Chess game apparatus

A chess game apparatus is provided having a playing board of tray-like construction and a number of playing pieces of cube-shape which are cooperatively and selectively interarranged to form both the playing surface and the game pieces. The apparatus game board includes a supporting surface having a peripheral upstanding edge wall and a spring biased retainer bar for securing the several playing pieces in relatively fixed array on the board. A number of the playing pieces are provided with the indicia of the several chess pieces. Three of the six sides of each cube-shaped playing pieces are of one color background while the other three sides are of a different color, such as black and white, so that the playing pieces can simulate and function as the alternately colored squares of a playing board. Several selected pieces function as the actual game pieces with two or more sides of each of these cubes provided with appropriate indicia for the respective indicia of a particular game piece. The number of such selected playing pieces is determined in accordance with the predetermined number of different types of moves that can be made during a game to enable the respective game pieces to be properly positioned in any designated location on the game board and to have the remaining pieces form the remainder of the playing board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Many types of apparatus and various constructions have been employed in the 
fabrication and construction of apparatus specifically designed for the 
playing of the game of chess. The most conventional of such apparatus 
includes the planar surfaced playing board having the designated number of 
playing spaces formed by suitable indicia, such as black and white colored 
squares arranged in an alternating pattern on the surface of the playing 
board. The playing pieces are commonly three-dimensional representative of 
the specific game pieces, or they may be diagrammatic or illustrative in 
planar form and these pieces are placed on the designated playing spaces 
or squares. The number of game pieces, however, is substantially less than 
the number of the playing spaces or squares provided on the game board and 
thus the pieces may be readily moved from one location to another in 
accordance with the game rules. 
Other common types of such apparatus that have been heretofore developed, 
includes those which include a metallic board with which magnetically 
cooperative playing pieces are provided for facilitating and assuring 
retention of the playing piece on a designated playing space. This 
particular type of apparatus is readily adapted to playing situations 
where there is a strong likelihood of dislodgment of the playing pieces as 
in the case of the previously described conventional game apparatus. 
Specifically, the magnetic type game devices are adapted for playing by 
persons being transported on vehicles, such as, trains, automobiles and 
airplanes. 
Other types of game apparatus for the chess game include devices where 
there is a mechanical interengagement of the playing pieces with specific 
designated playing spaces on a game board. This form may often include a 
game playing device having a tongue or projection which can interfit in a 
suitable socket or receptacle that is formed in the game board. This 
interfit may be of a mechanical interference type to prevent inadvertant 
dislodgement or removal of a playing piece. This type of construction is 
also suitable for automobile use as the playing pieces will not be 
dislodged from the selected playing space but such apparatus constructions 
have the disadvantage of a non-planar upper surface as a consequence of 
the three-dimensional playing pieces positioned on the playing board. This 
non-planar or irregular surface configuration results from the fact that 
the playing pieces project upwardly from the playing surface and, since 
these pieces only occupy certain playing spaces, this results in other 
playing spaces which have surfaces of a different elevation. 
The foregoing known types of game apparatus for the game of chess, while 
each particularly adapted to its specific designated purpose, are not 
deemed entirely suitable for the type of playing condition where a person 
may be involved in a number of simultaneous chess games as is commonly the 
occurence in the case of chess-by-mail games. For each such game, it is 
necessary that each player be provided with a separate and independent 
game board and game pieces for each opponent as that is the only means of 
recording the last attained move by either of players game pieces for each 
game. It is desirable that the game apparatus be readily storable in a 
convenient location without the risk of having the game pieces dislodged 
from their last attained position. Although it is possible to reconstruct 
the game, if this should occur, it is a cumbersome and time-consuming 
procedure to review all moves that have been made and noted in the 
interchange of correspondence to reconstruct the game to the last attained 
position. A further disadvantage with respect to the convenience of 
storage of the prior known apparatus, is that the known apparatus are not 
readily adapted to stacking to minimize the space that is occupied by 
several concurrently utilized game apparatus. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A chess game apparatus is provided by this invention which includes a 
cooperatively configured and constructed game board and number of game 
pieces with conplementary pieces that form a complete playing surface. The 
structure includes a number of independent pieces that are of identical 
dimensioned cube shape adapted to be secured and located in adjacent 
coextensive relationship on a supporting surface so that all common 
coplanar surfaces of the cubes will define a playing surface. Approximate 
indicia for the respective game pieces are formed on selected surfaces of 
a certain number of the playing pieces with the consequent advantageous 
result that the apparatus has a smooth planar surface when being used that 
is adaptable to stacking of one or more similar type chess game apparatus. 
The supporting board includes a planar sheet having a peripherally 
extending, upstanding wall formed therewith and a resiliently biased 
element which cooperates with one wall and the several playing pieces to 
frictionally grip all of the game and complementary pieces into retained 
array on the game board. While this structure is not specifically designed 
to adapt to the complete inversion of the game board, as the designed 
resilient gripping force that is obtained is not of sufficient strength to 
hold the several pieces against the weight of the pieces if the game board 
is completely inverted although such designs are feasible. The resilient 
force designed in the present embodiment, however, is sufficient to assure 
that the pieces will be maintained in their desired position and the 
forming of the entire playing surface by the similar cubes thus provides a 
means for mechanically positioning all of the game pieces as well as those 
pieces merely forming the unoccupied spaces in a fixed array that is 
maintained until it is desired to make another move in accordance with the 
determination of a particular player. 
A move can be readily accomplished with the apparatus by the application of 
a slight force which will release the clamping force produced by the 
resilient biasing element. This release of the clamping force enables one 
to sufficiently displace the cubes in any particular row as to permit a 
selected piece to be picked up and interchanged with any other playing 
piece. 
These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily 
apparent from the following detailed description of an illustrative 
embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT 
Having reference to the drawings, a complete chess game apparatus embodying 
this invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. This apparatus includes a base 
carrier 10 and a number of playing pieces 11. Each of the playing pieces 
11 is of a similar identical shape which is advantageously of a six-sided 
cube shape. The number of playing pieces 11 which are incorporated in the 
illustrated apparatus, is shown to be sixty-four and these pieces are 
arranged on the base carrier 10 in the form of a square having eight of 
the playing pieces 11 on each side. Thus, as these playing pieces are 
arranged, they are oriented and positioned so that one side or face of 
each cube is disposed in a contiguous plane which in effect forms a 
playing surface that is simulative of a playing board. For a chess game 
apparatus, several surfaces of the respective playing pieces are provided 
with an appropriate indicia, or background color, or both to enable a 
playing piece to also simulate a respective playing space or square of the 
conventionally configured playing board. Accordingly, the playing pieces 
11, in accordance with this invention, define and form the surface of a 
playing board for such a game. For this purpose, the various playing 
pieces are provided with the appropriately colored backgrounds so that 
alternate and adjacently positioned playing pieces can be positioned with 
a specific colored surface that is exposed and results in the alternately 
identifiable playing spaces which, as illustrated, may be conventionally 
black and white. 
Forming the base carrier 10 is a structurally rigid base plate 12 having 
upstanding, peripherally extending edge walls 13 and 14. These edge walls 
13 and 14 are secured to the base plate 12 and project a distance upwardly 
terminating in an upper edge surface 15 and 16, respectively. Preferably, 
the height of these edge walls with respect to the upper surface 17 of the 
base plate 12 is substantially less than the height of the playing pieces 
11 as is best seen in FIG. 2. This arrangement thus leaves an upper 
portion of each of the playing pieces 11 exposed or projecting above the 
walls 13 and 14 and thus facilitates the subsequent manipulation of these 
playing pieces in accordance with the procedures for operation and playing 
of this chess game apparatus, as is described in greater detail. 
Construction or fabrication of the base carrier 10 may be in accordance 
with any of several well known fabrication techniques for such structures. 
For example, the base plate 12 and its associated edge walls 13 and 14 may 
be integrally molded as a one piece unit from a suitable synthetic resin 
material which possesses the desired structural rigidity characteristic 
when set or hardened. Alternatively, the base carrier, as well as its 
associated edge walls, may be fabricated as separate elements from 
suitably dimensioned materials, such as wood, with these elements then 
assembled into a unitary structure through the use of conventional 
fastening devices and assembling procedures. 
In accordance with this invention, the base carrier 10 is advantageously 
constructed to incorporate a clamping mechanism 18 which is designed to 
secure the several playing pieces 11 in the illustrated assembled 
arrangement. This clamping mechanism 18 is mounted in the base carrier 10 
in adjacently disposed relationship to one edge wall 13. For this purpose, 
the dimensions of the base carrier 10 are such that the length of the base 
in a direction parallel to the edge walls 14 is substantially greater than 
the cumulative length of eight playing pieces 11 so that there will be 
sufficient space at the one end for the clamping mechanism. Included in 
the clamping mechanism 18 is a clamping plate 19 which extends the full 
length of the interior of the edge wall 13 and has a vertical dimension 
that is essentially equal to the vertical height of the edge wall 13 and 
thus does not interfere with the manipulation of the playing pieces. This 
clamping plate 19 is disposed in parallel relationship to an interior 
surface 20 of the edge wall 13 and has a vertical surface 21 which is 
constantly urged into contacting engagement with the adjacent and opposed 
vertical wall surfaces or sides of the eight playing pieces 11 that extend 
the width of the base carrier. 
Providing a continuous biasing force for maintaining the clamping plate 19 
in engagement with the playing pieces are a number of helical compression 
springs 22 which are spaced in longitudinally separated relationship along 
the edge wall 13. These springs 22 may be conveniently secured in their 
respective positions by having the ends thereof disposed in shallow 
sockets 23 and 24 formed in the opposed surfaces of the edge wall 13 and 
the clamping plate 19. In the illustrative embodiment, as can be seen in 
FIG. 1, three such springs 22 are provided to assure that an adequate 
clamping force may be maintained by the plate 19 in compressing the 
aligned rows of playing pieces 11 against the opposite edge wall 13 and 
thus assure that the playing pieces will not be inadvertently dislodged 
from the base carrier. 
As previously indicated, each of the playing pieces 11 is of a cube shape 
thus having six sides or surfaces which can be provided with the 
appropriate indicia or background coloring, or other appropriate markings, 
to enable one to play the game apparatus. The specifically illustrated 
embodiment is designed primarily for utilization in the playing of the 
game of chess and, to best facilitate playing, two of the sides indicated 
as 25 and 26 of each piece, are provided only with the background color 
for designating the respective playing spaces or squares of a conventional 
type playing board. Accordingly, the one side 25 has a black background 
while the other side 26 has a white background. The colors, black and 
white, are designated for illustrative purposes and it will be readily 
apparent that other selected background colors may also be utilized. The 
primary criteria for color is that the selected colors are capable of 
clearly indicating the opposite nature of the playing spaces as defined by 
the respective playing pieces. Each of the playing pieces may be 
fabricated from suitable materials, such as wood, plastic, paper, etc., 
that possess the necessary structural strength characteristics. 
While each of the playing pieces 11 includes sides 25 and 26 formed with 
the appropriate background colors, it will be understood that only certain 
selected ones of the playing pieces 11 need be provided with the indicia 
associated with the respective game for a chess game. To better illustrate 
the indicia features for designating a particular game piece, FIGS. 3a and 
3b may be referred to wherein a single playing piece is shown from two 
different perspective angles for simultaneous viewing of all six of the 
sides of that cube. Accordingly, as indicated, two of the sides 25 and 26 
are provided with the only background colors which are black and white. 
Two of the other sides 27 and 28 which are diametrically disposed are 
provided with representative indicia of a specific playing piece. As 
illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, this indicia is representative of the 
castle or rook and it will be noted this indicia is formed in a color that 
clearly contrasts the background color and may also be black and white, 
respectively for each of the two sides. Each of the other game pieces is 
similarly represented on a respective game piece to provide a complete set 
of the game pieces in duplicate. Where a black or white game piece indicia 
is to be represented in the same color background, it will be seen from 
FIGS. 3A and 3B that this may be readily accomplished by use of a 
contrasting outline or secondary background. 
This indicia configuration thus enables a specific playing piece 11 which 
comprises one of the game pieces to be alternatively positioned in a 
playing space which may be of either the black or white. Consequently, 
each playing or game piece, may be readily positioned on the base carrier 
12 in the illustrative arrangement in accordance with a designated move 
following the game rules and playing sequence, and may have the desired 
game piece thus positioned in either the white or the black playing space. 
Alternatively, in the event that a particular game piece is taken by an 
opponent, this event can be readily accommodated by positioning of that 
playing piece to have either the black or white side, 25 or 26, exposed at 
that position, or at a different position to indicate the loss of a 
particular game piece. The remaining two of the six sides 29 and 30 may be 
provided with either the black or white alternative background coloring or 
these sides may be provided with a different color adapted to the playing 
of other games of a similar nature. 
Utilization of the game apparatus of this invention in the playing of the 
game of chess is illustrated in FIG. 1. As indicated in that figure, the 
upper exposed sides or surfaces of each of the playing pieces 11 are shown 
as they would appear having each playing piece 11 oriented to expose the 
desired one of the sides 25 through 28. With the game having progressed to 
a point where the illustrative arrangement of the assembled playing pieces 
has been obtained, a subsequent move or play is indicated as involving two 
of the playing pieces 11 which are shown removed and elevated out of the 
plane of the remaining playing pieces. Removal of the two indicated pieces 
is readily achieved by the lateral displacement of the clamping plate 19 
toward its adjacent edge wall 13 in opposition to the force of the several 
springs 22. Lateral displacement of the clamping plate 19 thus frees the 
several playing pieces which may then be displaced in their respective 
rows in perpendicular relationship to the clamping plate 19 and enable one 
to insert their fingers between adjacent playing pieces to grip a 
particular piece and vertically lift that piece out of the base carrier. 
This is the operation having been considered as completed in FIG. 1 as to 
two of the playing pieces. At this point, the compressive force of the 
clamping mechanism 18 may be permitted to be reapplied as the spaces for 
those two playing pieces will not be closed due to the supporting 
relationship of the aligned pieces in other rows. Alternatively, the 
clamping plate 19 may be maintained in its displaced position where no 
clamping force will be applied. 
In the illustrated move of FIG. 1, one player's bishop is shown as 
advancing diagonally to take his opponent's rook. In completing this play, 
the player would take the playing piece for his bishop and position it in 
the space which has been previously vacated by his opponent's rook. This 
is accomplished by merely inserting the playing piece into the then open 
space. When that operation is completed, the player then takes the 
opponent's rook game piece and positions it into the space that had been 
previously occupied by his bishop. Since the rook has now been taken, the 
playing piece is not placed with the rook indicia showing but is 
relatively rotated so that when inserted in that vacated space, it will 
have only a background surface showing and, in this instance, this would 
be the black side 25. If the move had required the game piece to be 
located on the opposite color playing space, then the piece would have 
been oriented to display the game piece indicia on the proper background 
at that playing space. 
It will be readily seen that all other moves during the progression of a 
game of chess can be readily accomplished in the same similar manner. Any 
particular game piece may be moved to any other selected location for 
either positioning on an open playing space or in taking an opponent's 
game piece that may be located in that playing space. The advantage of 
this particular constructural arrangement and configuration of playing 
pieces is that at no time will there be any empty spaces on the base 
carrier. Any move of playing pieces results in an interchange of playing 
pieces 11 which again complete the contiguous exposed surface of all 
playing pieces and thus maintains a smooth planar surface. None of the 
playing pieces need be, or are removed from the base carrier which 
otherwise require storage facilities of an auxiliary nature. Game pieces, 
as they are lost to an opponent, are merely positioned so that they are no 
longer recognized as being effective on the exposed composite surface. 
As a matter of convenience, however, each of the respective game pieces may 
be provided with additional suitable indicia comprising miniature replicas 
of a specific side such as 27 and 28 with that miniature indicia being 
located on one of the two sides 25 and 26, as indicated in FIGS. 3a and 
3b. The addition of such auxiliary indicia enables a player to 
conveniently relocate a respective game piece without having to search 
through a substantial portion of the playing pieces while they are 
maintained in assembled relationship on the base carrier. 
It will be readily apparent from the description of this illustrative 
embodiment of the chess game apparatus that a particularly unique and 
novel structure is provided to facilitate the playing of such a game. This 
apparatus is readily capable of retaining the several playing pieces in 
the desired assembled relationship to assure that the last attained 
positioning of any particular playing piece is maintained until such time 
as there is another game move involving such a playing piece. This is of 
particular advantage for those persons desiring to engage in a game of 
chess through mail correspondence. A chess game apparatus of this type is 
particularly adapted for such intermittent play as it is convenient to 
store. Several such game apparatus may be readily stacked in superimposed 
relationship and there is no requirement as previously indicated, for the 
storage by auxiliary means of the game pieces from any particular game 
apparatus. Consequently, there will be no resultant confusion as to the 
respective ones of several such game apparatus that may be concurrently 
employed. The storage is compact and a specific game apparatus may be 
conveniently selected through attachment of appropriate identification to 
the exterior of an edge wall for each specific opponent when it is 
necessary to consider that game apparatus for a subsequent play or move. 
Altough this inventive game apparatus is thus uniquely designed and 
adapted to playing of chess by correspondence, it will also be readily 
understood that the apparatus may be conveniently played by persons 
desiring to utilize the game in a conventional fixed position. For 
example, the apparatus may be used on a table positioned between two 
players, or the players may also utilize the apparatus on a transport 
vehicle such as a train or other similar vehicle. 
A further feature, which can be incorporated in the illustrative apparatus, 
is the provision for an ancillary type game such as that of the 
checkers-type. It will be noted from the preceding description that two 
sides 29, 30 of each playing piece 11 are not otherwise utilized for the 
chess game. Accordingly, certain selected ones of the playing pieces 11 
may have additional indicia formed on those surfaces which include the 
appropriate background color to indicate the opposed black or white 
checker game devices. This is illustrated in FIG. 4 where the six sides of 
a game piece are shown as rotated into a single plane for purposes of 
illustration. Since two of the sides 25 and 26 include the appropriate 
background color for unoccupied playing spaces, it will be seen that only 
certain of the pieces need be provided with the indicia for the checkers 
element. Consequently, the game of checkers may be similarly played 
through the moving and interchange of pairs of playing pieces to 
constitute a single move. Since the game of checkers also involves the 
forming of kings during certain stages of advancement of a particular 
piece, certain additional ones of the playing pieces would be provided 
with appropriate indicia to indicate the king status. This is indicated in 
FIG. 5 where another playing piece is shown with the surface all rotated 
for illustration in a single plane. Also, appropriate indicia may be 
included on other sides to indicate the checker game devices that are 
displayed on opposite surfaces of a particular playing piece for 
convenience in locating a particular game piece. 
It will be readily apparent from the foregoing description of an 
illustrative embodiment that a novel game apparatus is provided for the 
playing of chess. This apparatus has the specific advantage of convenience 
and stability in storage that is particularly desirable for intermittent 
playing where a single game apparatus must be utilized for each game and a 
person may be concurrently involved in several games. Also, the game 
apparatus incorporates a clamping mechanism to assure that the several 
playing pieces will be retained in the base carrier.