PLAY EQUIPMENT

Abstract

There is provided play equipment which includes a game board 4 in which the number of intersected lines at an intersection point is counted as scores and the obtained score can be understood even in a state where game pieces are deployed and game pieces in two colors on both front and rear sides of each of which a plurality of totally different graphics having the same number is written. The game pieces each having one of the two colors are constructed by combinations of a plurality of solid game pieces 7 and 8 having the same shape whose front and rear can be reversed and of a plurality of hollow game pieces and 12 having the same shape whose front and rear can be reversed and which can be fitted in the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and have space for writing each graphics.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to play equipment for playing a game to fight between game players in a manner in which each of the game player deploys and moves game pieces each having a different color on an intersection point of a game board where vertical and horizontal ruled lines and right-slanted and left-slanted ruled lines intersect one another thereon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, play equipment configured to play a game by moving a game piece according to predetermined rules on a game board is disclosed in, for example, Patent References 1 to 3 (1. Japanese unexamined Utility Application Publication No. Hei 04-018561, 2. Japanese Patent Application No. Sho 55-108376, and 3. Japanese Patent Application No. Sho 52-090337).

The play equipment disclosed in the Patent Reference 1 is for playing gobang by new rules in which a board is divided into two portions, top lid and bottom lid and, in a portion where nothing is seen when the top lid is overlaid by the bottom lid, a go stone on which a symbol expressing scores is written is placed.

The play equipment disclosed in the Patent Reference 2 is for playing a game simultaneously and independently in a plurality of game fields on a game board and is a combined game tool having three kinds of plural different game pieces and a board having a game field being suited for accepting various kinds of game pieces.

The play equipment disclosed in the Patent Reference 3 is for providing a new game constructed by modifying a chess game and is a game machine equipped with a plate having a hole in each center of its rectangular frames in vertical and horizontal eight columns formed on its surface, two pairs of pegs, which can be inserted into the hole, in different colors each having a protruded portion formed on a lower end to prevent the occurrence of a positional deviation, and two pieces of key markers having a hollow cylindrical shape being large enough to be fitted into the pegs.

However, the play equipment disclosed in the Patent Reference 1 has the problem that it is to play a game being one kind of so-called gobang in which go stones arranged on a gobang board and, therefore, no novelness is found in the play equipment itself, thus making it difficult to improve elegance and tastefulness of the game.

Moreover, the play equipment disclosed in the Patent References 2 and 3 is for playing a game thought out based a chess game and, therefore, no novelness is found in the play equipment itself, thus making it difficult to improve elegance and tastefulness of a game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game which is very novel, progressive, and utterly new, thus enabling the improvement and wide spread of a game and can increase the chance of communication among people and can improve a cultural level.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided play equipment comprising a game board on which a plurality of intersection points at which vertical and horizontal ruled lines and right-slanted and left-slanted ruled lines intersect one another is formed and, at each intersection point, different numbers of ruled lines intersect one another, and which is devised so as to provide scores calculated by counting a number of intersecting lines as a basic score and so as to recognize the basic score even in a state where game pieces are already deployed and also comprises game pieces in two colors which are devised so that combinations of different graphics are written on both their fronts and rears having the plural and same number being put at the intersection point on the game board, wherein each of game pieces each having a different color is constructed by combinations of a plurality of solid game pieces each having the same shape and its front and rear being able to be reversed and of a plurality of hollow game pieces each having the same shape configured so that its front and rear can be reversed and can be integrated with each of the solid game pieces and so that space is formed for writing each graphics so as to write graphics being totally different from one another on its front and rear, wherein, on a front side of each of the solid game pieces each having a different color, a different hollow graphics is written and, on a rear side of each of the solid game pieces, a solid graphics having a graphics being different from the hollow graphics written on its front side out of the solid graphics having a contour with the same shape as each of the hollow graphics is written, wherein, on a front side of each of the hollow game pieces having a different color, a different solid graphics is written and, on its rear side of the hollow game pieces, a hollow graphics having a contour being different from the solid graphics written on the front side out of the hollow graphics having a contour with the same as each of the solid graphics is written, wherein, on the hollow game pieces, a hollow graphics being able to be integrated with the solid graphics written on the solid game pieces is written and, on the hollow game pieces, a solid graphics being able to be integrated with the hollow graphics written on the solid game pieces, and, wherein double integration is made possible between the integration of one game piece on which the hollow graphics or the solid graphics are written with another game piece on which solid graphics on hollow graphics having a contour with the same color and shape as the one game piece is written and the integration of the solid graphics written on the solid game piece or the hollow game piece with the hollow graphics written on the follow game piece or the solid game piece.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the play equipment comprising a game board on which a plurality of intersection points at which vertical and horizontal ruled lines and right-slanted and left-slanted ruled lines intersect one another is formed and, at each intersection point, different numbers of ruled lines intersect one another, and which is devised so as to provide scores calculated by counting a number of intersected lines as a basic score and so as to recognize the basic score even in a state where game pieces are already deployed thereon and also comprises game pieces in two colors which are devised so that combinations of different graphics are written on both their fronts and rears having the plural and same number being put at the intersection point on the game board, wherein, each of game pieces each having a different color is constructed by combinations of a plurality of solid game pieces each having the same shape and its front and rear being able to be reversed and of a plurality of hollow game pieces each having the same shape configured so that its front and rear can be reversed and can be integrated with each of the solid game pieces and so that space is formed for writing each graphics so as to write graphics being totally different from one another on its front and rear, wherein, on a front side of each of the solid game pieces having a different color, a different hollow graphics is written and, on its rear side of the hollow game pieces, a hollow graphics having a contour being different from the solid graphics written on the front side out of hollow graphics having a contour with the same shape as each of the hollow graphics, wherein, on a front of each hollow game pieces each having a different color, different hollow graphics are written and, on a rear of each hollow game pieces each having a different color, a solid graphics having a contour being different from the hollow graphics written on its front out of solid graphics having a contour with the same shape as each of the hollow graphics and a solid graphics being able to be integrated with the solid graphics written on the solid game pieces is written on the hollow graphics and a solid graphics being able to be integrated with the hollow graphics written on the solid game pieces is written, and wherein double integration is made possible between the integration of the game piece on which the hollow graphics or the solid graphics is written with another game piece on which solid graphics or the hollow graphics having a contour with the same color and shape as the one game piece is written and the integration between the solid graphics written on the solid game pieces or the hollow game pieces and the hollow graphics written on the hollow game piece or the solid game pieces.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the play equipment wherein, at each intersection point of the game board, a basic score corresponding to the number of intersected ruled lines is described.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the play equipment wherein, on the game board, a correspondence table showing combinations of a hollow graphics or solid graphics written on the front side of each of the solid game pieces and hollow game pieces and of the solid graphics or hollow graphics written on its rear side.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the play equipment wherein, the solid game piece is fitted inside the hollow game piece and is so constructed as to be higher than the hollow game piece.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the play equipment wherein, on the game board, five ruled lines in each of vertical and horizontal directions and seven ruled lines in each of left-slanted and right-slanted directions and wherein four intersection points at which three ruled lines intersect one another, sixteen intersection points at which four ruled lines intersect one another, twelve intersection points at which five ruled lines intersect one another and nine intersection points at which eight ruled lines intersect one another are formed and seven pieces of the solid game pieces having one of two color and seven pieces of the hollow game pieces having another of two colors are provided.

By configuring as above, various effects can be achieved that very novel, progressive, and new-type game are provided, that the elegance and tastefulness of a game can be enhanced and that the game is spread widely and the chance of communication is increased and cultural level is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a game board for play equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the play equipment and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a table showing all solid and hollow game pieces of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where each game piece is initially deployed on the game board of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state where each piece is initially deployed, in a reversed state, on the game board of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a table showing combination of integrated game pieces of the solid and hollow game pieces and showing the score calculation method in the play equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a reference view showing a three-dimensional model for the production of solid game pieces for the play equipment of the present invention and FIG. 7B is a reference view showing a three dimensional model of hollow pieces for the play equipment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, play equipment of the embodiment of the present invention is described by referring to drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a game board for the play equipment of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing game pieces of the play equipment of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the play equipment of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view of a table showing all solid and hollow game pieces for the play equipment of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where each game piece is initially deployed on the game board for the play equipment of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state where each of the game pieces is deployed, in a reversed state, on the game board for the play equipment of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a table showing combinations of integrated game pieces of the solid and hollow game pieces and showing the score calculation method in the play equipment of the present invention.

The play equipment of the embodiment of the present invention comprises a game board 4 on which a plurality of intersection points 3 at which vertical and horizontal ruled lines 2 and right-slanted and left-slanted ruled lines 2 intersect one another is formed and, at each of the intersection points, different numbers of ruled lines intersect one another and which is so devised as to provide scores calculated by counting the number of intersected lines as a basic score and so as to recognize the basic score even in a state where game pieces are already deployed and also comprises game pieces in two colors, that is, white game pieces and black game pieces which are devised so that combinations of different graphics are written on fronts and rears of the game pieces having the plural and same number which are deployed at the intersection point on the game board.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game board is of a rectangular shape, in the center portion of which five pieces of ruled lines 2 in each of horizontal and vertical directions and seven pieces of ruled lines 2 in each of right-slanted and left-slanted directions are formed and, further, four intersection points 3 on which three ruled lines 2 intersect one another, sixteen intersection points 3 on which four ruled lines 2 intersect one another, twelve intersection points 2 on which five ruled lines 2 intersect one another, and nine intersection points 3 on which eight ruled lines 2 intersect one another are formed thereon and, on each of the intersection points 3, a basic score representing the number of intersected ruled lines 2 is written.

As shown in FIG. 2A, each of game pieces 5 and 6 having each color is constructed of combinations of seven pieces of solid game pieces 7 and 8 each having a partially chipped portion and having the same shape, holes 9 and 10 into which each of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 having the same color can be fitted, seven hollow game pieces 11 and 12 each having space for writing each graphics and having the same shape. Each of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and each of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 are so configured that its front and back can be reversed and so as to be integrated with each other and, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the solid game pieces 7 and 8 are integrated with the hollow game pieces 11 and 12, in order for a game player to grasp the solid game pieces 7 and 8 easily, the solid game pieces 7 and 8 are so constructed as to be higher than the hollow game pieces 11 and 12.

As well shown in FIG. 3, on the front side of each of the white and black solid game pieces 7 and 8, a different hollow graphics is written and, according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a circular hollow graphics is written on each of the first solid game pieces 7 and 8, a quadrangular hollow graphics on each of the third solid game pieces 7 and 8, a pentagonal hollow graphics on each of the fifth solid game pieces 7 and 8, an octagonal hollow graphics on each of the sixth solid game pieces 7 and 8, a cross-shaped hollow graphics on each of the seventh solid game pieces 7 and 8, and these solid game pieces 7 and 8 in a state where the hollow graphics are written on the front side is, for convenience, called a “semi-solid game piece”. Further, as each of the hollow graphics, the hollow game pieces being different in shape from one another are written.

Moreover, on the rear side of each of the white and black solid game pieces 7 and 8, a solid graphics having a contour being different from the hollow graphics on the front side out of the solid graphics having a contour with the same shape as each of the above-mentioned hollow graphics is written and, according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a guadrangular graphics on the first solid game pieces 7 and 8, an octagonal graphic on the second solid game pieces 7 and 8, a hexagonal solid graphics on the third solid game pieces 7 and 8, a cross-shaped graphics on the fourth solid game pieces 7 and 8, a triangular solid graphics on the fifth solid game pieces 7 and 8, a pentagonal solid graphics on the sixth graphics 7 and 8, and a circular solid graphics on the seventh solid game pieces 7 and 8, and these solid game pieces 7 and 8 in a state where the solid graphics are written on the front side is, for convenience, called a “regular solid game piece”. Further, as each of the solid graphics, the solid game pieces being different in shape from one another are written.

In each of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 having a white or black color, space for writing each graphics is formed on the front of one side of each of the holes 9 and 10, where each of different solid graphics is written. According to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a circular solid graphics is written on the first hollow game pieces 11 and 12, a triangular solid graphics on the second hollow games pieces 11 and 12, a quadrangular solid graphics on the third hollow game pieces and 12, a pentagonal solid graphics on the fourth hollow game pieces 11 and 12, a hexagonal solid graphics on the fifth hollow game pieces 11 and 12, an octagonal solid graphics on the sixth hollow game pieces 11 and 12, and a cross-shaped graphics on the seventh hollow game pieces 11 and 12. The hollow game pieces 11 and 12 in a state where these solid graphics are written on the front side are called, for convenience, a “semi-hollow game piece”.

Moreover, on the rear side of each of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 having a white or black color, a hollow graphics having a contour being different in shape from the solid graphics written on the front side out of the hollow graphics each having a contour with the same shape as each of the solid graphics is written and according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a pentagonal graphics is written on the first hollow game pieces 11 and 12, a circular hollow graphics on the second hollow game pieces 11 and 12, a cross-shaped hollow graphics on the third hollow game pieces 11 and 12, a triangular hollow graphics on the fourth hollow game pieces 11 and 12, an octagonal hollow graphics on the fifth hollow game pieces 11 and 12, and a quadrangular hollow graphics on the sixth hollow game pieces 11 and 12, and a hexagonal hollow graphics on the seventh hollow game pieces 11 and 12 and the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 in a state where these hollow graphics are written on the front side are called, for convenience, a “regular hollow game piece”.

On the game board 4, as shown in FIG. 1, in the positions facing each other with ruled-lines 2 written portion being interposed therebetween, the correspondence table 13 showing combinations of the hollow graphics written on the front side of the white solid game pieces 7 and the solid graphics written on the front side of the white hollow game piece 11 and the solid graphics written on the rear side of the white hollow game piece 7 and the hollow graphics written on the rear of the white solid piece 11 and the correspondence table 14 showing the combinations of the hollow graphics written on the front side of the black solid game piece 8 and the solid graphics written on the front side of the black solid game piece 12, and the solid graphics written on the rear side of the black hollow game piece 8 and the hollow graphics written on the rear side of the black hollow game piece 12 are displayed in the posture enabling visual identification by a game player fighting with an opponent.

The number of ruled lines 2 and/or intersection points 3 on the game board are not limited to those described above, but is changeable in various manners. The game board 4 may also be formed so as to be foldable and to be rounded, which can improve further portability and allows a game player to carry the game board 4 to a journey destination and the like. Moreover, the number, shape, and color of the white or black pieces 5 and 6, and the combinations of the solid graphics and hollow graphics are not limited to the example described above and are changeable so long as the game piece is constructed by combinations of a plurality of solid game pieces 7 and 8 being able to be reversed front and back and having the same shape and a plurality of hollow game pieces 11 and 12 being able to reversed front and back and to be integrated with the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and having the same shape and so long as, on the front side of each of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 having a white or black color, the hollow graphics each having a different shape is written and, on the rear side of each of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 having a white or black color, the solid graphics having a contour being different in shape from the hollow graphics written on the front side out of the solid graphics having a contour with the same shape as each of the hollow graphics is written, and so long as, on the front side of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 each having a white or black color, a solid graphic being different in shape is written and, on its rear side, a hollow graphics having a contour being different in shape from the solid graphics written on the front side out of the hollow graphics each having a contour with the same shape as each of the solid graphics or, on the front side of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 each having a white or black color, a solid graphics having a different shape is written and, on its front side out of hollow graphics each having a contour with the same shape as each of the solid graphics and, on its front side of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 each having a white or black color, a hollow graphics having a different shape is written and, on its rear side, a solid graphics having a contour being different in shape from the hollow graphics written on its front side out of the solid graphics each having a contour with the same shape as each of the hollow graphics is written.

Next, procedures for playing a game using the play equipment 1 having configurations described above are explained.

First, two game players initially deploy seven kinds of white or black solid game pieces 7 or 8 and seven kinds of white or black hollow pieces 11 and 12 on either side of the game board 4, as shown in FIG. 4 or 5 (each graphics in FIG. 5 is obtained by reversing each graphics shown in FIG. 4 front and back). Ordinarily, as shown in FIG. 4, it is made possible to enjoy high-level strategy and evolution of the game by initially deploying game pieces in a state where a front side of each game pieces is facing upward (that is, semi-solid game piece or semi-hollow game piece) to play a game, however, when kids, aged people, game players not accustomed to playing games are to fight games with one another, as shown in FIG. 5, it is also made possible to simplify game contents by initially deploying game pieces in a state where a rear side of each game piece is facing upward (that is, regular solid game piece or regular hollow game piece).

At this point of time, on the game board 4, five ruled lines 2 are formed both in horizontal and vertical directions and seven ruled lines 2 are formed both in left slanted and right slanted directions. On the first to third columns and seventh to ninth columns in the vertical direction, a total of fourteen pieces of intersection points 3 is formed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, five black semi-hollow game pieces 12 may be deployed on the first column, two black semi-hollow game pieces 12 and two white semi-solid game pieces on the second column, and five white semi-solid game pieces 7 on the third column, and five black semi-solid game pieces 8 are deployed on the seventh column, two white semi-hollow game pieces 11 and two black semi-solid game pieces 8 on the eighth column, and five white semi-hollow game pieces 11 on the ninth column, or, as shown in FIG. 5, five black regular hollow game pieces 12 are deployed on the first column, two black regular hollow game pieces 12 and two white regular solid pieces 7 on the second column, five white regular solid game pieces 7 on the third column and five black regular solid game pieces 8 on the seventh column, two white regular hollow game pieces 11 and two black regular solid game pieces 8 on the eighth column, and five white hollow game pieces 11 on the ninth column. Thus, by deploying game pieces as above, all solid game pieces 7 and 8 and hollow game pieces 11 and 12 can be initially deployed, neither too much nor too little, at the intersection points 3 on the first to third column and on the seventh to ninth column. Moreover, in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the game board 4, in order to represent a position of the intersection point 3 in vertical and horizontal directions, for example, Arabic numerals are written in the vertical direction and Roman numerals in the horizontal direction, however, writing of these numerals on the game board 4 is not necessarily required.

Two game players, following the initial deployment of the game pieces, select either of white or black color game pieces, for example, where one game player as a first mover selects the white game player 5 and another game player as a second mover selects the black game player 6, and move, at a time, one of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 or one of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 on each of the intersection points 3, along either of vertical or horizontal ruled line 2 or along either of left-slanted or right-slanted ruled line 2.

When game pieces, irrespective of whether the game pieces are the solid game pieces 7 and 8, hollow game pieces 11 and 12, or integrated game pieces, are successively arranged in a direction of the movement of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 or the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 that are going to be moved, in principle, all game pieces existing in the above direction must be jumped over, however, if there exist game pieces being able to be integrated (for example, game pieces 11 and 12 on which graphics having a contour with the same color and shape as each of the game pieces 7 and 8 are written irrespective of whether or not the graphics is a solid or hollow graphics and if only the game pieces are allowed to be integrated), with exception, the game pieces going ahead may be integrated with these game pieces. Here, the solid game pieces 7 and 8 may be integrated with the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 or the solid game pieces 7 and 8 may be integrated with the hollow game pieces 11 and 12. In the above case, if the game player does not desire the integration of the game pieces, the game pieces, even if the game pieces are allowed to be integrated, can be jumped over. Moreover, even after the integration of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 with the hollow game pieces 11 and 12, each of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and each of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 may be moved individually, however, the integrated game pieces can not be moved together in a state of being integrated. Further, the intersection point 3 being a destination of the movement of the game pieces must be vacant except in the case where there exist game pieces allowing to be integrated, and, if the intersection point 3 is not vacant, the movement of the game pieces to that direction is not allowed.

Additionally, only in the case where the game pieces are moved, the game pieces may be reversed to change graphics written on the game pieces. When the game pieces are reversed, a graphics is changed into another graphics and the game piece that can be integrated is also changed which requires a path through which the game piece is moved to be changed midway, thus influencing the game evolution and, as a result, making it possible to enjoy a high-level game requiring the planning ahead.

As a result of the movement of game pieces according to such rules as described, when either of the game players gets greater than or equal to minimum obtained scores (for example, set to 100 points), the game comes to an end and scores (score calculation is made using the number of intersected lines at the intersection point 3) corresponding to kinds of integrated game pieces relative to the number of intersected lines of the intersection point 3 where the intersected game pieces exist) are provided to the game player and the game player who has selected a game piece having a color in which a total score has first come to a score being greater than or equal to the above-mentioned minimum score is determined as a winner of the game.

As shown in FIG. 6, the obtained score of an integrated game piece by kind is calculated as follow: In the case of a solid integrated game piece formed by integrating a regular solid game piece with a semi-hollow game piece, the number of intersected lines at the intersection point 3 where the integrated game piece exists is counted as the obtained score of the integrated game piece by kind. Similarly, in the case of a hollow integrated game piece formed by integrating a semi-solid game piece with a regular hollow game piece, the number of intersected lines at the intersection point where the integrated game piece exists+2 points is counted as the obtained score of the integrated game piece by kind. In the case of a semi-double integrated game piece formed by integrating a semi-solid game piece with a semi-hollow game piece, the number of intersected lines at the intersection point where the integrated game piece exists ×2 is counted as the obtained score of the integrated piece by kind. In the case of a regular double integrated game piece formed by integrating a regular solid game piece with a regular hollow game piece, the number of intersected lines at the intersection point where the integrated game piece exists ×2+5 points is counted as the obtained score of the integrated piece by kind.

For example, if a first mover game player having selected the white game piece 5 first gets a score being greater than or equal to the minimum obtained score, a second mover game player having selected the black game piece 6 is allowed to move own game piece further only one time and the game player having selected the game piece with a color in which a total score is higher becomes a winner of the game. Moreover, if the second mover game player having selected the black game piece 6 first gets a score being greater than or equal to the minimum obtained score, at this point of time, the game comes to an end and the second mover game player having selected the black game piece 6 becomes a winner of the game.

Thus, the play equipment 1 of the present invention is featured by double integration including the game piece-based integrations among the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and hollow game pieces 11 and 12 and the graphics-based integrations among the solid graphics and hollow graphics. At the time of the integration of each game piece, there is a possibility of the simultaneous occurrence of not only the integrations among game pieces but also the integrations among graphics depending upon a kind of the solid graphics and hollow graphics written on the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and hollow game pieces 11 and 12, thus enabling the double integrations among the game pieces and graphics. The double integration among the game pieces provides 2 kinds of configurations including “regular-double integration” and “semi-double integration”. This enables the setting so that the doubly integrated game piece is provided with scores (in the embodiment of the present invention, two times higher than the number of intersected lines at the intersection point) being higher than the number of intersected lines at the intersection point where the integrated game pieces are put, thus giving variations to the score calculation and improving game's property.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when each game piece is initially deployed with its front side being faced upward (that is, semi-solid game piece and semi-hollow game piece) and when the minimum obtained score is set to be greater than or equal to 100 points, it is difficult to win the game only using “semi-double game pieces” formed by integrating each game piece without being reversed while being left initially deployed and, therefore, it is made necessary for a game player to proceed a game so that each game piece aims at the realization of “regular-double game pieces” and a highest score (the number of intersected lines at the intersection point where an integrated game piece exists ×2+5 points) is gotten. Meanwhile, if a game is to be proceeded with the aim at the realization of “regular double game piece”, important judgment is required for deciding whether a game piece being put on the 8 intersection points must be moved at the time of initial deployment. Moreover, when each game piece is to be reversed with the aim at getting a much higher score (highest score) after the initial deployment, if only one of the game pieces is reversed by halves, the integration in the form of “solid integrated game piece” or “hollow integrated game piece” occurs possibly and, in some cases, conversely, lower score is gotten. Thus, according to the play equipment 1 of the present invention, by using combinations of graphics written on the integrated game pieces, four kinds of scores can be gotten in which obtained scores become high or low, as a result, increasing game's property.

Further, the play equipment 1 of the present invention has the game board 4 being devised so that the number of intersected lines at each intersection point is made different and that scores calculated based on the number of intersected lines at each intersection point are given to a game player and that the scores obtained when the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and hollow game pieces 11 and 12 are integrated on each intersection point are displayed on each intersection point on the game board 4 to make the game player know the score at first glance. Moreover, according to the play equipment, by giving scores to a game player based on the number of intersected lines at each intersection point, even while each game piece is being deployed on the game board 4, the game player can know the scores that each game piece can get and lifting of each game piece or moving of each game piece to confirm scores is not required.

On both sides of game players on the game board 4, the correspondence tables 13 and 14 for graphics written on the front side and rear side of each game piece are displayed and, when a game player, while playing the game, reverses each game piece, the graphics written on each game piece is so devised as to recognize the graphics at first glance, thus enabling each game player to map out the strategy and, as a result, increasing elegance and tastefulness of the game.

Each game piece is featured by having novelness that all different solid graphics and hollow graphics are written on both fronts and rears of all game pieces having the same color, which causes each game piece to be integrated with another game piece every time when each of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and each of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 are reversed, thus increasing the elegance and tastefulness of the game.

Each of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and each of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12 have the same shape and a distinction is made among them according to graphics showing kinds of game piece and, therefore, even if a front side of each game piece is facing upward or even if a rear side of each game piece is facing upward, it is made possible to integrate each of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and each of the hollow game pieces and to achieve the integration of each of the solid game pieces 7 and 8 and each of the hollow game pieces irrespective of order of the integration. In particular, technical thought in which graphics are written on both the front and rear of the hollow game pieces 11 and 12, technical thought in which a different graphic is written on the front and rear of each of the hollow game pieces and the game piece, when being reversed, is integrated with other game piece, and technical thought in which a distinction among kinds of game pieces is made by using solid graphics and hollow graphics written on the front side and rear side of the hollow game piece to properly use the solid graphic and hollow graphic written on the game piece, are not at all found in conventional technical thought and novel, which enables further improvement of diversity, and elegance and tastefulness of the game.

Further, if the minimum obtained score is set to be high (100 point or more), unless all game pieces are changed into regular solid game pieces or unless all game pieces are changed into regular hollow game pieces, a game player cannot be a winner, however, in order to change all game pieces to regular solid game pieces or regular hollow game pieces, all game pieces must be moved and, in an initial state, three semi-solid game pieces in white or black being deployed at the intersection point having a high score (8 points) must be moved to change the solid game piece to a regular solid piece. In that case, at the time of movement of the game piece, there is increasing a possibility that an intersection point providing a high score is intercepted by a game piece of an opponent, and when and at what time own semi-solid game piece is to be moved from the intersection point providing the high score and to be changed into regular solid game pieces becomes a factor influencing victory or defeat, thus leading to further enhancement of game's property.

Still further, in all integrations including the integrations among the semi-solid game pieces 7 and 8 and semi-hollow game pieces 11 and 12, among the regular solid game pieces 7 and 8 and semi-hollow game pieces 11 and 12, and among the semi-solid game pieces 7 and 8 and regular hollow game pieces 11 and 12, among the regular solid game pieces 7 and 8 and regular hollow game pieces 11, the game is devised so that all the integrations among game pieces in any combination is made difficult uniformly and all combinations of graphics written on the semi-solid game pieces and regular solid game pieces and on the semi-hollow game pieces and regular hollow pieces are made different whereby elegance and tastefulness of the game can be further increased.

When a game piece is moved, at a time, to the intersection point 3 providing a high score (8 points), the initial deployment of all game pieces and the combinations of the solid and hollow graphics on a front side and rear side are derived so that the integrations are made more difficult and the movement of the game pieces of an opponent is advantageously moved whereby the game's property is further enhanced.

No play equipment having captured such technical thought as described has so far existed and there has been no play equipment like the present invention in which different numbers of ruled lines intersect one another at each intersection points and the game is devised so as to provide a score calculating the number of intersected lines as a basic obtained score and in which its game board is devised so that the basic score can be understood by a game player even in a state where game pieces are deployed and the solid game pieces and hollow game pieces are devised so that all different graphics can be written on both the front and rear sides of the hollow game pieces, that is, so that there exist no combinations of game pieces between the solid game pieces each having a “partially chipped portion” and the hollow game pieces each having a “hole into which each of the solid game pieces can be fitted and each having space for describing each graphics”. Also, in the conventional game, there have been so far exist no combinations of game pieces, on both the front and rear sides of the solid game pieces and hollow game pieces, of which graphics (solid graphics or hollow graphics) showing symbolically the solid game pieces or hollow game pieces each having a different shape is described, which can thus provide very novel and progressive play equipment.

Additionally, the play equipment 1 of the embodiment of the present invention has the following various excellent effects as described below.

(1) Since rules of the game are simple, any one, irrespective of age and sex, can play the game which, as a result, can be spread widely. The play equipment can be utilized as intellectual training play equipment for kids, as a play game for prevention of cognitive impairment, and as a play game for brain training of ordinary people.

(2) Since the play equipment of the invention has technological features being common through the world, people of all over the world, breaking down a partition wall among young and old people, men and women, in races, people, religions, languages, regions, and the like, can have an chance for communications or sports, the game contributing to world peace and to friendly relations with foreign countries can be provided.

(3) Since the order of the game is neither advantageous nor disadvantageous to a game player to win and the game is a fair game, both a first mover and a second mover can enjoy the game satisfactorily.

(4) Since the best move is different depending on a first mover (white game piece) or a second mover (black game piece) and even if the second mover is trying to make the same move as the first mover, it is impossible for the second mover to continue to make the same move, the game does not throw a wet blanket over a game player.

(5) Since the rules of the game are simple, however, the game contents are very complicated, various tactics should be selected and it is important to make the best move every time by understanding the deployment of each game piece on the game board and a game player must deeply think to what tactics priority should be given in every move, the game does not bore the game player.

(6) Since a game stream changes only by one move in some cases and, therefore, it is necessary to deeply read several moves ahead and whether one move is made first or second during gaming decides a loss and gain and, in order to draw the game stream towards oneself, it is necessary to judge which game piece is to be moved and in which order game piece is to be moved, this strategy serves to enhance the elegance and tastefulness of the game.

(7) Sine finding-out of a sure fine way to win the game and building-up of established tactics are difficult, a game player can enjoy the game by deeply thinking to make every move and can always enjoy the game as a thinking game with a flesh feeling.

(8) Since one move changes game evolution and, in many cases, it is difficult to judge which game player predominates before a game end, the game does not bore the game player and its galleries until the game over.

(9) Sine game evolution changes by every move made by a game player, a game player must carefully examine the move made every time one piece is moved to make the best move, the game player can maintain a feeling of comfortable tension while the game is being played.

(10) Since a game player must pay attention to a whole game board and must think every move made therein from various viewpoints, the game player, while playing the game, can improve right-brain space recognition capability, left-brain planning capability, left-brain calculation capability, planning capability, deductive capability, prediction capability for results and development, intuitive capability, sixth sense, or the like, expecting the effects on activation and/or development of brain capability.

When a game piece for the play equipment is to be manufactured, after the fabrication of each game piece as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, each graphics can be printed on both the front and rear of each game piece by using a silk screen printing method or the like. Moreover, the shape of each game piece is limited to two kinds only and the kind of the game piece is distinguished according to the color of a game piece and graphics described thereon and, therefore, each game piece can be manufactured with very high productivity.

Claims

1. Play equipment comprising a game board on which a plurality of intersection points at which vertical and horizontal ruled lines and right-slanted and left-slanted ruled lines intersect one another is formed and, at each intersection point, different numbers of ruled lines intersect one another, and which is devised so as to provide scores calculated by counting a number of intersected lines as a basic score and so as to recognize the basic score even in a state where game pieces are already deployed thereon and also comprises game pieces in two colors which are devised so that combinations of different graphics are written on both fronts and rears of the game pieces having the plural and same number being put at the intersection point on the game board,

wherein each of game pieces each having a different color is constructed by combinations of a plurality of solid game pieces each having the same shape and its front and rear being able to be reversed and of a plurality of hollow game pieces each having the same shape configured so that its front and rear can be reversed and can be integrated with each of the solid game pieces and so that space is formed for writing each graphics so as to write graphics being totally different from one another on its front and rear,

wherein, on a front side of each of the solid game pieces each having a different color, a different hollow graphics is written and, on a rear side of each of the solid game pieces, a solid graphics having a graphics being different from the hollow graphics written on its front side out of the solid graphics having a contour with the same shape as each of the hollow graphics is written,

wherein, on a front side of each of the hollow game pieces having a different color, a different solid graphics is written and, on its rear side of the hollow game pieces, a hollow graphics having a contour being different from the solid graphics written on the front side out of the hollow graphics each having a contour with the same shape as each of the solid graphics is written,

wherein, on the hollow game pieces, a hollow graphics being able to be integrated with the solid graphics written on the solid game pieces is written and, on the hollow game pieces, a solid graphics being able to be integrated with the hollow graphics written on the solid game pieces, and

wherein double integration is made possible between the integration of one game piece on which the hollow graphics or the solid graphics is written with another game piece on which solid graphics on hollow graphics having a contour with the same color and shape as the one game piece is written and the integration of the solid graphics written on the solid game piece or the hollow game piece with the hollow graphics written on the follow game piece or the solid game piece.

2. The play equipment comprising a game board on which a plurality of intersection points at which vertical and horizontal ruled lines and right-slanted and left-slanted ruled lines intersect one another is formed and, at each intersection point, different numbers of ruled lines intersect one another, and which is devised so as to provide scores calculated by counting a number of intersected lines as a basic score and so as to recognize the basic score even in a state where game pieces are already deployed and also comprises game pieces in two colors which are devised so that combinations of different graphics are written on both their fronts and rears having the plural and same number being put at the intersection point on the game board,

wherein, each of game pieces each having a different color is constructed by combinations of a plurality of solid game pieces each having the same shape and its front and rear being able to be reversed and of a plurality of hollow game pieces each having the same shape configured so that its front and rear can be reversed and can be integrated with each of the solid game pieces and so that space is formed for writing each graphics so as to write graphics being totally different from one another on its front and rear,

wherein, on a front side of each of the solid game pieces having a different color, a different hollow graphics is written and, on its rear side of the hollow game pieces, a hollow graphics having a contour being different from the solid graphics written on the front side out of hollow graphics having a contour with the same shape as each of the hollow graphics,

wherein, on a front of each hollow game pieces having a different color, different hollow graphics are written and, on a rear of each hollow game pieces having a different color, a solid graphics having a contour being different from the hollow graphics written on its front out of solid graphics having a contour with the same shape as each of the hollow graphics and a solid graphics being able to be integrated with the solid graphics written on the solid game pieces is written on the hollow graphics and a solid graphics being able to be integrated with the hollow graphics written on the solid game pieces is written,

wherein double integration is made possible between the integration of the game piece on which the hollow graphics or the solid graphics is written with another game piece on which solid graphics or the hollow graphics having a contour with the same color and shape as the one game piece is written and the integration between the solid graphics written on the solid game pieces or the hollow game pieces and the hollow graphics written on the hollow game piece or the solid game pieces.

3. The play equipment according to claim 1, wherein, at each intersection point of the game board, a basic score corresponding to the number of intersected ruled lines is described.

4. The play equipment according to claim 1, wherein, on the game board, a correspondence table showing combinations of a hollow graphics or solid graphics written on the front side of each of the solid game pieces and hollow game pieces and of the solid graphics or hollow graphics written on its rear side.

5. The play equipment according to claim 1, wherein, the solid game piece is fitted inside the hollow game piece and is so constructed as to be higher than the hollow game piece.

6. The play equipment according to claim 1, wherein, on the game board, five ruled lines in each of vertical and horizontal directions and seven ruled lines in each of left-slanted and right-slanted directions and wherein four intersection points at which three ruled lines intersect one another, sixteen intersection points at which four ruled lines intersect one another, twelve intersection points at which five ruled lines intersect one another and nine intersection points at which eight ruled lines intersect one another are formed and seven pieces of the solid game pieces having one of two color and seven pieces of the hollow game pieces having another of two colors are provided.