Block Stacking Game and Method of Playing Thereof

Abstract

A stacking block tower game is played by building a tower of blocks of variable heights in multiple levels, and players removing a block from the tower and performing a predetermined task until the tower collapses.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/537,473 filed on Jul. 27, 2017, the disclosure of which, including any materials incorporated by reference therein, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to games played using pieces or blocks and, more particularly to, games played by stacking a set of pieces or blocks.

BACKGROUND

Games with pieces or blocks are well known to the people of various geographies for a long time. While there are different games involving game pieces and blocks and there are multiple ways in which such games are played, the most popular types of games that employ game pieces or blocks are puzzle games and tower building games. For example, some puzzle games involve assembling some pieces or blocks in such an order that once the pieces are assembled, a picture or a word is formed. Likewise, most tower building games are designed to stack the pieces or blocks one on top of another in order to build a tower.

Games that employ stacking blocks to build a tower are considered entertaining among children as well as adults. One of the most popular games involving stackable blocks and tower building is Jenga®. Jenga® starts with building a tower to set up the game. The initial tower has eighteen levels of three blocks placed adjacent to one another at right angles to the previous level. Once the tower is built, blocks (one at a time) are removed from any level, except the one below the incomplete top level, of the tower, and the removed blocks are placed on the topmost level to complete it. Only one hand should be used at a time when removing pieces from the tower. The game continues until the tower falls due to removal of a key block or poor placement of some block.

Attempts have been made, although unsuccessfully, increase the level of difficulty and the entertainment of the game. Some of the variants of Jenga® include Jenga Xtreme, which uses parallelogram-shaped blocks that can create some interesting leaning towers, Jenga XXL and Jenga Giant, which can reach 5 feet (150 cm) or higher in play and allows players to use two hands to move the blocks, Jenga Truth or Dare, which has three colors of blocks instead of just the natural color of Jenga®.

Another similar game and a variant of Jenga® is Jenga ultimate, which employs of set of colored game blocks and a rolling dice. A player rolls the dice having colored faces matching the colors on the game pieces, with the color of the uppermost die face determining the color of the game piece which is to be removed from the tower. By limiting the number of blocks which can be removed, the level of difficulty of the game is increased.

As can be seen, various attempts have been made to solve the problems which may be found in the related art but have been unsuccessful. However, it is still desirable to provide a stacking game with increasing levels of entertainment and further greater levels of difficulty by engaging players in performing activities as part of the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that in the present disclosure, all embodiments are provided as illustrative and non-limiting representatives of many possible embodiments. In addition, the terms “is,” “can,” “will,” and the like are herein used as synonyms for and interchangeable with terms such as “may,” “may provide for,” and “it is contemplated that the present invention may” and so forth.

The present disclosure describes a game and its components that are used to play the game. The components used to play the game are a plurality of blocks or pieces that are stacked one over another so as to build a tower or a similar structure. The terms “block”, “game block”, “piece” and “game piece” are used interchangeably throughout the disclosure and may mean any block having solid geometrical shape that is capable of being employed in building collapsible structures. Moreover, while the invention will be described in connection with block games, it is understood that the invention is not limited in scope to use with block games but may be used with other forms of entertainment. Such equivalents are contemplated for each element named in its particular herein.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention are provided herein. It is to be understood that not all such aspects, advantages, or novel features may be provided in any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one aspect, advantage, or novel feature or group of features without achieving all aspects, advantages, or novel features as may be taught or suggested.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known art, the present invention provides a novel solution for a stacking block game with an increased level of difficulty. The general purpose of the present invention, which shall be described subsequently in greater detail, is to enable a user play a game that engages all players while simultaneously increases the level of entertainment and difficulty while the game progresses. The features of the invention are believed to be novel and to have been particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawing and detailed description.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. By way of non-limiting example, the present invention provides a novel solution for stacking block game with an increased level of difficulty. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

The present invention comprises of 48 maple hardwood blocks, stacked three blocks per row, 15 rows high with each level alternating 90° from the previous. Each of the 48 blocks is cut to 2⅞″ in length. In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for the 48 blocks to be cut at different heights where 16 blocks are cut to 0.59″, 16 are cut to 0.60″ and 16 are cut to 0.61″. In some embodiments, the blocks are assembled with these three heights at random, which allow for the tower to shift in weight during play. In some embodiments, the present invention may be assembled where the 16 blocks cut to 0.59″ are stacked together, the 16 blocks cut to 0.60″ are stacked together, and the 16 cut to 0.61″ are stacked together, still allowing for the block placement to change during play and, in turn, allowing for the tower to shift in weight during play.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in terms of the components and configurations, it is understood to that the invention is not intended to be limited to those specific dimensions or configurations but is to be accorded the full breadth and scope of the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tower built by stacking a plurality of blocks according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a one of the blocks that is used to build the tower according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows perspective view of at least one of the surfaces of each block that is marked with a description of a task and a picture representing the task according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a is a representation of a method of stacking the blocks to play the game according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a new and more effective stacking game with increasing levels of entertainment and further greater levels of difficulty by engaging players in performing activities as part of the game.

All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of an embodiment disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure where the element first appears.

As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising,” “comprises” and “comprised” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Well-known features, elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

Turning attention to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a tower 100 built by stacking a plurality of blocks 101. The blocks 102 may be included in a package 104 (not shown). The package 104 may include “N” number of blocks 102. To play the game, the players are required to manually arrange “N” blocks in rows and stack one row over another forming a plurality of levels of the tower 100. The game requires the players to build tower 100 comprising “x” levels using the “N” blocks 102 and each level comprising “a” rows of blocks 102. “N”, “x” and “a” are variables.

In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1, 48 pieces of the blocks 102 may be used to build the tower 100. The tower 100 may include 15 levels or less. Further, each level of the tower 100 includes three rows of blocks 102, where each block 102 is placed adjacent to another along their length. Each block 102 is further placed at right angles with respect to the blocks 102 of the immediate lower level. For example, if the blocks in the first level lie lengthwise north-south, blocks will of the second-level lie east-west. Alternate embodiments may employ a plurality of blocks 102 or pieces 102, not limited to 48 blocks only, to build a tower 100 of a plurality of levels, for example, other than 15 levels. Further, each level of the tower 100 may include any number of rows of blocks 102 other than three.

Referring to FIG. 2, one of the blocks 102 that is used in the game, to build the tower 100, is shown, in accordance with an example embodiment. Block 102 of FIG. 2 defines a solid cuboid. Each block 102 shown in FIG. 2 includes three pairs of opposing surfaces. In the illustrated representation, only surfaces 200a, 200b and 200c are shown in FIG. 2. In alternate embodiments, the blocks 102 may be defined by any solid geometrical shape capable of being arranged to form a collapsible structure. For instance, the blocks 102 may define parallelepiped shaped blocks.

Each block 102 may have varying dimensions. Blocks 102 have variations in their dimensions so as to create imperfections in the stacking process thereby challenging the players to build a stable tower 100. In some embodiments, only few blocks 102 may have different dimensions compared to the rest of the blocks 102. Further, in some embodiments, each block 102 may have a single dimension. In one particular example, a block 102 may have a length which is three times of its width, and five times of its thickness. An example dimension of such block 102 may be 1.49 cm×2.5 cm×7.3 cm, or 1.52 cm×2.5 cm×7.3 cm, or 1.55 cm×2.5 cm×7.3 cm.

In an embodiment, the blocks 102 are made up of material such as wood. However, in other configurations, the blocks 102 may also be made up of materials other than wood including but not limited to polymer compounds, such as plastic, metals and alloys, among others.

Referring now to FIG. 3 at least one of the surfaces among the three pairs of opposing surfaces of each block 102 is marked with a description of a task 300, which a player of the game is required to perform as part of the game. In another embodiment, at least one of the surfaces (for example, the surface 200b or 200a) among the three pairs of opposing surfaces of each block 102 is marked with a picture 302 or a drawing 302 that may be indicative of the task 300 or a task similar to the task 300. Preferably, the picture 302 or the drawing 302 that may be indicative of a task similar to the task 300 may be provided on the same surface that includes the description of the task 300. The tasks 300 may be provided on the blocks 102 by the manufacturer of the game blocks 102. Alternatively, the tasks 300 may be user defined. The terms “task” and “activity” are interchangeably used in the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the blocks 102 are arranged or stacked to build the tower 100 of FIG. 1 such that the surface marked with the description of the task 300 and the picture 302 faces the immediately adjacent level underneath the instant blocks 102, thereby concealing the description of the task 300 from the players before pulling out or removing the block 102. Alternatively, the blocks 102 are arranged or stacked to build the tower 100 of FIG. 1 such that the surface marked with the description of the task 300 and the picture 302 face the immediately adjacent block in the instant row.

There may be various examples of the task 300. For instance, the task 300 may include instructions to take risks or perform a dare or tell a truth. Further, the tasks 300 may involve individual tasks such as for example, instructions to “finish a beer”, “dance with a partner”, “imitate a celebrity”, “take a shot”, “sing a song”, etc. Further, one or more of the blocks 102 may include instructions to initiate a task 300 for all participants such as, “never have I ever,” “categories,” “chug contest,” etc.

In an embodiment, one or more game blocks 102 may be colored such that the color is indicative of the category of the task 300. For example, a block 102 colored in red may indicate that the task 300 is a dare and a block 102 colored in green may indicate that the player has to initiate a task 300. Similarly, a block 102 colored in blue may indicate that the task 300 requires a player to tell a truth.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method of stacking the blocks 102 to play the game is illustrated. The players may remove blocks 102 from the tower 100 one at a time by taking turns and stacking the removed block over the uppermost level of the tower 100 in order to rebuild the tower 100. Blocks 102 may be removed from any level of the tower 100 other than the highest level. In one embodiment, the rule of the game includes that the block has to be pulled from any level that is at least three levels below the uppermost level. For instance, if there are total of 15 levels in the tower 100, blocks can be pulled from any level from 12^th level to 1^st level by a player during the game.

While playing the game, the players may be required to identify a block 102 in the tower 100, which when pulled or removed that does not disturb the rest of the tower 100. Such blocks 102 may be identified by providing an external force by the players such as bumping the tower 100. A player is required to perform the task 300 or activity 300 described or marked on the game block 102. Further, a player may be required to initiate a task 300 as per instructions provided on one or more of the game blocks 102. If the player refuses to complete the task, then the player must move the already pulled game block 102 to the top of the tower 100 and find another piece (a new game block 102) to pull from the tower 100 so as to perform the task mentioned at the newly pulled game block 102.

The removed block 102 must be placed on top of the uppermost level of the tower 100 to continue building the tower 100 vertically. The removed piece 102 may be placed on the tower 100 upon performing the activity 300 or task 300 to the satisfaction of the other players. The player may position the game piece 102 parallel and adjacent to the other game pieces 102 in the uppermost level such that each level comprises “a” (e.g. 3) rows of blocks 102. The player may be required to place the removed game block 102 at an orthogonal orientation with respect to the game blocks 102 in the level immediately below the uppermost level.

In an alternate embodiment, the player may position the removed game piece or block 102 in the uppermost level at a right angle to the game pieces 102 in the layer immediately below the uppermost level even if the level immediately below the uppermost level does not include “a” rows of blocks 102

In an embodiment of the game, a player may be allowed to remove any number of game pieces 102 any number of times if the player chooses not to perform the tasks 300 marked on the removed pieces 102. The player is required to return the removed game piece 102 to the initial position from where it was removed before removing another piece 102. Alternatively, a player may also be allowed to return a removed game piece 102 to the uppermost level of the tower 100 without performing the required task 300. As such the player must then select and remove another game piece 102 from the tower 100.

The game continues with each game player removing a game piece 102 from the tower 100 and placing the game piece 102 on the uppermost level of the tower 100. If removal of a game piece 102 or placement of a game piece 102 on the uppermost level of the tower 100 causes the tower 100 to collapse, the game ends. The player who causes the tower 100 to collapse is deemed to be have lost the game.

Conclusions, Ramifications, and Scope

Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that other versions are possible. As various changes could be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be illustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained in this disclosure.

All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without from the spirit or scope of the claims.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” for performing a specified function or “step” for performing a specified function should not be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112.

While the present invention generally described herein has been disclosed in connection with a number of embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.

Claims

1. A stacking block tower game, comprising:

a primary level of blocks positioned next to one another in perfect alignment on a horizontal plane;

a secondary level of blocks positioned next to one another in perfect alignment on a horizontal plane;

a plurality of additional levels of blocks positioned next to one another in perfect alignment on a horizontal plane.

3. The stacking block tower game of claim 1, wherein each block is rectangular in shape having a predetermined length and width.

4. The stacking block tower game of claim 1, wherein each level has N blocks per level.

5. The stacking block tower game of claim 1, where a plurality of blocks have a height that vary in height measurement from a plurality of other blocks.

6. The stacking block tower game of claim 5, where there are a least 2 varying height measurements between all blocks.

7. A method for playing a stacking brick tower game comprising a plurality of rectangular shaped bricks having a predetermined width, a predetermined length, and a varying heights.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising the steps:

building a first level of N blocks aligned in a first direction;

building a second level of N blocks aligned in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the first level and placed on top of the first level;

building a third level of N blocks aligned in a direction that is perpendicular to the preceding level and placed on top of the preceding level;

building a plurality of levels of N blocks aligned in opposite directions than the preceding level and placed on top of the preceding level;

removing a singular rectangular block from a level that is at least 4 levels from the highest level;

performing the task on the block;

placing the removed singular rectangular block on top of the level of blocks.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein N equals at least 3.