Patent Publication Number: US-7222851-B2

Title: Games and game playing implements that include magnets

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/571,670, entitled “KINETI-GO SHUCKING BOARD GAME,” filed May 5, 2004, which is incorporated into this application by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The following disclosure relates generally to games and, more particularly, to board games of skill involving movable components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional tabletop games such as air hockey and shuffleboard have been around for a long time. In an age of video games, these games provide a refreshing alternative that allows both young and old alike an opportunity to compete and interact on a three-dimensional level. 
     Tabletop games usually consist of one or more movable components that are manipulated by players in an arena of play. In shuffleboard, for example, the players slide metal pucks over the playing surface to position them within scoring zones at the far end of the board. The skill lies in judging the distance correctly and carefully positioning the puck at the far end of the long board. After all the pucks have been played from one end of the board, play continues in the opposite direction. The winner is the first player to accumulate a preset number of points (e.g., 15 points). 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided for the benefit of the reader only, and is not meant to limit the invention as set forth by the claims in any way. 
     The present invention is directed generally toward systems, apparatuses, and methods for playing games. A game configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a playing piece and a hand-held shooting device. The playing piece includes a first magnet and the shooting device includes at least a second magnet. The second magnet is configured to repel the first magnet and move the playing piece over a playing surface of the game. In one embodiment, the game can further include a third magnet fixedly positioned proximate to the playing surface. In this embodiment, the third magnet is configured to repel the first magnet and effect movement of the playing piece over the playing surface. 
     A game configured in accordance with another aspect of the invention includes a shooting device configured to move a playing piece over a playing surface from a shooting area toward a scoring area. The shooting device includes a bottom portion, a chamber, and at least a first magnet. The bottom portion of the shooting device is configured to facilitate movement of the shooting device across the playing surface. The chamber is configured to releasably hold the playing piece when the bottom portion of the shooting device is held in contact with the playing surface. The first magnet is positioned proximate to the chamber, and is configured to repel a second magnet associated with the playing piece. The repulsion between the first and second magnets causes the playing piece to move across the playing surface when released from the chamber. 
     A method for playing a game in accordance with a further aspect of the invention includes positioning a playing piece in a shooting device, aiming the shooting device, and releasing the playing piece on a playing surface. The playing piece includes a first magnet and the shooting device includes a second magnet configured to repel the first magnet. As a result, releasing the playing piece from the shooting device causes it to move across the playing surface. In one embodiment, releasing the playing piece includes manually releasing the playing piece. In another embodiment, aiming the shooting device includes sliding the shooting device across the playing surface and pointing it in the general direction of a third magnet fixedly attached proximate to the playing surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a game configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged isometric view of a shooting device and playing piece from the game of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded bottom isometric view of the shooting device of  FIG. 2  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a partially cutaway isometric view of the playing piece of  FIG. 2  configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view illustrating a method of using the shooting device of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure describes various game systems, game methods, and game apparatuses that include magnets. Certain details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. Other details describing well-known aspects of magnets and game apparatus manufacturing techniques are not set forth below, however, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the invention. 
     Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Furthermore, additional embodiments of the invention can be practiced without several of the details described below. 
     In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical or at least generally similar elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refer to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element  110  is first introduced and discussed with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric top view of a game  100  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the game  100  includes a board  102 , a shooter  120 , and a plurality of playing pieces or pucks  140  (identified individually as pucks  140   a–f ). The board  102  includes a plurality of raised wall portions  106  (identified individually as wall portions  106   a–n ) that enclose a generally smooth playing surface  104 . The playing surface  104  includes an alley  114  that extends between a shooting area  108  and two scoring areas  109  (identified individually as a first scoring area  109   a  and a second scoring area  109   b ). Each of the scoring areas  109  is divided into a plurality of individual scoring zones  112  (identified individually as first scoring zones  112   a–b , second scoring zones  112   c–d , and third scoring zones  112   e–f ). A plurality of magnets  116  (identified individually as magnets  116   a–g ) are embedded in the board  102  adjacent to the wall portions  106   a–b, e–d , and  i–j.    
     In the illustrated embodiment, the board  102  can have a length A of about four feet, e.g., about 49.5 inches, and a width B of about two feet, e.g., about 25.5 inches. In other embodiments, the board  102  can have other dimensions depending on various factors including the particular game format, portability, and cost. In a further embodiment, the board  102  can be omitted and games at least generally similar in structure and function to the games described herein can be played on a mat or other surface which may or may not include boundaries identifying shooting and scoring areas. 
     The board  102  can be manufactured from a number of different materials to suit different cost and design parameters. For example, in one embodiment, the board  102  can be manufactured from wood using conventional techniques to provide an attractive, natural finish. In addition, woods of different color can be used to provide graphics or other markings on the playing surface  104 . In other embodiments, the board  102  can be manufactured from various types of metal, plastic and/or synthetic materials. Various types of surface finishes (e.g., wax) can be applied to the playing surface  104  to facilitate puck movement. Glass “sand” or similar products can also be applied to the playing surface  104  for this purpose. 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged isometric view illustrating the shooter  120  and one of the pucks  140  (in this case, the puck  140   a ) from the game  100  of  FIG. 1 . In one aspect of this embodiment, the shooter  120  includes a body portion  225  and a bottom portion  227 . The body portion  225  includes a chamber  222  configured to releasably hold the puck  140   a  in the manner shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber  122  is at least generally U-shaped and includes a back wall portion  226  and opposing side wall portions  224  (identified individually as a first side wall portion  224   a  and a second side wall portion  224   b ). The side wall portions  224  are spaced apart by a width W that is only slightly larger than a diameter D of the puck  140   a . As described in greater detail below, the slight clearance allows the puck  140   a  to slide easily out of the chamber  222  when released. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the width W is about 1.5 inches and the diameter D is about 1.375 inches. In other embodiments, however, the width W can be less than or greater than 1.5 inches, and the diameter D can be less than or greater than 1.375 inches. In still further embodiments, the chamber  222  and the puck  140   a  can have other shapes. For example, in one embodiment, the puck  140   a  or variations thereof can be at least approximately rectangular in shape. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the particular chamber/puck configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 , but extends to all configurations falling within the scope of the claims. 
     The chamber  222  can include a retaining feature  221  that holds the puck  140   a  at least proximate to the playing surface  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining feature  221  includes a lip  223  that extends inwardly from an upper edge of the side wall portions  224 . The lip  223  is positioned a height H above a base surface  220  of the body portion  225 . The height H is slightly greater than a thickness T of the puck  140   a . The slight clearance between the puck  140   a  and the lip  223  allows the puck  140   a  to slide easily out of the chamber  222  when released. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness T is about 0.31 inch, and the height H is about 0.37 inch. In other embodiments, the thickness T can be less than or greater than 0.31 inch, and the height H can be less than or greater than 0.37 inch. In still further embodiments, the chamber  222  can include retaining features other than the lip  223 , or the retaining feature  221  can be omitted altogether. 
     In another aspect of this embodiment, the bottom portion  227  is configured to facilitate movement of the shooter  120  across the playing surface  104  while the puck  140   a  is held in the chamber  222 . In this regard, the bottom portion  227  can include a layer of friction-reducing material  229 , such as felt, that is bonded or otherwise attached to the base surface  220  of the body portion  225 . In other embodiments, the bottom portion  227  can include other friction-reducing means or materials. For example, in one such embodiment, the bottom portion  227  can include one or more roller devices (not shown). In still further embodiments, the friction-reducing material  229  can be omitted and the shooter  120  can be configured to move across the playing surface  104  on all or a portion of the base surface  220 . In such embodiments, all or a portion of the base surface  220  can be contoured, polished, etc. to facilitate movement of the shooter  120  over the playing surface  104 . 
     In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the shooter  120  further includes a plurality of magnets  228  (identified individually as shooter magnets  228   a–d ) positioned proximate to the puck chamber  222 . The shooter magnets  228  are configured to repel a puck magnet  248  positioned within the puck  140   a . Specifically, in this embodiment, each of the shooter magnets  228  is arranged so that its positive pole is positioned adjacent to the positive pole of the puck magnet  248 , and its negative pole is positioned adjacent to the negative pole of the puck magnet  248 , when the puck  140   a  is properly positioned in the chamber  222 . As described in greater detail below, the puck  140   a  can include graphics and/or other indicia to ensure that it is loaded into the chamber  222  in the proper orientation with the magnets aligned in the foregoing manner. 
     The shooter magnets  228  and the puck magnet  248  can include various types of magnetic materials. In one embodiment, for example, these magnets can include rare earth magnets (e.g., neodymium-iron-boron or “NdFeB” magnets). In other embodiments, the shooter magnets  228  and the puck magnet  248  can include other types of magnets including, for example, Samarium Cobalt (SmCo), Alnico, and/or Ceramic or Ferrite permanent magnets. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded bottom isometric view of the shooter  120  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As this view illustrates, each of the shooter magnets  228  is held in a corresponding bore  328  in the body portion  225 . The magnets  228  can be held in place by a plug of suitable material and/or adhesive  326  (e.g., wood glue). Once each of the magnets  228  has been suitably installed in the body portion  225 , the layer of friction-reducing material  229  (e.g., felt) can be bonded or otherwise attached to the base surface  220 . As discussed above with regard to the board  102  ( FIG. 1 ), in one embodiment, the body portion  225  of the shooter  120  can be fashioned from wood. In other embodiments, the body portion  225  can be molded from plastic or other suitable material. 
       FIG. 4  is a partially cutaway isometric view of the puck  140   a  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the puck  140   a  includes a cylindrical body  445  having a cavity  442  configured to receive the magnet  248 . The magnet  248  can be held in place by a suitable plug or disk  446  that is bonded to the body  445 . In the illustrated embodiment, the disk  446  can be colored or have other markings to distinguish it from pucks of the opposing player. For example, in one embodiment described below, the three pucks  140   a–c  of  FIG. 1  can have white disks  446 , while the other three pucks  140   d–f  can have black disks  446 . The puck body  445  can have a beveled edge  447  around the base to facilitate smooth sliding over the playing surface. 
     There are a number of suitable methods for manufacturing the puck  140   a . In one embodiment, for example, the puck body  445  and the disk  446  can be machined out of a shatter-proof plastic (e.g., Lexan®) and bonded together with a suitable adhesive. In another embodiment, the puck body  445  and/or the disk  446  can be injection-molded from Lexan® or another suitable type of plastic. In a further embodiment, the puck body  445  and/or the disk  446  can be manufactured from wood. In yet another embodiment, the puck body  445  and the disk  446  can be omitted and the puck  140   a  can consist of only the magnet  248 . 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view illustrating a method of using the shooter  120  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a player grasps the shooter  120  in his hand  560 , and loads the puck  140   a  into the chamber  222  while holding the shooter  120  against the playing surface  104 . The body portion  225  of the shooter  120  can include one or more scallops  570  or other features to improve the player&#39;s grip. While holding the puck  140   a  in place with his or her finger(s)  562 , the player slides the shooter  120  across the playing surface  104  and aims it at one of the scoring areas  109  ( FIG. 1 ). The player then releases his or her finger(s)  562  to fire the puck  140  at the desired location. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 1 , the game  100  can be played by two players (not shown) in one embodiment as follows. First, each player selects a puck color. For example, the first player might select the three white pucks  140   a–c  and the second player might select the three black pucks  140   d–f . The players then collect their pucks  140  in the shooting area  108  and take turns shooting them into the scoring areas  109  as described above with reference to  FIG. 5 . The scores are counted after all six pucks have been shot. A puck positioned in one of the first scoring zones  112   a  or  112   b  is worth one point, a puck positioned in one of the second scoring zones  112   c  or  112   d  is worth two points, and a puck positioned in one of the third scoring zones  112   e  or  112   f  is worth three points. Once the players have shot all six pucks  140 , they clear the pucks  140  from the scoring areas  109  and shoot again. Each player can keep track of his or her score with a dedicated scoring mechanism  118  (identified individually as a first scoring mechanism  118   a  and a second scoring mechanism  118   b ). In the illustrated embodiment, the scoring mechanisms  118  are simple bead-type counters. In other embodiments, other types of scoring mechanisms, such as a dial-type scoring mechanism, can be used with the game  100 . 
     The object of the game is to be the first player to score a preset number of points (e.g., 20 points) by landing your pucks in the scoring zones  112 . When a player reaches 20 (or whatever final score the players agree to), he or she wins. However, the player cannot go over 20. That is, the player must shoot the precise final score needed to arrive at a total score of 20. If the player goes over 20, then no score is added and the player starts the next round of shooting with their previous score. If players tie at 20, then they proceed to a sudden death match in which the highest scoring player wins. 
     One feature of the game  100  described above is that the puck-to-puck repulsion caused by the puck magnets  248  ( FIG. 2 ), and the puck-to-wall repulsion caused by the puck magnets  248  and the wall magnets  116 , affects the path of the pucks  140  as they move into the scoring areas  109 . For example, this repulsion enables one player to knock another player&#39;s puck out of a scoring zone without actually making contact with the other player&#39;s puck. This magnetic interplay adds an element of skill and excitement to the game  100  that is lacking in conventional games. 
     The present invention and various aspects thereof are by no means limited to the particular embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 1–5 . For example, although  FIG. 1  depicts one possible board layout, in other embodiments, other games using implements at least generally in similar in structure and function to the implements described herein can have other layouts without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Such games can include, for example, other scoring zone layouts, other scoring schemes, and other playing surface geometries. 
     In addition, the types of games that can use playing implements (e.g., shooters, pucks and boards) configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are virtually limitless. For example, another game that can use a magnetic shooting device at least generally similar in structure and function to the shooter  120  disclosed herein can have a baseball format. Other games can have first-person shooter formats, golf formats, soccer formats, etc. 
     Furthermore, although the shooter  120  described above with reference to  FIG. 2  can be manually operated, in other embodiments, other shooting devices at least generally similar in structure and function to the shooting devices described herein can be all or partially activated by a mechanical, or an electromechanical release mechanism. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, aspects of the invention described in the context of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Further, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiment need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.