Chance Device Controls Amount Or Direction Of Movement Of Piece Patents (Class 273/243)
  • Patent number: 8328196
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a board game with a start point, end point, and a path between. The object of the game is to advance all of one's pawns from the starting point to the end point before any other player. In various exemplary embodiments, the game also includes a sweeper arm that comes into play at the occurrence of an arbitrary and/or random event (e.g., a particular roll of a dice or die), but the direction of movement is selected by a player (e.g., the player during whose turn the sweeper arm will be moved). The sweeper arm moves about the playing board and effects the position of pieces thereon (e.g., sending them back to the start point or changing their location on the board). In various exemplary embodiments, the playing pawns are stackable on one another. Moreover, multiple pieces may become stacked and move as a group, including pawns belonging to any number of different players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Kihslinger, Judy Kihslinger
  • Patent number: 8313102
    Abstract: A board game apparatus and method for entertaining people by supporting unlimited numbers of participation. Players chose a political party then proceed by rolling dice to navigate the quadruple arch-shaped, color-coded, time-stamped, spaces on the game board. The spaces direct players to a plurality of cards explaining presidential decisions to be made after which players refer to one or more of three devices. Device one is reference material provided to aid players in developing confidence, leadership and public speaking skills. Device two calculates the impact on the Federal Budget and determines how many of player's proposed bills are passed through congress. Device three assist in a majority-minority voting technique to achieve impact on Approval Rating scores which feeds into players goal of acquiring the highest score. Players showcase their personal knowledge of politics and people skills to sway voter opinions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Yolanda Gail Thornton
  • Patent number: 8308164
    Abstract: An interactive pirate themed board game comprising: a pirate ship shaped game board; a plurality of spaces on the game board, where said plurality of spaces are arranged in a plurality of levels; a starting position, where said starting position is at a lowest level of the plurality of levels; and a finishing position, where said finishing position is at a highest level of the plurality of levels. A plurality of pirate related paraphernalia, pirate related activity or penalties may be associated with the plurality of spaces, where the plurality of pirate related paraphernalia includes at least swords, eye patch, telescope, scarf, markers, coins and earrings. The winning player of the interactive pirate themed board game may be awarded a captain's hat and a stuffed parrot after reaching the finishing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Marijayne Castillo
  • Publication number: 20120267853
    Abstract: The Fast Food Frenzy board game concept is a race whereby players move along roadways (a series of plural spaces) to collect franchise items from franchise locations around the board. Franchise Items are obtained when players land on franchise spaces. The board's roadways may replicate actual cities or be fictitious. Token/vehicles represent players. Players have unique attributes subject to Information Drawing cards. Information Drawing Cards, as well as rolling dice, using a spinner, and/or directives provided in the spaces of the roadways direct player movement. The winner is the first player to return to a finishing place with a complete set of franchise items. A Players handbook provides information on how to play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Vincent Alexander Silver
  • Patent number: 8286966
    Abstract: A series of games are disclosed which test the ability of players to ascertain and identify the existence of relationships between topics in a structured fashion. Players can play against each other or against pre-established standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Tim Golie
  • Publication number: 20120256375
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a board game for teaching basic arithmetic and mathematical operations (such as addition and subtraction) to children in need of such skills. The game board includes a continuous playing path having a series of playing positions there along, with each of the positions requiring a player to roll combinations of polyhedral dice and using mathematical operations to achieve a score for each turn along the playing path. Play proceeds as described above until a predetermined total amount of points is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Sambriski
  • Patent number: 8267771
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device and at least one display for displaying a primary wagering game and a secondary wagering game. The secondary wagering game comprises a playing field, the playing field having a set of field attributes associated therewith. The system further comprises a controller operative to (i) determine and display a first outcome of the primary wagering game, (ii) determine if a first set of game attributes associated with first outcome is eligible for play in the secondary wagering game, (iii) if the first outcome is eligible, determine a second outcome of the secondary wagering game by resolving the first set of game attributes with the set of field attributes in accordance with a first rule set, and (iv) if the second outcome is a winning outcome, award a first award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Wilson, Benjamin T. Gomez, Joel R. Jaffe, Jeremie Moll, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120187627
    Abstract: An interactive pirate themed board game comprising: a pirate ship shaped game board; a plurality of spaces on the game board, where said plurality of spaces are arranged in a plurality of levels; a starting position, where said starting position is at a lowest level of the plurality of levels; and a finishing position, where said finishing position is at a highest level of the plurality of levels. A plurality of pirate related paraphernalia, pirate related activity or penalties may be associated with the plurality of spaces, where the plurality of pirate related paraphernalia includes at least swords, eye patch, telescope, scarf, markers, coins and earrings. The winning player of the interactive pirate themed board game may be awarded a captain's hat and a stuffed parrot after reaching the finishing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Marijayne Castillo
  • Publication number: 20120146287
    Abstract: The invention sets forth a board game device which is easy to play. Players play from different sides of a multi-sided game board and move from the outside to the inside, based upon rolls of the dice, for example, and instructions from cards drawn from a well. The player who advances all pieces to the center first is the winner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Louis M. Rivera
  • Patent number: 8191896
    Abstract: A card game apparatus includes a large-size panel display, a main control unit that controls screens on the large-size panel display, and a plurality of terminal apparatuses that are communicably connected to the main control unit. A game player purchases an integrated circuit card and, for example, eleven player cards on each of which, a soccer player's photograph is printed. When the game player arranges the player cards on a player card arrangement panel of one of the terminal apparatuses, card data recorded on the back of the player card will be read by an internal image sensor. Then, a team is organized by the player cards, and a game starts. The game player can direct a player's position and formation by changing placement of the player card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Sega Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kaji, Toshikazu Yoshida, Hidenori Shiba, Takao Yamauchi, Fumihiro Kato, Junichi Tsuchiya, Yoshitaka Maeyama, Jinichiro Okuda, Mitsuhiko Kakita
  • Patent number: 8181963
    Abstract: There is provided a game having a number of game pieces, each of which has a game piece level value. The game has a game level value, and players select game pieces such that a total of the game piece level values is less than or equal to the game level value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Edmund Gress
  • Patent number: 8172229
    Abstract: A card game system, including a plurality of terminal apparatuses, a card data reading unit for detecting unique data of each of cards when an operator arranges and manipulates a set of cards selected by the operator on a flat surface of the panel on the terminal apparatus, and a game execution unit which is arranged to organize a playing team in a virtual game space based on the data detected from the cards placed on the flat surface of the panel and to execute a game against another playing team organized on another terminal apparatus connected via a network. A progress of the game is controlled in response to manipulation by the operator with the cards on the panel, a main control unit to which individual game data is transmitted from the plurality of the terminal apparatuses, and a display connected to the main control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sega Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kaji, Toshikazu Yoshida, Hidenori Shiba, Takao Yamauchi, Fumihiro Kato, Junichi Tsuchiya, Yoshitaka Maeyama, Jinichiro Okuda, Mitsuhiko Kakita
  • Patent number: 8128090
    Abstract: Methods of play for board games are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of play for a board game with a game board having a plurality of spaces includes the steps of: (a) providing a first player game piece having a strength value; (b) providing a first chance device capable of indicating chance values; (c) determining the movement of the first player game piece among the spaces of the game board; and (d) determining that the first player game piece located on a first space has defeated a second player game piece located on a second space adjacent to the first space, wherein the determinations in steps (c) and (d) are each based on both the strength value of the first player game piece and a chance value provided by the first chance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Curtis Paul
  • Patent number: 8105141
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided in which a certain level of the chance aspect of a game or other application is removed and a certain level of a skill aspect is added. This may be accomplished by using an indicator to establish a predetermined number of move numbers for one or more players in the game. For example, the indicator may be used to determine a first group of move numbers for a first player and a second group of move numbers for a second player. The players use the pre-established move numbers to advance according to the rules of the game. Depending on the particular embodiment, the move numbers within a group may be sequenced or non-sequenced. Move numbers may be replaced at each player's turn or when all or a subset of the move numbers of a group are used. Move numbers may be established by any type of indicator such as dice, dominos, or a random number generator. In some embodiments, move numbers may be traded in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cantor Index Limited
    Inventors: Fergus A. Leen, Sam B. Lawrence, David G. McNally, Clive Hetherington, David M. McDowell, Kevin R. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 8096871
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display having a reel section and a grid section. The reel section includes a plurality of cells arranged in one reel row and a plurality of reel columns. The grid section includes a plurality of cells arranged in a plurality of grid rows and a plurality of grid columns, with each of the reel columns corresponding to a specific grid column. A game is played by repeating the steps of displaying icons in each of the cells in the reel section, selecting one of the icons in the reel section and transferring the selected icon to the lowermost unoccupied cell in the grid column corresponding to the reel column in which the icon is displayed. The game is won when an alignment of icons in the grid section is equal to a defined winning grid alignment of icons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Roelofs
  • Publication number: 20110254223
    Abstract: A method of playing a casino game comprises providing a board and providing a plurality of chess pieces on a board. Cards are provided with at least one of the plurality of cards including chess piece indicia on the respective card. Cards are selected for a first player and dealt to the first player. Cards are selected for a second player and dealt to the second player. The casino game includes alternating moving a chess piece on the board based on the card by the first and the second player according to a traditional set of rules of chess. A second piece cannot be moved that is not described as the chess piece on the card. The casino game involves betting when drawing at least one card and the other player can match the bet, can increase the bet or may surrender. If the surrender occurs the betting player wins. The betting forms a pot and a player can win the casino game by capturing a king chess piece and a queen chess piece of the opponent whereby the winning player wins an amount of the pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Valentine
  • Publication number: 20110248445
    Abstract: A game is playable in two phases. In a first phase, a player is required to perform certain tasks, after which the player earns a collectible item. In a second phase, the player uses the earned collectible item to play a board game. The first phase may include multiple stages, and the game may be constructed such that a game piece is awarded for completing each stage. Alternatively, the collectible item may be awarded only after completing the last stage. Certain tasks may comprise at least one of solving problems, achieving certain goals, answering questions, solving puzzles, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Jonah C. Kagen
  • Patent number: 7993196
    Abstract: A gaming machine and method for conducting a wagering game includes at least one string of symbols for indicating an outcome of the wagering game wherein additional symbols are introduced into the string of symbols to produce winning combinations of symbols. Upon achieving a winning combination, the winning combination is removed from the string of symbols and the remaining symbols move together to form another string of symbols. The process is repeated and subsequent strings of symbols are evaluated for additional winning combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Pacey, Jeremy M. Hornik
  • Patent number: 7976377
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The game includes a bonus feature which, when triggered, results in the display of a plurality of devices, each of which animates to reveal a number, a prize awarded being a product of the numbers displayed by the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: George Roukis
  • Patent number: 7967670
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for a video game system where a player tile is a part of a moving grid or grid-like display and also moves through it. Moves of the player tile may be allowed or disallowed according to the relationship between the design of the player tile and that of other identifiable areas of the display. The designs displayed may have special significance in the field of education or advertising or entertainment. In a variation of the game the objective is to change areas of the display to the same state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Felix Andrew Burbidge
  • Publication number: 20110133404
    Abstract: A Halloween Afternoon at Dracula's Castle board game which comprises a game board having a first outer pathway level, a second middle pathway level and a third inner pathway level. A plurality of playing pieces is for use by players, wherein the playing pieces are positionable on the spaces. A plurality of player residences, trespass tokens for use by the players. A chance determining mechanism is for indicating a number of the spaces to be traversed by each playing piece. A plurality of play money, spookology cards, lucky/unlucky cards, Possession Cards, item cards are provided to the players. In addition, a plurality of player sound pieces is provided with light and a silhouette to replicate a spooky player and Halloween theme sounds. A three dimensional plastic pentagon shape castle was built on the game board. The 3-D castle has light and a silhouette to replicate Halloween theme sounds and songs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: MARSHALL KENNEDY, Heather Andrea Kennedy, Stephen Kennedy, Chris Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20110042895
    Abstract: A game is disclosed, the game simulating the effects of players' personal and/or business decisions on the environment. The game includes a simulated carbon credit trading scheme and system, and an indication means for indicating the health of a simulated world environment, where this indication means may be varied in response to players' actions. Related methods for playing the game are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Godsmark
  • Patent number: 7883091
    Abstract: A horse racing board game which allows a global movement of all game pieces by all players yet provides a substantially equal probability of any game piece reaching the finish line and one or more players winning all or a portion of game currency within a game pot. The game has an amount of positions between a start and finish within each lane which are substantially proportional to the single event probability of a random number generator generating the number of the lane in which the positions are located. The random number generator is a pair of conventional dice or any other random number generator each of which have a probability distribution which said amount of positions are substantially proportional to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: John C. Wilds, Margaret J. Wilds
  • Patent number: 7857313
    Abstract: A board game includes a board having an upper surface with a peripheral region and a central region. The peripheral region has positions for placement of player pieces thereupon, each peripheral region having located thereon an image of one of a plurality of polygonal shapes. The central region has central sub-regions, each of which has a plurality of polygonal cut-outs for receiving a corresponding one of a plurality of polygonal objects of a particular color that are shaped in a same manner as the polygonal cut-out. When a player answers a question related to polygon shapes correctly, that player places a respective polygon-shaped piece into a corresponding polygon-shaped cut-out region in his/her assigned central region. Players move player pieces a number of positions on the peripheral region of the board corresponding to dice roll numbers. When a player answers a question incorrectly, for the player's next turn, the player piece is moved in the opposite direction on the peripheral region of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Nelson Patrick Downs, Gregory Scott Downs
  • Publication number: 20100320687
    Abstract: A game having a board and playing positions occupied by playing pieces of individual players. Upon accomplishing a designated criteria for covering different playing positions a player may win the game by crowning another player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Barry H. Hodges
  • Publication number: 20100308537
    Abstract: A nutrition board game is disclosed with novel aspects that promote players learning various aspects of proper nutrition by playing the game. Both chance and knowledge contribute toward each player advancing in the game. In one aspect, nutrition-related questions must be answered to advance in the game. In another aspect different activities (such as eating a specific food, drinking water, or doing jumping jacks) are interspersed to accelerate learning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Sidonie Decourt, Lee Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20100295245
    Abstract: The present inventions comprise four different games. Three are board games and one is a game of chance. All four games use a Game Machine™ device which carries a plurality of chips. The International Game of Life™ involves moving pieces on a board in a manner based on the results of rotating the chips. The All or Nothing™ game involves competing for a pot of chips based on the results of rotating the chips. The Jungle Game™ involves collecting chips having the images of animals thereon based on the results of rotating the chips. The Game Machine™ may also be used to play a game of chance involving placing chips on a numbered strip based on the results of rotating the chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Reuben B. Klamer
  • Patent number: 7832730
    Abstract: The present invention provides a board game. The board game includes a spinning device and an inner and outer ring of characters. The characters include at least one of a plurality of numbers or a plurality of letters located in one or more rings. Each player activates the spinning device. After the spinning device has stopped a master scorecard and the scorecard associated with the player who performed the activation of the spinning device are marked to identify what letter or number the spinning device is pointing to. The players rotate spinning of the spinning device until the master scorecard indicates that the game is over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Octavio Calderon
  • Publication number: 20100276883
    Abstract: An entertainment and knowledge-based board game and method of play concerning the twelve dispensations starting with the Garden of Eden and ending with the Israelites entering into the Promise Land, designed to promote Biblical knowledge and spiritual growth in its players. The board game comprises a game board; God cards; Grace cards; breastplates of righteousness; and gems; wherein the game comprises Bible-related trivia questions; and a set of user instructions. The trivia is related to the books of Genesis through Joshua of the Old Testament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Shawn Mack
  • Patent number: 7806406
    Abstract: The present invention features a board game comprising a game board, action cards, and playing pieces. The present invention also features methods of playing a board game wherein the object of the game is to move all of a player's pieces from a start position to a home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Risto Simikic
  • Publication number: 20100221686
    Abstract: An educational board game includes a board depicting a track with a plurality of spaces sized to accept player position tokens and a card set for each player containing questions or tasks designed to test the player's knowledge, with each player's card set differing based on the quantity of cards, the difficulty level, and/or the subject matter. Movement of the position tokens is determined by a random number generator. Some of the spaces on the track are designated draw spaces, directing the player to draw a card from the card set and attempt to give the correct response. A player may win the game by correctly responding to all cards in the card set. The variation between each player's card set allows players of differing skill levels to play at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Lanita Kay Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100181721
    Abstract: A board game comprises at least a first and a second playing piece. The board game further comprises a game board. The game board comprises at least one track along which the first and second playing pieces are movable. The track comprises a plurality of track areas. The board game further comprises a plurality of card members. The card members comprise at least one of game information relating to a past relationship offense, game information relating to family law, game information related to a relationship asset, and an indicia of a relationship asset. The board game further comprises at least a first movement control piece configured to display an indicia in response to a manipulation of the first movement control piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Frank JANICEK, Alexandra Beaudoin
  • Publication number: 20100176550
    Abstract: A board game extension is configured to be placed between a first existing board game and a second existing board game. The board game extension has a first side with a length that is substantially equal to a length of a side of the first existing board game, and a second side with a length that is substantially equal to a length of a side of the second existing board game. The board game extension includes a first landing location having dimensions corresponding to a first existing landing location on the first existing board game. In one embodiment, the board game extension also includes a second landing location having dimensions corresponding to a second existing landing location on the second existing board game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Isaac Karel, Colby Karel
  • Publication number: 20100171265
    Abstract: Methods of play for board games are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of play for a board game with a game board having a plurality of spaces includes the steps of: (a) providing a first player game piece having a strength value; (b) providing a first chance device capable of indicating chance values; (c) determining the movement of the first player game piece among the spaces of the game board; and (d) determining that the first player game piece located on a first space has defeated a second player game piece located on a second space adjacent to the first space, wherein the determinations in steps (c) and (d) are each based on both the strength value of the first player game piece and a chance value provided by the first chance device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Curtis PAUL
  • Patent number: 7708279
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a logical board game featuring hexagonal primary playing fields as a playing area, and pieces, the primary playing fields being congruent geometrical figures that form a regular six-pointed star-shaped playing area that has axes of symmetry, one playing field of which is at the center of the playing area, and that the primary playing fields adjoin, by at least two of their sides, their neighboring primary playing fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Laszlo Polgar
  • Publication number: 20100090401
    Abstract: A board game uses a board (1) which is marked with centre (2) middle (3) and outer (4) playing circuits and player tokens (107, 108, 109, 111, 112, 113) which move on the board (1). The game ends when a player's token (107, 111) lands on an End of Game square (6, 7) and that player also holds an End of Game card which has been obtained by the player's token (107, 111) landing on a square that is marked with a star (12, 13, 14, 16). Player tokens (108, 112) moving on the middle circuit (3) may land on mystery (17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25), Score (34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48), and Question squares (27, 28, 29, 31, 32 and 33). Player tokens (109, 113) moving on the outer circuit (4) may land on mystery (57, 58, 59, 61), decision (62, 63, 64, 66) and Question squares (67, 68, 69 and 71). Player tokens may also land on six squares (49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56) which are marked with the words “Miss a Turn”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Karl Martin Jacklin
  • Patent number: 7673880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a game wherein the objective is to retrieve a special die from a specific location and return with it to the starting point on the playing surface. The game is designed to maximize feelings of competition and suspense among those playing by providing both the incentive and the means for players to interfere with the progress of other players. The player having the special die has the advantage of being able to roll the special die in addition to the regular die. The special die returns to its original location when the player in possession of it is caught by another player. Some playing surface locations hinder movement by requiring specific die rolls before movement off of the location is permitted. Other locations promote movement by allowing additional rolls of the dice. All players have a chance to win the game until the very end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Timothy W. McNellis
  • Patent number: 7665733
    Abstract: The religious game includes a game board with a playing path thereon, with the path having two phases. A series of question cards with correct responses on their backs is provided for each phase, with each card containing a series of questions, each question corresponding to one of the positions along that phase of the path. A repent area having a series of positions corresponding to the phase one positions is included on the board. The position marker of a player missing a question during phase one play is moved to the corresponding position of the repent area, and cannot return to the playing path until correctly answering a repent question. A missed question in phase two play initially results in a missed turn, with a second consecutive missed question resulting in a severe penalty by setting that player's marker back to an intermediate position in phase one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Claude R. Swanson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7658384
    Abstract: A method of playing a game. A face of a die may be selected, and a marker may be moved to a position on a game board according to the face selected. A request for a player response may be selected from a set of text-based requests, and an interval associated with the player response may be timed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen Nakamoto, Jeannie Burns Hardie
  • Patent number: 7658385
    Abstract: A method of playing a board game of pursuit for at least one of a first and a second player; where the board includes a pathway made up from a number of discrete squares and includes at least a starting position. The method of play includes the steps of the first and second players taking alternating turns to determine the number of squares to move along the pathway; deciding whether to move in one of a first and a second direction along the pathway; and positioning a marker at the square so determined. The game ends when the second player is able to position their marker on the same square as the first player. The board may also be provided with a finishing position remote from the starting position. In this instance, the game ends when the first player reaches the finishing position prior to the second player being able to position their marker on the same square as the first player. The game may include hazards along the pathway that require the players to pay a penalty before resuming play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Timothy W. Drouhard
  • Publication number: 20100019451
    Abstract: A game apparatus and method using a plurality of game pieces in various shapes which can be combined to express a theme, and a plurality of theme indicators which are used to identify a theme to be expressed using the game pieces. A player chooses a theme indication using a theme indicator, then combines a plurality of the game pieces into a design illustrating the theme. The game may include a timing indicator, so the player must complete the design within a determined period, a turn indicator for choosing a manner of play, and a game piece indicator for indicating the number of game pieces used during play. A player may be required to accompany a design with an emission, such as rhythm, improvisation, movement, language, sound, light and title, optionally indicated by an emission indicator or using an emission container. A scoring indicator may be provided for keeping score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Karen A. Kucharski
  • Publication number: 20100013154
    Abstract: This invention relates to an educational device employing a board game system to teach basic hygiene concepts, routines and processes to both children and developmentally challenged individuals. The educational board game consists of a playing field with a plurality of spaces that define a path of travel and specific hygiene tasks which require simulation by the players. Movement about the game board is facilitated by a random selection from a numerical value and special instruction deck of playing cards. Each time a player can correctly identify the steps necessary to complete a hygiene task properly and in correct order they receive an “Artifact” card. The first player to collect all six “Artifact” cards by completing all six of the hygiene task simulations and is the first to reach the center of the playing board wins the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Paul Arthur Wulf, Debra Ann Wulf
  • Publication number: 20090315257
    Abstract: A musical board game and playing method that permits players to respond to playing cards both visually and aurally without requiring additional manual intervention by the game player. By incorporating computer-readable indicia such as RFID tags or bar codes in player's cards and providing a suitable computer assisted reader in the game board, it is possible to play music when enabled player cards come within proximity of a reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: THREE OF HEARTS, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob H. Blumenstock, Gabriel M. Blumenstock, Claudia S. Blumenstock, Paul E. Spencer, Margot Spindeman
  • Publication number: 20090289416
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gameboard apparatus, a gameboard method of play, and a method of gamepiece movement, for two players. The gameboard consists of one hundred and twenty spaces, distributed in a radial pattern, and having a generally round shape. The game is played using thirty-two game pieces, representing a standard set of chess pieces. Eighteen of the thirty-two pieces are place on the board at the start of the game, while the remaining fourteen pieces are gradually brought into play. The object of the game is to move the “king” piece into one of four designated spaces and win the game. The general direction of play is that one player starts from the inside and moves outward, while the other player starts from the outside and moves inward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Frank Elstub
  • Patent number: 7621532
    Abstract: The present invention is a strategy and/or educational board game in which 2-4 players distribute game pieces, e.g., marbles or other tokens, according to a particular sequence among a common field of play, with the object of the game being to be the first player to collect a predetermined number of game pieces in a “home” location. Each player is assigned a single home location for their exclusive use; the remainder of the field of play is commonly shared by all players. In a preferred embodiment, a spinner is spun by each player, with the spinner stopping and pointing at a number or graphic. The player must locate the same number or graphic on the field of play to identify the starting point for a move. Once the number or graphic is located, game pieces sitting in a well associated with the number or graphic are picked up by the player, and the player chooses movement in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Gary Tippy
  • Publication number: 20090278312
    Abstract: A game includes first and second boards. The first board is a competitive board permitting players to compete as the players play the game. The second board is distinct from the first board, and the second board is a cooperative board requiring the players to cooperate as the players play the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Eric Steven Bower
  • Patent number: 7607664
    Abstract: A marriage and divorce game and game board. The game board is divided into four quadrants and includes a plurality of defined spaces that extend around the periphery of the game board. A church and a courthouse are disposed in a central area of the game board. There is provided an array of consequence cards that include marriage, divorce, pastor and judge cards. The marriage and divorce cards include events that relate to marriage or divorce. The pastor and judge cards also include events such as penalties and benefits. Through the course of the game, points are accumulated by the individual players and individual players whose tokens land on spaces corresponding to the marriage, divorce, pastor and judge cards are required to draw an appropriate card from a deck and deal with the consequences of the card or gain the benefit conferred by the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: James F. Ward
  • Patent number: 7597326
    Abstract: A board game includes a game board having spaces about a perimeter. The spaces include a first group each displaying one alphabet letter. The first group is divided into subgroups, each having a subgroup color different from any other subgroup. A second group includes identical rest area spaces. A third group is lucky day spaces positioned between consecutive rest area spaces. Multiple color cards displaying one of the alphabet letters are positioned near the first group of spaces having a same one of the alphabet letters. One object is to remove all of an opponent's color cards. Another object is to color card all of a player's own home base spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Dennis P. D'Antonio
  • Publication number: 20090218766
    Abstract: A game incorporating traditional face-painting techniques of face painting, comprising a set of instructions, a means for determining which instructions are given to which player; and a face painting device for use by a player carrying out the face painting instructions. The instructions direct a player to paint another player's face, to allow the player's own face to be painted by another player, to take some other action, or no action at all.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Gregory Y. Teter
  • Patent number: 7575238
    Abstract: A senate card game having a plurality of senate cards. The plurality of senate cards may be at least one of Senator cards, a President card, and a Vice President card. The Senator cards are configured to flip over to show a value of each card determined by value factors including at least one of office, class, year, electoral count and combinations thereof, wherein a card of greater value wins a card of lesser value. Play of the game may continue for a predetermined amount of time wherein cards are flipped and won dependent upon the value of each card flipped. The player with the greatest number of cards may then proceed to win and submit a bill. The winner may also be determined by whether a submitted bill is passed or overridden. Play of the game may also include parliamentary strategies to gain particular advantages throughout the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventors: Jackson R. Miller, Mary M. Miller