Game box with multiple boards and door
Six rectangular panels made of a rigid material form the sides of a hollow cube box. The panels are held together by means of a series of two grooves on each panel and by means of a removable key and without the use of any adhesive or other fastening devices. One panel incorporates a door for access into the interior of the box. The box may be of any size and may be used for any purpose including temporary building or building component, storage box, or as a surface for game boards and the storage of game pieces. The outside surface of each panel may be marked with the design of a game board and the box turned over to position the desired game on top for play.
This invention relates to previous disclosures as follows:
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- 1) Disclosure Document No. 457733 filed Jun. 14, 1999; Title of Invention: Game Box.
- 2) Disclosure Document No. 483231 filed Nov. 27, 2000; Title Of Invention: Snap Box.
- 3) Disclosure Document No. 509439 filed Apr. 9, 2002; Title of Invention: Round Door.
- 4) Provisional Patent Application No. 60/577,830; filing date: Jun. 8, 2004; Title of Invention: Snap Box.
- 5) Provisional Patent Application No. 60/580,595; filing date: Jun. 17, 2004; Title of Invention: Game Box.
This invention relates to a hollow cube box of any size which may be used for any purpose including temporary buildings or building components, storage compartments, storage box, packaging, table, chair, a board game box painted or otherwise marked with the designs of multiple game boards with game pieces stored inside, or any other purpose utilizing a highly stable hollow cube box which can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA small number of inventions have included a means of combining flat panels to form a hollow cube box without the use of glue, nails, screws, or other conventional fastening devices and which can be easily assembled and disassembled. See for example Spetner U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,192 and Gracia Pub. No.: US 2004/0173610 A 1.
Each of these inventions produces a hollow cube box which is not symmetrical in all dimensions. Each of these inventions requires panels of different design or shape to produce the resulting hollow cube box. The present invention allows the use of six identical and interchangeable flat panels to produce a three-dimensional symmetrical hollow cube box.
Additionally, Gracia, Pub. No. US 2004/0173610 A 1 requires two of the six panels to be formed and not flat. The present invention utilizes six completely flat panels altered only with two parallel grooves in each panel.
Additionally Spetner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,192 requires a number of “corner rails” and numerous screws or fastening devices. The present invention requires nothing more than six identical panels each with two parallel grooves on one side. In the preferred embodiment the invention utilizes a single removable key to facilitate assembly and disassembly as described more fully below.
As a result, the present invention is A) relatively inexpensive to manufacture; B) relatively easy to assemble; and C) very stable.
Many inventions have sought to combine one or more games, including board games, with a storage area for the game pieces and/or the game boards. Many of these inventions have required game boards or playing surfaces which are either stacked, overlaid, hinged, folding and/or pivoting. See for example: Lackner, U.S. Pat. No. 716,435,; Zimmerman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,102,449; Stice U.S. Pat. No. 3,563,624; Blumenaus U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,429; Lewis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,374; Hemmann U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,954; Yu et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,185; and Rizzo, U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,487. Some have utilized separate game modules in combination. See for example Saiz U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,930. At least one invention utilizes a pulley system to lower a game board into a box. See Wolfe, U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,747.
The present invention eliminates all of these devices. When assembled, the present invention requires no moving parts. In the preferred embodiment the invention when assembled has only one moving part: the door. As a result the present invention is A) very simple and easy to use; B) relatively inexpensive to manufacture; and C) very stable and durable.
Other advantages of the present invention are:
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- 1) As many as six different game boards can be included on one box.
- 2) The box can be assembled, disassembled and reassembled very quickly and easily without the use of any adhesives or any fasteners of any kind except two screws.
- 3) All six games can be played simultaneously when the box is disassembled.
- 4) The game boards appear on the outside of the box providing a unique decorative aspect of the invention
- 5) In the preferred embodiment the size of the box permits the storage of game pieces for the six game boards on the box as well as many additional games and pieces.
- 6) In the preferred embodiment the invention may also be used as a chair or table.
- 7) The invention may also be embodied in sizes much larger or much smaller than the preferred embodiment and used for purposes unrelated to games or furniture. Such purposes might include temporary buildings or building components; storage compartments, packaging, or any other purpose using a highly stable and durable hollow cube box.
For convenience I will use the following definitions in this disclosure:
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- 1) PANEL. One of six rectangular sides of a hollow cube box. Each panel contains two grooves on the inside surface as described
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. - 2) STANDARD PANEL. A panel which has NOT been modified to accept either a key or a door.
- 3) KEY PANEL. A standard panel which has been modified to accept a key.
- 4) DOOR PANEL. A standard panel which has been modified to accept a door.
- 5) KEY. A relatively thin narrow strip of metal or other durable material the removal of which allows the complete disassembly of the hollow cube box.
- 6) OUTSIDE SURFACE. The surface of a panel facing the exterior of a hollow cube box when assembled.
- 7) INSIDE SURFACE. The surface of a panel facing the interior of the hollow cube box when assembled.
- 1) PANEL. One of six rectangular sides of a hollow cube box. Each panel contains two grooves on the inside surface as described
Six rectangular panels made of a rigid material such as plywood or plastic or metal each have 2 parallel U-shaped grooves close to the edge of two opposite edges on the same side. The other two edges of each panel are inserted into the grooves on other panels. Five such standard panels will combine to form a hollow cube box with one side open. One edge of the sixth panel is inserted into one of the two remaining open grooves. The opposite edge of the sixth panel is modified by cutting away the edge by an amount equal to the depth of a groove but slightly longer than the groove. The amount cut away is replaced by a removable key equal in size and dimensions to what is cut from the panel. The key is inserted into the last remaining open groove. The key panel is then made flush with the key and the key is fastened to the key panel with two screws, one on each end where the key extends beyond the ends of the groove. The result is a six sided hollow cube box held together with only two screws and a series of 12 grooves. The box is very stable.
One of the six panels can be modified to accept a door for access into the interior of the box. The door panel can be combined with the key panel.
All dimensions of the panels can vary depending on the purpose for which the box will be used and the desired overall size of the box and depending on the thickness of the material used. The dimensions of the six panels must all be identical except for modifications made to the key panel and the door panel.
The outside surface of each panel can be painted or otherwise marked with the design of a board game. The design of all six panels when assembled results in a rail-like protrusion of the exposed edges of each panel beyond the outside surface of adjoining panels. These railings cause the outside surface of the bottom panel to be raised up off of the floor thereby preventing damage to the bottom game board. The box is turned over to position the desired game on top for playing. Game pieces and other games can be stored inside the box
The box can also be used for any purpose including temporary buildings or building components, storage compartments, storage box, packaging, table, chair, or any other purpose using a highly stable and durable hollow cube box of any size which can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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- 1) (B-G) and (H-I) are each the length of the panel.
- 2) (B-I) and (G-H) are each the width of the panel.
- 3) (A-B) is the thickness of the panel.
- 4) (C-D) and (E-F) are each the width of the grooves.
- 5) (D-J) is the depth of each groove.
- 6) (D-E) is distance between the two grooves as well as the length and width of the exposed inside surface of each panel when assembled.
- 7) (B-C) and (F-G) are each the distance between the floor or other external surface on which the box is resting and the exterior surface of the panel positioned as the bottom panel.
All dimensions may vary depending on:
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- A) The purpose for which the hollow cube box will be used.
- B) The desired overall size of the hollow cube box.
- C) The thickness of the material used.
The corresponding dimensions for each panel must be identical except for modifications made to the key panel and the door panel. Also, the following proportions between dimensions are required:
10 (C-D) (E-F)=(A-B) (Width of grooves equals thickness of material.)
2) (H-I)=(B-G)=(D-E)+(B-C)+(F-G)+(C-D)+(E-F) (Length of panel equals distance between two parallel grooves plus thickness of 2 panels plus twice the distance between the floor or other external surface on which the box is resting and the exterior surface of the panel positioned as the bottom panel.)
3) (G-H)=(B-I)=(D-E)+2 (D-J)−(Width of panel equals distance between two parallel grooves plus twice the depth of grooves.)
With the above proportions and identical dimensions in each panel, six panels will combine to form a perfect hollow cube box. The panels are assembled by inserting the edges (H-I) and (G-B) in the two grooves of adjoining panels as will be described more fully below.
In the preferred embodiment the dimensions are as follows:
(C-D)=(E-F)=(A-B)=¾ inch. a)
(B-C)=(F-G)=¾ inch. b)
(D-J)= 3/16 inch. c)
(H-I)=(13-G)=(D-E)+(B-C)+(F-G)+(C-D)+(E-F)=22½ inches. d)
(G-H)=(B-I)=(D-E)+2 (D-J)=19⅞ inches. e)
(D-E)=19½ inches. f)
In the preferred embodiment the key and key panel make assembly and disassembly of the hollow cube box much easier and faster. Without the key, the sixth standard panel must be forced or snapped into the last open groove. Disassembly requires prying the first edge out of the first groove. This is the method described in the provisional patent application referred to above titled “Snap Box.” The preferred embodiment is an improvement over the invention described in the Snap Box disclosure. Assembly using the key will be described more fully below.
The dimensions of the key are: (A-B)×(C-F)×(L-M) except on the two ends where the dimension (C-F) is reduced by (D-I) to match the groove in the key panel and accept the edge of the adjoining panel inserted into the groove of the key panel. The thickness of the key O equals the amount of the edge removed from the key panel which equals the depth of the grooves: (L-M)=(C-K)=(D)-J). The key O is made of metal or other rigid and durable material. In the very last stage of assembly of the hollow cube box the key O is attached to the key panel with two screws N-L and N-R
The views of the eight outside corners of the hollow cube box are particularly difficult to visualize. Three separate surfaces on three different planes overlap one another in the same place in three different dimensions. Both the simplicity and the intricacy of the invention are revealed in the outside corners.
Game pieces and other games can be stored inside the box.
The box can also be used as a chair or table. The box can also be embodied in sizes smaller or larger than the preferred embodiment and without game board designs and used for purposes unrelated to games or game-boards. Such purposes could include temporary buildings or building components, storage areas, packaging, storage boxes or any purpose using a highly stable hollow cube box of any size which can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.
Claims
1. References are to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 20. 21, 23-28 and 30.
- A hollow cube box comprising:
- a) six separate flat rectangular panels made of rigid material each with two parallel grooves near equidistant from and parallel to opposite edges on the same side, each groove extending perpendicular from one edge of the panel to the opposite edge each panel having identical outside dimensions and identical dimensions for the width, length depth and location of each groove;
- b) with dimensions must be in proportion to each other as follows: 1) the width of the grooves equals the thickness of the Panels: (C-D)=(E F)=(A-B); 2) the length of the panels equals the distance between the two grooves plus twice the thickness of the panels plus twice the distance between the outside surface of the panel positioned as the bottom panel and the floor or other external surface on which the box is resting (H-I)=(B-G)=(D-E)+(B-C)+(F-G)+(C-D)+(E F); 3) the width of the panels equals the distance between the two grooves plus twice the depth of the grooves: (G-H)=(B-1)=(D-E)+2(D-J);
- c) with the two edges (H-I) and (G-B) of each panel which are perpendicular to the two grooves in the panel inserted into the grooves of two other panels until all six panels are interlocked to form a hollow cube box;
- g) whereby the hollow cube box is held together by the interlocking 12 edges and 12 grooves and without the use of any adhesives or fastening device of any kind.
2. References are to FIGS. 3, 4 5, 6, 7, and 8. The hollow cube box described in claim 1 further including a detachable and removable key and a modification to one of the six panels to accept a key by removal of a portion of the panel along edge (H-I) or (B-G) equal in all dimensions to the size of the key: with the key made of any rigid material with the dimensions: width equals the thickness of the panels or width of the grooves; length equals the distance between the two grooves on a panel plus twice the thickness of the panels; and thickness equals the depth of the grooves: ((A-B) or (C-D) or (E-F))×((D-E)+(C-D)+(E-F))×((L-M) or (C-K) or (D-J)) except on the two ends where the dimension (A-B) is reduced by (D-J) to match the grooves in the key panel and accommodate the edges of the adjoining panels inserted into the grooves of the key panel: with the key inserted into the last open groove during assembly: and with the key attached to the key panel by means including two removable screws inserted through the two ends of the key remaining exposed when assembled; whereby the hollow cube box may be more easily assembled or disassembled without forcing the last edge of a panel into or out of the last open groove.
3. The hollow cube box described in claim 1 further including a door and modification of one of the panels to accept a door whereby access to the interior of the hollow cube box is made available.
4. References are to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. The hollow cube box with door described in claim 3 wherein the door is a round door and a panel is modified to accept a round door with door T, spacing disk U, locking bar V, hole P and door supports Q-L and Q-R.
5. References are to FIGS. 12 and 13. The hollow cube box with round door described in claim 4 wherein the outside surface of the door includes an indentation of a human hand whereby turning the door clockwise or counterclockwise to open or close the door is made easier by providing a contoured service to push against.
6. A cube made of any rigid material and large enough for each of six sides to be marked by means including painting, printing, inscribing and in-laying the design of a game board comprising:
- a) six game boards marked be means including painting, printing, inscribing and in-laying on the six respective sides of the cube,
- b) whereby the cube may be turned over to position the desired game on top for playing.
7. The cube described in claim 6 wherein the cube is a hollow cube box.
8. The hollow cube box described in claim 7 further including a door large enough for a human hand to reach through whereby game pieces and other games may be stored inside the box.
9. The cube described in claim 6 further including means to raise the outside surface of the cube off the floor or other surface on which it is sitting including any rigid material to trim the 12 outside edges of the cube whereby the game board on the bottom side of the cube will not be scratched or otherwise damaged.
10. References are to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. The hollow cube box with door described in claim 8 wherein the door is a round door and a panel is modified to accept a round door with door T, spacing disk U, locking bar V, hole P and door supports Q-L and Q-R.
11. The hollow cube box with door described in claim 8 wherein the door is a round door and a side is modified to except a round door with door T, spacing disk U, locking bar V, hole P and door supports Q-L and Q-R.
12. References are to FIGS. 14 and 15. The hollow cube box with round door described in claim 4 wherein the outside surface of the door includes indentations for a thumb and index finger whereby turning the door clockwise or counterclockwise to open or close the door is made easier by providing a contoured surface to push against.
13. References are to FIGS. 12 and 13. The hollow-cube box with round door described in claim 10 wherein the outside surface of the door includes an indentation of a human hand whereby turning the door clockwise or counterclockwise to open or close the door is made easier by providing a contoured surface to push against.
14. References are to FIGS. 14 and 15. The hollow cube box with round door described in claim 10 wherein the outside surface of the door includes indentations for a thumb and index finger whereby turning the door clockwise or counterclockwise to open or close the door is made easier by providing a contoured surface to push against.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 6, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 7, 2006
Inventor: Peter Blose (Walden, VT)
Application Number: 11/146,257
International Classification: A63F 3/00 (20060101); A63F 3/02 (20060101);