Abstract:
A question and answer game includes a book of questions and answers divided into separate categories, as well as a chance-taking device for determining in random matter questions to be asked of participants. The categories of questions are related to a common theme, such as television shows, and each category deals with a separate item within the common theme, such as game shows, situation comedies, westerns, and the like. Each item is further broken down to include a number of shows classifiable within that item. The chance-taking device includes a selector having relatively movable portions and a set of guide cards for directing operation of the selector. The game apparatus also includes a plurality of cards displaying different items within a given category such as television personalities, television shows, and the like. Answers to questions posed by the cards are contained within the book. During play of the game, players may gamble on whether they will succeed in answering questions about to be posed to them.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to games and, more particularly, to a question and answer game in which access to a book containing questions and answers is controlled by a chance-taking means. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A number of prior games are known in which a chance-taking means in the form of a spinner or the like is employed in conjunction with a book or a game board. In a typical prior game, a two-part spinner is used to direct players to portions of a question and answer book. For example, one spinner might indicate which page of the book is to be consulted, while another spinner might indicate which question on the consulted page is to be asked of participants. A problem with this construction is its limited nature. Unless the spinner apparatus is very complexly configured, it is difficult to include a great number of questions and answers in the book. Accordingly, the game can be easily mastered after it has been played for only a short period of time and no longer presents a challenge to the players. 
     Prior games employing chance-taking means have dealt with a variety of subjects. The subjects include real estate acquisition, patent transactions, zodiac indications, trivia questions, and a great variety of other subjects. There is a continuing market for games which challenge individuals in new and different ways. A particular challenge relates to questions and answers dealing with television shows. Television, as a medium of entertainment and education, is relatively new and unique. It has become so popular that it is estimated that there is at least one television set for each household. Desirably, a question and answer game would make use of information relating to television. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In response to the foregoing considerations, the present invention provides a new and improved game apparatus employing a book of questions and answers divided into separate categories, as well as a chance-taking means for determining in random manner questions to be asked of participants. In a preferred embodiment, the categories of questions are related to a common theme, such as television shows, and each category deals with a separate item within the common theme, such as game shows, situation comedies, westerns, and the like. Each item is further broken down to include a number of shows classifiable within that item. 
     The chance-taking means includes a selector having relatively movable portions and a set of guide cards for directing operation of the selector. In response to directions supplied by the guide cards, the selector is activated to select one of the categories such as situation comedies, westerns, game shows, and so forth. Further operation of the selector results in a particular show classifiable within the selected item to be displayed at random. Upon consulting the question and answer book, and by referring to the guide card initially employed to activate the selector, a particular question can be asked of the participant. 
     Certain of the categories are identified by a separate set of cards, rather than by questions contained in the book. For example, the categories might be &#34;television personalities,&#34; &#34;television shows&#34; and the like. Pictures of television personalities and scenes taken from television shows can serve as the questions to be asked of participants. Answers to the &#34;card&#34; questions are contained in the book. During play of the game, players may gamble on whether they will succeed in answering questions about to be posed to them. 
     For a more complete understanding of the invention, including a description of the manner of play, reference is made to the specification as well as to the accompaning drawings which form a part of the disclosure of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a selector included as part of a chance-taking means according to the invention, showing representative indicia as the selector might be used in a television trivia game; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the selector of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a view of a book according to the invention, the book being opened to show an index of items for one category of items; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the book turned to a question and answer page for one of the items illustrated in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the index to another category of items; 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the book turned to a question and answer page for one of the items illustrated in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a view of a first set of cards according to the invention, a representative card being illustrated; 
     FIG. 8 is a view of a second set of cards according to the invention, a representative card being shown; and 
     FIG. 9 is a view of a set of cards for directing operation of the selector illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a representative card being shown. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the FIGURES, game apparatus according to the invention includes a selector 10 and a question and answer book 40. A plurality of so-called guide cards 50 are employed to control operation of the selector 10 and coordinate play of the game with the question and answer book 40. Together, the selector 10 and the guide cards 50 define a chance-taking means for selecting at random questions to be asked of participants. The apparatus also includes a first set of special item cards 60, as well as a second set of sepcial item cards 70. 
     The selector 10 includes a large, stationary, disc-like base portion 12 having a plurality of equidistantly spaced sectors 14a-14m disposed near the periphery. Each sector 14 defines a separate category. The illustrated example is particularly useful as a television trivia game, and the sectors 14 include: 
     14a. Cartoons/Childrens shows 
     14b. Fill-Ins 
     14c. Crime Drama 
     14d. Comedy--Police, War and Miscellaneous 
     14e. Situation Comedy 
     14f. Game Shows 
     14g. Western 
     14h. Adventure Drama 
     14i. Name That Star 
     14j. Family Comedy 
     14k. Miscellaneous Programs 
     14l. Supernatural and Science Fiction 
     14m. Name That Show 
     The selector 10 includes a disc-like central portion 16 relatively movable with respect to the base portion 12. The portion 16, like the portion 12, includes a plurality of sectors 18a-18m equidistantly spaced near its periphery. The sectors 18 are identified with a separate television channel identification and, in this case, include: 
     18a. Channel 2 
     18b. Channel 3 
     18c. Channel 4 
     18d. Channel 5 
     18e. Channel 6 
     18f. Channel 7 
     18g. Channel 8 
     18h. Channel 9 
     18i. Channel 10 
     18j. Channel 11 
     18k. Channel 12 
     18l. Channel 13 
     18m. UHF 
     The central portion 16 includes a vertically extending column 20 having, at its upper end, a plurality of equidistantly spaced indented portions 22. The column 20 is rigidly secured to the central portion 16 so that, upon spinning the column 20, the central portion 16 will be rotated with respect to the base portion 12. The indented portions 22 make it easier for one to grasp the column and spin it. 
     The column 20 also includes a plurality of vertically extending flanges 24. The flanges 24 define the outermost portion of the indented portions 22. A disc 26 is fitted within a circular boundry defined by the innermost portion of the indented portions 22. The disc 26 includes sectors 28a-28m located equidistantly circumferentially of the disc 26. Each sector 28a-28m includes indicia indentifying a different time of the day, such as 6:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and so forth. A spinner 30 is mounted for rotation centrally of the disc 26. Upon activating the spinner 30, indicia presented by the sectors 28 can be selected at random. Taken together, the disc 26 and the spinner 30 constitute a selection means for selecting in random fashion a time slot for a particular television show. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the book 40 includes a plurality of divider pages 42 having tabs 43a-43m corresponding to indicia included as part of the sectors 14a-14m. A divider page 42 having a tab 42n (not shown) sets apart a section of the book 40 for a &#34;UHF-commercial&#34; section, as will be discussed. Upon grasping the tab 43a, (not shown) an index sheet 44a is presented. The index sheet 44a lists a plurality of items within the category of &#34;Cartoons/Childrens Shows&#34; and lists these items separately. Each item is listed according to a pre-selected time slot. In the example given, the television show &#34;Howdy Doody&#34; is listed as being shown at 6:00 a.m., while the show &#34;Wacky Races&#34; is listed as being shown at 8:00 p.m., and so forth. A plurality of small tabs 46a-46t project along the side of the index page 44a. Each of the small tabs 46 is identified with a time such as 6:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and so forth. The time periods indicated on the small tabs 46a-46m correspond with the time periods listed on the index sheet 44a and on the sectors 28a-28t. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, it will be assumed that the tab 46a corresponding to 6:00 a.m. has been grasped and the page opened. A so-called item page 48a is displayed. The heading of the item page 48a corresponds with the listing on the index sheet 44a for the corresponding time period. Twelve questions are presented on the sheet 48a, the questions being identified by the indications &#34;Channel 2&#34; through &#34;Channel 13.&#34; Each channel indication is listed beside a question. Each question is listed with its proper answer. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an index sheet 44n is shown for the category &#34;UHF-Commercial.&#34; In a manner similar to the other index sheets 44a-44m, the UHF index sheet 44n includes a listing of items accompanied by corresponding time periods. A plurality of small tabs 46a-46t project outwardly of the index sheet 44n. Indicia on the tabs 46a-46t correspond with the time periods indicated on the index sheet 44n. The tabs 46a-46t are attached to item pages 48a-48t. FIG. 6 shows a representative time period (8:00 p.m.) displayed on the item page 48o. Twelve questions are presented, accompanied by the proper answers. Each question and answer is identified by a channel number indication corresponding with channel number indications &#34;Channel 14&#34; through &#34;Channel 25.&#34; 
     Referring to FIG. 9, the chance-taking means 10 further includes a plurality of so-called guide cards 50. Each guide card 50 includes a category identification number and can be identified separately as 50a, 50b, and so forth. In the case of a television game show, the category identification numbers are selected as television channels; That is, channels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and UHF. Five channel identification cards are provided for each channel. Each card includes directions for indicating the selection of a particular category of television show. Typical guide cards 50 are as follows: 
     Channel 2--Switch 3 channels clockwise 
     Channel 2--Switch 4 channels counter-clockwise 
     Channel 2--Switch 1 channel clockwise 
     Channel 2--Switch 2 channels counter-clockwise 
     Channel 2--Don&#39;t touch that dial 
     Channel 3--Switch 1 channel clockwise 
     Channel 3--Switch 3 channels clockwise 
     Channel 3--Switch 2 channels counter-clockwise 
     Channel 3--Switch 4 channels counter-clockwise 
     Channel 3-Switch 4 channels clockwise 
     Channel 4--Switch 4 channels clockwise 
     Channel 4--Switch 1 channel counter-clockwise 
     Channel 4--Switch 4 channels counter-clockwise 
     Channel 4--Switch 1 channel clockwise 
     Channel 4--Don&#39;t touch that dial 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 14 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 15 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 16 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 17 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 18 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 19 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 20 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 21 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 22 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 23 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 24 
     UHF--Commercial--Channel 25 
     A total of 72 guide cards are provided. The channel indications included as part of the &#34;UHF&#34; cards indicate questions to be asked when a UHF channel has been selected. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, special item cards 60, 70 are shown. Special item cards 60 are referred to as &#34;Star&#34; cards. Each of the special item cards 60 is identified with a separate number in its upper right-hand corner and includes the likeness of a well-known television personality. Each of the special item cards 60 shown in FIG. 7 can be identified separately as 60a, 60b, and so forth. Similarly, special item cards 70 are referred to as &#34;Show&#34; cards and are identified with separate numbers in their upper righthand corners. The special item cards 70 include scenes from television shows. Each of the special item cards 70 shown in FIG. 8 can be identified separately as 70a, 70b, and so forth. The book 40 includes divider pages 42 having tabs 43i and 43m to separate answer sheets for the categories &#34;Name that Star&#34; and &#34;Name that Show,&#34; respectively. The answer sheets for the Name that Show and Name that Star categories include answers for all the cards 60, 70. The answers are listed numerically corresponding to the numbers in the upper right-hand corner of each of the sets of cards 60, 70. 
     The invention also includes play money (not shown) in various denominations such as $10, $20, $50, and $100. The denominations used with the invention can be chosen as desired. 
     OPERATION 
     In order to play the game, the selector 10 is placed on the floor or on a table and players congregate around the selector 10. The guide cards 50 and the special item cards 60, 70 are shuffled and placed face down in three separate decks. Two or more players are required to play the game, and presumably each of the players will be at least 12 years of age. 
     The basic object of the game is to acquire as much play money as possible. Play money is acquired by answering questions correctly. By way of example, the answer to each question can be worth $10. If both the first and last name in a question calling for a two-part name answer are given, the answer can be worth $20. Before a question is asked, a player is permitted to gamble up to $100. If the player incorrectly answers the question, he loses the gambled sum. If the player correctly answers the question, he receives the gambled sum plus $10 (or $20 as the case may be) for the correct answer. If a player cannot answer the question posed to him, the question is asked of the player next in turn. If all of the players fail to answer the question correctly, then the answer is read and the play of the game is continued. 
     The game is commenced by a selected player choosing a guide card 50 on top of the deck containing the guide cards 50. It will be assumed that the guide card 50a shown in FIG. 9 has been selected. The player who has drawn the guide card 50a will grasp the column 20 and spin it to reposition the sectors 14, 18 with respect to each other. It will be assumed that the sector alignment shown in FIG. 1 has resulted. Accordingly, upon switching channel 5 one channel clockwise as called for by the guide card 50a, the category &#34;Cartoons/Childrens Shows&#34; will be indicated. The question and answer book 40 then is opened to the index sheet 44a displaying the heading &#34;Cartoons/Childrens Shows&#34; by grasping the tab 43a. Next, the player spins the spinner 30. It will be assumed that a time of 6:00 a.m. has been selected. The show indicated at 6:00 a.m. is &#34;Howdy Doody.&#34; At this point, the player is permitted to gamble on whether he will be able to answer the question about to be posed to him. 
     After a gamble has been declined or placed, the small tab 46a indicating 6:00 a.m. is grasped and the page is opened. Referring to FIG. 4, the channels and questions and answers for the Howdy Doody television show will be presented. Because the player initially drew a guide card labeled &#34;Channel 5&#34; the question positioned opposite Channel 5 is asked. The player has 60 seconds in which to correctly answer the question. If the question cannot be answered or is answered incorrectly, the question is asked of the next player and so forth as indicated previously. The game is over after the players go through all of the guide cards 50. 
     If one of the &#34;UHF&#34; guide cards 50 has been drawn, play would have proceeded exactly as outlined above. The only difference would be that individual questions and answers are identified with the notations Channel 14-25 rather than Channels 2-13. 
     If the player initially had chosen the category of &#34;Name That Show&#34; or &#34;Name That Star&#34; play would have proceeded similarly, except that the special item cards 60, 70 would have been referred to, as appropriate. For example, if the category &#34;Name That Star&#34; has been selected, the player would be given a chance to gamble and, thereafter, one of the special item cards 60 would be drawn. If the player can successfully identify the television personality depicted on the card, reference being had to the answer pages in the book 40 identified by the tabs 43i, 43m, the player will win whatever has been gambled plus $10 (or $20 if a two-part name has been answered). 
     It will be appreciated that the game apparatus according to the invention provides a considerable challenge to the participants. In the particular example illustrated, 14 separate categories are provided, consisting of sectors 14a-14m and &#34;UHF.&#34; Twelve of the 14 categories include 20 separate items (corresponding with time slots from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.). Furthermore, each of the items includes twelve questions (corresponding with channels 2-13 or 14-25). Additionally, although any number of special item cards 60, 70 could be provided, it will be expected that at least 50 stars and 50 shows will be depicted. Thus, a total of almost 3000 separate questions and answers are included as part of the question and answer book 40. 
     Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it will be understood that the present disclosure of the invention has been made only by way of example, and that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.