Game box

Abstract

An apparatus for use in storing board games. The apparatus comprises a box member having a predetermined shape, a predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material. The box member has a bottom portion, side walls, an open top and a central interior area for storing a playing board of such board game. There is at least one of a removable compartment and a removable divider engageable with the central interior portion of the box member for storage of additional game pieces. A lid member is engageable with the box member closely adjacent the open top for closing the open top and a closure means that is engageable with the box member and the lid member for securing the lid member to the box member in a closed position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/837,028 filed Aug. 11, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a tote box, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a game box that is designed to house board games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For families that enjoy playing board games, frustration often occurs when dealing with the board game box. Traditional cardboard boxes that house game boards become broken or ripped through multiple usage. Often moisture is absorbed and can cause mold or mildew. The long term storage and repeated use of these weak boxes leads to broken boxes, damaged boards and lost playing components, which can render the board game useless.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were an apparatus or a means for enabling the game board user to have a sturdy and weather resistant container for the board games so as to allow consumers to keep games in playing condition for extended periods of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for use in storing board games. The apparatus comprises a box member having a predetermined shape, a predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material. The box member has a bottom portion, side walls, an open top and a central interior area for storing a playing board of such board game. There is at least one of a removable compartment and a removable divider engageable with the central interior portion of the box member for storage of additional game pieces. A lid member is engageable with the box member closely adjacent the open top for closing the open top and a closure means that is engageable with the box member and the lid member for securing the lid member to the box member in a closed position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for storing board games.

Another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for storing board games that is durable, sturdy and weather resistant.

Still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for storing board games that has compartments therein for storage of playing pieces.

Yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for storing board games wherein the playing board is stored in a central interior area of the apparatus.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly when such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the central interior area of the apparatus showing compartments/dividers for storage of game pieces.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the game board in a stored position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the lid of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a raised center portion of the lid for stacking purposes.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of several of the apparatuses showing them stacked on top of each other for storage showing the raised central portion of the lid and the indented central portion of the box member for stacking purposes.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the box member showing the indented center portion for stacking one box with another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for use in storing board games. The apparatus 10 comprises a box member 2 having a predetermined shape, a predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material. The box member 2 has a bottom portion 4, side walls 6, an open top 8 and a central interior area 12 for storing a playing board of such board game. There is at least one of a removable compartment 14 and a removable divider 14 engageable with the central interior portion 12 of the box member 2 for storage of additional game pieces. A lid member 16 is engageable with the box member 2 closely adjacent the open top 8 for closing the open top 8 and a closure means, generally designated 20, that is engageable with the box member 2 and the lid member 16 for securing the lid member 16 to the box member 2 in a closed position.

As seen in FIG. 4 the lid member 16 further includes a raised central portion 18 disposed on an upper surface thereof. There is also an indented central portion 22 on a bottom surface of the bottom portion 4 of the box member 2. Such indented central portion 22 is engageable with the raised central portion 18 of the lid member 16 for allowing one apparatus 10 to stack upon another apparatus 10. The indented central portion 22 interlocks with the raised central portion 18 of the lid member 16 to ensure that one apparatus 10 is secured to another apparatus 10 when stacked upon each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there are at least one of a plurality of removable compartments 14 and/or a plurality of such removable dividers 14. FIG. 1 shows the interior of the box member 2 where the compartments 14 are clearly seen. The arrangement and the number of the compartments 14 could be different for each game box depending on the equipment that is needed for each game.

The closure means 20 is selected from a group that includes a snap closure, a friction fit and a hasp. It is presently preferred that such closure means 20 is a snap fit.

As seen in FIG. 2 in the storage of the board game the playing board 24 is stored on top of the at least one removable compartment 14 and/or the at least one removable divider 14 in the central interior portion 12 of the box member 2.

Such box member 2 can be one of transparent so that the contents of the box 2 are readily visible to the user or the box member 2 could be colored in any of the variety of colors that are available. It is presently preferred that such box 2 is colored. The apparatus 10 further includes an identification means, generally designated 30, that is disposed on one of the side walls 6, preferably the front of the box 2, for identifying the contents of the apparatus 10. The identifying means 30 includes a label with a name of the board game disposed thereon.

It is further preferred that such predetermined material for forming the box member 2 or the lid member 16 is one of plastic, rubber or combinations thereof. It is also preferred that the predetermined shape of box member 2 is substantially rectangular. Since the box member 2 is rectangular the lid member 16 also would be rectangular. This shape is preferred since most of the board games come in rectangular boxes and have playing boards that are either rectangular or square, which is really a form of a rectangle.

The box member 2 further includes a first extension member 26 that is disposed on an upper portion of each of radially opposed side walls 6. As a corollary such lid member 16 further includes a second extension member 28 disposed on radially opposed edges of the lid member 16. The second extension member 28 engages the first extension member 26 that is disposed on the upper portion of radially opposed sidewalls 6 of the box member 2. The second extension member 28 snaps on to the first extension member 26 to secure the lid member 16 to the box member 2.

Thus, the present invention provides a durable, sturdy and weather resistant box for storage of board games. Since most board games come in cardboard boxes which can in a short period of time become broken or ripped and thereby create a problem of keeping all of the pieces together, the present invention overcomes these problems. The pieces of the game can be securely stored in compartments inside the box and the game board lies on top of these compartments. A lid is provided that snaps securely on the top of the box to keep everything together. The boxes can be stacked on top of each other so as to provide a convenient area to keep all of the board games together. A label provided on the front of the box identifies the contents.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in storing board games, said apparatus comprises:

(a) a box member having a predetermined shape, a predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material, said box member having a bottom portion, side walls, an open top and a central interior area for storing a playing board of such board game;

(b) at least one of a removable compartment and removable divider engageable with said central interior portion of said box member for storage of additional game pieces;

(c) a lid member engageable with said box member closely adjacent said open top for closing said open top; and

(d) a closure means engageable with said box member and said lid member for securing said lid member to said box member in a closed position.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein an outer portion of said lid member includes a central raised portion.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein an outer surface of said bottom portion of said box member includes an indented central portion for interlocking engagement with said central raised portion of said lid member when one said apparatus is stacked on top of another said apparatus.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of said removable compartments.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of said removable dividers.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said closure means is selected from a group including a snap closure, a friction fit and a hasp.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said closure means is a snap closure.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said playing board is disposed on top of said at least one of said removable compartment and said at least one removable divider in said central interior portion of said box member.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is one of transparent and colored.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said apparatus is colored.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a means disposed on one of said side walls for identifying contents of said apparatus.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said identifying means includes a label with a name of said board game.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined material is one of plastic, rubber and combinations thereof.

14. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape of said box member is substantially rectangular.

15. The apparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said box member further includes a first extension member disposed on an upper portion of each of radially opposed side walls.

16. The apparatus, according to claim 15, wherein said lid member is substantially rectangular.

17. The apparatus, according to claim 16, wherein said lid member further includes a second extension member disposed on radially opposed edges of said lid member, said second extension member for engagement with said first extension member disposed on said upper portion of said radially opposed sidewalls of said box member.

18. The apparatus, according to claim 17, wherein said second extension member snaps on to said first extension member to secure said lid to said box member.