Race game apparatus

A race game includes an oval track structure arranged with a plurality of contiguous concentric tracks, wherein the tracks each include a plurality of spaces. The game includes tokens and die members, and wherein each of the spaces is formed with contrasting enumeration in associated with the die members, wherein players in turn direct respective tokens along the spaces in diametrical, horizontal, and straight-line orientations to correspond to a movement of a token from adjacent enumerated spaces corresponding to enumerated spaces directed by the die members. A plurality of the spaces are associated with directional cards of reward and punishment types to introduce an element of change into play of the game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The field of invention relates to race game apparatus, and more 
particularly pertains to a new and improved race game apparatus wherein 
the same is arranged to direct a plurality of tokens about a race course 
to correspond to reality of racing. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Race game apparatus of various types have been utilized to direct various 
tokens and players relative to one another about a game path. Such 
apparatus is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,956 to Zyla, et al. 
wherein a drag racing game apparatus includes parallel lanes to simulate a 
drag racing event. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,386 to Tozer wherein a race simulation game is 
provided, wherein racing lanes are divided in equal number of advancement 
spaces, with dice utilized to determine advancement of various tokens 
about the spaces. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,274 to Jevons sets forth a motorcycle team racing game 
to simulate a motorcycle racing event in a cross country environment. 
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new 
and improved face game apparatus as set forth by the instant invention 
which addresses both the problems of ease of use as well as effectiveness 
in construction and in this respect, the present invention substantially 
fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of race 
game apparatus now present in the prior art, the present invention 
provides a race game apparatus wherein the same is utilized to direct 
tokens in traverse of a game race course permitting the tokens to traverse 
diagonally, horizontally, and in a straight-line manner about the game 
path of a plurality of game paths. As such, the general purpose of the 
present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, 
is to provide a new and improved race game apparatus which has all the 
advantages of the prior art race game apparatus and none of the 
disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention provides a race game including an 
oval track structure arranged with a plurality of contiguous concentric 
tracks, wherein the tracks each include a plurality of spaces. The game 
includes tokens and die members, and wherein each of the spaces if formed 
with contrasting enumeration in association with the die members, wherein 
players in turn direct respective tokens along the spaces in diametrical, 
horizontal, and straight-line orientations to correspond to a movement of 
a token from adjacent enumerated spaces corresponding to enumerated spaces 
directed by the die members. A plurality of the spaces are associated with 
directional cards of reward and punishment types to introduce an element 
of chance into play of the game. 
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in 
the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and 
it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of 
all of its structures for the functions specified. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which 
this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved race game apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art 
race game apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
race game apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and 
marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved race game apparatus which is of a durable and reliable 
construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved race game apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of 
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly 
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby 
making such race game apparatus economically available to the buying 
public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved race game apparatus which provides in the apparatuses and methods 
of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously 
overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-16 
thereof, a new and improved race game apparatus embodying the principles 
and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the 
reference numeral 10 will be described. 
More specifically, the race game apparatus 10 of the instant invention 
essentially comprises a game board 11, including a central board area 12, 
including a respective first, second, and third path 14, 15, and 16 
respectively, wherein each of the paths are of a continuous configuration 
in a generally contiguous concentric orientation relative to one another 
in a generally elongate configuration. It is understood that the paths may 
be of a circular, rectilinear, or any other suitable configuration 
requiring each of the paths to be formed of a plurality of spaces, wherein 
the spaces are in aligned orientation relative to one another and each of 
the respective paths. Respective first and fourth spaces are directed 
throughout the first path, respective second and fifth spaces are directed 
throughout the second path 15, and the respective third and sixth spaces 
19 and 22 are directed throughout the third path. As illustrated, each of 
the spaces of each of the paths are in alternating numerical relationship 
relative to one another. The number of spaces are defined by a 
predetermined number equal to the number of sides of each of the die 
members 30, as illustrated in FIG. 6. As the die members as exemplified, 
include six faces each, six spaces are provided and divided equally among 
the respective first through third paths, with each of the paths 
accordingly including a plurality of the predetermined number of spaces in 
the alternating relationship as illustrated among each of the paths. An 
outer perimeter wall 13 is provided about the outer perimeter of the game 
board 11 to contain the various tokens and die members in play within the 
game board. 
It is illustrated that a predetermined number of pole position cards 28 are 
provided (see FIGS. 1 and 6) to position each of the predetermined number 
of tokens 29 (see FIG. 4) adjacent the starting line 31 that is directed 
orthogonally across the paths 14-16. A plurality of first and second 
starting spaces 32 and 33 are provided on each side of the starting line 
31, with each predetermined number of starting spaces equal to the 
predetermined number defined by the pole position cards 28 and the die 
members 30. The pole position cards 28 are initially shuffled, and it is 
desired that a predetermined number of players be provided and each select 
a card of the predetermined number of cards and each player will utilize a 
token in association with a chosen card and position that token in the 
corresponding space of the respective first and second starting spaces 32 
and 33 dependent upon whether clockwise or counterclockwise direction 
about the 14-16 is desired. It is understood that the tokens are 
positioned in either the first or second starting spaces and must all be 
contained within either the first or second starting spaces at the outset 
of the race. It is the object of the game that the player or token 
completing a single lap about the game board is declared a winner. 
To traverse the path, the die members are rolled sequentially and players 
direct the tokens forwardly to traverse the paths. The tokens are 
accordingly directed forwardly, laterally, or diagonally relative to the 
game paths and movement of a token is permitted as long a diagonal, 
lateral, or forward displacement of the token is arranged to be in 
contiguous communication with a space of the plurality of spaces 17-22 
that a player is present upon by way of the associated token. 
The die members are not added, but merely the top face of the die member as 
rolled on the central board area 12 is read and for example should a 
player be on a number 2 space and a number 4 and a 2 die designation are 
illustrated, the player may move diagonally from a 2 to a 4 and then from 
a 4 to a 2 space to direct the token forwardly. Should a player not be 
able to move, then that player must await a further turn. Should a player 
roll the same designation upon both die members, the player is then 
permitted a further roll of the die members. Engagement with an opponent 
upon a space advances the contacted opponent racer forwardly, diagonally, 
or sideways dependent upon whether the moving player has proceeded into 
the player's occupied space in a diagonal, lateral, or forward 
orientation. Should an opponent be directed off of the track of the first 
through third paths 14-16, a 1 or a 4 is needed to return in a roll of the 
die members 30. Alternatively, should a player be directed into the 
perimeter wall 13, a 3 or 6 is required before that player being 
exteriorly of the paths 14-16 be permitted back onto the game paths. 
A first variation in use of the game wherein various of the six token 
spaces 22 are of contrasting coloration, whereupon a player landing upon 
that contrasting colored space is directed to pick up a directional card 
27 of the stack of directional cards, and the directional cards are, as 
illustrated in the FIGS. 7-16, in directing either penalty or award to 
that player. Alternatively, the game board is constructed to include an 
"L" shaped pivot plate 23 at each of the six spaces 22, the first and 
second starting spaces 32 and 33 exempted. Each of the six spaces 22 
includes the "L" shaped pivot plate 23, as illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, 
and includes a vertical plate 24 and a horizontal plate 25 overlying a 
horizontal support surface 26 that is coextensive with and underlying the 
horizontal leg plate 25 that designates the six space 22 at a top surface 
thereof. In this manner, the directional cards are positioned under 
selective ones of the "L" shaped pivot plates 23, wherein each "L" shaped 
pivot plate 23 includes a handle 23a that projects above and is mounted to 
an upper edge of the vertical leg plate 24 to ease its lifting. Each 
horizontal leg plate 25 is pivoted about a pivot plate hinge 23b. As the 
ten designated directional cards 27 are arbitrarily positioned upon ten of 
the six spaces 22, the element of chance and surprise may be varied from 
one race to another in a player landing of each of the six spaces 22. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further 
discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant 
invention shall be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.