THEMATIC GEOGRAPHICAL BOARD GAME APPARATUS

Abstract: A game apparatus including at least one game board (Fig. 1) depicting at least one map (1) of at least one country. The map (1) bears indicia defining a number of spaces (2) which correspond to points of interest. The map also bears indicia defining a path connecting the spaces (2), the path comprising a number of squares (3), which number is proportional to the actual distance between the spaces as represented by the map (1). Chance means, cards (6), playing pieces (14) and script are also provided in a booklike binder (11).

Description: Description THEMATICGEOGRAPHICALBOARDGAMEAPPARATUS Technical Field The present invention relates to a game apparatus for playing an entertaining and educational game through which one can learn about a country in a quick and enjoyable manner. Background Art There are already known a number of games which require ability in geography such as "Happy Families" or a sense of management such as "Monopoly", The prior art recognizes games which employ maps and/or money. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus for playing an entertaining and educational game that demands from its players a sense of management, as well as educational and geographical ability. It is another object of the present invention to provide a game by which the players can gain an appreciation of the actual distances involved in traveling within a particular country. It is another object of the present invention to provide a game which is also useful as a travel tool so that tourists can quickly learn about aspects of a country not generally found on an ordinary map. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus which may be housed in a stiff folder so as to give the appearance of a book so that several games may be constructed for several countries or locations to produce a travel encyclopedia of games. Disclosure of Invention The present invention provides a game apparatus comprising at least one game board including at least one map of at least one country. The map bears indicia defining a predetermined number of spaces which correspond to districts, localities, sights and curiosities (points of interest) in the country shown by the map. The map also bears indicia defining a path connecting the spaces which comprises a predetermined number of squares which number is proportional to the actual distance between the spaces as represented by the map. The present invention also provides chance means to indicate the distance to be moved by a player along the path. Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 is an illustration of a game board in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a binder or folder with a portion of the contents of a game apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is an end plan view of the binder of Figure 2 in closed position. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The game apparatus according to the present invention includes at least one game board depicting at least one map, perferably three, representing one country. Each of the maps represents the same country, but is marked with a different series of spaces which correspond to districts, localities, sights and curiosities (points of interest) connected with a particular travel theme. The term country as employed herein is not limited to its conventional meaning, but rather means any locality or geographic region, e.g., state, country or city. The game board, as shown in Figure 1, includes at least one map generally designated at 1. The map bears indicia defining a number of spaces 2, each of which designates a particular point of interest. In a preferred embodiment, each of the three maps represents the same country, but is marked with a different series of spaces designating points of interest connected with a particular theme. Thus, one of the maps in accordance with the present invention may be marked with a number of points of interest relating to tourism, a second with points of interest relating to gastronomy, and a third with points of interest relating to sports. Each map bears indicia defining a path or route connecting the points of interest on the map. The path is made up of a number of squares 3, each representing a standard distance, for example 20 kilometers, so that the number of squares connecting the points of interest along the path is proportional to the actual distance between the spaces 2 as represented by the map. The distance represented by each square on any particular map will, of course, vary with respect to the actual size of the area depicted by the map. The term square is employed only for ease of description, and those skilled in the art will see that any geometric figure or means for marking a path may be used. Each map is typically divided into at least two zones 4, preferably three. Each zone 4 generally bears indicia, such as a color, for identification. The cross hatchings on Figure 1 indicate a different color for each of the three zones 4. -BUREAU OMPI The game apparatus in accordance with the present invention also includes at least one set 5 of playing cards 6 on which either questions or instruc¬ tions for the players landing on certain squares of the map are written. Each of the sets 5 of cards 6 is associated with indicia corresponding to the indicia which identify the zones 4 of the map. These indicia may be borne on the cards 6 or on a case 7 for the cards 6 as shown in Figure 2. The game apparatus in accordance with the present invention may also contain a plurality of playing pieces 14, which, in a preferred embodiment, correspond to the theme of the points of interest on the map. For example, the theme of tourism could be represented by a camera, gastronomy by a fork, and sports by a cup. Each playing piece is generally a different color so that a player can easily determine which piece is .his. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention also includes at least one die 8. The sides 9 of the die 8 are preferably marked with numbers to show distance, and preferably expressed in kilometers. In a preferred embodiment, there are two dice each marked 20-40-60-80-20-40-. As discussed herein, the figures on the die 8, in addition to representing distance, represent speed in, for example, kilometers per hour, once a vehicle has been purchased. The present game apparatus also contains facsimilies of money 10, such as bills of different values or, in a preferred embodiment, travelers' checks. These facsimilies 10 of notes, bills or checks (currency means) are used for either rewarding the players landing on a particular space 2 or square 3 on the map 1, for paying penalties, or for the acquisition of certain assets, such as a car or motorbike. OM ι> WIP In a preferred embodiment, the component parts of the present game apparatus are housed in a binder 11, as shown in Figure 2, so that, when the game is placed on a shelf, it looks exactly like any other book, as seen in Figure 3. The binder 11 may be constructed from a conventional book, for example, by removing a substantial portion, preferably rectangular, from the center of all the pages leaving only a margin 12 which forms a pocket 13 for housing the game board 1. and pieces 14. In a preferred embodiment, the game boards are folded in quarters and housed in the pocket 13 of binder 11 and placed on top of the other game components. It is, therefore,- also possible to have a series of games, each one relating to a different country, e.g., nine games each related to one country of the EEC, to produce a series of books or an encyclopedia. An advantage of a game in accordance with the present invention is that its rules, which can be varied at will, require, with reference to any given country, a sense of management of money and, in addition, ability and knowledge from the players in such areas as geography, general education, gastronomy, etc. It is, therefore, clear that the present invention provides a game apparatus for playing a game which is at the same time entertaining and educational and provides the players with an attractive and easy way of acquiring a better knowledge of any country or locality. The following is a set of exemplary rules for playing a game with the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The following rules refer to a game having three game boards, one of which depicts a map 1, such as shown in Figure 1, and in which the figures on the dice represent kilometers and, at the same time, kilometers per hour once a vehicle has been purchased. Each square 3 along the path represents 20 kilometers, and the map 1 shows the actual distance between the spaces 2. Finally, the game ends when a player reaches the capital 21, Paris, in Figure 1. The travel theme for the map 1 of Figure 1 is gastronomy. A/ Game description: - Three different zones 4 in three different colors are shown on each map. - Each of the three maps relates to a different subject, and you can choose to play on any of the three maps. Example: France. One map for tourists One map for French cuisine amateurs (shown in Figure 1) One map for sportsmen Each subject is represented by a symbolic playing piece: Tourism: a camera Gastronomy: a fork Sports: a cup B/ How to play the game: Choose the map on which you prefer to play. - Take the sets 5 of question cards 6 (marked ?) relevant to the map you have selected and place them next to their corresponding zone 4, for example, on locations 15 of the game board. - Choose the playing pieces 14 which will represent you all along the circuit and place them on the starting point S. - Each player then receives a_sum of money in the form of travelers' checks. r At the beginning of the game you are all hitch¬ hikers - and travel on foot - and you therefore play with only one die. If you land on a space 2 which represents a point of interest or on a square marked ?, take one card 6 from the top of the set 5 placed on location 15 next to the zone 4 in which you are traveling. - For a right answer, you receive money from the bank. - For a wrong answer, you have to skip your turn. If you land on a blue square 16, you can buy a motorbike from the bank which will give you a voucher card (not shown) showing a motorbike for your money. (A voucher card may simply be a playing card which depicts a motorbike.) If you land on a yellow square 22, you can buy a car from the bank which will give you a voucher card (not shown) showing a car for your money. If you already own a motorbike when you buy a car, you can sell it back to the bank for half its price. - Owning a vehicle will allow you to: add 20 kilometers to the figure obtained on the dice if it is a motorbike, or play with two dice if the vehicle is a car. If you exceed a speed limit as shown by speed zone 19 in Figure 1, you must pay a fine to the bank. If you land on a square marked "accident" you lose your vehicle. If you land on a square marked with an arrow 20, follow the path indicated by the arrow. - If you have no money left, you can sell your vehicle back to the bank for half its initial price. - The first player who lands on the square marked "Paris" (21) is the winner. When throwing the dice, you must obtain the exact number of kilometers needed to land exactly on the last square (21). If you obtain more, you must go backwards for the extra number of kilometers obtained. Although one specific embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it should be understood that this embodiment is described for illustrative purposes only and that numerous altera- tions and modifications can be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is the intent that the present invention not be limited by the above, but be limited only as defined in the appended claims. OMP

Claims: Claims 1. A game apparatus comprising at least one game board including at least one map of at least one country, said map bearing indicia defining a predetermined number of spaces which correspond to points of interest in said country and said map also bearing indicia defining a path connecting said spaces, the path comprising a number of squares which is proportional to the actual distance between said spaces as represented by said map; and chance means to indicate distance for movement along said path. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the map is divided into at least two zones and further comprises at least two sets of a predetermined number of playing cards with each of said sets corresponding to one of said at least two zones. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chance means comprises at least one die bearing indicia to indicate distance. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the distance is expressed in kilometers. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising playing pieces and currency means. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the currency means are in the form of travelers' checks. 7. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising at least two maps of the same country, wherein the spaces on each of said at least two maps correspond to different points of interest in said country having a common travel theme for each map. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising at least four sets of a predetermined number of playing cards, corresponding to the total number of zones of said maps, each of said sets corresponding to a zone of one of said maps with each card of said sets bearing a question relating to its corresponding zone and map. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, housed in a stiff folder to give the appearance of a book. 10. A game apparatus comprising at least one game board including at least one map of at least one country divided into at least two zones each bearing identifying indicia, said map bearing indicia defining spaces which correspond to a predetermined number of points of interest in said country, said map also bearing indicia defining a path connecting the spaces, the path comprising a predetermined number of squares which is proportional to the actual distance between said spaces as represented by said map; at least two sets of a predetermined number of playing cards, with each of said sets bearing identifying indicia corres¬ ponding to the identifying indicia borne by one of said at least two zones and with each card of said sets bearing a question relating to its corresponding zone; and at least one die bearing indicia to indicate distance for movement along said path. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the distance is expressed in kilometers. 12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising playing pieces and currency means. 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the points of interest on each of said maps have a common travel theme. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the travel theme is selected from the group consisting of tourism, gastronomy and sports. 15. The apparatus of claim 10, housed in a stiff folder to give the appearance of a book. -BUR O . A, wi 16. The apparatus of claim 15 made up in a series of binders, each for a different country. 17. A game apparatus comprising three game boards with each game board including a map of a country, the country being the same for each board, each map bearing indicia defining spaces which correspond to a predetermined number of points of interest in said country having a common travel theme for each of the maps and bearing indicia defining a path connecting the spaces, the path comprising a predetermined number of squares which is porportional to the actual distance between the spaces as represented by each map, each map being divided into three zones each bearing identifying indicia; nine sets of a predetermined number of playing cards with each of said sets bearing identifying incidia corresponding to one of the identifying indicia borne by said zones so that each set of playing cards corresponds to one zone of said maps with each card bearing a question relating to its corresponding zone and map; and at least one die bearing indicia to indicate distance for movement along the paths. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, housed in a stiff folder giving the appearance of a book. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the distance is expressed in kilometers. 20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of cards bearing the indicia to indicate a car or motorcycle.

Inventors: AMIEL L
Applicants: G P P INC
Application year: 1981
Main classification: A63F3
IPC codes: A63F3