Chess game playing array assembly

A chess game playing array assembly including a plurality of three-dimensional playing segments is disclosed. The playing segments are disposed relative to one another to define an array of playing spaces on which a game of chess may be played. One or more of the plurality of three dimensional playing segments may be spaced apart by one or more voids or in abutting relation with one another.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a chess game playing array assembly and more particularly to a chess game playing array assembly having multiple playing segments forming playing spaces on which a game of chess may be played.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of chess has maintained its popularity for centuries. Numerous ornamental designs of the chess game playing pieces, specifically, the king, queen, bishop, knight, rook and pawn, have added to this popularity. However, although the playing pieces have been regularly redesigned, the chess board on which the game of chess is played has remained substantially the same, even in the internet's electronic gaming environments. Previous attempts have been made to redesign the chess board. These include, for example, three dimensional versions of the chess board, provisions for additional players, variations in the playing surface of the chess board, for example, landscape chess boards, and modifications to the actual game of play, for example, a chess board having a figure eight array of playing spaces.

The applicant recognized a need for a chess game playing assembly which would provide improved flexibility for arranging and/or designing various three dimensional chess game playing arrays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a chess game playing array assembly including plural three dimensional playing segments disposed relative to one another to form a chess game playing array. According to a general aspect of the invention, the multiple three dimensional playing segments may be arranged and/or individually designed to form an unlimited number of playing array assemblies embodying one or more themes or motifs.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a chess game playing array assembly including a plurality of three-dimensional playing segments disposed relative to one another to define an array of playing spaces on which a game of chess may be played, the plurality of three dimensional playing segments being spaced apart by one or more voids.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of three dimensional playing segments defines a playing space of the array of playing spaces although any particular playing segment may define two or more playing spaces. A playing segment may have a size different from that of another of the playing segments.

In another embodiment, the plurality of three dimensional playing segments comprises 64 playing segments defining, respectively, 64 playing spaces. Preferably, the playing segments are disposed relative to one another to define an array of 64 playing spaces consisting of eight rows and eight columns and the playing segments in the corners of the 64 space playing array have a height greater than the heights of the other playing segments.

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of three dimensional playing segments form a rectangular shape graduated array and include corner playing segments having a first elevation, middle playing segments having a second elevation, and intermediate playing segments having an elevation intermediate to that of the first elevation and second elevation. The first elevation may be higher or lower than the second elevation to achieve the graduated array.

In another embodiment, the spacing between the respective plurality of three dimensional playing segments is substantially uniform.

In regard to the three dimensional playing segments, in one embodiment, a three dimensional playing segment includes a bottom wall, a top wall and a column which connects and extends between the bottom wall and top wall. In another embodiment, at least one of the three dimensional playing segments includes a prescribed pattern located, for example, on one of its sides. An interior region may be provided in a three dimensional playing segment which may be sized to receive therein one or more playing pieces of a chess game. Also, or alternatively, the interior region may house a lighting element. To this end, a wall of the playing segment may be transparent or translucent to permit light from the lighting element to pass therethrough. Also, one or more of the walls may be transparent or translucent to enable viewing of the interior region, for example, prescribed patterns on the inside walls of the playing segment, or objects housed in the interior region.

In another embodiment, one or more void fillers may be disposed in one or more of the voids. A void filler may include an upstanding wall separating adjacently disposed playing segments.

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of three dimensional playing segments includes first and second opposing playing segments. Each playing segment defines a four row by eight column array of playing spaces such that when disposed relative to one another an eight row by eight column array of playing spaces is formed. The first playing segment includes a different motif than that of the second playing segment.

In another embodiment, the chess game playing array assembly is displayed on a display as a graphical user interface. Also, a logic stored by a memory and processed by a processor may be used to display an image of the chess game playing array assembly on a display. The logic stored in memory may include a computer program adapted to receive design parameter inputs. The design parameter inputs may include a respective size and shape of the three dimensional playing segments, a desired number of playing segments, a desired number of playing spaces provided by the respective quantity of playing segments, an arrangement of the playing segments and a respective size and shape of the voids.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a chess game playing array assembly including a plurality of three-dimensional playing segments disposed relative to one another to define an array of playing spaces on which a game of chess may be played, wherein at least one of the playing segments includes a motif different from that of another of the playing segments.

In one embodiment, the plurality of three dimensional playing segments include first and second opposing playing segments, wherein the first playing segment includes a different motif than that of the second playing segment. Each of the first and second playing segments may define, for example, a four row by eight column array of playing spaces such that when disposed relative to one another collectively an eight row by eight column array of playing spaces is formed. Also, the first and second segments may be disposed in opposing abutting relation or in spaced apart relation. Still further, the first and second segments may be sloped, for example, from an outer portion to a portion at which the playing segments oppose each other.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a chess game playing array assembly including first, second and third three dimensional playing segments disposed relative to one another to define an array of playing spaces on which a game of chess may be played, the first and second playing segments each defining a two row by eight column array of playing spaces, and the third playing segment defining a four row by eight column array of playing spaces. The third playing segment is disposed between the first and second playing segments to form an eight row by eight column array of playing spaces.

In one embodiment, the first playing segment includes a different motif than that of the second playing segment. For a traditional chess game the first playing segment forms the original starting positions for a first chess player's pieces and the second playing segment forms the original starting positions of a second chess player's pieces.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail one or more illustrative embodiments of the invention, such being indicative, however, of but several of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail and initially toFIGS. 1 and 2, a chess game playing array assembly10according to the present invention is shown. The chess game playing array assembly10includes a plurality of three-dimensional playing segments12spaced apart by voids14. The playing segments12are preferably mounted on a base15and are positioned relative to one another to define a playing array or grid on which a game of chess may be played. To this end, each playing segment12preferably includes one or more playing spaces16which form a portion of the playing array. In the illustrated embodiment, each playing segment12has a single playing space16(FIG. 5) and the arrangement thereof forms a traditional chess game playing array; i.e., there are 64 playing segments12providing, respectively, 64 playing spaces16, the playing segments12being arranged in an eight row by eight column fashion.

It will be appreciated that the independent construction of the plurality of three dimensional playing segments12enables the playing segments12to be sized, dimensioned or otherwise altered to achieve any desirable design or motif. For example, as is shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the height H of the corner playing segments12(that is, the playing segments on which the Rook playing pieces are originally positioned in a traditional chess game) is greater than the height of any of the intermediate playing segments12. Also, as is shown inFIG. 5, the lengths L of the respective playing segments12are generally greater than the widths W thereof. More particularly, the playing segments12form a graduated chess game playing array assembly10wherein the corner playing segments12have the highest elevation, the middle playing segments12have the lowest elevation, and the intermediate playing segments12are gradually stepped downward in elevation from the outer playing segments12to the middle playing segments12. In addition, the playing segments12are preferably uniformly spaced apart. Further, the perimeter of the playing array assembly10may include arcuate edges which are generally convex in the width direction and generally concave in the length direction, as illustrated in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1–5.

It will be appreciated that the plurality of three dimensional playing segments12enables flexibility in arranging and designing any number of various chess game playing array assemblies while keeping with the manner in which the game of chess is played. For example, in the chess game playing array assembly ofFIGS. 1–5, the arrangement of the playing segments12forms a stadium motif while continuing to support the linear visual nature in the rows, columns and diagonals of the array. In other words, the functional aspect of the game, that is, the ability to make lateral (left to right), longitudinal (forward and backward), diagonal or L-shape movements characteristic of the traditional chess game playing pieces is preserved.

Other chess game playing array assemblies may be formed embodying various designs or motifs depending on, for example, the respective size and shape of the three dimensional playing segments, the number of playing segments, the number of playing spaces provided by the respective playing segments, and the particular arrangement of the playing segments including the size and/or shape of the voids, if any, therebetween. Thus, for example, as is shown inFIG. 6, which is a top plan view of a chess game playing array assembly40, the size and shape of respective three dimensional playing segments42may be substantially the same and the arrangement thereof may be such as to form an essentially square shape playing array. Here, as in the playing array assembly ofFIGS. 1–5, the spacing or voids44between the three dimensional playing segments42is substantially uniform throughout the chess game playing array assembly40and each playing segment42provides a single playing space46.

Referring toFIG. 7, there is shown an enlarged view of an exemplary corner three dimensional playing segment48of the chess game playing array assembly10ofFIGS. 1–5. Here, one or more sides of the playing segment48may be arcuate to assist in forming the aforementioned arcuate edges of the playing array assembly10.FIG. 8shows an enlarged view of a single playing segment of theFIG. 6playing array assembly40. Although the playing segments12,48and42forming the respective playing array assemblies10and40are six sided and are substantially rectangular or block shaped, other playing segments may take on different shapes and sizes as desired. For example, inFIG. 9there is shown a playing segment52having a multi-sided top wall54and a bottom or base wall56, and a non-uniform contoured riser or column58which connects and extends between the bottom wall56and top wall54. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 10, a three dimensional playing segment62may have an oval or round shape top wall64and base wall66. Of course, a playing array assembly may include a combination of different shaped playing segments (not shown), for example, a combination of playing segments having some oval shaped top walls and some rectangular shaped top walls.

The chess game playing array assembly may be further enhanced by providing the three dimensional playing segments with one or more unique playing surface patterns, or textures. Thus, for example, for the three dimensional playing segments12forming the chess game playing array assembly10ofFIGS. 1–5, the respective playing spaces16thereof in the starting positions of the chess game playing pieces (i.e. original positions of the king, queen, bishop, knight, rook, pawn in a traditional chess game) may have a unique pattern, for example, a cobblestone pattern, and the respective playing spaces thereof between the starting positions (i.e., the “battleground” positions) may have another one or more textures or patterns resembling, for example, a mountainous or grassy terrain.

Each three dimensional playing segment may also, or alternatively, include a unique exterior or interior design. For example, as is shown inFIG. 2, the playing segments12may resemble buildings (e.g.71,72,73and74) of a particular chess enthusiast's favorite city. Alternatively, the three dimensional playing segments12may incorporate famous landmarks or even favorite paintings in the form of miniature murals on the side walls of the playing segments (not shown). Also, the chess playing segments12may have two different or contrasting colors so that when arranged they provide playing spaces16having alternating colors, as is the case, for example, for the traditional chess game playing array.

The three dimensional playing segments may also or alternatively have interior regions into which further designs and/or accessories may be incorporated. For example, as shown inFIG. 11, a three dimensional playing segment82has an interior region83used for storing a playing piece P of a particular chess game when the chess game is not in use. Alternatively, a three dimensional playing segment92, as shown inFIG. 12, may include windows95in its side walls97and/or decorations or the like in the interior region83. Further, as shown inFIG. 13, a lighting element L may be inserted into an interior region99of the three dimensional playing segment92which, when energized, casts light through the windows95and into, for example, the voids between the respective three dimensional playing segments. In another three dimensional playing segment102shown inFIG. 14, a top wall105thereof may be translucent to enable light from a lighting element L to pass therethrough and surround and/or illuminate a playing piece P positioned on the illuminated playing segment102.

The chess game playing array assembly may be further, or alternatively, enhanced by varying the dimensions and/or size of voids between the respective plurality of three dimensional playing segments. For example, in the illustrated chess game playing array assembly10ofFIGS. 1–5the voids14between the respective three dimensional playing segments12are either arcuate or rectangular in shape and substantially uniform in width across the entire array. In the chess game playing array assembly ofFIG. 6the voids44between the respective three dimensional playing segments42are rectangular in shape and substantially uniform in width across the entire array. It will be appreciated that widths of voids may vary in size and the voids may also be designed or enhanced to resemble streets, canals or rivers in between the respective playing segments.

Alternatively, one or more types of void fillers may be disposed in the voids between the respective playing segments. For example, as shown inFIG. 15, a void filler may comprise an upstanding wall110disposed in one or more voids114to form, for example, a barrier adjacent to respective playing segments112. To this end, the three dimensional playing segments112of, for example, the king and queen original starting positions, may have upstanding walls110which rise above playing spaces116of the respective playing segments112to form a barrier surrounding the respective king and queen playing pieces. Also, the void fillers may be removable/replaceable in the respective voids between playing segments. Alternatively, or in addition, void fillers may be fixedly connected to, or integrally part of, the respective playing segments.

As was alluded to above, the chess game playing array assembly may also be designed and/or enhanced according to the desired arrangement of the multiple three dimensional playing segments. Thus, the illustrated embodiments include 64 playing segments arranged in an eight row by eight column fashion to form the traditional chess game playing array. Alternative arrangements of the three dimensional playing segments may form a three player (or greater quantity) chess game playing array assembly, a circular chess game playing array assembly, or even a figure eight shaped chess game playing array assembly. The formation of a particular chess game playing array assembly may also be facilitated by the individual construction of the three dimensional playing segments since each playing segment may be uniquely shaped and/or sized. Thus, for example, arcuate shaped three dimensional playing segments may be arranged to form the aforementioned circular shaped chess game playing array assembly.

Referring now toFIG. 16, there is shown a chess game playing array assembly130embodying two opposing and abutting three dimensional playing segments132aand132b. In this embodiment, there is no void spacing the differing playing segments132aand132bapart from one another. Each playing segment132aand132bforms one half (i.e., an array of 32 playing spaces136aand136b, respectively) of a traditional chess game playing array. Although, the illustrated playing segments132aand132binclude individual landscape terrains, the playing segments may be graduated or sloped to provide a stadium-like configuration, as illustrated inFIGS. 1–5. For example, each playing segment132aand132bmay comprise a sports motif characterized by, for example, a chess enthusiast's favorite football team or baseball team. Thus, it will be appreciated that the individual three dimensional playing segments132aand132benable multiple theaters or motifs to be constructed and then paired up against an opposing theater or motif.

In accordance with the present invention, there may be any number of multiple three dimensional playing segments so long as the arrangement thereof forms playing spaces on which a game of chess, traditional or otherwise, may be played. Thus, for example, as is shown inFIG. 17, a chess game playing array assembly140may include three dimensional playing segments142a,142b,142c, wherein a first playing segment142aforms the original starting playing spaces146afor a first player, a second playing segment142bforms the original starting playing spaces146bfor a second player and a third playing segment142cforms the intermediate, or battleground, playing spaces146cbetween the respective original starting playing spaces146aand146bof the respective first and second opposing playing segments142aand142b. Voids148are shown disposed between the respective playing segments142a,142band142calthough it will be appreciated that the playing segments142a,142band142cmay be disposed in abutting relation to one another (i.e., wherein playing segment142aabuts playing segment142con one side thereof and playing segment142babuts playing segment142con the opposing side thereof).

Referring now toFIG. 18, the present invention may also be embodied on a computer150as a graphical user interface displayed on a display device160such as a computer screen, CRT, LCD or the like. Also, in accordance with the present invention, the chess game playing array assembly162may be embodied as logic stored in a memory164, the logic being capable of being processed by a processor166, to generate a displayed image of the chess game playing array assembly162on a display160. In addition, the design of the multiple three dimensional playing segments and/or the arrangement thereof may be assisted by a computer program, for example, a CAD or graphics program. The program may be adapted to receive various design parameter inputs, for example, the respective size and shape of the three dimensional playing segments, the number of playing segments, the number of playing spaces provided by the respective playing segments, and the particular arrangement of the playing segments including the size and/or shape of the voids therebetween. In this way, a designer may vary each parameter until a desirable chess game playing array assembly is formed.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described integers (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such integers are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any integer which performs the specified function of the described integer (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been described above with respect to only one of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.