net system which is similar to badminton or tennis and has dice in the shape of stars in different color codes and digits. The game of the present invention involves more physical movement than previous games such as Monopoly and Scrabble. The present invention is a game of skill which involves continuous calculation. The game of the present invention is for children of all ages but targets the age group between 5 to 7 years. Once the children learn numbers up to 100, the present invention will accelerate and enhance their transition into mathematical skills. With the aid of the game of the present invention, the children can be expected to learn addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.
Of the many advantages of the present invention, parents and teachers alike can use the game to teach math to children. Furthermore, organized competition between individuals, classes or between teams from different schools can generate sufficient competitive spirit and ensure extensive math practice.
Children can learn math faster by playing this game than by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing alone. It is an ideal alternative to boring math practice at home or inside the classroom. The game of the present invention can be played either indoor or outdoor and offers a special avenue for students who prefer to avoid math.
It has been recently shown that 60% of US children are obese due to lack of exercise. The game of the present invention not only stimulates children's minds but also ensures physical activity for them.
The present invention is a game of skill in which generates competitive spirit between the participants. The game of the present invention can be played between two individuals or two teams. The nature of the game automatically helps in the development of the efficiency of the neuromuscular mechanism of the children who play this game. Once the rules of this game have been learned, this game is exciting and fun for the participants of the game.
Parents and teachers alike can use this game to teach math to children. Organized competition between individuals/classes or even between different schools of children of the same age group will generate a competitive spirit and ensure the practice of math. This game offers a avenue for students who normally avoid mathematics. The game of the present invention stimulates the mind of the children and also ensures adequate physical activities for the children who play this game.
The accessories to be used with the game include two metallic sliding leafs, a net with two magnetic poles, two notepads with pencils and erasers, a laminated page showing the rules of the game and a sample equation checklist. The game box also includes star shaped plastic game pieces including 18 star shaped plastic game pieces that relate to addition, 18 star shaped plastic game pieces that relate to subtraction, 2 star shaped plastic game pieces that relate to division, 6 star shaped plastic game pieces that relate to multiplication and 4 erasers. All may have two different color backgrounds for two players or groups. The game is started by setting up the board, keeping the board at a playable distance depending upon the efficiency of the players, the players picking up the stars of the following digits of the same color code; 9 addition stars, 9 subtraction stars, 1 division stars, 3 multiplication stars, and two erasers. The players pick up the score pads, pencils and erasers; now the game is ready to begin. The players in turn begin throwing stars on the board carefully. The players throw the stars and keep them on the board to score marks for the players themselves or to reduce marks of the opponent. Each player can throw one star at a time. All addition and multiplication calculations are for the one player themselves and all division and subtraction calculations are for the opponent. Once the erasure star thrown, it will erase the last calculation of the opponent. If a star goes off of the board but remains in touch with the board, the star will be considered as on the board. At the time of throwing the star, once a star is out of the grip of the player, the chance for that star is over. The players will not collect used stars until the game is over, and the game is over once all the stars are thrown from the hands of the players. Both players should calculate the score in their respective score pads and have it checked by the opponent to maintain the game progress and to avoid any confusion. In the case of fraction score resulting from division, one mark should be added to the fraction to make it a round figure.
The board should be cleared of the stars after three throws of each player to help keep the subsequent stars thrown on the board. When a player cannot obtain any mark, his mark is zero and no subtraction, multiplication or division will be effective on him. No one can get a score of less than zero. When the number of players is more than two, then the players should organize into two groups to play the game. In a case of three players, the better skilled player should take one side and the two less skilled players should take the other side. The multiplication stars can be given to younger players once they have developed mastery over the addition and subtraction stars. Players are not expected to use a calculator.
The star should be held with the thumb, index and middle finger in order to produce a parabolic path and produce a whirling motion as the star is thrown towards the board. If the star falls flat on the board, it will not skate or jump off of the board.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.
The present invention claims priority based on application No. 60/667,005.
