Game and method of playing the same and structures for a game board and other utilizations
A game having a three-dimensional game board and two or more sets of tokens. The game board has at least three vertically spaced-apart platforms each of which has thereon markings dividing it into nine or more areas laid out in a square patterns. The tokens of each set are distinguishable from the tokens of each of the others sets, and the tokens of each is provided with serial markings. The game is played by placing sequentially marked tokens into empty spaces in a game board platform and/or matrix game board to achieve an in-line arrangement of at least three of the tokens.
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/344,821 filed Oct. 18,2010, and Provisional Application No. 61/457,465 filed Apr. 4, 2011, under the provisional of 35 U.S.C. 119.
SPECIFICATIONThe present invention relates to a game which comprises a three-dimensional “table-top” game board having at least three vertically spaced-apart upper, middle and lower platforms each of which has thereon markings dividing it into at least nine areas laid out in at least a three-by-three pattern, and two or more sets of tokens which, in the course of the game, are placed on the game board. The tokens of each set are distinguishable from the tokens of the other set or sets, and the tokens of each set are provided with serial markings.
The present invention also relates to a more portable version of the game played on a three-dimensional “travel” board that allows access to cells of a 3×3×3 (or larger) matrix made of clear or opaque material. The game pieces for the “travel” version are placed into or attached to the cells with temporary adhesive, magnets, Velcro, or by fitting a compressible foam piece into the cell and allowing it to expand to hold its position or by other means. In contrast to the “table top” version which may only be rotated on a flat surface during play, the “travel” version of the game may be picked up, rotated in any axis to view all sides, and passed hand to hand among players to facilitate game play.
The present invention also relates to a structure incorporating platforms and pillars (table-top version).
The present invention also relates to a structure incorporating access to cells in a 3×3×3 or larger matrix (travel version).
The present invention also relates electronic and optical holographic versions of the game.
The present invention also relates to method of playing the game making use of game boards as described above.
The invention is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, the three-dimensional game board shown in
In addition, one or more tabs may be provided which keep the game board upright. These tabs, one which is shown in
Alternatively, the game board may be in the form of a non-collapsible structure made, for example, of plastic, metal, wood and/or other material or a combination thereof.
Each of the two players is provided with four tokens, with the tokens of each set being distinguishable from the tokens of the other set. Each set of tokens is provided with serial marking such as the numbers or letters, i.e., the tokens of each set may be numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, or by the letters A, B, C and D, respectively. The tokens of one of the players are distinctly different from those of the other player so as to be distinguishable from each other. For example, one player's tokens may be round as shown in
A specific embodiment of tokens simulating spaceships is shown in
The game is played as follows:
The players take turns, alternately placing a token onto one of the 27 spaces on the three platforms. The tokens must be used in sequence, i.e., in numerical order 1, 2, 3, 4, or, if alphabetic marking used, in the sequence A, B, C, D, and they must be placed on an empty space. Once all four of a players' token are on the board, the next move by the player requires moving the first token, 1 or A, to a new empty space. The player's next move must be token 2 or B, then 3 or C, and then 4 or D, and thereafter again begin with 1 or A, and so on. The goal of the game is for a player to place three tokens in a direct line, be it a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line so as to achieve a “three-in-a-row” effect. The first player to achieve this goal wins the game.
A variant of the game is played as described above but prohibits the use of the center square of the middle platform, shown in black in
The game board of
Additional versions of the game may be played with more than two players, each of whom has the same number of sequentially numbered token. Players rotate taking turns placing only one token at a time, in sequential order.
Additional versions of the game may be played with more players if boards larger than 3×3×3 and more numerous tokens per player are used. This, however, would require a player to obtain more than three in a row to win the game.
Distinct to this invention is the fact that each player uses a limited number of tokens and that these token must be repositioned during the game, in sequential order, to achieve the winning goal.
Alternatively, the game board may, as shown in
If the pillars are made of other than foldable material, each can made of two elongated parts which are hinged to each other along a line corresponding to line 19a shown in
The manner in which the pillars and platforms are connected to each other may be utilized for other purposes whenever such structures elements are to be connected to each other. Moreover, the pillars and platforms need not be vertical and horizontal components, rather, the pillars can be horizontal or occupy any desired orientation with the platform being positioned accordingly.
For purposes of illustration,
The present invention also includes the provision of a computerized version of the game, thus allowing the game to be played in a virtual setting as well as a method a method of playing the above-described board game, namely, a method wherein sequentially marked tokens are placed onto empty spaces of the above-described game board to achieve an in-line arrangement of at least three of the tokens.
An electronic version of the game comprises a device used to create a holograph image of the game and detects movements by the players. The holographic images of the board and game pieces are projected in three dimensions (3D) by the device shown in
The invention is capable of various modifications, all or which are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A game comprising a three-dimensional game board and two or more sets of tokens, said game board having at least three vertically spaced-apart platforms each of which has thereon markings dividing it into at least areas laid out in a square pattern, the tokens of each set being distinguishable from the tokens of the other set, and the tokens of each set being provided with serial marking.
2. A game as defined in claim 1 wherein the game board is foldable and comprises a foldable strip that, when it is unfolded, assumes the configuration of the game board.
3. A game as defined in claim 1 wherein the game board is a permanent structure made of plastic, wood, metal and/or other material or a combination thereof and/or allows access to cells of a 3×3×3 (or larger) matrix of cells with the game pieces or tokens placed into or attached to the cells with temporary adhesive, magnets, Velcro, or by fitting a compressible foam piece into the cell and allowing it to expand to hold its position or by other means. 4. A game as defined in claim 1 wherein the three-by-three pattern of the middle platform has a central area which is marked differently from all the other areas of the three platforms with either a permanent marking or with a removable marking.
5. A game as defined in claim 1 wherein the tokens of each set are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, there being additional numbers for game boards larger than 3×3×3.
6. A game as defined in claim 1 wherein the tokens of each set are marked A, B, C and D, respectively, there being additional letters for game boards larger than 3×3×3).
7. A game as defined in claim 1 wherein the token have different geometrical configurations and/or different colors and/or different textures and/or are distinguished by other distinguishing characteristics.
8. A game as defined in claim 1 wherein the tokens are distinguished by representations of spaceships of different configurations.
9. A game as defined in claim 1 in computerized configuration, thus allowing the game to be played in a virtual setting.
10. A game as defined in claim 1 comprising holographic means for displaying the game board and tokens.
11. A game as defined in claim in claim 10 wherein said holographic means comprise an electronic device.
12. A game as defined in claim 10 wherein said holographic means comprise an optical device.
13. A method of playing a board game comprising the steps of placing sequentially marked tokens into empty spaces in a multiplatform game board and/or matrix game board to achieve an in-line arrangement of at least three of the tokens.
14. A method defined in claim 13 wherein said placing is effected holographically.
15. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said holographic placing is effected electronically.
16. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said holographic placing is effected optically.
17. The invention substantially as described and/or illustrated.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 11, 2011
Publication Date: Oct 4, 2012
Inventor: Robert F. Spencer (Concord, NH)
Application Number: 13/317,103
International Classification: A63F 3/00 (20060101);