Abstract:
The disclosure depicts a travel game that is best used for helping automobile passengers pass the time on trips. The game comprises numerous steps, including spinning wheels, scanning the environment, and moving tokens along a path from a starting space to a finishing space.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is a travel game that is ideal for helping automobile passengers pass the time. The travel game is ideal for any land vehicle, such as a car, van, bus, or even a train. The game includes the steps of providing a game board that has a path with a starting space and a finish space, and a plurality of spaces positioned consecutively therebetween. The object of this game is to move one&#39;s token from the starting space along the path to the finishing space. The first player to reach the finishing space wins the game 
         [0002]    The game is ideal for two or more players, each of whom will be assigned a token to move along the path. The game includes first and second spinning wheels (or any other random indicator, such as a die or electronic selector). The game is played by having the players alternate turns. 
         [0003]    Each turn requires a player to spinning the first spinning wheel until it selects an indicated condition, then spin the second spinning wheel until it selects an indicated criterion. The turn progresses to the step of having the player scan the environment in an attempt to locate single item that meets both the condition and the criterion. If the player cannot locate such a single item, then that player&#39;s turn concludes. 
         [0004]    If the player is able to locate a single item having both the indicated condition and the indicated criterion (preferably within a preselected amount of time), then the turn continues by having the player spin a third spinning wheel to select an indicated instruction. This instruction revealed by the third spinning wheel will tell the player how—if at all—to move the player&#39;s token along the path. For example, the third spinning wheel may include instructions such as: lose a turn, spin again, move the token forward one space, move the token forward two spaces, move the token forward three spaces, move the token forward four spaces, move the token forward five spaces; or, move the token forward six spaces. Finally, of course, the turn concludes with the player complying with the instruction, usually by moving his token. 
         [0005]    Because the game is well-suited for play in a moving vehicle, it is preferred to create an attraction between the tokens and the game board. This can be accomplished by a magnetic attraction, or even by creating the board out of a cloth and equipping the tokens with a hook-and-loop fastener to engage and adhere to the cloth. Additionally, the board may be a single board that bears both the path and the spinning wheels (as set out herein). Alternatively, the game board may be two separate parts, or may be a pair of panels that are hinged together and fold onto one another for easy storage. 
         [0006]    In an alternate embodiment of the game, selected spaces on the path have requirements imprinted on them. For example, a space, if landed on, may require a player to move forward or backward a select number of spaces, or may even require the player to spin a fourth wheel. In this embodiment, several spaces are designated “road hazard” spaces. If a player&#39;s token finally lands on a road hazard space, the player must spin a fourth wheel (or activate a fourth random indicator) for further instruction. 
         [0007]    For example, a preferred embodiment of the game requires a player spinning the fourth wheel to either go to a Garage (for an instructed repair), or to a rest stop (for a travel break that is designated by the wheel). Also, in an alternate embodiment of the game, a player who is in a rest stop must remain there until s/he can spin a chosen number on the third wheel (i.e., a 1 or a 6, for example). Additionally, a player who is in a garage may be compelled to spin a chosen number on the third wheel (i.e., a 1 or 6 for example) before being let out of the garage to progress along the path toward the finishing space. 
         [0008]    Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a plan view showing a portion of a game board for a travel game, according to the principles of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a plan view showing another portion of a game board for a travel game. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a preferred embodiment of a game board for a travel game. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate of the game board. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows the game board  10  that comprises a first portion  25  imprinted with a path having a start space  14  and a finish space  16 , and a plurality of intermediate spaces  22  consecutively positioned therebetween. Some of the intermediate spaces  22  have an instruction  24  (i.e, Forward 3, go Back 3, etc.) on them; and a select few of the intermediate spaces  22  bear a HAZARD instruction  24 . 
         [0014]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , each player is given a respective token  13   a,    13   b,    13   c;  the object of the game is to move one&#39;s token from the start space  14  to the finish space  16  as quickly as possible by taking turns that require movement of the tokens  13   a,    13   b    13   c  along the path. 
         [0015]    If one&#39;s turn concludes by landing on an intermediate space  22  having an instruction  24 , the player must comply with the instruction prior to concluding the turn. If one&#39;s turn concludes by landing on a HAZARD instruction  24 , then the player must spin the hazard wheel (shown aft) for further instruction. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a second portion of the game board  26  having a group of spinning wheels  28 ,  36 ,  44 , 56 . The first wheel  28  bears a general circular shape divided into a plurality of wedges  30 , aid a spinning arrow  34  adjacent the center. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first wheel  28  is a color wheel wherein each of the wedges  30  bears a printed condition  32 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , each condition is a respective color. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second portion of the game board  26  also bears a second wheel  36  that bears a generally circular shape divided into a plurality of wedges  38 , and a spinning arrow  40  adjacent the center of the second wheel  36 . Each wedge  38  of the second wheel  36  bears a respective criterion  42 . At the start of a player&#39;s turn, the player spins both the first wheel  28  and second wheel  36 . When each spinning arrow  34 ,  40  comes to rest, the player will scan the environment (i.e., look out the windows of the vehicle) in search of a single item that meets both the condition  32  and the criterion  42 . 
         [0018]    For example, the configuration shown in  FIG. 2  requires the player to locate a red car. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the player&#39;s turn is limited to a preselected amount of time with the help of a timing device  37 . Of course, the preselected time may be varied in order to accommodate the need to keep the game moving quickly, and accommodate the ages and abilities of the players. It has been found, though, that times of less than one minute work best. 
         [0019]    If the player successfully locates a single item meeting both the criterion and the condition, then the player may spin the third wheel  44 . The third wheel  44  bears a generally circular shape with a spinning arrow  54  located adjacent its center. The circular shape is divided into a plurality of wedges  46  that bear respective instructions  48 , 50 ,  52 . For example, the respective instructions may require the player to lose his turn (as in  48 ), to move his token forward a select number of spaces (as in  52 ) or to spin again (as in  50 ). 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second portion  26  also bears a fourth wheel  56  having a generally circular shape divided into a plurality of wedges  58 , and each wedge bears an imprinted requirement  60 . If a player&#39;s turn terminates with a ROAD HAZARD space (as explained aft), the player spins the fourth wheel  56  to obtain a requirement. 
         [0021]    As in  FIG. 2 , the requirements  60  imprinted on wedges  58  of the fourth wheel  56  are divided into two main categories: a) GARAGE and b) Rest Stop, which represent various interruptions to a trip. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the wedges  58  may include a description of the specific interruption  62  incurred by the player. For example, one may need to visit a garage due to battery problems or brake problems, or a family may need to stop for a quick nap or to take their pet for a walk. 
         [0022]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , it should be noted that the conditions  32  and criteria  42  may be changed by means of an overlay that can change the game. It is well-known that travel on rural roads (or at times when there is little traffic) may make locating vehicles difficult. In that regard, one or more of the conditions on first wheel  28 ) or criteria (on second wheel) may be varied. For example, instead of having each criterion  42  be a vehicle, the game may require one to locate street signs or landmarks. In that regard, the game may include overlays that could be used in conjunction with various spinners in order to accommodate the type of travel (rural, heavy/light traffic, etc) that is taking place. 
         [0023]    While the embodiment of  FIG. 2  shows that spinning wheels are used to randomly choose conditions, criteria, or requirements, these can also be randomly selected by means of an electronic device that selects these at random. Of course, other means of randomly selecting these conditions, criteria, or requirements are also within the scope of this invention. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the game board  10 . As with the prior embodiments, the game-board  10  comprises a first portion  25  and a second portion  26 . As previously discussed, the path includes a starting space  14 , a finishing space  16 , and a plurality of spaces  12  consecutively positioned therebetween. Moreover, the second portion  26  includes spinning wheels  28 , 36 , 44 , and  56 . As with other versions, a timer  37  is also included. 
         [0025]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , however, the first portion  25  and second portion  26  form a game board  10  that is a unitary, monolithic one-piece structure. Alternatively, however, the first portion  25  and second portion  26  may be separate from one another, allowing the first portion  25  to stay put, while the players pass around the second portion  26  so that the wheels could be spun. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows yet another embodiment of the game board  10 . In this embodiment, the game board  10  includes a first portion  25  and a second portion  26  that share a common edge  27 . The game board  10  is foldable along this common edge  27  to allow for easy storage. 
         [0027]    The game depicted herein is ideal for use during automobile travel. However, it is also well-suited to be used in other environments as well. For example, one can be positioned near a roadway and the game could be played by observing vehicles or people that are within the environment. Also, the environment may be simulated by playing a video on a television of dvd player. 
         [0028]    Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the appended claims that precisely define the metes and bounds of the invention.