Abstract:
A game board comprising a plurality of panels, each panel having an upper and a lower opposite side, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is configured to allow a change of its orientation and position with respect to the game board when a game criterion is met during a play, wherein each change leads to a modification of a play area of the game board, and wherein the at least one of the plurality of panels configured to allow the change of its orientation and position has unique game markings on its upper and lower opposite side, causing each change to also lead to a unique play experience.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The invention relates generally to game boards. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Existing game boards offer a playing area that is static, namely limited to a given size and a set of game markings (e.g., pathways) and rules. Thus, these traditional, non-changing game boards and their pathways create one way to play a game. Thus, they are monotonous, repetitive and after a while boring. 
         [0008]    Thus, there is a need for a new and improved dynamic game board that solves the problems outlined above. 
       BRIEF INVENTION SUMMARY 
       [0009]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0010]    In an aspect, a game board having a plurality of panels is provided, each panel having an upper and a lower opposite side, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is configured to allow a change of its orientation and position with respect to the game board when a game criterion is met during a play, wherein each change leads to a modification of a play area of the game board, and wherein the at least one of the plurality of panels configured to allow the change of its orientation and position has unique game markings on its upper and lower opposite side, causing each change to also lead to a unique play experience. 
         [0011]    The above aspects or examples and advantages, as well as other aspects or examples and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates the top view of an example of game board in a closed state, according to an aspect. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of the game board from  FIG. 1  in a partially open state, according to an aspect. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates the top view of the game board from  FIG. 1  in a fully open state, according to an aspect. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates the top view of the game board from  FIG. 1  in another partially open state, according to an aspect. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates the top view of another example of game board in a closed state, according to an aspect. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of the game board from  FIG. 5  in a partially open state, according to an aspect. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    What follows is a description of various aspects, embodiments and/or examples in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The aspects, embodiments and/or examples described herein are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 
         [0020]    Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 1-4 . Again,  FIG. 1  illustrates the top view of an example of game board in a closed state, according to an aspect,  FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of the game board from  FIG. 1  in a partially open state, according to an aspect,  FIG. 3  illustrates the top view of the game board from  FIG. 1  in a fully open state, according to an aspect and  FIG. 4  illustrates the top view of the game board from  FIG. 1  in another partially open state, according to an aspect. 
         [0021]    As shown, the game board  100  may have a base panel  105  and multiple (four are shown in this example) flaps or flip panels  101 - 104 . The base panel  105  has a top side (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and a bottom or opposite side (not shown), and may have game markings, such as a starting point  106 , a finish point  107  and, for example, a pathway  109  including a plurality of “squares,” steps or boxes  110 , to connect the starting point  106  with the finish point  107 . In the closed state of the game board  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 , the four flip panels  101 - 104  are all closed, covering portions  105   b - e  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the base panel  105 . It should be noted that each of the flip panels  101 - 104  may have unique game markings (i.e., pathway in this example) on both sides (e.g., upper side  101   a  and lower side  101   b  of panel  101 ) that connect and communicate with the game markings on the base or main panel  105 , thus allowing for the game to be played whether any of the flip panels is open or closed. 
         [0022]    In an aspect, trigger markers  108   a - d  may be placed in the box of a pathway  109 , for example right before each of the flip panels  101 - 104 . Such trigger boxes may be marked with the term “flip” as shown, or in any other suitable manner. When a player lands for example in the trigger box  108   c,  the player may be required to flip open panel  103  and thus force the player to continue the game on the bottom surface  103   b  (see  FIG. 3 ) of flip panel  103 . Otherwise, the player would play the game by progressing on the top surface  103   a  of flip panel  103 . Thus, in this example, any of the trigger markers  108   a - d  have the potential to change the state of the game board from closed to one of the open states, that is a partially open state (e.g., one or two panels open) or a fully open state (i.e., all panels open). 
         [0023]    If a player is required to open a flip panel (e.g.,  103 ) as described above, all players located at that time on the top surface ( 103   a in this example) of the respective panel can be toppled and they may be required to start on the trigger box ( 108   c  in this example). 
         [0024]    Typically, the game may be started with the game board  100  in a closed state as shown in  FIG. 1 . Advances through the pathway  109  by each player may for example be made by rolling a dice, spinning a dial and so on, and counting the respective number of boxes  110  from the start  106  or from the last box position of the respective player. It should be noted that in the event that in a particular play none of the trigger boxes  108   a - d  is activated as described above, the configuration of pathway  109  is unique as shown in  FIG. 1 , namely comprised of the pathway sections depicted on the uncovered portion  105   a  of base panel  105  and the top surfaces  101   a - 104   a  of the flip panels  101 - 104 . 
         [0025]    Again, it should be observed that, although their game markings are unique, the upper ( 101   a - 104   a ) and lower ( 101   b - 104   b ) surfaces of flip panels  101 - 104  communicate well with the corresponding portion of base panel  105  to allow the players to play the game with the flip panels  101 - 104  closed or open, thus allowing a unique play experience. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the pathway  109  starts on the uncovered portion  105   a  of base panel  105 , and then continues onto the top surface of flip panel  101 , top surface of flip panel  102 , passes again through uncovered portion  105   a,  and then continues onto the top surfaces of flip panels  103  and  104 , to finally finish at  107  onto the uncovered portion  105   a.    
         [0026]    In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the game board  100  is fully expanded, which can occur for example when all trigger boxes  108   a - d  are actuated during a play. As shown, the game board  100  is now a sum of the initially uncovered portion  105   a,  initially covered portion  105   b  by flip panel  101 , bottom surface  101   b  of flip panel  101 , initially covered portion  105   c  by flip panel  102 , bottom surface  102   b  of flip panel  102 , initially covered portion  105   d  by flip panel  103 , bottom surface  103   b  of flip panel  103 , initially covered portion  105   e  by flip panel  104 , and bottom surface  104   b  of flip panel  104 . 
         [0027]    In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the game board  100  is partially expanded, which can occur for example when trigger boxes  108   a  and  108   c  are activated during a play by for example landing on them during the advance through the pathway  109 . As shown, the game board  100  is now a sum of the initially uncovered portion  105   a,  initially covered portion  105   b  by flip panel  101 , bottom surface  101   b  of flip panel  101 , top surface  102   a  of flip panel  102 , initially covered portion  105   d  by flip panel  103 , bottom surface  103   b  of flip panel  103 , and top surface  104   a  of flip panel  104 . 
         [0028]    It should be noted that differences in game markings and rules may be provided, so that the game experience is unique and/or different when the game board is in a closed or in one of the open state. For example, when the opening of panels  102  or  103  is triggered, a swamp  112  or a dragon  111  or may “occupy” a plurality of steps or boxes  110 , which may trigger a request that the player “lose a turn,” “get behind one player” or the like. These initially hidden traps can add to the element of surprise and/or excitement when playing the game. 
         [0029]    As an example, additional markings on some of the pathway boxes  110 , such as “back two spots” or the like, may be provided. They are not shown for clarity of the drawings. 
         [0030]    Alternatively, as an example, the game may be started with all or some flip panels open, in which case the trigger boxes would call for closing the respective flip panels. 
         [0031]    As another example, the game board may have different game markings on both sides (top and bottom) of the base panel and one or more trigger boxes may be provided for, for example, flipping over the entire game board and continue playing the game on the revealed side, with, for example, all panels open. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates the top view of another example of game board in a closed state, according to an aspect.  FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of the game board from  FIG. 5  in a partially open state, according to an aspect. As shown, in this example, when the game board  200  is in a closed state, the flip panels  201 - 204  can be configured to entirely cover the base panel  205 , the game being played in this instance entirely on the upper surfaces  201   a - 204   a  of the flip panels  201 - 204 . As an example, the game may be configured to start at  206  on one of the top surfaces ( 201   a ) and end in the center of the game board  200  at  207 . When, for example, a player would hit the trigger marker  208   c,  the trigger marker may require that the panel  204  be flipped/pivoted open, to reveal the covered portion  205   e  of the base panel  205  and to continue that play onto the now revealed portion  205   e  and the lower surface (not shown) of panel  204  before arriving at the finish point  207 . It should be understood that panel  204  would need to be completely open (all the way to the left and level with the base panel) in order to continue the play. Once again, the game board&#39;s size and more importantly the play experience would be different and unique in the examples of game instances depicted in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . 
         [0033]    It should be understood that in certain plays only one flip panel will be triggered to open (see  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 6  as examples). In other plays, the opening of two, three of the four panels may be triggered. 
         [0034]    A single flip panel could optionally be used in a particular game board design. However, it should be apparent that the larger the numbers of panels that can be flipped, the larger the number of combinations possible, thus the numbers of unique plays possible and thus the entertainment value of the game board. Four flip panels were discussed herein as an example. However, any other suitable number of flip panels may be used. 
         [0035]    The panels described herein as flip panels, being configured to pivot open or closed, may be configured in any other manner known in the art (e.g., slide out, turn, etc) to achieve a similar change in their orientation and/or position as described herein. 
         [0036]    From the above examples it should be apparent that the game board disclosed offers a high degree of versatility, expandability, uniqueness of play and surprise, which significantly enhances its entertainment value. 
         [0037]    The game board may be manufactured for example integrally from a cardboard sheet having fold lines or channels between the base and flip panels. The fold line  160  for example would allow the folding, flipping or pivoting of panel  101  closed or open, as dictated by the game rules to create the unique game experience as described herein. Other approached known in the art may be adopted, such as for example making the game board from wood or plastic and joining the flip panels to the base panel using hinges. 
         [0038]    It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
         [0039]    Further, as used in this application, “plurality” means two or more. A “set” of items may include one or more of such items. Whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. 
         [0040]    If present, use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. These terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used in this application, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items. 
         [0041]    As used herein, a game board is any surface with game markings for paying a game regardless of surface contour (e.g., rectangular, circular, irregular, etc), whether the surface is continuous or not, whether the surface is flat or has relief, or of any other differences. 
         [0042]    Throughout this description, the aspects, embodiments or examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus or procedures disclosed or claimed. Although some of the examples may involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. 
         [0043]    Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one aspect, embodiment or example are not intended to be excluded from a similar role(s) in other aspects, embodiments or examples. 
         [0044]    Aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention may be described as processes, which are usually depicted using a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may depict the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. With regard to flowcharts, it should be understood that additional and fewer steps may be taken, and the steps as shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the described methods. 
         [0045]    If means-plus-function limitations are recited in the claims, the means are not intended to be limited to the means disclosed in this application for performing the recited function, but are intended to cover in scope any equivalent means, known now or later developed, for performing the recited function. 
         [0046]    If any presented, the claims directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0047]    Although aspects, embodiments and/or examples have been illustrated and described herein, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate of the same and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the aspects, embodiments and/or examples illustrated and described herein, without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover such alternate aspects, embodiments and/or examples. Hence, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Further, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification