Floor game for team building

A floor game including tiles which are laid on a playing surface forming a playing area, and an optical instrument. Each tile is covered by a polarized film. A path across the playing area is revealable by utilizing the optical instrument available to a game facilitator. The players see a design on the playing area. A path across the playing area is invisible to players not wearing the optical instrument. Each player traverses the path with assistance of the game facilitator and by observing steps taken by the previous players. The object of the game is for players to discover and traverse the path across the playing area from end to end through a team effort. In an alternative embodiment, the game is played with one or more teams utilizing one or more playing areas with each team trying to complete a path on their respective playing area.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 This invention relates generally to techniques for teaching teamwork and to
 floor games. It relates more particularly, to apparatus and methods for
 playing a floor game in which multiple tiles are arranged to form a
 playing area containing a path invisible to a naked eye, and players
 attempt to discover the path through a team effort.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 It is well known that light can be polarized. Unpolarized light, such as
 sunlight or light emitted from an ordinary incandescent light bulb, can
 become polarized light using light sensitive material such as tourmaline,
 or a polarized sheet or filter, such as filters manufactured by Polaroid
 Corporation. A polarized filter has complicated long molecules arranged
 with their axes parallel to a direction that is called the axis of the
 polarized filter. Such a polarized filter acts as a series of parallel
 slits to allow one orientation of polarization parallel to the axis of the
 polarized filter to pass through nearly undiminished, while blocking light
 with perpendicular polarization almost completely.
 Unpolarized light consists of light with random directions of polarization.
 Each of these polarization directions can be divided into components along
 two mutually perpendicular directions. Thus, an unpolarized light beam can
 be thought of as two polarized beams of equal magnitude perpendicular to
 one another. When the unpolarized light beam strikes a first polarized
 filter or lens, the component with the polarization parallel to the axis
 of the polarized filter is allowed to pass. If a second polarized filter
 is positioned behind the first polarized filter at an orthogonal position,
 i.e., with their axes perpendicular to one another, the second polarized
 filter blocks the light component passed by the first polarized filter.
 This is because the axis of the second polarized filter is perpendicular
 to the polarization of the component of the light beam passed by the first
 filter. Therefore, the unpolarized light is entirely stopped.
 Another means of producing polarized light from unpolarized light is by
 reflection. When light strikes a nonmetallic surface at any angle other
 than perpendicular, the reflected beam is polarized preferentially in the
 plane parallel to the surface. In other words, the component with
 polarization in the plane perpendicular to the surface is preferentially
 transmitted or absorbed. If an observer wears polarized sunglasses to
 receive the reflected beam, the observer can reduce glare to a minimum
 from that surface by rotating the polarized sunglasses or the surface so
 that the axis of the polarized sunglasses is perpendicular to the
 polarization of the reflected beam. If the light is reflected from the
 surface of a polarized sheet, a complete blackout by rotating either the
 polarized sunglasses or the polarized sheet can then be achieved.
 Walking games utilizing optical instruments are also known in the art. For
 example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,111,313 issued to Parks teaches an optical
 illusion walking games in which a player attempts to walk along a line or
 trial shown on a rug, mat, etc. while looking through the wrong end of a
 binocular telescope. U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,529 issued to Nielson et al.
 discloses a mirror game in which a visual image alteration device contains
 a mirror held adjacent to the eyes to alter an image seen in the mirror by
 a person playing the game. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 3,454,279 issued to
 Foley et al. describes a team game in which the players compete with each
 other for spaces or loci without falling down.
 None of the prior games utilize polarized film and spectacles as part of
 the game or use an optical instrument in cooperation with a facilitator to
 facilitate game playing.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 This invention is a training system utilizing a floor game including a
 matrix of tiles and an optical instrument. The tiles are laid on a surface
 forming a playing area. Patterns, such as arrows, on the tiles are visible
 to players. A path across the playing area is visible to a game
 facilitator utilizing the optical instrument. The facilitator using the
 optical instrument advises the players whether they are on the path
 revealed to the facilitator. Players working with each other and the
 facilitator traverse the path from end to end through a team effort.
 The game is a team event, the object which is to get the entire team across
 the playing area one at a time. In playing the game, a first player makes
 a guess whether a particular tile is on the path. The facilitator tells
 the player whether his or her guess is correct. If the guess is correct,
 the player stands on that tile and makes another guess. If not, the player
 moves off the matrix and waits for his or her next opportunity to play. A
 second player then guesses the position of the next portion of the path,
 based on the learning from his or her predecessor. Play continues until a
 player traverses the entire path from end to end.
 At any given step of the path, a participant has at least two (and usually
 more) possible directions to go. Thus, an appreciation of his or her
 predecessor(s)'s experience will enhance his or her chances to guess
 correctly. The whole team finishes the game quicker if everyone pays
 attention to each other's experience on the playing area. Thus, the
 process of playing the game becomes a team building experience among the
 players.
 The compact, light weight tiles are easy to carry, set-up and/or move
 around. The game can be made in different colors and materials. In one
 embodiment, the tiles are made from a flexible material such as plastic. A
 polarized film is adhered to one side of the tile. Substantially identical
 marks, visible to a naked eye, are printed on a layer underneath the
 polarized film. The marks can be directional indicators such as arrows, or
 other suitable symbols. In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the tile
 is a rough texture. A rough bottom surface provides conformation between
 the tile and a playing surface and avoids slipping. Alternatively, the
 bottom surface of the tile has a smooth finish.
 In an alternative embodiment, the game is played by one or more teams. Each
 team can have one or more players. Teams can play the game on the same
 playing area. Alternatively, teams can play the game on different playing
 areas. The game facilitator can set up different paths with the same
 number of the steps on the different playing areas. Each team then tries
 to find the path and cross the playing area first.
 Objects of this invention include:
 To provide a floor game for promoting learning from each other in an
 enjoyable team building environment.
 To provide a floor game that can be played by one or more groups of
 players.
 To provide a floor game played on a matrix of substantially identical tiles
 defining a playing area wherein a path is invisible to players and
 discoverable through a team effort.
 To provide a floor game utilizing polarized film and polarized glasses for
 facilitating the game set up and the play.
 To provide a floor game that requires simple, inexpensive and portable
 parts for its operation.
 As the following description and accompanying drawings make clear, these
 and other objects are achieved by this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
 FIG. 1 shows an example of a typical set up of the game 2 according to this
 invention. The game 2 includes a plurality of tiles 4 forming a playing
 area 10 and an optical instrument 12. The playing area 10 is established
 on a playing surface such as a floor, a ground surface or other proper
 supporting structure F. In a preferred embodiment, the playing area 10 is
 shaped as a square or rectangular playing area. However, an area of any
 other practical geometrical configuration, bounded by a continuous
 boundary line 14 is contemplated by this invention.
 The playing area 10 is formed as a matrix of tiles 4. In one embodiment,
 the tiles 4 form columns which extend from one end 16 to the opposite end
 18 of the playing area 10 and are generally indicated by reference numbers
 21-28. Each column has a plurality of tiles 4. Any other suitable number
 of columns and rows can be employed to construct the playing area 10.
 Moreover, the playing area 10 can be enlarged or reduced before, during,
 or after the game by adding or removing tiles 4 from the mat. Each tile 4
 is covered with a polarized film 32. The polarized film 32 can be adhered
 to the tile 4 utilizing a variety of methods including gluing, welding,
 sewing, or bonding the polarized film 32 to the tile 4. In an alternative
 embodiment, a layer of paper, plastic or other proper material 34 may be
 interposed between the tile 4 and the polarized film 32 to provide a
 better contrasting background.
 FIG. 2 shows a top view of the tile 4 used in FIG. 1 to form the playing
 area 10. A plurality of substantially identical indicia or marks 36 are
 printed, stamped or otherwise associated on an upper, playing surface 38
 of the polarized film 32. The indicia 36 can be direction indicators such
 as arrows, letters, numbers, signs or symbols, that are visible to a naked
 eye. Preferably, the number of directional indicia equals the maximum
 possible directions one can go from a tile. For example, FIG. 2 shows
 eight arrows printed on polarized film 32 correspond to eight possible
 directions in which a player can move.
 Customized tiles 4 utilizing different colors for different groups of
 players is contemplated with this invention. For example, bright colors
 can be used for games to be played in a school environment, and dark
 colors used for games played in an office environment.
 The tile 4 is formed of flexible materials such as flexible plastics, for
 example vinyl plastic. A sheet of vinyl plastic is cut into square tiles,
 each with a film thickness from 0.01 to about 0.5 inch, preferably from
 about 0.1 to 0.5 inch. Any suitable size of the tiles 4 can be employed,
 for instance, 1.times.1 (inches square), 15.times.15 (inches square),
 9.times.9 (inches square), or 13.times.13 (inches square). Preferably, the
 tiles are 9".times.9" or 1".times.1". However, the size of the tiles 4
 should be large enough to provide a comfortable base for a player to stand
 on and small enough to reduce material cost and the weight for
 portability. Similarly, any proper thickness of the tiles 4 can be used
 where the thickness is sufficient to withstand the impact of frequent use
 by players with various weights yet thin enough to reduce material costs
 and the overall weight for portability. Alternatively, the tile 4 can be
 formed of wood, metal, hard plastics, or the like. Because the tiles 4 can
 be easily put into a container to carry around, this embodiment provides a
 portable game suitable for team work training at various locations.
 FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view of the tile 4. Each tile 4 is covered
 with a polarized film 32. The polarized film 32 can be adhered to the tile
 4 utilizing a variety of methods including gluing, welding, sewing, or
 bonding the polarized film 32 to the tile 4. In an alternative embodiment,
 a layer of paper, plastic or other proper material 34 may be interposed
 between the tile 4 and polarized film 32 to provide a better contrasting
 background.
 An underside 39 of the tile 4 can be made either smooth or rough.
 Preferably, the underside 39 of the tile 4 is rough or textured providing
 better conformation between the tile 4 and the floor F preventing
 slipperiness.
 To a naked eye, as shown in FIG. 1, the playing area 10 is just a matrix
 made up of tiles 4 having a marking. In one embodiment, the tiles 4 are
 substantially similar. In an alternative embodiment, the tiles 4 form a
 design. Certain tiles form a path across the playing area that can only be
 seen through the optical instrument 12.
 With reference to FIG. 4, a path 40 through the playing area 10 as seen
 through the polarized glasses 12 is shown. As shown, these tiles 4a-4z are
 arranged with their polarization axes substantially parallel to each other
 but also substantially perpendicular to that of the surrounding tiles. The
 polarized light reflected from these tiles is blacked out by the polarized
 glasses 12. The view perceived through polarized glasses 12 shows a
 shading difference between the path 40 and its surrounding.
 In this game, a game facilitator (not shown) wears the polarized glasses
 12, so the facilitator can set up the path 40 prior to the game and also
 see the path 40 on the playing area 10 during the game. In FIG. 4, the
 path 40, indicated by the dark shading, starts from tile 4a located at end
 16 and ends at tile 4z located at end 18. Moving from tile 4a to tile 4z
 takes 9 steps, traversing one tile at a time. Obviously, path 40 can take
 different routes to cross the playing area 10, with more or less steps
 along the path 40.
 As shown in FIG. 5, the view perceived through the polarized glasses 12
 changes when the facilitator changes position. Nevertheless, the shading
 difference between the path 40 and its surrounding exists making the path
 40 recognizable to the facilitator as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
 In playing the game, teams take turns getting on the playing area 10. Teams
 strive to be the first team to have each player discover the path 40 and
 all players cross the playing area 10 first. The view observed by the
 players of the playing area 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) is that all tiles 4
 are substantial identical. The facilitator starts the game by telling the
 first player which side to start on. For example, as illustrated in FIG.
 4, the facilitator tells the first player whether tile 4a is on the path
 40. If yes, the facilitator asks the player to find the next section of
 the path 40. From tile 4a, the player has five possible direction choices,
 i.e., tiles 4b to 4f. Because only tile 4e is the right choice, the odds
 for the player to get it right at first try is 1 out of 5. The player
 guesses whether a particular tile 4 is on path 40. The facilitator tells
 the player whether his or her guess is correct. If the guess is correct,
 the player advances to the correct tile, that is tile 4e. If not, the
 player moves off the matrix and waits for his or her next opportunity to
 play. A second player plays. The second player guesses based on the
 learning from his or her predecessor, where the next section of the path
 40 exists. If the second player pays attention to the first player and
 eliminates the first player's wrong choice, the odds for the second player
 to get it right at first try would be 1 out of 4. Because at any given
 step of the path 40, a player has at least two possible directions to go,
 an appreciation of his or her predecessor(s)'s experience(s) will enhance
 his or her chances to get it right at first try. Accordingly, the whole
 team finishes the game quicker if they all pay attention to each other's
 experience. Thus, playing the game becomes a process of players learning
 from each other and a team building experience.
 The facilitator normally wears a pair of polarized glasses 12.
 Alternatively, the facilitator can wear a set of polarized spectacles in a
 form of goggles. Further, the facilitator can utilize a polarized sheet to
 set up and monitor the game. The facilitator has freedom to set up the
 playing area 10 as he so chooses. The path 40 can be chosen in a way that
 the number of tiles 4 in the path 40 equals the number of players. This
 configuration allows every player to take up one tile 4 on the path 40 in
 one game. Or the path 40 can be chosen in a way that the number of tiles 4
 in the path 40 is greater than the number of players. In this case,
 players take up more tiles 4 on the path 40 in one game by, for example,
 starting from a player at the position where the last player ended in the
 first round of the game.
 In an alternative embodiment, the game can be played by one or more teams
 in a competitive environment. Each team may have one or more players.
 Teams can play the game on a same playing area 10 such as the one shown in
 FIG. 1. Teams take turns playing on the playing area 10 attempting to
 discover and traverse the path 40. Playing the game facilitates the team
 spirit among the players.
 In another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, teams play the game on
 different playing areas 42, 46. The game facilitator sets up different
 paths with same number of tiles 43 on each playing area 42, 46.
 FIG. 7 shows a two team set up having two different paths 44, 48. The path
 44 in one playing area 42 is a different route from the path 48 in the
 other playing area 46. However, both path 44 and path 48 have an equal
 number of tiles 43 or steps. This maintains the difficulty of the game.
 That is, the players in a team cannot benefit from their counterpart's
 experience because the paths 44, 48 are different, without losing its
 fairness. Each team then tries to find the path 44, 48 on its turf and
 cross the playing area 42, 46 first to win.
 Operationally, the game utilizes use square or rectangular tiles to
 construct a playing area. Alternatively, tiles with other shapes, such as
 circular, diamond, oval or other kinds of geometrical configuration can be
 utilized to establish a playing area. Furthermore, the game can be played
 on any surface. For instance, a mini version of the game can be played on
 a desk, table, or other supporting structures.
 Moreover, the invention can also be practiced for leisure. In yet another
 alternative embodiment, the game can be played by an individual to enhance
 his or her memory. Alternatively, the game can be played just for fun.
 In another embodiment, the tiles can be constructed from a variety of
 materials, such as a woven carpet. The woven carpet can be sized nine inch
 by nine inch. A multitude of woven carpet tiles are placed adjacent to
 each other forming a playing surface. In this embodiment, the polarized
 film is a one inch square area disposed on the woven carpet. The one inch
 square polarized film can be positioned anywhere on the woven carpet,
 preferably located in a corner of the woven carpet. The game is played in
 the same manner as described above with a facilitator utilizing an optical
 instrument.
 While certain embodiments of this invention have been described above,
 these descriptions are given for purposes of illustration and explanation.
 Variations, changes, modifications and departures from the systems and
 methods disclosed above may be adopted without departure from the spirit
 and scope of this invention.