Multi-function apparatus for covering a surface and gaming
Disclosed is a multi-function apparatus for covering a surface and gaming. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-function apparatus including a covering such as a towel, blanket, activity mat, or the like having integral gaming features and storage. In one aspect of the invention, a depiction of a gameboard face is woven in or otherwise affixed to the covering, and a storage compartment for storage of gaming pieces is detachably coupled to the covering. In another aspect of the invention, the storage compartment is formed of a tightly-weaved mesh that prevents passage of sand therethrough. In some embodiments of the invention, the covering is absorbent to provide an added drying feature. Also disclosed are coverings of varying sizes, wherein small coverings intended for children include depiction(s) of children's gameboard face(s) and larger coverings intended for adults include depiction(s) of the adult gameboard face(s).
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a multi-function apparatus for covering a surface and gaming. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-function apparatus including a covering such as a towel, blanket, and the like having integral gaming features and storage.
A seating surface/gameboard device comprising a web of flexible material for disposition on an outdoor surface, such as the beach, is known. The web includes gameboard indicia printed thereon and it is sufficiently large to enable a person to sit thereon. At least one marginal edge of the web includes a releasably openable pocket. The pocket is adapted to receive particulate material, such as sand, to weight the edge down in an attempt to minimize or eliminate the effects of wind, while providing a comfortable surface upon which a person can sit. The pocket includes releasably secureable hook and loop type fasteners for providing ready access to the interior of the pocket to fill or empty it.
Also known is a game that includes a playing surface made from a fabric material such as a beach towel. The playing surface includes reinforcing members near the edges that receive retaining members to maintain the playing surface in desired position and location regardless of the base surface. The playing surface is adapted to be placed on, for example, a beach, carpeting, or grass. A plurality of playing pieces is included in the form of generally hollow shells that have an exterior surface in the shape of a desired object. The interior of the shell is preferably a negative of the exterior. The interior portion of the shell is generally hollow and can receive a moldable material such as sand to create a cast of the playing piece such that it may be used as a score marker. A die that is included in the game is over-sized and has generously rounded corners and edges to allow the die to roll more easily along a variety of indoor or outdoor surfaces.
Additionally, a game board made of a flexible material and including a plurality of pockets is known. One such pocket located on a first edge of the game board is configured to receive game pieces. Additional pockets including closing and locking elements located on the remaining edges of the game board that are configured to receive reinforcing bars. Such reinforcing bars are configured to create a vertical edge along the perimeter of the game board.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBriefly stated, in one aspect of the present invention, a portable multi-function apparatus is provided. This apparatus includes at least one covering, the covering including at least one depiction; at least one gaming piece for playing at least one game via the at least one depiction; and at least one storage compartment coupled to the at least one covering for transportation of the at least one gaming piece.
In another aspect of the present invention, a portable multi-function apparatus is also provided. This apparatus includes a beach towel including at least one depiction; at least one gaming piece for playing at least one game via the at least one depiction; and at least one mesh bag including at least one zipper, the mesh bag detachably coupled to the beach towel via at least one snap fastener, the mesh bag for transportation of the at least one gaming piece, and the mesh bag coupled to the beach towel via at least one snap fastener; wherein the at least one mesh bag includes a tight weave that prevents passage of sand therethrough.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Referring first to
Multi-function apparatus 100 includes, inter alia, covering 102 and storage compartment 106. Covering 102 may be any item capable of covering a surface (e.g., a beach surface, a grass surface, a table surface, etc.) including, but not limited to, a towel (e.g., a beach towel), a blanket, a tarp, a sheet (e.g., a bedsheet), and an activity mat. In embodiments of the present invention in which covering 102 is a towel, such as that depicted in
Additionally, the size of covering 102 may vary with the type of gameboard included thereon. For example, coverings 102 depicting children's games may be printed on small child-sized towels whereas coverings 102 depicting adult games may be printed on adult-sized towels. However, the present invention is not so limited.
In one aspect of the present invention, covering 102 includes an integral depiction 104 of the face of a game board. For example, as depicted in
Depiction 104 may be formed integral to covering 102 via a variety of methods. In some embodiments, such as that depicted in
In another aspect of the present invention, covering 102 further includes one or more fasteners 114. In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in
Fasteners 114 are also present on storage compartment 106 to allow it to be fastened, or otherwise coupled to, covering 102. Such fastening provides ease of transportation, while also minimizing the potential for loss thereof. In some embodiments of the present invention such as that depicted in
Although fasteners 114 allow storage compartment 106 to be easily removed for cleaning, packing, and the like, embodiments of the present invention are envisioned in which storage compartments 106 are not removable.
Storage compartment 106 is sized and fabricated to allow any components necessary to play the board game depicted on covering 102 to be carried therein. In some embodiments of the present invention such as that depicted in
In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in
Storage compartment 106 additionally includes one or more closeable openings 110 through which items to be stored in storage compartment 106 may pass. In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in
Turning next to
Referring now to
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A portable multi-function apparatus for covering a surface and gaming comprising:
- at least one covering, said covering including at least one depiction;
- at least one gaming piece for playing at least one game via said at least one depiction; and
- at least one storage compartment coupled to said at least one covering for transportation of said at least one gaming piece.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said covering is at least one of the group consisting of a towel, a blanket, an activity mat, and combinations thereof.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage compartment is detachably coupled to said at least one covering via at least one of the group consisting of a snap fastener, a Velcro®-style fastener, a zipper, a tie, and combinations thereof.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one depiction depicts a face of a gameboard.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said gameboard is at least one of the group consisting of a checkerboard, a chess board, a Tic-Tac-Toe gameboard, a Chutes and Ladders gameboard, a Trouble® gameboard, an Aggravation® gameboard, a Candyland gameboard, a Parcheesi gameboard, a Sorry gameboard, a Reversi gameboard, a Go gameboard, a Twister gameboard, and a Yahtzee® gameboard, and combinations thereof.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one covering is a high grade, one hundred percent cotton towel.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one covering is absorbent.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first of said at least one covering is sized to provide a covering for a child and a first of said at least one depictions upon said first of said at least one covering depicts a gameboard of at least one children's game.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first of said at least one covering is sized to provide a covering for an adult and a first of said at least one depictions upon said first of said at least one covering depicts a gameboard of at least one adult game.
10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one depiction is at least one of the group consisting of woven as a part of said at least one covering, stitched to said at least one covering, silk-screened upon said at least one covering, embroidered to said at least one covering, painted upon said at least one covering, printed upon said at least one covering, and combinations thereof.
11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one depiction is oriented in a landscape position, a portrait position, or a position therebetween.
12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one storage compartment is at least one of the group consisting of a mesh bag, a waterproof bag, a fabric bag, a compartment including at least one hard surface, and combinations thereof.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said at least one mesh bag includes a tight weave that prevents passage of sand therethrough.
14. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one gaming piece includes at least one of the group consisting of a checker, a die, a game piece, a token, a chess piece, and combinations thereof.
15. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one storage compartment is oversized to facilitate transportation of non-gaming piece items in addition to said at least one gaming piece.
16. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one storage compartment includes at least one closable opening.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said at least one closeable opening is closed via at least one of the group consisting of a zipper, a snap fastener, a Velcro®-style fastener, and combinations thereof.
18. A portable multi-function apparatus for covering a surface and gaming comprising:
- a beach towel including at least one depiction;
- at least one gaming piece for playing at least one game via said at least one depiction; and
- at least one mesh bag including at least one zipper, said mesh bag detachably coupled to said beach towel via at least one snap fastener, said mesh bag for transportation of said at least one gaming piece, and said mesh bag coupled to said beach towel via at least one snap fastener;
- wherein said at least one mesh bag includes a tight weave that prevents passage of sand therethrough.
19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said at least one depiction depicts a face of a gameboard.
20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said gameboard is at least one of the group consisting of a checkerboard, a chess board, a Tic-Tac-Toe gameboard, a Chutes and Ladders gameboard, a Trouble® gameboard, an Aggravation® gameboard, a Candyland gameboard, a Parcheesi gameboard, a Sorry gameboard, a Reversi gameboard, a Go gameboard, a Twister gameboard, and a Yahtzee® gameboard, and combinations thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 13, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 15, 2009
Inventor: Robert Louis Sutor, JR. (Margate City, NJ)
Application Number: 11/827,978
International Classification: A63F 3/00 (20060101);