STACKING BLOCK GAME AND GAME BLOCKS THEREFOR

Abstract: A plurality of game blocks (10) have a generally parallelepiped shape and generally similar dimensions. Each game block has indicia (26, 28) applied to at least one end thereof. The indicia include a suit and a rank. The game blocks may be used for playing a variety of games.

Description: STACKINGBLOCKGAMEANDGAMEBLOCKSTHEREFOR Field of Invention This invention relates to a game which is played using game blocks and the games blocks therefor. In particular, this invention relates to a novel three dimensional game which uses game blocks having indicia on each end thereof. Background of Invention Wooden blocks are well known in the art. Various indicia added to the faces of the blocks provide additional educational and entertainment value when the blocks are played with. Recently, wooden blocks having a generally parallelepiped shape have been used in a stacking game. The game is commercially known under the trademark JENGA. In this game, the blank wooden blocks are stacked three per row in an alternating pattern. The blocks are not necessarily of uniform thickness. In turn, each player removes a block, and stacks it on top. The player who causes the tower to topple is the loser. Even more recently, an improved game using similar blocks has been developed. This game is known commercially as JENGA ULTIMATE. This game is played in a similar manner to JENGA, except that the blocks are coloured in one of a number of colors. A player rolls a die to select a color of block to remove. Limiting the number of blocks that can be removed increases the skill level required to be successful in the game. The prior art games have been commercially successful. However, the number of games which can be played is limited. Summary of Invention The present invention contemplates a plurality of game blocks having a generally parallelepiped shape and having indicia applied to the ends of each game block. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a plurality of game blocks having a generally parallelepiped shape and having generally similar dimensions. Each game block has indicia applied to the ends thereof. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a plurality of game blocks, each having, on ends thereof, indicia which comprise a suit and a rank. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a game comprising a plurality of game blocks. The game blocks have a generally elongate parallelepiped shape and each of the game blocks have, on ends thereof, indicia. According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of game block each has indicia comprising a suit character selected from the group of heart, spade, diamonds and clubs and an alphanumeric character for defining a rank selected from the group comprising 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a game wherein each player receives a number of game blocks, whereupon a first player places a game block on its face or its side, but not on its end, and each player in turn places a game block, which must be of the same suit or rank as the previously played game block, on its face or on its side, but not on its end, to form a tower of perpendicular layers comprising one or more game blocks in each layer, and if a player cannot follow suit or rank, the player draws game blocks until a suitable game block can be played. If any player topples all or part of the tower, such player must gather and keep the game blocks so toppled for subsequent play. Play continues until a player runs out of game blocks. Description of the Drawings In the drawings which illustrate embodiments of the present invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a game block of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a sticker for application to ends of a game block of the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a further sticker for application to ends of the game block of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the game blocks of the present invention in a stacked condition. Description of the Invention Referring to Figure 1, one game block 10 of the present invention is illustrated. Each game block has a generally elongate parallelepiped shape having a length, width and thickness. The length is greater than the width, which is preferably greater than the thickness. The game blocks have ends 12 and 14, faces 16 and 18 and sides 20 and 22. Each end 12 and 14 has indicia applied thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the indicia is imprinted on self-adhesive paper 24, cut to size to fit on the ends 12 and 14 of each game block 10 and then applied thereto. Alternatively, the indicia could be engraved or stamped onto the ends 12 and 14. In the preferred embodiment, the indicia comprise a suit character 26 selected from the group of heart, spade, diamonds and clubs and an alphanumeric character 28 selected from the group comprising 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A. In addition, other game blocks may include "wild card" indicia. In the preferred embodiment, the indicia will represent each card of a standard deck of playing cards. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other combinations of suit characters and alphanumeric characters are possible and within the scope of this invention. Between 2 to 6 players can play a game with the wooden game blocks of the present invention. Game blocks are drawn to determine the first player. The highest ranking card goes first. If wild cards are being used and one is selected for purposes of play start, it must be ignored or must be returned and another game block selected. A number of game blocks are randomly distributed to each player. The first player places the first game block on its face or on its side, but not its end. The next player has to lay a game block of the same suit or rank as the first game block on top of or optionally on the same level as, the previous game block to thereby build a - tower. If the next player cannot follow suit or rank, that player must either draw additional game blocks until one can be played, draw game blocks from another player's hand until one can be played, or remove a playable game block from the tower from any level, except the top level. Subsequent players must also follow suit or rank. Play continues until a player runs out of game blocks who is then declared to be the winner. If a player topples all or part of the tower, the player must gather and keep the toppled game blocks for subsequent play. Optionally, players can include wild game blocks and may select other card values as wild. For instance, a player could select J's as wild and therefore play the J's at any time. On introducing the wild J into play, the player may then select the following suit. Wild game blocks may be played in the same manner with the option of changing the direction of play. In the preferred embodiment, each player should also comply with the following set of rules: 1. The first two levels of the tower comprise one or more game blocks each. 2. Any game block may be placed either on its side or on its face, but not on its end. 3. A game block must be perpendicular to the game blocks on the level immediately below. 4. After the second level, three game blocks comprise a level. 5. Game blocks on the same level must be parallel. 6. Game blocks on the same level need not line up or touch. 7. When starting a new level, the player must build on the highest game block. 8. A player must use only one hand at a time to stack a game block. 9. A player may touch a game block in the tower to determine if it is loose. If a game block is inadvertently moved out of place, it must be replaced before another game block may be touched. The game blocks may be sold as a kit which could include trays for holding each player's game blocks and a bag for storing the game blocks. It is apparent that both the traditional JENGA game and the improved JENGA ULTIMATE may be played with the game blocks of the present invention. For JENGA, the end indicia are ignored and the game is played in the traditional manner. For JENGA ULTIMATE, the alphanumeric indicia are ignored and the game played by selecting the suit of the game blocks to be removed. Further, games played with the game blocks can be based on any card games which involve discarding cards to a central stack and have as their object the discarding of all the cards in a player's hand. This includes all rummy games, including gin rummy, rummy 500, rummy tile and Swedish rummy, alternately known as Crazy Eights or Crazy Jacks. For instance, a three-dimensional variation of the game of rummy could be played. In such a game, each player receives a number of game blocks which are hidden from other players' view under a game block cover and one game block is placed at the center of play. A first player draws a game block either from an unused stock or table, arranges the hand in melds and then discards a game block of choice by stacking it to form a tower. The next player does the same, forming a tower. If any player topples all or part of the discard tower, such player must gather and keep the game blocks so toppled for subsequent play. Play continues until a player has melded all game blocks in the player's hand. Although the disclosure describes and illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference is to be made to the appended claims.

Claims: I claim: 1. A game comprising a plurality of game blocks, said game blocks having a generally elongate parallelepiped shape, each of said game blocks having, on at least one end thereof ends thereof, indicia. 2. A game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicia comprise a suit and a rank. 3. A game as claimed in claim 2 wherein said game is played using a set of rules. 4. A game as claimed in claim 3 wherein said set of rules is derived from a card game. 5. A game as claimed in claim 3 wherein said set of rules is selected from a group of games comprising euchre, pinochle, rummy, crazy eights and crazy jacks. 6. A game as claimed in claim 2 wherein said game is played by distributing a number of said game blocks to each player, whereupon a first player places a first game block on its face or on its side, but not its end and then each player, in turn, places a game block on its face or on its side, but not on its end, to form a tower of perpendicular layers of one or more game blocks each, where each game block played is ofthe same suit or rank as the previous game block played, and if any player cannot follow suit or rank, such player draws game blocks until a game block can be played, and if any player topples all or part of the tower, such player must gather and keep the game blocks so toppled for subsequent play, and play continues to each player in turn until a player runs out of game blocks. 7. A game as claimed in claim 6 wherein each player must comply with the following set of rules: The first two levels of the tower comprise one or more game blocks each; A game block may be placed either on its side or on its face, but not on its end; Game blocks must be peφendicular to the game blocks on the level immediately below; After the second level, three game blocks comprise a level; A game block must be parallel to game blocks on that level; Game blocks on the same level need not line up or touch; When starting a new level, the highest game blocks must be built upon; Only one hand at a time may be used to stack a game block; and A player may touch a game block to determine if the game block is loose but if a game block is knocked out, it must be replaced before another game block may be touched. 8. A plurality of game blocks having a generally elongate parallelepiped shape, each of said game blocks having, on at least one end thereof, indicia. 9. A plurality of game blocks as claimed in claim 8 wherein said indicia comprises a suit and a rank. 10. A plurality of game blocks as claimed in claim 6 wherein said games blocks are used for playing a game which is played by distributing a number of said game blocks to each player, whereupon a first player places a first game block on its face or on its side, but not its end and then each player, in turn, places a game block on its face or on its side, but not on its end, to form a tower of peφendicular layers of one or more game blocks each, where each game block played is of the same suit or rank as the previous game block played, and if any player cannot follow suit or rank, the next such player draws game blocks until a game block can be placed on said first game block forming a tower played, and if any player topples all or part of the tower, such player must gather and keep the game blocks so toppled for subsequent play, and play continues to each player in turn until a player runs out of game blocks.

Inventors: JOHNSON WALTER L III, JOHNSON, WALTER, L., III
Applicants: IRWIN TOY LTD, POKONOBE ASSOCIATES, IRWIN TOY LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A63F9
IPC codes: A63F1, A63F9