Transformable game

Abstract

A hand-held electronic game with audio directions has a center with two connected elongated ends for bending and rotating relative to the center by a player. Position sensing switches provide input to a control module. Various pre-programmed games may be played according to directions from the control module. In one, players are given “hot”/“cold” directions as they attempt to transform the game into a predetermined, but undisclosed, configuration. For another, there are directions, such as “bend it”, which have a number of correct responses. There is a “bend it back” direction which requires recall of the prior “bend” move for the one correct response. Another variation gives a sound that must precede a direction to authorize the player to follow the direction. Each particular configuration may also be identified by a sound effect requiring the player to recall the shape associated with the sound.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to hand-held electronic games, and more particularly to a game transformable by the player's physical manipulation of the game in response to audio directions.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] Games in which players must physically respond to commands from an electronic control module with an audio component are old in the art. A well known example of such games is the “SIMON” game shown in Morrison et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,087 issued Jun. 10, 1980. In that game, the player must respond to the same sequence of light and sound signals that the game emits by depressing selected ones of four buttons carried by a central console. More recent examples of such games are the “STIX” games shown in Stambolic et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,776 which are in elongated tubular form with a generally, centrally mounted electronic display and various types of controls at either end, e.g., push buttons, pull switches, spring-loaded balls, flip switches, momentary switches, slide switches, twist knobs, mouse controls, pointer balls, lever arms, or the like. Another example of such prior art games is the game shown in Klitsner et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,478 issued Jul. 11, 2000. That hand-held game, which includes a plurality of input devices, gives a command that the player must respond to by activating the correct input device within a set time limit. Each of the input devices requires a different mechanical action such as depressing a switch, pulling a switch, or rotating a switch. When the player correctly responds to the command by actuating the proper switch, within a predetermined period of time, the game issues a second command again requiring actuation of a correct input device, within another predetermined time, or passage of the game device to another player.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is concerned with providing a transformable game having a body segment, two extension segments, a joint connecting each of the extension segments to the body segment for articulation relative to the body segment, a position sensing switch carried by each joint, an electronic control module, a power source for the electronic control module, an audio component operated by the electronic control module, circuitry connecting each position sensing switch with the electronic control module and providing input from each position sensing switch to the electronic control module, and preprogrammed directions included in the control module for a game responsive to input from the position sensing switches.

[0006] The present invention is also concerned with providing a game that includes responding to electronic audio directions by physically manipulating at least one segment of a game device to reconfigure the game device into the following configurations in accordance with the directions:

[0007] straight in which three elongated segments are generally aligned;

[0008] an L in which an elongated body segment and one of two elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment;

[0009] a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension segments generally oriented directed in the same direction;

[0010] an S shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension segments are substantially parallel to each other with their respective free ends oriented in opposite directions; and

[0011] a twist shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at substantially a right angle to the elongated body segment and with each of the elongated extension segments lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the other elongated extension segment lies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the game configured in a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension segments generally oriented in the same direction;

[0014] FIG. 1B is a reduced scale perspective view showing the game configured straight in which the three elongated segments are generally aligned;

[0015] FIG. 1C is a reduced scale perspective view showing the game configured in a twist shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at substantially a right angle to the elongated body segment and with each of the elongated extension segments lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the other elongated extension segment lies;

[0016] FIG. 1D is a reduced scale perspective view showing the game configured in an L in which the elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment;

[0017] FIG. 1E is a reduced scale perspective view showing the game configured in an S shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension segments are substantially parallel to each other with their respective free ends oriented in opposite directions;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1A;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

[0024] FIG. 8 is an exploded view, partially in section, of components of one of the position sensing switches;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of one of the hinge connection joints; and

[0026] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the switches, circuitry and electronic components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Referring now to the drawings in which like parts are designated with like reference numerals throughout the several views, a transformable game 20 is shown in FIGS. 1A-1E in various configurations or shapes into which the game may be physically manipulated by players. Game 20 includes a generally elongated, central body segment 22 that is conveniently cylindrical, or tubular. Central body segment 22 has opposed ends 24 and 26. Connected to central body segment 22, adjacent ends 24 and 26, are elongated end segments 28 and 30, respectively.

[0028] As is best shown in FIG. 2, end segment 28 is connected to body segment 22 by a hinge 32 which permits bending or angular movement of end segment 28 into one of three positions relative to body segment 22. Hinge 32 has outer slots 34 for securing spaced apart arms 36 extending from end 24 of body segment. 22. Arms 36 are mounted for rotation about a pin 38 extending through hinge 32. Thus, end segment 28, together with hinge 32, rotates relative to arms 36 and body segment 22 providing bending or angular articulation of end segment 28 relative to body segment 22. End segment 28 has a free end 42 opposite hinge 32.

[0029] The other elongated end segment 30 is similarly connected through a hinge 44 for bending or angular articulation relative to central body segment 22. The details of hinge 44 are similar to those of hinge 32 and hence will not be further described. However, rather than being connected through its arms 46 to fixed end 26 of body 22, hinge 44 is connected, through its arms 46 (only one of which is shown), to a rotatable plug 50 carried in central body segment 22, adjacent its end 26. Thus, hinge 44, and in turn end segment 30, are rotatable relative to body segment 22, in addition to being bendable or angularly articulated with respect to body segment 22. End segment 30 has a free end 48 opposite hinge 44.

[0030] As is best shown in FIG. 2, end 24 of body segment 22 carries a position sensing switch 52 which includes a pin 54 biased outwardly by a spring 56. Pin 54 carries a collar 58 against which spring 56 pushes. Collar 58 also serves to selectively close one of three, normally open, momentary switches 62, 64 or 66, depending on how far pin 54 has been pushed by spring 56. As is also best shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, of hinge 32 has a cam groove 68 which receives extended pin 54. As end segment 28 is rotated through 180°, pin 54 will be pushed out of body segment 22 to various lengths or positions depending upon the depth of cam groove 68 presented by the angular position of end segment 28 and hinge 32. To facilitate positioning of end segment 28 relative to body segment 22 at either right angle position or aligned with body segment 22, suitable detents (not shown) may be provided.

[0031] End 26 of body segment 22 also carries a switch 72 for sensing the relative angular or bendable articulation of end segment 30. In view of the similarity of the details of switch 72 with switch 52, they will not again be described. However, as is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, switch 72 is carried within rotatable plug 50. There is also a rotatable position sensing switch 74 within body segment 22 with which rotatable plug 50 cooperates. As is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 there are four, normally open, momentary switches 76, 78, 80 and 82 mounted about inner periphery 84 of body segment 22, generally at the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions. A radial projection 88 on plug 50 engages, and selectively closes one of switches 76, 78, 80 and 82 to indicate the relative rotational position of end segment 30 and hinge 44 relative to body segment 22. As for the angular positions, suitable detents (not shown) may be provided to facilitate rotational positioning at a selected one of the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions.

[0032] An electronic control module 90 is conveniently carried in body segment 22. Control module 90 includes a printed circuit board 92 with a central processing chip 94. Also carried in body segment 22 is an audio speaker component 96 controlled by processing chip 94. In addition, batteries 98 providing power for the printed circuit board and the speaker are conveniently carried in body segment 22. There is also an on/off switch 100.

[0033] Circuitry, schematically indicated as 102 in FIG. 10 connects each of the positions sensing switches 52, 72 and 74 to printed circuit board 92 for input of the position of end segments 28 and 30 relative to body segment 22. In addition, as is schematically illustrated in FIG. 10, master on/off switch 100 may be interposed between battery power source 98 and processing unit 94 for activation of the game. The control module 90 also contains programs 104 with directions for a number of different games.

[0034] Various types of games may be played in accordance with the directions programmed using conventional programming techniques, some of which may be randomly generated, and issued by control module 90 through speaker 96. In one such game, the player is given “hot”/“cold” directions as the player attempts to transform the game into a configuration that the control module has predetermined, but not disclosed to the player. Another type of game may be played in which the control module gives general directions such as “bend it” for which there are a number of correct responses. In such a game, a direction relating to a prior move could also be given, such as, “bend it back”, for which there is only one correct response and which requires a player to recall the prior move of that type. A variation on the previous game involves a particular sound effect, randomly generated for a given game, which must precede a direction in order for the player to be authorized to follow the direction. Yet another game identifies each particular configuration into which the game may be transformed by a random sound effect, requiring the player to recall the configuration or shape associated with the particular sound effect as directions are given.

[0035] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, with some further suggested alternatives, further variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended in the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications that come within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A transformable game comprising: a body segment; two extension segments; a joint connecting each of the extension segments to the body segment for articulation relative to the body segment; a position sensing switch carried by each joint; an electronic control module; a power source for the electronic control module; an audio component operated by the electronic control module; circuitry connecting each position sensing switch with the electronic control module and providing input from each position sensing switch to the electronic control module; and preprogrammed directions included in the control module for a game responsive to input from the position sensing switches.

2. The transformable game of claim 1 in which each joint connects the respective extension segment for articulation by bending relative to the body segment.

3. The transformable game of claim 2 in which each of the body segment and the two extension segments are elongated, each of the extension segments has a free end, and the game is transformable into one of the following configurations: straight in which the three elongated segments are generally aligned; an L in which the elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment; a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension segments generally oriented in the same direction; and an S shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension segments are substantially parallel to each other with their respective free ends oriented in opposite directions;

4. The transformable game of claim 1 in which at least one extension segment is rotatable relative to the body segment.

5. The transformable game of claim 1 in which each joint connects the respective extension segment for articulation by bending and at least one extension segment is rotatable relative to the body segment.

6. The transformable game of claim 5 in which each of the body segment and the two extension segments are elongated, each of the extension segments has a free end, and the game is transformable into one of the following configurations: straight in which the three elongated segments are generally aligned; an L in which the elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment; a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension segments generally oriented in the same direction; an S shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension segments are substantially parallel to each other with their respective free ends oriented in opposite directions; and a twist shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at substantially a right angle to the elongated body segment and with each of the elongated extension segments lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the other elongated extension segment lies.

7. A method of playing a game with a transformable game device having an electronic control module with an audio component and a plurality of segments connected for articulation with respect to each other by physical manipulation by the player, comprising the steps of: activating the game device; responding to directions from the audio component of the electronic control module by physically manipulating at least one segment of the game device to reconfigure the game device into the following configurations in accordance with audio directions from the game: straight in which the three elongated segments are generally aligned; an L in which the elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment; a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension segments generally oriented directed in the same direction; an S shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension segments are substantially parallel to each other with their respective free ends oriented in opposite directions; and a twist shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at substantially a right angle to the elongated body segment and with each of the elongated extension segments lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the other elongated extension segment lies.

8. A method of playing a game of claim 7, including: assigning a non-verbal sound to each of the shapes.

9. A method of playing a game of claim 7, including: assigning a non-verbal sound that must precede directions from the audio component in order to authorize a player to follow such instructions; and randomly issuing directions without the authorizing sound.