Push peg game apparatus

A push peg game apparatus (10) comprising a block of material formed into a geometric configuration such as a cube element (14), wherein at least three cube faces (15) are provided with apertures (16) that extend into, and intersect with one another at an angle of 90.degree. within the cube element (14), wherein each of the apertures form elongated holes (17) that are dimensioned to receive one of a plurality of elongated peg elements (13).

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates generally to push peg game structures and more 
specifically to multi-apertured structures that are adapted to receive 
push pegs from a variety of angles. 
BACKGROUND ART 
The prior art is replete with various kinds of push peg games, wherein a 
plurality of pegs are inserted into a plurality of apertures formed on one 
or more surfaces, with the object of the game being related to the degree 
of penetration of the various pegs through the surface or surfaces. 
Some of the prior art peg receiving structures allow peg penetration in 
only one plane. 
Other prior art peg receiving structures allow peg penetration in a variety 
of planes. 
Most of the aforementioned peg receiving structures are circular in 
configuration, while some have cylindrical configurations, and other have 
square configurations. 
Representative examples of the aforementioned prior art structures may be 
seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,905,474; 3,114,548; 
3,813,099; and 3,612,537. 
While all of the prior art devices are adequate for their intended purposes 
(i.e.) the amusement of children, the creation of a game or puzzle, etc.); 
they are deficient in the following areas: the number of people that may 
partake in the game; the degree of difficulty in mastering the game or 
puzzle; and, the player produced strategy required to maintain interest in 
the game by older age groups. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
The above stated problems are substantially resolved by the provision of 
the instant invention. The instant invention includes generally an 
apertured unit, a support unit and a plurality of peg elements. 
The apertured unit comprises a multi-apertured structure wherein a 
plurality of apertures are formed in at least three distinct portions of 
the structure, and the apertures from each distinct portions intersect one 
another at an angle of 90.degree.. 
The support unit comprises support means that elevate and dispose the 
apertured unit such that only one of the distinct portions of the 
apertured unit is clearly visible to a player during the game. 
The plurality of push pegs comprise a plurality of pegs that are color 
coded (or otherwise designated) into groups of pegs, wherein the number of 
groups equals the number of distinct portions of the playing surface 
involved in the game.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, the apparatus 
may be seen as depicted generally by the numeral 10. The apparatus (10) 
includes generally an apertured unit (11), a support unit (12) and a 
plurality of elongated peg elements (13). Each of these units will now be 
described in seriatim fashion. 
The apertured unit (11) comprises a block of material formed into a 
geometric configuration such as a cube element (14), wherein at least 
three of the cube faces (15) are provided with an equal number (n) of a 
plurality of apertures (16) formed on each face (15). Each of the 
apertures (16) is formed by drilling a elongated hole (17) in the cube 
element (14), perpendicular to the cube face (15) on which the aperture 
(16) is disposed. In addition each elongated hole (17) is dimensioned to 
receive at least one elongated peg element (13). 
As shown in the drawings, the apertured faces (15) of the cube element (14) 
are each provided with an identical number (n) of apertures (16) arranged 
in a pattern. The drawings show sixteen apertures arranged in four 
parallel rows of four evenly spaced apertures per row; however, this 
pattern and number (n) of apertures is for illustration purposes only, and 
it is to be understood that both the pattern and number (n) of apertures 
may vary. It should further be noted that while the pattern and number (n) 
of apertures may vary between different cubes elements (14), the pattern 
and number (n) of apertures on the apertured faces (15) of any given cube 
will be identical. 
Prior to describing the three player version of the game illustrated in 
FIGS. 1 and 2, and the four player version of the game illustrated in 
FIGS. 3 and 4; it should be noted that the elongated holes (17) formed by 
the apertures (16) may extend either completely or substantially, through 
the cube element (14). Furthermore, in certain instances, some of the 
elongated holes (17) would extend completely through the cube element (14) 
while others would extend, proximate to, but spaced from, the cube face 
diametrically opposed to the apertured cube face. 
The three player version of the game, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, 
comprises a cube element (14) having at least three apertured cube faces 
(15). In addition the cube element (14) is provided with a support unit 
(14) that comprises support means in the form of a plurality of support 
legs (18) that engage the remaining three (apertured or unapertured) cube 
faces (15), to dispose at least three apertured cube faces (15) on the top 
portion of the cube element (14). 
As can be seen from the drawings, this arrangement produces three distinct 
upwardly facing apertured playing surface portions designated generally as 
(a,b,c). In addition, the three distinct playing surface portions are 
disposed in such a manner that a player facing one playing surface (for 
example a) cannot readily observe the other two playing surfaces (b) and 
(c). 
The four player version of the game, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, 
comprises a cube element (14) having at least four apertured cube faces 
(15). As in the three player version, the cube element (14) is provided 
with a support unit (12) that also comprises support means in the form of 
a plurality of support legs (18) that engage the remaining two cube faces 
(15), to dispose two of the apertured cube faces on top of the cube 
element (14), and two of the apertured cube faces on the sides of the cube 
element. 
In this version there are four distinct apertured playing surface portions 
designated generally as a', b', c' and d'. In addition, the four distinct 
playing surface portions are disposed with respect to one another so that 
a player facing one playing surface (e.g. a') cannot readily observe the 
other three playing surfaces (b', c', and d'). 
As mentioned supra the cube elements (14) for the three and four player 
versions of the game may be manufactured having only three apertured faces 
or only four apertured faces respectively. In those instances, the 
plurality of support legs (18) will either be rigidly secured to the 
unapertured cube faces (15) that they contact, or they will be rigidly 
secured to one another, to form a support means that the cube element (14) 
will merely rest upon. 
It should also be noted that the cube element may be manufactured by having 
apertures formed through all six of the cube faces. In this instance, as 
shown in FIG. 6, the support legs (18) would be provided with a plurality 
of small projections (19) that would cooperate with the apertures (16) on 
the supported cube faces (15), to releasably secure the cube element (14) 
to the plurality of support legs (18). These support legs (18) could also 
be interchangeable between the three player version; wherein three support 
legs (18) would be required for the three player version, and only two 
support legs (18) would be required for the four player version. 
As shown in FIG. 3, each of the elongated holes (17) formed through one of 
the apertured faces (15) intersects at a plurality of points, the 
elongated holes (17) formed through at least two of the remaining 
apertured faces, and each of the elongated holes (17) from the respective 
faces are disposed at an angle ".alpha." with respect to the holes (17) 
from the other faces. In the versions illustrated ".alpha." has a value of 
90.degree., although it is conceivable that .alpha. could have values 
other than 90.degree.. 
As mentioned supra the plurality of elongated pegs are divided into groups 
of pegs, wherein the number of groups of pegs equals the number of 
distinct playing surface portions involved in the aforementioned versions 
of the game. Both the faces of the cube and the groups of pegs may be 
color coded, or otherwise designated, to relate a group of pegs to a given 
cube face. In addition the total number (m) of pegs in any group of pegs, 
will be less than the total number (n) of apertures in any apertured cube 
face. 
The basic object of this game is for each player to insert as many pegs 
(13) on each playing surface portion as far as they can into the cube 
element (17), until the pegs (13) contact other pegs (13) inserted from 
the other playing surfaces, or the travel of the pegs is otherwise limited 
by the construction of the cube element (14). 
A brief description of the rules of the game are as follows: 
The object of the game is to get 5 of your pegs in all the way or to 
capture 5 opponents pegs. To begin each player chooses 10 pegs of the same 
color. Flip a coin to determine who plays first. Play passes to the left. 
To play put a peg in any hole in the block as far as it will go. If you 
start a peg in a hole you must put it in that hole. If the end of the peg 
you just put in touches an opponents peg and you already have the end of 
one or more of your pegs touching that peg you may remove (capture) it. 
After removing opponents you must push all pegs in as far as they will go. 
If there is a choice of which peg to push in first, you may make that 
choice. 
Only one capture per turn is allowed if any player is out of pins when it 
is their turn, the game ends and the player with the highest score wins. 
A series of games may also be played. At the end of each game score 1 point 
for each peg in all the way and 1 point for each peg captured. The series 
ends when the score reaches 25 and the player with the highest score wins. 
It should be appreciated at this point that a game constructed in 
accordance with the above teachings will produce an entirely new 
3-dimensional game involving strategical spatial relationships. In 
addition, the game will on one hand be easy to learn, and yet on the 
otherhand be a challenge to master. 
Obviously, many substitutions, modifications and variations of the present 
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to 
be understood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention 
may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.