Patent Publication Number: US-4058317-A

Title: Apparatus for playing a board game

Description:
The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a game of the kind comprising a board and a plurality of counters which are moved on the board to achieve a desired result in accordance with the rules of the game. 
     According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for playing a board game, comprising a plurality of counters and a base plate having a regular array of locating means for the counters, each counter when positioned on the base plate at a locating means being substantially prevented from lateral movement but being capable of rotation about an axis perpendicular to the base plate, and each counter when positioned at a locating means being in driving engagement with any counter positioned at an adjacent locating means. 
     An embodiment of the invention comprises a base plate having a plurality of studs thereon. A counter in the form of a gear wheel may be inserted in rotatable position on each stud and the studs are so positioned that a gear wheel counter placed on a particular stud is in meshing connection with the gear wheel on any adjacent stud. Each gear wheel counter has a center hole of sufficient diameter to enable the gear wheel counter to rotate freely on the studs. 
     An even number of gear wheel counters are used and the counters are divided into two sets or teams, each with a distinguishing colour. Each team comprises master gear wheel, which is marked with an arrow to indicate the direction which this master gear may be turned in accordance with the rules of the game. 
     A game may comprise, for example, six rows of studs with eight studs in each row. Eight gear counters may comprise one team. Each team of eight is placed in a straight row farthest removed from each other. The counters in one team may be coloured white and the counters in the other team may be coloured black. A player may move only one counter for his turn and he may move it in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction. 
     At any stage in the game, a player may on completion of his move, elect to turn his master gear. If this in turn operates to turn the master gear counter of the opponent in the direction of the arrow on the opponent&#39;s master gear counter, he wins the game. If on the other hand, having elected to operate his master gear counter, this counter does not turn the opponent&#39;s master gear counter, or turns it in the direction opposite to the arrow, he loses the game. 
    
    
     The invention will be better understood with reference to the embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the board game with a number of counters in position. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section through the line X--X on FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of one of the counters. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of one of the counters. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative form of counter. 
    
    
     In the drawings 1 is a base plate, of any suitable material, on which are inserted a plurality of counter locating means in the form of studs 2. The studs are arranged in a rectangular array of rows and columns and are positioned so that the teeth 3 of a gear wheel counter 4 located on a stud can engage the teeth of any adjacent gear wheel counter. Each gear wheel counter 4 is provided with a centre hole 9 of sufficient diameter to enable the gear wheel counter 4 to rotate freely on stud 2 about the axis of the stud, which axis is substantially perpendicular to the base plate 1. The diameter of the hole 9 is, however, insufficient to allow significant lateral movement of the counter. The counters are divided into two teams of equal number and each team has a distinguishing colour. In each team there is also a master gear wheel counter 5 marked with an arrow as shown in FIG. 1. The arrow indicates the direction in which the master gear wheel counter may be turned in accordance with the rules of the game. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, the studs may be formed integrally with the gear wheel counter. This is shown in FIG. 5 where the stud 8 forms part of the gear wheel 7. In this embodiment the base plate is formed with a plurality of holes of sufficient diameter to enable the studs 8 to rotate freely therein. 
     To enable the gear wheel counters 4 or the gear wheel counters 7 to rotate freely, the underside of the gear wheel counter is bevelled around its periphery as shown at 6 in FIGS. 4 and 5. 
     It is also apparent that the counters 4 and 7 may be turned by friction means instead of the geared drive as stated above.