Game Board Having Interchangeable, Variable, Or Plural Distinct Playing Patterns Patents (Class 273/284)
  • Patent number: 5749583
    Abstract: A new Apparatus and Method of Playing An Expanded Chess Game for adding new challenges to the traditional game of chess and increasing the interest in the game of chess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventors: Tengiz Sadounichvili, Larisa Sadounichvili
  • Patent number: 5732947
    Abstract: The invention is a gameboard consisting of movable rows of squares of two alternating colors. The surface of the gameboard has the appearance of a checkerboard, with extra squares of each side of the playing field. Each player has the option of altering the playing surface between plays by moving a row of squares upon which playing pieces rest. The gameboard results in a completely different way of playing games such as checkers and chess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Daniel J. Noack
  • Patent number: 5727787
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a game board, one embodiment incorporating a carrying case which encloses a stack of inserts. While the inserts appear differently, they all provide game playing paths thereon to simulate running, swimming and other sporting events. Moreover, a typical insert has top and bottom faces which present different images thereon. Each is formed of a laminate presenting upper or lower images, and there is a magnetically attracted layer therein to enable a talisman having a magnet in the base to move thereon in accordance with the rules of play. A convenient carrying case is incorporated with storage compartments for the various markers and other equipment as well as for a stack of the images. A CD ROM software package is likewise included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: Sybil Salley
  • Patent number: 5709385
    Abstract: A sports board game played on a substantially flat surface includes a rotatable platform and a plurality of interchangeable game boards, the game boards having a plurality of regions colorfully identified thereon. The board game also includes game pieces, and may include goals around the perimeter of the game board and/or targets fixed above the game board surface. Use of the board game includes sliding movements and/or airborne movements of game pieces along and/or above the game board, in a controlled and precise manner. To accomplish the airborne movement, portable slotted ramps are provided to enable players to accurately aim the path of the game piece, and guide the game piece towards the target. A "Finger-Flick.TM." movement involves a player placing one finger on the game board, and using a second finger to contact the game piece for movement along and/or above the game board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Finger Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Fitzpatrick, Chase L. Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 5639090
    Abstract: A geoboard has a board member with a plurality, advantageously four edges. An array of holes which is preferably in the form of a matrix, is provided in the board member for receiving slidably mounted push-up pins. Each push-up pin has upper and lower positions and the pins are arranged in the matrix for engagement by an elastic band to form shapes on the board member. Each of the edges includes spaced-apart notches for receiving fixed slider pins which extend in a row on a slider. Each slider is slidably mounted along one of the edges for extending the matrix of push-up pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Kenneth V. Stevens
  • Patent number: 5588654
    Abstract: A compact game playing apparatus that is easy to carry and use when traveling. The apparatus contains an elongate sheet coupled to two spindles. A plurality of game playing surfaces are printed on the elongate sheet, and rotation of the spindles operate to align a selected one of these game playing surfaces with a window in the apparatus housing. A-magnet attracting metal surface is positioned below the exposed game playing surface so that game pieces, which include magnets, may be placed on the game playing surface without being inadvertently displaced. The housing further contains an integral die throwing apparatus, and an integral drawer for holding game pieces when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Third Quarter Corporation
    Inventors: Carl E. Voigt, IV, Cheung K. Chow
  • Patent number: 5566945
    Abstract: A square-shaped game card cooperating with a windowed and shuttered card holder is disclosed. The card is printed with plurality of sets of characters related to a variety of games or subjects. The card can be selectively positioned within the card holder by inserting the former into a playing pocket with any of its four sides inserted first. For every position of the card, a different and particular set of game characters is in registry with the windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Esteban N. Sagucio
  • Patent number: 5505455
    Abstract: A board game which contains a plurality of tokens that are moved among various slots of a board. The tokens may fall through some of the slots and disappear from the game. The board game includes a first board that has a plurality of slots. The slots are arranged in a number of rows and columns. Each row corresponds to a game space. Each game space has one or more slots. The players take turns spinning a dial and moving a token a number of game spaces along the board. The player may insert the token into any unoccupied slot of the game space. Located below the first board is a second board that can support the tokens. The tokens are supported so that are a portion of the tokens extend above the first board. The second board has a plurality of openings that arranged in an irregular pattern and located adjacent to a number of slots. If the player selects a slot adjacent to an opening, the token falls through the slot and disappears from the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Elliot A. Rudell
    Inventors: Richard Kamrath, George Foster
  • Patent number: 5499818
    Abstract: A mystical astrological predictive-type board game including a deck of teliotarotarcane cards including a first sub-deck of minor tarot cards, a second sub-deck of minor shustah cards, a third sub-deck of major tarot cards, a fourth sub-deck of premium cards, and a fifth sub-deck of maximum mystique cards and with each card having a point value; and a game board bearing indicia of a cross, a star with a first rectangle therearound, a second rectangle with a distinctive word thereon, a circle with a distinctive symbol thereon, an ankh, an encircled eye, an encircled triangle, an encircled star, and an answer area formed of an upper circle with an affirmative symbol disposed thereon, a lower circle with a negative symbol disposed thereon, and a segment interconnecting the upper circle with the lower circle; and a rule book providing the rules of play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Al M. Allal
  • Patent number: 5476264
    Abstract: A quest and battle board game comprising: a game board formed in a planar configuration and including a maze and battle side and a world map side, the maze and battle side including a plurality of rectangular spaces and a plurality of upwardly extending structures representing mazes, the world map side being formed in a planar configuration and including a plurality of inverted V-shaped structures, the world map side also including house-shaped structures, castle-shaped structures, circled numerals and other structures providing for organized movement of pieces across the board; and a plurality of character cards including information regarding the abilities of the characters of the game, at least one handbook being included with the apparatus, the handbooks providing background information and detailed instructions regarding play of the game, the game including player pieces and a random number generating device to determine movement of the pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Lori J. Ortega
  • Patent number: 5456472
    Abstract: A game apparatus having a game board with a plurality of sides and with multi-planar levels which are modifiable by the placing or removing of fill squares onto or from any one or more of a plurality of vertical spaces on the game board. The spaces are arranged in an edge-to-edge array across the game board. The game is played between two players with each player having an identical set of playing pieces representing characters or things in the game. The playing pieces are permitted to move along predetermined paths and capture opposing playing pieces, the movement being restricted by obstacles and different levels of the multi-planar game board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventor: Benjamin I. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5433450
    Abstract: A board game comprising a plurality of sets of game pieces; a game board having a front surface and a back surface with each surface further having a circuitous path disposed thereon formed of a plurality of adjacent trails of an even number, each trail associated with a set of game pieces, each trail formed of a plurality of indentations beginning with an indentation designated as a starting space and with the remaining indentations numbered sequentially; a plurality of decks of playing cards; and a rule book describing rules of play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: George Vaillancourt
  • Patent number: 5431397
    Abstract: A new and improved table top soccer game apparatus includes a planar simulated soccer field assembly adapted to be placed on a table top. The simulated soccer field assembly includes four passing zones, a first passing zone, a second passing zone, a third passing zone, and a fourth passing zone. The simulated soccer field assembly includes a first goal area and a second goal area located at opposite ends of the simulated soccer field assembly. A plurality of first players is comprised of a first team and a plurality of second players is comprised of a second team adapted to slide along the simulated soccer field assembly. The first players and the second players adapted to be propelled by a squeezing action between an index finger and a thumb, and a projectile adapted to be slid along the simulated soccer field assembly by is bumped by the propelled first players and the propelled second players. The projectile is in a form of a cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventors: Werner K. Eckel, Ulrich H. Eckel
  • Patent number: 5405141
    Abstract: A football board game has a first game board with a football field depicted thereon and a second game board having indicator and scoring devices thereon. An offensive play option board has a plurality of offensive football play options imprinted on one surface representing actions to be used by an offensive team to advance the football and the yardage gained thereby and a selection device for selecting an offensive play option. A defensive play option board having a plurality of defensive football play options imprinted on one surface representing actions to be used by a defensive team to stop the offensive play options, to cause a loss in yardage, to change possession of the football, and to cause a turnover which allows the defensive team to score a touchdown, and selection devices for selecting a plurality of the defensive play options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: John M. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 5405147
    Abstract: Based on the improvements of the invention it is possible to obtain by a single body, after its corresponding transformation, different boards for practicing multiple games, starting from the development of a rectangular sheet divided in a given number of equilateral triangles equal to each other, each one of which is equipped with a motif or drawing which combined in a given position will form a different game board for each transformed figure, which is obtained after the proper folding of that sheet, through the hinges that the contiguous sides of the triangles constitute, until obtaining a plane body of hexagonal contour formed by six equal triangles, capable of being transformed into another equal hexagon but showing so many other different triangles, up to a total number of five transformations, allowing the attainment of the same number of game boards based on the drawings which are suitably combined in each plane hexagonal figure shaped by each transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Jose L. Garcia
  • Patent number: 5370397
    Abstract: An improved Backgammon playing board that has easily changeable playing surface inserts. The playing board inserts can be printed in accordance with the players stylistic preferences. For example, players who enjoy the variant of the Backgammon called Acey-deucey would most likely enjoy a military motif since many such players learned the game while in the Marines or Merchant Marine. The board also features a unique bar that stores the dice, checkers and doubling die. The bar also features a ramp that automatically places a checker within easy reach whenever one is removed from the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventors: Daniel C. Miller, Jr., Daniel C. Miller, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5356155
    Abstract: A board game kit includes a loose leaf binder including a bottom panel, a front cover panel, a connecting rib and several binders. A plurality of board games are removably held by the binders. Each of the board games includes an appendage with a series of binder holes, the boards being installed in the binder and secured at their appendages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: David L. Gross
  • Patent number: 5351965
    Abstract: Apparatus for playing a game comprises a board bearing a two-dimensional grid of fixed playing areas, there being equal number of fixed playing areas of first and second colors; two equal sets of movable playing areas differing in color but having an equal number of movable playing areas therein, each of these movable playing areas being capable of resting upon one of the fixed playing areas; and two equal sets of playing pieces with at least three different types of playing pieces in each set, each playing piece having a first characteristic identifying the set to which it belongs, and a second characteristic identifying the type of playing piece within that set, each playing piece being capable of resting upon one of the fixed playing areas, or upon one of the movable playing areas which is itself resting in a fixed position upon one of the fixed playing areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventors: Stephen J. Telfer, Michael J. Zuraw
  • Patent number: 5338041
    Abstract: A housing having a top wall of a chess board pattern is arranged to selectively receive groupings of chess pieces configured in representative relationship to a respective category of sports to include football, hockey, baseball, and basketball. A transparent laminate web is arranged for selective mounting and frictional adhering to the top wall to indicate relative to each representative group of chess pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventors: David R. Jones, Garry L. Winterland, David A. Cripe
  • Patent number: 5255923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a board game typically including counters, playing pieces, pawns or the like. The playing pieces are placed of the board and moved across the board in accordance with the play of the game wherein the game board is comprised of at least two sections, one of which has an aperture. The sections are arranged to be part of a game where during the course of play a player or players move pieces on a first section of the board in a direction which may lead to the aperture so that the piece rests on a second section of the playing board and the first section can be moved clear of the second section in order to reveal a second board on which play can take place in the subsequent playing of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Waddingtons Games Limited
    Inventor: Paul F. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5250000
    Abstract: A play kit, including a carrying case with a storage volume sized to enclose therewithin and allow removal therefrom a play tray and a play sheet. The play tray includes a rigid planar supporting member having first and second planar surfaces. The first surface is a bearing surface for bearing against a foreign surface to support the tray in use and the second surface is a mating surface with a demateable attachment elements for demateable attachment of the play sheet. The supporting member it is bordered by opposing vertical extension members extending beyond the first surface of the supporting member and sized to limit sliding motion in the plane of the play tray. The play sheet includes first and second surfaces. The first surface is adaptable for use as a game or toy and the second surface is substantially planar and includes demateable attachment elements corresponding to the attachment elements on the second surface of the supporting member for demateable attachment of the play sheet with the play tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventors: Stephen J. Boutin, Sally L. Boutin
  • Patent number: 5201524
    Abstract: A marble game including a stationary top board having a plurality of spaced apart game holes to define a game path. A rotatable bottom board includes a plurality of randomly spaced apart sink holes for aligning with the game holes. A marble positioned in a game hole aligned with a sink hole falls through and on to a ramp surface which guides the marble angularly downward to a retrieval location. A slot opening in the top board registers with a shift aperture in the bottom board. Applying an external force inside a registered shift aperture in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction rotates the bottom board until another shift aperture registers with the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventors: Dezso Csanady, Christopher A. Csanady
  • Patent number: 5149102
    Abstract: A math game having a game board with a plurality of defined spaces comprising goals. Some of the goals have goal playing math indicia associated with such goals. The math game includes playing pieces and each playing piece has a playing math indicia associated therewith. The players move the playing pieces to define goals and a score is determined by combining the goal playing math indicia on the game board with the playing math indicia on the playing piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Bernard W. McGowan
    Inventors: Bernard W. McGowan, Stephen P. Scully
  • Patent number: 5110127
    Abstract: A gaming board system includes a plurality of gaming boards indicating various sports. Each of the gaming boards utilizes a plurality of playing pieces and goals. The playing piece is a triangular shaped device that can either be held vertically and propelled by striking the lower end thereof or laid flat on the surface of the gaming board and propelled by striking one side thereof to urge it in a forward direction. Goals are provided at either end of the gaming boards and disposed in an upright position to allow the player to propel the playing piece vertically upward and over the goal. Alternatively, the playing piece can be disposed flat on the gaming board to allow the gaming piece to be propelled along the surface of the board into the goal. Inclined side surfaces are also provided to maintain the playing piece in the playing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: James Potter
    Inventor: James Potter
  • Patent number: 5096203
    Abstract: A board game apparatus is provided and consists of a plurality of changeable playing indicating pieces that are each built into a top surface of a playing board housing being a playing field zone so that one portion of each playing indicating piece will always extend above the top surface to be utilized during the play of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventors: Moshe Elstein, George Spector
  • Patent number: 5087052
    Abstract: A game played on a game board having an operative configuration of normal squares and special squares, includes a frame and a see-through grid disposed in the frame for releasably receiving game pieces placed thereon and restraining the game pieces against unintended horizontal or vertical displacement. At least one upper planar slide is disposed in a plane below the grid and has normal squares, special squares and see-through squares. At least one lower planar slide is oriented transverse to the upper slide and disposed in a plane below the upper slide, the lower slide having normal squares and special squares (adapted to be viewed through the see-through squares of the upper slide). Optionally, the lower slide also has see-through squares to enable viewing of portions of a conventional game board therebelow (itself having normal and special squares) which can be viewed through the see-through squares of the upper and lower slides when such see-through squares are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Richard M. Simon
  • Patent number: 5052691
    Abstract: This game incorporates a quadrangular-prismatic body (1) on which a plurality of quadrangular pieces (3) are set up according to an orthogonal reticle, connected to one another by a tongue and groove joint, so that these pieces can move on any of the two axis of the game platform along annular line ups forming two perpendicular groups, the body (1) and the annular line ups set up around it, being conveniently held in the cavity of a framework, which comprises four lateral deposits (8) which collect chips placed on pieces (3) when these pieces are moved by operating push buttons (10) placed on the front of each of its own deposits (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Jose L. Fernandez Jimenez de Castro
  • Patent number: 5037106
    Abstract: An apparatus including a predetermined number of bar magnets selectively positionable upon a game board, wherein the game board is formed with a predetermined number of spaces equal to the predetermined number of magnets, wherein in timed sequential turns, each player attempts to position all of that players bar magnets upon the game board without upsetting an adjacent bar magnet. The game object is to permit a winning player to discard all of the winner's bar magnets. The game board includes a matrix of variously colored squares in conformity with a like number of variously colored positions of a spinner. The game board is provided and formed of a transparent material overlying a transparent support floor to permit visual observation of magnetic filings captured within an upper cavity of the housing to indicate orientation of the bar magnets and the bar magnets magnetic influence in attempting to assist individuals in ascertaining positioning of bar magnets upon the game board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Nelson L. Jodway
  • Patent number: 5018743
    Abstract: A foldable baseboard is provided with sixteen fixed tablets, arranged in regular rows. Thirty-three movable tablets are placed in the spaces between the fixed tablets, to make a 7.times.7 square. The tablets are marked out with roads to define paths along which counters may be moved, towards a target tablet. One extra movable tablet is provided, by means of which a player can push a row of the movable tablets, thus improving the road layout, and enabling him to move his counter towards the target. The game apparatus includes target cards, and game money.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Brainy Toys Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Maier, Helmut W. Maier
  • Patent number: 5013043
    Abstract: A game comprises a frame and a plurality of independently rotatable members held captive, in play, in the frame, wherein the rotatable members are set in a predetermined array and each is provided with a plurality of surface markings which define distinct, independently distinguishable rotational settings for each member. The members are rotatable between the settings and the frame is marked with pathways which are used in conjunction with rules to determine a player's progress. The game may also be embodied as a video game using a display screen and controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: Walter Halliday
  • Patent number: 5009429
    Abstract: A board game and method of playing and designing the game which emulates business property manipulation and retail sales wherein the business properties involved are tailored to fit a specific area of interest or region through the expedient of using preselected groups of playing cards representing business properties such as franchises and the method of tailoring the game to contemporary life by selling to businesses, the advertising advantage of being represented in the game as a business which is one of the integral elements in the play of the game, which, for the players includes the goal of winning prize coupons for merchandise or services to be provided by the participating businesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Inventor: David Auxier
  • Patent number: 4984807
    Abstract: A board game playable by two players comprises a board divided into a plurality of equally sized square areas, a number of removable square tiles sufficient to fill all the squares of the board, a plurality of playing pieces for each player movable over the tiles, and an object piece for each player to be protected against capture by a playing piece of the other player. Each square area has a recess centrally thereof which is of the same square configuration but having a smaller dimension than the square area. The titles also have the same smaller dimension as the recesses. The square areas are colored differently than the tiles such that when the tiles are placed on the recesses the colors of the square areas can be seen between the tiles accentuating the boundaries of the square areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventor: Baruch Shiryon
  • Patent number: 4984808
    Abstract: A color-crayons and board games combination set, which comprises a case formed of two pivoted parts for receiving different chessboards and pieces. The two pivoted parts have each a track on its back side around its periphery so that different chessboards can be drawn out and then pushed back into place. The case defines therein a trough covered with a sliding cover board for receiving a variety of writing materials, and a plurality of raised grooves for receiving different pieces which are simultaneously used as color-crayons and chessmen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventor: Jean Young
  • Patent number: 4971331
    Abstract: A strategy game device having a support base with a top surface and at least three peg receptacles, each rotatably connected to the base at the center of the receptacle. Each receptacle has at least three peg-receiving holes equally spaced about the periphery of the receptacle. The number of holes in each receptacle is the same. There are at least two sets of pegs and each set comprises a number of pegs which can be inserted in the aforementioned holes. Each set has a color different than the color of the other sets. In one version the centers of the peg receptacles are spaced apart along a straight line extending parallel to the top surface of the base. In another version the peg receptacles are circular and are rotatable about a common center axis. In the preferred version of this embodiment, each receptacle has eight peg-receiving holes equally spaced from one another about the periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventors: Ellis Fabian, Karen L. Fabian
  • Patent number: 4953872
    Abstract: A method of playing a transportation industry game includes the following steps: There is provided a playing surface with a plurality of adjacent areas forming a first continuous pathway around the surface, a distinguishable marker for each player, a common money supply source, money and stock for each player. Each player in a repeating sequence activates a random number selector and advances the player's marker along the first pathway the number of areas specified by the number selector to stop on a particular area. The legend on the area is read and the action specified is performed. When the legend corresponds to a miniature drive or commodity carrier unit the particular unit is selected and is assembled with a previously selected miniature unit disposed adjacent to a second continuous pathway surrounding the first pathway. When the legend corresponds to that of a particular stack of cards the top card is selected therefrom and the action specified is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventor: Gerald C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 4949975
    Abstract: Whitewater board game. A game board has indicated on it successive paths of preparation for, and travel to, one or more rivers, each river having rapids therein, and each rapids having alternative routes therethrough--and some having portages around them. Route cards for the respective rapids indicate outcomes of running the rapids, including possible mishaps, dependent in part upon water level and type of boat and in part upon chance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: William J. Carrier
  • Patent number: 4946170
    Abstract: A board game having a game board which can accommodate four players or six players. The game board has playing surfaces on opposite sids thereof. A first playing surface which accommodates four players is divided into four playing areas and each playing area is divided into identical playing spaces. Players are assigned a playing area and the player's playing pieces are placed in the respective playing areas. The playing pieces move along the playing surface and opposing playing pieces may be captured. A second surface on the opposite side of the board discloses another embodiment of the game wherein the second playing surface is divided into six playing areas, one playing area assigned to each player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventor: Anthony V. Mastro
  • Patent number: 4902020
    Abstract: A board game and method of playing and designing the game which emulates business property manipulation and retail sales wherein the business properties involved are tailored to fit a specific area of interest or region through the expedient of using preselected groups of playing cards representing business properties such as franchises and the method of tailoring the game to contemporary life by selling to businesses, the advertising advantage of being represented in the game as a business which is one of the integral elements in the play of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: David Auxier
  • Patent number: 4846479
    Abstract: A board game including a playing board, a plurality of markers and a plurality of cards. The board playing surface has a plurality of spaces forming a playing lattice along the perimeter portion of the board. Each space is colored by one of a plurality of various colors. A group of lines runs through the middle portion of the playing lattice and each line is also colored by one of the plurality of various colors. The lines make connections between the spaces. The markers indicate by symbols, characteristics or facts of nature and the cards have statements of physical, mental, philosophical, spiritual or emotional characteristics of human beings and natural phenomena. According to the rules, a player places markers on the spaces, selects a card, reads the statement and uses the statement to describe a relation between two or more placed markers. The markers used in the relationship can only be markers placed on similarly colored spaces wherein these spaces are connected by similarly colored lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: Mary Anne Hanley
  • Patent number: 4828268
    Abstract: A game board is provided for use with a strategy game of the type in which at least two opposing players move diverse playing pieces over the game board in simulated combat. The game board comprises a plurality of planar board pieces each of which are substantially identical to each other in shape and size. In addition, indicia is formed on one face of the game board pieces which is representative of a land terrain condition. To form the game board, the board pieces are placed closely adjacent to each other so that the indicia on the game board pieces are visible from the top of the game board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Norman H. Somerville
  • Patent number: 4817957
    Abstract: A game played on a playing board having a plurality of intersecting lateral and longitudinal grooves defining a grid of squares. A plurality of laterally and longitudinally oriented movable bars on the grid define a maze therewith. The movable bars are operatively connected to the grooves and respectively move laterally and longitudinally along the grooves. The movement of the bars changes the maze paths. Each bar has a width of one square and a length of three squares of the grid. The game apparatus also includes a plurality of playing pieces, objects for indicating random numbers of permissible movements of the playing pieces and the bars, and a surrounding frame to definitize the playing area and to retain the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: Gregory L. Reeves
  • Patent number: 4813679
    Abstract: A strategy oriented board game wherein the board is divided into a plurality of elongated slidable strips. A first set of strips have intersections formed by first parallel lines intersecting second parallel lines. A second set of strips have similar intersections relatively offset from the intersections of the first set of strips. When the edges of the strips are aligned, the parallel lines are all connected forming linear intersecting pathways running diagonally across the face of the strips. Each player has a plurality of markers which are placed at home positions at opposite ends of the board. The markers are selectively movable across the strips along the pathways formed by the connection of the parallel lines. The objective is to move a player's marker to the opponent's home positions. According to the rules the strips may be slid, thereby re-positioning the markers located on the slid strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventor: David G. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4811954
    Abstract: A portable game board assembly is comprised of a pair of elongated tray elements which are hinged along one elongate side and open along that side between the hinge elements. The tray elements may be pivoted into a closed position to define a container. Stored in each one of the tray elements is a game board element which may be removed therefrom and rotated 90 degrees so as to extend across the hinged margin of the tray elements and secured in that position to rigidify the tray elements and provide a stable assembly. The playing board surface is provided by a paper or other printed web disposed below the transparent bottom wall of the game board elements and visible therethrough. The tray elements may be formed so as to provide compartments along the margins thereof for storage of game pieces and desirably include latch elements on the side opposite the hinges to close the two tray elements in assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Coleco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Hemmann
  • Patent number: 4809986
    Abstract: A regatta board game is disclosed in which a rectangular game board is laid off in a grid of squares established by a first series of parallel lines extending in a first direction and a second series of parallel lines extending in a second direction which is normal to the first direction. Some of the squares are designated as falling within a first, second or third category, the first category designating preliminary course marker positions, the second and third categories providing an indication that a player is to draw a card which partially determines the progress of play. A single eight-sided die is provided, and a plurality of players' tokens and a plurality of course marking pennants are also included among the game accessories, the pennants being each adapted to mark a selected one of the squares in the first category as a sequential position in a randomly selectable course set forth on a "Course Card" drawn just prior to the commencement of play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Pearce, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4801148
    Abstract: A board game apparatus for playing is provided. The apparatus includes a set of game boards, each having a matrix of holes arranged in mutually orthogonal rows and columns for receiving game pieces that are coded according to the adversary and the type and size of military unit they represent and that are deployed according to the discretion of each player. A variety of actual topographical map sets, representing scenes of battle, may be secured under transparent overlays bearing lines of latitude and longitude, each point of intersection of which corresponds to a hole in a game board. Dice, spinning devices and cards are also provided to define such game variables as unit movement, limiting weather conditions, missions, support, special situations and battle objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Inventor: Donald J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 4783081
    Abstract: Playing or games board on whcih several games or the like can be played has a skeleton or framework which consists of a base with upright walls at the sides. Between these side walls a number of parallel upright partitions are placed. These partitions are joined perpendicularly at the top by narrow bars so that the upper face of the game board is divided into squares defined by the partitions and narrow bars. Into this framework of squares a number of bodies are rotatably fixed. The bodies are fixed so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, without communication between the bodies and each element or body has a number of faces directed outward which can be mutually changed in position by rotation of the body. Each face of an element has a different image or picture or the same image but of a different color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Inventor: Albert H. Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 4781384
    Abstract: A box for storing social games having the form of a book and comprising two symmetrical parts forming the covers of the book which are articulatedly mounted on one another by hinges. The box is movable between a closed position and an open position. When the box is in the open position, the symmetrical parts are positioned one adjacent the other on one plane so that game pieces can be placed thereon. When the box is in the closed position, each symmetrical part is pressed against the other and a male component is provided having a salient portion which forms the back of the book. The two symmetrical parts forming the covers of the book form a female component of the book which is further provided on the side of the hinges within an aperture into which the salient portion of the male component can be inserted to secure the box in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: Rene Bois
  • Patent number: 4768788
    Abstract: In a sailing game, a number of movable land masses each having a habor therein for placement upon a game board. At least two types of sailing vessels, each having different navigational abilities when moving over the game board. Wind speed and direction indicators for determining the possible movements of the vessels during each turn, wherein all vessels on the game board, and not within a harbor, must be subject to the indicators. Facility and buoy cards acquired by each player allow the player to alter the effects of the wind speed and direction indicators upon his vessel. The winner being the first individual to navigate his vessel from the home harbor to all of the other harbors and return back to the home harbor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gates, Kevin S. Young
  • Patent number: 4759548
    Abstract: A board game simulating golf. The game has an annular golf course playing surface which maps fairway surface and a contiguous array of hazards with a grid of radial distance lines and annular direction lines on it. Highly preferred embodiments provide infinite variation in golf hole characteristics by virtue of a rotational partial overlay having its own map portions combinable with varying exposed map portions of the base board. Preferred embodiments also include a top member providing a movable tee and a shot distance gauge. Two sets of random determiners simulate golf shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Joseph M. Chaban
  • Patent number: 4753441
    Abstract: A decoy board game is provided including a gameboard with a grid pattern divided into four segments defining discrete squares of different representations, such as water, land, mountain, island, starting, headquarter and airstrip in which four players can play the game. The players are provided with four sets of game pieces adapted for movement along the grid pattern formed by the squares. Each set of playing pieces includes six different types of pieces having predetermined movements and capable of removing an opponents pieces in accordance with rules of the game and by result of a random number generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Inventors: Matthew P. Braus, George Spector