Magnetic Board Game

Abstract

A magnetic board game including a game board and a plurality of magnetic game pieces which when introduced into the game board cause repulsive forces against each other and eventually when enough pieces are introduced or pieces are introduced in a certain orientation relative to other pieces, the attractive forces between opposite poles outweighs the repulsive forces and two or more game pieces are forced into contact.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a board game and more particularly a magnetic board game and a method of playing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Table top games come in a variety of types and sizes. For example air hockey, shuffle board, table top soccer and others. Games that include magnets are generally known, such as the game shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,851 and U.S. Pat. Pub. No US-2013-0001873-A1.

Magnetic games display unique playing experiences because of the magnetism properties that can be taken advantage of. The poles of magnets are commonly referred to as North and South. Opposite poles create attractive forces that are dependent on the strength of the magnetic field and the distance of separation between the poles. Same poles create repulsive forces that are also dependent on the strength of the magnetic field. Therefore, games can be created by taking advantage of these attractive and repulsive forces to create a unique and enjoyable playing experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game that takes advantage of the attractive and repulsive forces of multiple magnets in a playing area.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method of playing a magnetic game that takes advantage of the attractive and repulsive forces of magnetic playing pieces.

The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish one element, set, data, object or thing from another, and are not used to designate relative position or arrangement in time.

These and other objects are achieved by providing a game board and a plurality of magnetic game pieces which when introduced into the game board cause repulsive forces against each other and eventually when enough pieces are introduced or pieces are introduced in a certain orientation relative to other pieces, the attractive forces between opposite poles outweighs the repulsive forces and two or more game pieces are forced into contact.

The game is played by one or more players. The board includes a wall that defines an area for the game. Optionally an insertion surface is provided and may be disposed substantially parallel to the playing surface and further disposed around the outer edge of the wall. To play the game, a first game piece is placed on the playing surface with a polarity orientation. A next game piece is then placed on the playing surface in the same polarity orientation as the first game piece. Each next game piece is inserted onto the playing surface in the polarity orientation so that a repulsive force is created between at least two of the playing pieces. When a last piece is inserted onto the playing surface, the magnetic field of one or more playing pieces create an attractive force sufficient to cause a surface of one of the playing pieces to contact a surface of a second one of the playing pieces and the playing pieces are held together by the attractive force.

In one aspect a magnetic board game is provided and includes a board defining a first surface and a game piece, the game piece being magnetic. A wall surrounds the first surface and has a height to define an edge raised with respect to the first surface, the edge defining an area. The game piece has a bottom such that when the game piece is introduced into the area, a bottom of the game piece is in contact with the first surface.

The game piece may include a plurality of game pieces, each game piece having a magnetic polarity such that the bottom defines one of a north or a south polarity. When at least two of the plurality of game pieces are introduced into the area a repulsive force is created between the at least two of the plurality of game pieces to force the at least two of the plurality of game pieces away from each other. The repulsive force may force the at least two of the plurality of game pieces towards the wall. A top surface of the plurality of game pieces may define the other one of the north or south polarity. An attractive force may be created between a top of a first one of the plurality of game pieces and a bottom of a second one of the plurality of game pieces the attractive force between the first and second ones of the plurality of game pieces increasing as a distance between the first and second ones of the plurality of game pieces decreases. Each of the plurality of game pieces may have a mass such that a gravitational force is created and extends towards the first surface. When successive ones of the plurality of game pieces are introduced into the area the distance between at least two of the plurality of game pieces may decreases enough so that the gravitational force is at least less than the attractive force such that the bottom is forced to contact the top.

When successive game pieces are introduced into the area the distance between at least two of the plurality of game pieces may decreases enough so that a bottom edge one of the plurality of game pieces is forced against the edge and the resultant repulsive magnetic force between the at least two of the plurality of game pieces generates a moment about the bottom edge where the bottom edge contacts the edge to cause the one of the plurality of game pieces to rotate away from a center of the board.

A height of the game piece may be greater than a height of the wall. A height of the game piece may be less than a height of the wall. The wall may define a plurality of recess sections and a plurality of protrusion sections such that the wall at one of the plurality of recess sections is farther from a center of the board than the wall at one of the plurality of protrusion sections. At least part the game piece may fit into one of the plurality of recess sections. The game piece may include a reference mark on a top or the bottom, the reference mark associated with a north or a south polarity.

In other aspects a method is provided for playing a board game, the method may include one or more of the steps of: providing a board defining a first surface and a wall surrounding the first surface, the wall having a height to define an edge raised with respect to the first surface, the edge defining an area; providing a plurality of game pieces, each game piece being magnetic and having a bottom, the bottom of each game piece defining a north or south polarity; and progressively introducing the plurality of game pieces into the area such that the bottom of each game piece faces the first surface such that at least two of the plurality of game pieces generate a repulsive force that forces the at least two of the plurality of game pieces away from each other.

When a distance between the at least two of the plurality of game pieces is small enough, an attractive force between the at least two of the plurality of game pieces may be large enough to force a top of one of the at least two of the plurality of game pieces to contact the bottom corresponding to another one of the at least two of the plurality of game pieces. A second surface may extend outwardly from the edge and the step of progressively introducing further comprises sliding the ones of the plurality of game pieces along the second surface prior to the bottoms contacting the first surface. Each piece progressively introduced into the area may decrease a distance measured between two of the plurality of pieces. When at least two of the plurality of game pieces are located within the area, each game piece progressively introduced into the area may causes the at least two of the plurality of game pieces to displace along the first surface. A mass of at least one of the plurality of game pieces may be different from a mass of another one of the plurality of game pieces.

Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the magnetic board game according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the magnetic board game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the magnetic board game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the magnetic board game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the magnetic board game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the magnetic board game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side view of showing a representation of the magnetic field lines of the game piece shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a game piece for use with the board game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective cross section view of a game piece for use with the board game of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 10-11 are perspective views of an alternate game piece for use with the board game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12-17 are side views of various interactions between game pieces introduced onto the board of FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the magnetic board game with an alternate embodiment of the board of FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 a top view of the board game according to a new design.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of the board of the board game according to the design shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the board in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the board in FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a game piece shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 24 is a top view of the game piece of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the game piece of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the game piece of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the packaging of the board game of FIG. 19.

FIG. 28 is a top view of an alternate design for the board of a board game.

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of the board game of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the board of FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is a bottom view of the board of FIG. 28.

FIGS. 32-44 are exemplary ornamental drawing views with broken lines for the purposes of future filing as a design patent claiming the ornamental features thereof where broken lines form no part of any design claimed in a future application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following examples are presented to further illustrate and explain the present invention and should not be taken as limiting in any regard.

In FIGS. 1-6 the playing board 6 has a playing surface 60. The playing surface can be designed as a low-friction surface. The playing board may be made of a number of materials such as plastic, metal, glass, wood and others. As shown, the playing board 6 is made of wood. Preferably, the playing board 6 is made of a non-ferrous material. The non-ferrous material allows the magnetic pieces 68/70 to slide freely along the playing surface 60. The low-friction surface of playing surface 60 may be made by applying a finish or other coating. For example, a laquer, polyurethane or other finish may be used. In other embodiments, the playing board is made of a low-friction material such as plastics, glass, composite or other, for example, nylon.

On the playing board 6, a ring 62 is disposed around the playing surface. This ring 62 creates a wall 64 that defines the boundary of the playing surface. The top surface of the ring 62 may be used to slide the game piece 66 across the top surface in order to introduce the game piece onto the playing surface and inside the wall. The top surface of the ring may be a low-friction surface or may be made of a low-friction material. Although shown generally as a circle, various shapes of playing boards are contemplated. It is further contemplated that obstacles may be connected to the playing surface. For example, the playing surface could have one or more holes therein, and obstacles (such as a dowel or objects attached to a dowel) could be designed to insert into the holes in the playing surface to limit movement of game pieces over the playing surface. The game piece 70 is shown with a top marking 72 this top marking can designate a polarity orientation of the magnet embedded in the game piece. The thickness of the game piece 70 as shown is larger than the height of the wall 64. In one example, the thickness of the game piece 70 is 25% larger than the height of the wall.

An alternate embodiment of the board 6′ in FIG. 18 includes a ring with recesses 10 and protrusions 12 where the recesses 10 receive the game pieces therein when the game pieces are introduced onto the board. The radius of the recess 10 may be approximately equal to or larger than a radius of the game piece. The top inner edge of the wall defined by ring 62′ may be beveled or rounded, which can allow the pieces to “roll” or rotate more easily in comparison to a 90 degree edge. When the pieces “roll” or rotate more easily, the game may become more difficult in comparison to the 90 degree edge in that the forcing together of the pieces due to attractive forces may occur more easily.

The board 6 in FIG. 1-6 has a continuous ring 62′ rather than the ring having recesses and protrusions of FIG. 18. Although a ring 62/62′ is discussed herein, non-circular shaped walls may be employed in other embodiments of the board. For example, a square, rectangular, oval or other shape may be used.

FIG. 8 shows a game piece 50 with a magnet embedded therein. The game piece may be constructed of with one or both having a cavity to receive the game piece therein. The two halves are bonded together to enclose the magnet within the piece 50.

The game pieces 70 have magnets embedded therein. For example, the outside of the game piece may be made of wood and have an inner magnetic core. In FIG. 9, a magnet 2 is located inside a game piece 70 having a first section 4 and a cover 40. It is also understood that the magnet may be thicker and the cover may have a diameter equal to that of the first section 4 such that the bottom edge of the cover aligns with the top edge of the first section 4. The magnet is located in cavity 42. The cover, first section and the magnet may be bonded to each other to create a finished game piece. The magnets are polarized axially, for example magnet may have a north polarity facing up and a south polarity facing down relative to the orientation shown. The cover or first section may include a marking to designate a polarity, and this marking may be consistent throughout all game pieces.

In FIG. 10 game piece has a plurality of magnets 350a-e disposed within the body 340. Each of the magnets can have the same polarity orientation, for example in this orientation, each magnet can have North up and South down. In other embodiments, the polarity of the magnets in the game piece can vary. For example, magnets a, c, e can have North up and magnets b, d can have North down. Other patterns can be used to vary the polarity orientation and magnetic fields of the game piece. The game piece of FIG. 10 shows a top cylindrical section 320 that can be used has a handle. FIG. 11 shows a game piece with multiple magnets similar to FIG. 10, but missing the top cylindrical section.

It is understood that any of the game pieces or combinations thereof shown in FIGS. 8-11 may be used with the game, depending on the desired configuration.

The game pieces are progressively introduced into the playing surface 60, typically with the reference mark 72 facing up so that the game pieces are introduced with the same polarity orientation. As successive pieces are introduced and contained within the wall 64, the pieces repel each other. In one embodiment, the magnets all have approximately the same strength, in other embodiments, the magnets may have different strengths. Where the magnets have the same strength, the magnets will become spaced apart from each other at approximately the same distance once equilibrium has been reached. The distance between the pieces successively reduces as new pieces are introduced onto the playing surface 60. Eventually, the distance reduces enough that two or more pieces are forced to contact each other such that a bottom surface of one piece contacts the top surface of another piece due to the opposite polarities of the magnets attracting.

The cause of this forced contact may be due to a number of scenarios. As shown in FIG. 7 a magnetic field is created by the magnets that are embedded in the game pieces. Magnetic field lines are represented in FIG. 7. Stronger magnetic forces are closer to the center of the magnet. Each magnet displays similar field lines that can vary in strength based on magnet type, size, strength and/or material. When multiple magnets or game pieces having magnets are placed on a surface with the same polarity orientations, the magnets create a repulsive effect. For example, the South orientation may face down for each piece and the North orientation may face up for each piece. Magnetic fields are generally curved in shape. Because of this property, pressing together two magnetic of common polarities such as two magnets of FIG. 7 side by side is relatively unstable. For example, imaging pressing together two spherical ball bearings. Because the contact points of the ball bearings are curved, there will be a tendency of the bearings to roll with respect to each other. The magnetic fields provide a similar effect, however, when the magnets “roll” with respect to each other, the opposite poles become closer together and tend to cause the forced attraction where the two magnets “stick” together.

In the example of the magnetic board game described herein, the gravitational force due to the mass of the game pieces counteracts the inherent instability between two magnets forced together and reduces the tendency to “roll.” However, equilibrium between two game pieces will progressively become more unstable as the distance between the magnets decreases. Eventually, the gravitational force of the magnets will not be enough to counteract the instability and the attractive force due of opposite poles will cause the magnets to align along their polarity axes.

In some cases, the forced contact may be due to the magnets being forced against the bottom edge 65 of the wall 64 and this force can cause a moment that tends to cause the game piece to rotate away from the center of the board. As the game piece begins to rotate, the opposite poles become closer than the common poles, which causes the attractive forces to be larger than the repulsive forces. Gravitational forces will again tend to help maintain equilibrium because until the magnetic moment force about the bottom edge 65 is larger than the gravitational moment (ie the moment about the bottom edge 65 due to gravity), the game piece will remain in contact with the playing surface.

FIG. 12-14 shows piece 90 introduced into the playing surface with piece 66 already on the playing surface. As piece 90 is introduced, repulsive forces 600/900 cause magnet 66 to move as piece 90 moves. An equilibrium is reached at FIG. 14 when individual playing the game is no longer moving piece 90. Depending on the number of pieces on the board and the location of the pieces relative to each other, the newly introduced piece may be in contact with the wall 64 or may be spaced away from the wall.

FIG. 15 shows one example of how the pieces are forced into alignment due to the interaction between repulsive and attractive forces. For example, piece 96 may be introduced and the side 98 facing inward may not be tilted down towards the playing surface (see piece 90 showing the piece being tilted down). If the individual introducing the piece 96 does not press down hard enough, the pieces 96/97 may rotate to force the polarities to align and for the north side of piece 97 to contact the south side of piece 96. This may likewise cause pieces 90 and 66 to rotate in a similar fashion.

The instability of the repulsive forces due to their generally rounded nature may be one cause of the pieces being forced together. For example, in FIG. 15 where piece 66 and 90 are close together, the repulsive forces may cause one of the pieces to roll slightly. In this case, the attractive poles would move closer than the repulsive poles (due to the rolling) and the pieces would be forced to rotate into alignment and thereby be forced together by the attractive forces. The rolling may also be partially due to one side of the piece contacting wall 64 and the piece rolling relative to the wall to cause the forcing together of the pieces.

In the sequence shown in FIG. 15, as piece 96 is introduced into the playing surface, it is initially elevated with respect to piece 97. In the example shown, the field lines of pieces 96 and 97 are not aligned with respect to the horizontal axis (FIG. 14 shows pieces 66 and 90 aligned along their horizontal axes). Since piece 97 will be repelled by piece 90, the forces on either side of piece 97 are off balance. If the forces are off balance enough, piece 97 may rotate (see FIG. 16). This rotation causes two of the pieces to be forced together by the attractive forces of opposite poles. In the example shown, piece 97 rotates towards piece 96 and initially are forced together and some or all of the remaining pieces follow. In another example, the rotation of piece 97 causes pieces 97 and 90 to be initially forced together with some or all of the remaining pieces to follow. The examples shown and described are but some examples of how the pieces are forced together, and similar reactions can be caused depending on how the pieces are introduced into the playing surface with respect to pieces already introduced thereon.

Since the playing surface is defined by the wall 64, once the pieces are introduced onto the playing surface, they are confined to sliding along the playing surface inside the wall. As shown in FIG. 4, piece 94, 92 and 96 create a triangle shape that is determined by the interaction between the attractive forces and the repulsive forces of the magnetic fields of the game pieces. Eventually, as shown in FIG. 5, as more and more pieces are introduced onto the playing surface, the pieces are forced closer and closer together. As the pieces are pushed closer together by the lack of available space and the increasing magnetic forces, the attractive forces can cause the pieces to connect where opposite poles attract. For example, multiple pieces can be forced such that they connect in a grouping 100 of multiple pieces. Typically, once one the attractive forces cause a grouping of multiple pieces, a chain reaction is set off due to rapidly changing or non-existence of force equilibriums between the pieces.

The wall 64 as discussed has a height and the game pieces 68 may have a thickness. The ratio of height to thickness can vary depending on the design of the game. In some embodiments the ratio of height to thickness can be 3:1. Other ratios can be 10:1 or 1:1 or 1:10. It is contemplated that ratios within the 10:1 to 1:10 range can all be used depending on the design of the game. It is also contemplated that different size game pieces may be used. It is also contemplated that mixtures of game piece designs as well as sizes can be used in one game. In some cases each game piece size and/or design can have a point score associated with introducing the piece onto the playing surface. The game can further include deductions in points for placing a game piece on the playing surface in a way that the newly introduced game piece causes a game ending reaction as shown in FIG. 5.

The wall 64 as shown in FIG. 1 and wall 64′ as shown in FIG. 18 are both generally perpendicular to the surface 60/60′ it is understood that this wall 64/64′ may be located at an angle other than 90°. For example, the wall 64/64′ may be angled outward at 60° measured from horizontal. Other angles between 5° and 90° are contemplated. In the 60° example, the side of the piece would contact the wall 64 along the bottom edge 65 which may allow the piece(s) to roll more easily and make the tendency of the pieces to be forced together by the attractive forces less predictable, thus causing the game to be more difficult and/or require more skill. In examples where the angle of the wall is more and more shallow, the pieces will have a greater tendency to roll or move in a way such that pieces are more easily forced together. It is further contemplated that the wall may include different angles in different areas of the wall to create an even more unpredictable interaction between the pieces.

It is also contemplated that bundles of pieces can be introduced without causing a game ending reaction. For example, two pieces can be magnetically stuck together as a larger cylinder and introduced into the playing surface. The rules of the game may provide for two pieces stuck together as carrying a higher point score and/or higher deduction of points in the scoring system.

The game is played by introducing a first piece onto the playing surface within the boundary defined by the wall. A successive piece is introduced onto the playing surface within the boundary. Each successive piece is inserted onto the playing surface within the boundary defined by the wall 64. The game ends when enough pieces have been introduced onto the playing surface to cause a reaction that creates a bundle of multiple pieces due to the attractive forces overpowering the repulsive and gravity forces holding the game pieces substantially parallel to the playing surface. The reaction may cause one or more pieces to jump or rotate to cause the game ending reaction where the pieces are forced or “stick” together. The term piece as introduced into the game may include a bundle of pieces that are already held together with magnetic forces. As discussed herein, the design of the pieces can include a single centrally located magnet. The pieces can also include multiple magnets that are located in a radial or other pattern throughout the game piece body. It is also contemplated that the location of the magnets can be varied or off-set relative to the center of the game piece. Depending on the size of the pieces, the number of pieces introduced and the strength of the magnet, contact of some of the piece bodies can occur. Further, the polarity of the magnet embedded in the piece may be visibly marked on a surface of the piece.

In FIG. 1-6, pieces are shown with square and circular markings to denote pieces corresponding to different players. The markings in this case denote the same polarity and the difference in the markings is used to distinguish one player's pieces from another. It is also understood that the pieces may be of different colors or that all pieces are substantially identical, depending on the desired configuration.

FIGS. 19-31 show additional views of the game board(s), pieces, and packaging. The figures shown herein may also disclose various ornamental features of the game board(s), pieces, packaging and combinations thereof. Although solid lines are shown to depict various features of the invention for the purposes of a utility application, it is understood that the disclosure herein includes the option of substituting broken lines for solid lines in any later filed design application claiming priority to this application where the broken lines would form no part of a claimed ornamental design in such later application. Some examples of design drawings with broken lines are shown in FIGS. 32-44 for purposes of filing as one or more design applications later claiming priority to the present application.

It should be noted that, while various functions and methods have been described and presented in a sequence of steps, the sequence has been provided merely as an illustration of one advantageous embodiment, and that it is not necessary to perform these functions in the specific order illustrated. It is further contemplated that any of these steps may be moved and/or combined relative to any of the other steps. In addition, it is still further contemplated that it may be advantageous, depending upon the application, to utilize all or any portion of the functions described herein.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.

Claims

1. A magnetic board game comprising:

a board defining a first surface;

a game piece, the game piece being magnetic;

a wall surrounding the first surface and having a height to define an edge raised with respect to the first surface, the edge defining an area;

said game piece having a bottom such that when said game piece is introduced into the area, a bottom of said game piece is in contact with the first surface.

2. The magnetic board game of claim 1 further comprising:

said game piece including a plurality of game pieces, each game piece having a magnetic polarity such that said bottom defines one of a north or a south polarity;

wherein when at least two of said plurality of game pieces are introduced into the area a repulsive force is created between said at least two of said plurality of game pieces to force said at least two of said plurality of game pieces away from each other.

3. The magnetic board game of claim 2 wherein said repulsive force forces said at least two of said plurality of game pieces towards said wall.

4. The magnetic board game of claim 3 further comprising:

a top surface of said plurality of game pieces defining the other one of said north or south polarity;

an attractive force further created between a top of a first one of said plurality of game pieces and a bottom of a second one of said plurality of game pieces said attractive force between said first and second ones of said plurality of game pieces increasing as a distance between the first and second ones of said plurality of game pieces decreases;

each said plurality of game pieces having a mass such that a gravitational force is created and extends towards the first surface.

5. The magnetic board game of claim 4 wherein when successive ones of said plurality of game pieces are introduced into the area the distance between at least two of said plurality of game pieces decreases enough so that the gravitational force is at least less than the attractive force such that the bottom is forced to contact the top.

6. The magnetic board game of claim 4 wherein when successive game pieces are introduced into the area the distance between at least two of said plurality of game pieces decreases enough so that a bottom edge one of the plurality of game pieces is forced against the edge and the resultant repulsive magnetic force between said at least two of said plurality of game pieces generates a moment about the bottom edge where the bottom edge contacts the edge to cause the one of the plurality of game pieces to rotate away from a center of the board.

7. The magnetic board game of claim 1 wherein a height of said game piece is greater than a height of the wall.

8. The magnetic board game of claim 1 wherein a height of said game piece is less than a height of the wall.

9. The magnetic board game of claim 1 wherein the wall defines a plurality of recess sections and a plurality of protrusion sections such that the wall at one of the plurality of recess sections is farther from a center of the board than the wall at one of the plurality of protrusion sections.

10. The magnetic board game of claim 9 wherein at least part said game piece fits into one of said plurality of recess sections.

11. The magnetic board game of claim 1 wherein said game piece includes a reference mark on a top or said bottom, the reference mark associated with a north or a south polarity.

12. A method of playing a board game comprising:

providing a board defining a first surface and a wall surrounding the first surface, the wall having a height to define an edge raised with respect to the first surface, the edge defining an area;

providing a plurality of game pieces, each game piece being magnetic and having a bottom, the bottom of each game piece defining a north or south polarity;

progressively introducing said plurality of game pieces into said area such that the bottom of each game piece faces the first surface such that at least two of said plurality of game pieces generate a repulsive force that forces said at least two of said plurality of game pieces away from each other.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein when a distance between said at least two of said plurality of game pieces is small enough, an attractive force between said at least two of said plurality of game pieces is large enough to force a top of one of said at least two of said plurality of game pieces to contact the bottom corresponding to another one of said at least two of said plurality of game pieces.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein a second surface extends outwardly from said edge and said step of progressively introducing further comprises sliding the ones of said plurality of game pieces along the second surface prior to the bottoms contacting the first surface.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein each piece progressively introduced into said area decreases a distance measured between two of said plurality of pieces.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein when at least two of the plurality of game pieces are located within the area, each game piece progressively introduced into said area causes the at least two of the plurality of game pieces to displace along the first surface.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein a mass of at least one of the plurality of game pieces is different from a mass of another one of the plurality of game pieces.