Table game

A new table game of the question type is provided. The table game is comprised of a game board shaped like a truncated pyramid in the style of Babylonian or ziggurat temples. The board is provided at its sides with steps of which the size diminishes progressively and which determine the degrees of difficulty of the game so that the ascension of the steps by a token, as a result of the correct answers to the themes of the question cards, enables the players team to reach the last step of the pyramid and therefore win the game. The game also comprises a die, a sand timepiece, the game tokens, the question cards, and a display stand-card holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a new table game, comprising a 
question-and-answer type board game based on a board in the shape of a 
truncated, stepped pyramid, like the ancient Babylonian temple towers or 
ziggurats. 
Most existing games are composed of flat boards on which the squares are 
arranged, whereas the invention described herein includes a board with 
volume (depth), and other different pieces that afford the game a highly 
novel character. 
Furthermore, all the accessory question cards supplied with games of this 
kind normally bear only text. However, those of the new game of the 
present invention include drawings and photographs. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This Invention constitutes a true innovation and is therefore intended to 
protect not only the rules of the game but also its different makeup, 
comprising a particular type of board and a new way of playing on account 
of its special characteristics, layout and/or combination which constitute 
a table game in which the squares are arranged on a Babylonian temple 
tower or ziggurat. 
The new table game that constitutes this invention is mainly characterised 
by its truncated pyramidal structure having three different strips on each 
of its four sides. The middle strip incorporates steps which diminish in 
size the nearer they are to the top. The top consists of a flat surface 
that is shorter than the base of the pyramid. 
On the upper surface is another piece which forms part of the board and 
consists of a Babylonian-style shrine topped with a pinnacle. Both the 
shrine and the pinnacle can be dismantled and separated from the main body 
of the pyramid. The new table game that constitutes this invention is also 
built in such a way as to enable the two aforementioned pieces--the shrine 
and pinnacle--to be inserted into the pyramid structure through the top, 
so that the game occupies as little space as possible. The main structure 
is open at the top and the parts of the shrine are fed into it pointing 
downwards. 
The side steps of the main body of the pyramid structure provide the 
board's steps or stages of play and enable the rules of the game to vary 
relative to traditional ones as they are based on stages. Each step or 
stage marks a level of difficulty in play, and the new table game is based 
on moving up step by step until the top of the pyramid is reached. The 
different levels of difficulty are marked with numbers and the name given 
to this level of difficulty is indicated. 
Four figures or pawns in the form of a "Mesopotamian High Priest" in 
different colours, an hourglass, a die, a display stand and card holder 
and the corresponding question cards complete the new table game. 
The board of the new table game is built in such a way as to house in the 
interior of the truncated pyramid, which is hollow, all the aforementioned 
accessories of the game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The organization and mechanics of the game, with reference to the 
accompanying drawings, are as follows: 
Each of the sides of the truncated pyramid (FIG. 1) is made up of three 
parts. The middle part contains steps or stages (1) which determine the 
levels of difficulty of the game which, in this specific version of the 
invention are: Apprenticeship, Cognisance, Reasoning, Abstraction, 
Deduction, Revelation, Wisdom, and at the top of the pyramid is the 
"Shrine of Great Knowledge" (2). The purpose of the game is to complete 
each of the stages (1) of knowledge, in order to arrive at the "Shrine of 
Great Knowledge" (2) and be proclaimed "Supreme High Priest". In order to 
climb to the top and win the game it is necessary to answer correctly the 
questions contained in the question cards. 
The order of play of the teams is determined at the beginning of the game 
by means of the die included in the game. This order will be maintained 
throughout the game. 
After the order of play has been established, the players place their pawns 
of chosen colour (FIG. 4) on the first step of the pyramid. The team on 
the left, called the "referee team", then takes from the display 
stand-card holder (FIG. 5.b) a card (FIG. 5.a) corresponding to the first 
level of difficulty. The cards contain questions on different topics and 
bear a different topic on each side indicated by means of a letter (3) and 
a colour. The cards are composed of a drawing or photograph relating to 
the question topic (4) and a text with information on the question topic 
(5). 
The referee team places the chosen question in the card stand (FIG. 5.b), 
and turns the hourglass over. The team whose turn it is then begins to ask 
the referee team questions about the topic, trying to guess what it is. 
The referee team replies with a simple "yes" or "no", basing its answers 
both on its knowledge and on the information given on the card. 
If the team whose turn it is answers the question correctly before the time 
determined by the hourglass runs out, it moves up a step or level of 
difficulty and will continue to play. If, however, it gives an incorrect 
answer, it moves down a step and loses its turn, which is passed on to the 
next team. 
If the team whose turn it is has not given any answer at all before the 
hourglass runs out, it is given a second chance and this time is obliged 
to answer within the time granted. If it answers correctly this time, it 
moves up a step but loses its turn. If it gives an incorrect answer it 
moves down a step and loses its turn, which is passed on to the following 
team. 
When a turn is passed on to another team, this team is allowed to ask just 
one question on the subject. If it answers correctly, it moves up a step 
and continues to play; if it answers incorrectly it moves down a step and 
loses its turn, which is passed on to the next team. If it fails to give 
an answer it keeps its turn but the extra turn is passed on to the next 
team, which is given the same option. 
When the game is over, it can be stored so as to occupy the least possible 
space by placing the shrine (6) inside the pyramid (7) (FIG. 3) and 
fitting the rest of the pieces into the lower part of the pyramid which is 
hollow inside. 
On the display stand and card holder (FIG. 5.b) the cards relating to the 
different levels of difficulty are separated by cards which are taller 
than the rest and are the same colour as the level of difficulty to which 
they correspond. The card holder has an additional element in the same 
shape as the cards but larger in size (8) which, when incorporated into 
the box, constitutes the stand on which the cards selected for play are 
placed. 
The materials and sizes of this invention may vary as may, in general, all 
accessory and secondary features, provided that they do not change or 
modify the essence of the details described.