Abstract:
A method for playing a game comprising the steps of selecting a story having a plurality of characters using one of a plurality of spin boards. Thereafter, randomly designating the plurality of characters from the selected story to a plurality of game players using the spin board and acting out the selected story.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a game, and more specifically, to a game involving the theater and role playing. The game includes at least 3 spin boards, one of which is made from erasable material and comes blank and includes a pen for writing on the blank spin board. The present invention also provides for varying the spinner appearance using “fairy”-fable characters or other graphic images that would appeal to small children or early readers. The spinner may also be enlarged so that it may be placed on an easel for use in a classroom. The game further includes a plurality of play texts and character cards corresponding to the characters in the plays which are stored in a respective one of a plurality of packets. The game also includes a plurality of character card holders, preferably shaped like fortune cookies. Players spin the spinner to determine which play text will be acted out. Upon determining the play text used, players then insert the character cards, corresponding to the selected play, into the character card holders. The character card holders are scrambled. Players then choose a character card holder to determine which character they will play in the scene being acted out. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Numerous other games exist in the prior art. However, no game exists where players randomly choose plays and characters and then re-enact scenes from the plays. It is desirable to have a game that fosters supportive family interactions, in part by not having a loser in the game. It is also desirable to have a game that incorporates fun with reading/learning. While prior art games may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a game, and more specifically, to a game involving the theater and role playing. The game includes at least 3 spin boards, one of which is made from erasable material and comes blank and includes a pen for writing on the blank spin board. The present invention also provides for varying the spinner appearance using “fairy”-fable characters or other graphic images that would appeal to small children or early readers. The spinner may also be enlarged so that it may be placed on an easel for use in a classroom. The game further includes a plurality of play texts and character cards corresponding to the characters in the plays which are stored in a respective one of a plurality of packets. The game also includes a plurality of character card holders, preferably shaped like fortune cookies. Players spin the spinner to determine which play text will be acted out. Upon determining the play text used, players then insert the character cards, corresponding to the selected play, into the character card holders. The character card holders are scrambled. Players then choose a character card holder to determine which character they will play in the scene being acted out. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   Another, secondary object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play that fosters positive family interaction. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game that encourages reading. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein players of different ages can participate. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein pre-selected plays are filled in on a spin board. 
   Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein a blank spin board is provided to allow the players to selectively determine which plays could be selected. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein the play includes a play text which details a scene to be acted out and characters to be used when acting out the scene. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein a packet is provided for housing each respective play text and the character cards for use in acting out that play. 
   A still further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein each character card represents a character in a play. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game including a plurality of character card holders, preferably formed as fortune cookies for removably retaining character cards therein. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein players choose a fortune cookie and thereby choose the character they will play in the play re-enactment. 
   Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein the players act out the play that was selected by the spin board. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game that is simple and easy to use. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game that is inexpensive to manufacture and operate. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a family game where players randomly choose plays and characters and then re-enact scenes from the plays. It is desirable to have a game that fosters supportive family interactions, in part by not having a loser in the game. It is also desirable to have a game that incorporates fun with reading/learning. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the spin board of the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the character card holder of the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the character cards of the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the blank spin board of the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the play text of the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the packet and it&#39;s contents of the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram detailing the manner in which players play the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               10 
               game of the present invention 
             
             
                 
               11 
               top end of spin board 
             
             
                 
               12 
               spin board 
             
             
                 
               13 
               bottom end of spin board 
             
             
                 
               14 
               spinner 
             
             
                 
               15 
               sections 
             
             
                 
               16 
               play names 
             
             
                 
               18 
               character card holder 
             
             
                 
               19 
               top side of character card 
             
             
                 
               20 
               character card 
             
             
                 
               21 
               bottom side of character card 
             
             
                 
               22 
               play text 
             
             
                 
               24 
               packet 
             
             
                 
               25 
               top of blank spin board 
             
             
                 
               26 
               blank spin board 
             
             
                 
               27 
               bottom of blank spin board 
             
             
                 
               28 
               child 
             
             
                 
               30 
               blank character cards 
             
             
                 
               32 
               flap 
             
             
                 
               34 
               flap aperture 
             
             
                 
               36 
               fastener 
             
             
                 
               38 
               table 
             
             
                 
               40 
               pivot 
             
             
                 
               42 
               pivot point 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments; practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 8  illustrate the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral  10 . 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spin board  12  of the Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present invention. The spin board  12  can be formed in any geometric shape. Shown herein, the spin board  12  is circularly shaped. The spin board  12  has a top end  11  and a bottom end  13 . The top end  11  is demarcated into a plurality of equal sized sections  15 . Shown herein, there are ten wedge-shaped sections  15 . The spin board  12  having ten wedge-shaped sections is shown for purposes of example only and the spin board  12  may include any number of even shaped sections. Alternatively, the section  15  could be unevenly sized or have an alternating patter of even and uneven sized sections  15  therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, a different play name  16  is already displayed in each section  15 . A spinner  14  is located in the middle of the spin board  12 . The spinner  14  is pivotally connected to the spin board  12  at substantially a center point thereof by a pivot  40 . Shown herein, the spinner  14  is shaped like an arrow. However, the spinner  14  may be shaped in any manner that makes readily apparent the section  15  to which it is pointed. 
   In an alternative embodiment, instead of displaying play names on each section  15  of the spin board  12 , characters or graphic images can be displayed to encourage younger people to participate. 
   The spinner  14  is caused to pivot about pivot point  42  and rotates 360 degrees until the spinner  14  stops within a respective one of the sections  15  on the spin board  12 . The game is then played out in a manner that will be discussed hereinafter with specific reference to  FIGS. 2-8 . After a first user has spun the spinner  14 , a second different user repeats the above described process and spins the spinner  14 . Players continue this until it is determined and/or decided that the Spin-A-Play game  10  is over. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a character card holder  18  of the Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present claimed invention. The character card holder  18  can have a plurality of different shapes. The character card holder  18  is made from a durable material that is non-toxic and non-hazardous to children. Additionally, the character card holder  18  is of a size big enough not to be easily ingested by a child. 
   The character card holder  18  is a hollow body for retaining a character card  20  therein. The character card holder  18  has at least one opening for easy insertion and removal of the character card  20 . At least one edge of the character card  20  sticks out of the opening in the character card holder  18  for easy removal therefrom. Preferably the character card holder  18  is shaped like a fortune cookie. However, the character card holder  18  can be any shape that is aesthetically pleasing, easy to use and able to encourage and foster a happy game play environment. 
   The character card  20  discloses the name of a character. The names of the characters correspond to the characters in the play selected as described in  FIG. 1 . The play is selected when the spinner  14  is caused to pivot about pivot point  42 . The spinner  14  rotates 360 degrees until the spinner  14  stops within a respective one of the sections  15  on the spin board  12  which determines the play. After a first user has spun the spinner  14 , a second different user repeats the above described process and spins the spinner  14 . Players continue this until it is determined and/or decided that the Spin-A-Play game  10  is over. 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the character cards  20  of the Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present claimed invention. Each play associated with the Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present invention includes a plurality of characters to act out. The name of each character to act out is displayed on a top side  19  of the character card  20 . The character card  20  is shaped so as to be easily inserted and removed from the character card holder  18 . Herein the character cards  20  are rectangular in shape. The name of the character displayed on the character card  20  is displayed such that when an edge of the character card  20  sticks out of the character card holder  18  for easy removal, the character name is not visible to the player. 
   During the game, after a play has been selected, the character cards  20  associated with that play are inserted into the character card holders  18 . The character card holders  18  are scrambled. Each player picks a character card holder  18  from the pile of scrambled character card holders  18 . Each player removes the character card  20  from the character card holder  18 . The name of the character listed on the character card  20  is the character they will be playing during the re-enactment of the play. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present claimed invention. Shown herein is a blank spin board  26 . The blank spin board  26  has a top end  25  and a bottom end  27 . The top end  25  is made from an erasable material. The blank spin board  26  is demarcated into a plurality of equal sized sections  15  similar to the pre-filled in spin board  12  described in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the user is able to write their own selections  16  in each of the sections  15 . This allows the user to incorporate plays from alternate sources, such as from personally drafted plays or from plays not included with the Spin-A-Play game  10 . 
   This embodiment also includes a plurality of blank character cards  30 . The blank character cards  30  are similar to the character cards  20  described herein with reference to  FIG. 3  except that they are made from an erasable material to permit the users to fill in the characters from the plays from alternate sources. 
   During game play, the players write the name of a play they would potentially like to act out in each of the blank sections  15  on the blank spin board  26 . The spinner  14  is spun, and a play is selected. The players then write the name of a character from the selected play on each of the blank character cards  30 . These character cards  30  are inserted into inserted into the character card holders  18 . The character card holders  18  are scrambled. Each player picks a character card holder  18  from the pile of scrambled character card holders  18 . Each player removes the character card  30  from the character card holder  18 . The name of the character listed on the character card  30  is the character they will be playing during the re-enactment of the play. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a play text  22  of the Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present claimed invention. Each play text  22  details a play and includes lines for each of the characters in the play. In an alternate embodiment, each play text  22  includes several versions of the play for use with different numbers of characters to be acted out. This is useful when only 2 people want to act out the play but the play in the original format calls for 5 people to act out the play. The Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present invention includes the number of play texts  22  equal to the maximum number of possible characters to act out in that particular play. For example, if the players can act out Chicken Little using 5 characters, 4 characters, 3 characters or 2 characters, the game will include 5 Chicken Little play texts  22 . 
   The Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present invention can be used in a plurality of situations. For example, the game  10  could be used in a classroom to teach reading skills, creative writing skills, history lessons, literature, values, social interactions and public speaking. The game  10  could also be used at birthday parties and other family get-togethers. Alternatively, the game  10  could be used during children&#39;s play-dates or in camps on rainy days. 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a packet  24  of the Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present claimed invention. Each play included with the Spin-A-Play game  10  is contained within a respective packet  24 . When the particular play is not in use, the packet  24  houses the plurality of play texts  22  and the character cards  20 . Shown herein, the packet  24  is rectangular in shape. However, the packet  24  can be of any geometric shape provided that it retains the play texts  22  and character cards  20  therein. The packet  24  includes an opening at one end thereof for inserting and removing the packet  24  contents. Located near the open end of the packet  24  is a fastener  36 . The packet  24  includes a selectively closable flap  32  at the open end thereof. The flap  32  is attached at one end to the packet  24 . Shown herein, the flap  32  contains an aperture  32 . When the fastener  36  and the aperture  32  are aligned and secured, the contents of the packet  24  cannot fall out. 
   The game  10  is also selectively expandable. For example, the packets  24  could be sold separately or obtained over a communication network such as the Internet wherein the packets  24  are able to be downloaded from at least one of the world wide web, FTP site and a newsgroup. The packets  24  could also come in a variety of different age ranges so that age-appropriate stories are available. It would also be possible to tie-in a play with one of the popular television personalities at the time, such as Dora the Explorer. In terms of educational purposes, a packet having a play text describing the meeting of the first Continental Congress or the text from the Scarlet Letter could be included. These scenarios are described for purposes of example only and any scenario can be included in a respective one of the packets  24  for use with the spin-a-play  10  of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present invention. The Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present invention includes a plurality of packets  24 , a plurality of blank character cards  30 , and a plurality of spin boards  12 , including a blank spin board  26 . Each packet  24  houses a plurality of play texts  22  and a plurality of character cards  20  corresponding to the characters in the respective play text  22 . 
   Shown herein, two children  28  are acting out a play. The children  28  have spun the spinner  14  of the spin board  12 , thereby selecting a play to re-enact. They then emptied the contents of the packet  24  corresponding to the selected play onto a table  38 . The children  28  inserted the character cards  20  into the character card holders  18  and shuffled them. Each child  28  chose a character card holder  18  and removed the character card  20  therefrom to ascertain which character they would be playing. Using the play texts  22 , the children  28  act out the play. 
     FIG. 8  is a flow diagram detailing the manner in which players play the Spin-A-Play game  10  of the present invention. In step S 100 , the players decide which spin board to use. Upon completion of step S 100 , there are three potential choices of spin boards that could be made. In step S 102 , the player chooses an adult spin board having adult play options. In step S 104 , the player chooses a child spin board having child age appropriate plays. In Step S 106 , the player chooses a blank spin board wherein the players are able to fill in the desired plays. Should the player choose a blank spin board as shown in step S 106 , the player then uses erasable ink to fill in the name of each play in the demarcated sections  15  thereon as shown in step S 107 . After completing any of step S 102 , S 104 , and S 107 , the game proceeds at step S 108  where the players spin the spinner on the spin board to determine which play to act out. When the spinner stops spinning as shown in step S 110 , a first end thereof points to a play which the players are required to act out. In step S 112 , the players select the packet corresponding to the selected play shown in the section on the spin board. The players remove the play texts and the character cards from the packet in step S 114 . The character cards are inserted into the character card holders in step S 116 . In step S 118 , the character card holders are scrambled. In step S 120 , each player selects a character card holder and removes the character card to determine which character they will be playing. The players act out the play as per the play text in step S 122 . The game  10  as shown herein can be selectively repeated in any variation beginning of step S 100  or any other step described hereinabove. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.