A PARLOUR GAME

Abstract: A parlour game having a number of units of different configurations (13, 14) which units may be fitted together to form a whole (12). Each unit (13, 14) is characteristic of an area or the like having one property which, together with corresponding properties of other areas or units (13, 14) discloses the characteristic features of the whole (12) and further properties which are characteristic of only the separate area or unit (13, 14), respectively, and which are disclosed on a counter (11) which may be fitted together only with that unit (13, 14).

Description: A PARLOUR GAME The present invention relates to a parlour game having units of different configurations intended as puzzle pieces for fitting together " with each other to form a whole. A great amount of popularity has always been accorded to parlour games which, apart from the excitement which the game in itself offers, require a certain level of knowledge or provide useful information. Other popular games are those in which the pieces must be handled in a particular manner and brought together in certain combinations in order to achieve the desired result. The object of the present invention is to realise a parlour game which combines the above features, this object having been achieved in that each unit forming part of the whole characterises an area or the like, having at least two particular properties of which the one, together with the corresponding properties of the remaining areas or units, respectively, indicates the characteristic feature or features of -the whole, whereas the other particular property is characteristic only of the area or unit in question and is indicated on a counter in at least one counter series, the counter being intended to fit together only with this area or unit. The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a simple embodiment of the present invention, and on which Fig. 1 shows, in horizontal projection, a game board showing the continent of Africa; and Fig. 2 shows a counter for accommodating one of the countries of the continent of Africa. By way of example, an extremely simple, geographic embodiment of the present invention has been selected, but the skilled reader of the following description will gather that the invention is applicable within a number of other, considerably more complicated sectors. On the drawing, a game board is designated 10 and displays the contour of the continent of Africa 12. The contour may consist of a printed line, but, preferably, the continent is made up of a depressed portion in the game board 10 which is of a pre- determined thickness. The contour of the continent is there formed by the edge of the depression.The borders of the different countries may be indicated on the bottom of the depression by means of printed lines, but the bottom of the depression may also be completely without such markings Associated with this game board 10 are a number of pieces in the form of all of the countries of Africa which may be fitted together with each other as puzzle pieces and may be placed within the contour presented on the game board 10. But two of the countries of Africa are referenced; namely Morocco 13 and The Republic of South Africa 14. Apart from the game board 10, the parlour game set includes- a series of counters 11 which, like th →e r game board 10, are provided with a printed line or a depression, but in this case showing each one of the individual countries of Africa. The counter 11 shown in Fig. 2 is, thus, pro¬ vided with a contour or depression 13' in which the piece 13 representing Morocco on the game board 10 may be placed. Each counter 11 is, moreover, provided with a text or legen 15 which discloses characteristic features for that country with which the counter may be mated. The counters 11 may be supplied in a number of series, the text 15 in one series providing information on, for example, the industry and commerce of the country, whereas the text 15 in the next series of counters 11 might provide information about mountains and waterways, and a third series might provide statistical information, and so on. The pieces representing each country may be united with the correct counter 11 either using, the guidance of the contour or of the text presented on the counter 11. The different units 13, 14 may, in order to be placed _.o: so as to provide a general overview at the beginning of the game, be disposed on a display board (not shown) which may suitably be hung up on a wall and on which the countries are retained magnetically. This display board may also be provided with information about each respective country, information which may correspond to or deviate from the information presented on the counters 11. It will be apparent from the above that the principle of the " game is, on the one hand, to fit the different coun-fc* ries 13, 14 together to form a whole, in the present case the continent of Africa, and, on the other hand, to combine the correct country with the correct counter 11. Each count¬ ry 13, 14 need merely be presented in the form of one piece which is then used together with both the counters 11 and the game board 10. However, several examples of each country 13, 14 may also be provided, for example four, in that case when three series of counters 11 are provided apart from the game board 10.' - " On the drawing, the different countries 13 and 14 are represented as single-coloured puzzle pieces, but, naturally, the different pieces are of different colours and, moreover, are provided with different prints which illustrate, for example, the fauna in each respective country. The game shown on the drawing is primarily intended ' for children who, in a very short time, learn not only the appearance of each different country, but also the characteristic features of each country. If a more difficult game is contemplated, it is possible, for example, to include states from other continents. As was intimated above, the game may be rendered considerably more complex in that the invention is applied to other subjects than geography, for example chemistry in which the whole 12 represents, in¬ stead of a continent, a two- or three-dimensional molecular model with counters designed to this end. The whole 12 may also consist of a human assembly, for example a government or an academy, in which the counters 11 provide information 4 about the people forming part of the assembly. It will be apparent that this invention is applicable to many subjects and fields, provided that each unit has its own property and one property together with other units. OM

Claims: • CLAIMS 1. A parlour game having units (13, 14) of different configurations and serving as puzzle pieces intended to be fitted together with each other to form a whole (12) , c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t each unit (13, 14) is characteristic of an area or the like, having at least two particular properties, of which the one property, to¬ gether with corresponding properties of the remaining areas or units (13, 14) , respectively, discloses the characteristic feature of the whole (12), whereas the other property is characteristic only of the area or unit (13, 14) in question and is disclosed on a counter (11) in at least one counter series, the counter being intended to be fitted together with but that unit (13, 14) . 2. The parlour game as recited in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the units (13, 14) are characteristic of areas which have, apart from said one property, a plurality of properties which may be grouped together, each group of properties being disclosed on a special counter (11) . 3. The parlour game as recited in claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the units (13, 14) may be attachable to a display board, for purposes of over¬ view, the board disclosing the characteristic features both of each unit (13, 14) and of the whole (12), and from which display board the units may be removed to be fitted together with each other or each together with its counter (11) . 4. The parlour game as recited in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the units (13, 14) are magnetically attachable to the display board. OMPI

Inventors: KYLBERG B
Applicants: KYLBERG B
Application year: 1981
Main classification: A63F3
IPC codes: A63F3