Patent Publication Number: US-4545582-A

Title: Translucent electronic board game with magnetic pawn

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in electronic board games, with magnetic pawn playing pieces. The movement of the playing pieces has traditionally been accomplished by a player moving it by hand, with no further interaction of the playing piece with the game board. Thus, after playing the game many times the player becomes bored with it and loses interest, since no particular skill is required in the movement of the playing piece. 
     It is well known in the art that a permanent magnet emits an external magnetic field which can either attract or repel other magnetically charged objects, or attract iron type objects. It is therefore, possible to use a hand held permanent magnet to either repel or attract a magnetic type playing piece without touching it. 
     Further, it is also well known in the art that a permanent magnet emits a magnetic field which is capable of permeating various types of materials, such as translucent plastics. 
     Therefore, an object such as an electronic reed switch placed under a game board&#39;s surface can be activated due to the magnetic field emitted by a magnetic pawn playing piece as it is brought into close proximity thereof. The reed switch being connected in series to an energy source and the light bulb causes the light bulb to light when the reed switch is closed. Thus, unlikeother prior art games a player using my invention is challenged by the skill required to move the playing pieces along the surface of the game board within the play area boundaries. 
     Further, the player is intrigued by the almost magic effect of the activation of the numerous light sources as the many playing pieces deploy on the game board surface and are brought into close proximity to the light source without the player touching it. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a new and improved game. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game for entertainment, that uses magnetic pawn type playing pieces. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game wherein a magnetic pawn is advanced along the playing board surface by a hand held mover object, without touching it. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game which has a magnetic mover object with the same polarity at it&#39;s top as the magnetic pawn playing piece. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game wherein the advancement of the playing piece along the game board&#39;s playing surface requires the use of judgment and skill by the player. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game wherein the surface of the game board is made from a translucent plastic material. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game whereby lights located under the translucent plastic game board surface are activated as the playing piece is advanced along the game board. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game wherein a reed switch, light bulb, and energy source is placed in an electric series circuit. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game which uses a battery as the energy source. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game which uses household AC current as the energy source. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game wherein the mover object can take the form of a ring, finger, or any other form depending on the game logo. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game wherein the playing piece magnetic flux permeates the translucent game board medium, causing a reed switch to be activated, which in turn closes the electric circuit leading to the energy source and light bulb. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game whereby the playing pieces all have the same polarity at their top. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game wherein the game board energy source may be turned on or off by a switch located on the game board. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game wherein the reed switches and lightbulbs are placed in a parallel electrical circuit with each other. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game with a colored plastic film being disposed between the bottom of the translucent surface and the light bulbs. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game wherein the colored plastic film has messages written thereon. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique game which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the game board showing the location of the light bulbs and electrical reed switches by dashed lines and two playing pieces. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section view taken along lines 2--2 in FIG. 1 of the drawings. 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross section view taken along section lines 3--3 in FIG. 1 of the drawings showing a reed switch in a closed position. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross section view taken along section lines 4--4 in FIG. 1 of the drawings showing a reed switch in an open position. 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit of the game board in a series parallel circuit. 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of one of a green spot draw card. 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of a red spot draw card. 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blue spot draw card. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a magnet pawn playing piece. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a magnet mover object in the form of a ring. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a die playing device. 
    
    
     It is to be understood, that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced or carried out in various ways within the scope of the claims. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is an illustrated plan view of a preferred embodiment of the game board 20 which is comprised of two layers. The top layer playing surface 22, is a flat horizontal sheet of translucent material such as plastic having an array of play positions 30 on its surface. The playing positions 30 are arranged in a series of consecutive squares from start position 31 to finish position 32. The bottom layer 23, as best seen in FIG. 2 is a flat horizontal sheet of non-translucent material such as paper, fiber or cardboard. Both the playing surface 22 and the bottom layer 23 are secured in place between the frame 24 of game board 20 and are kept separate by means of a spacer 25. Located on the playing surface 22 of the game board 20 is a plurality of pawn shaped permanent magnet playing pieces 40 which can be best seen in FIG. 9. The magnetic pole sign at the top 41 of the play pieces 40 can be either positive (+) or negative (-), provided all the play pieces 40 have the same pole sign. However, as part of my preferred embodiment I have shown play pieces 40 having a positive (+) pole sign at their tops, as can be best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9 of the drawings. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 a light bulb can best be seen disposed between the playing surface 22 and the bottom layer 23 of the game board 20. The light bulbs 50 are selectively placed under a plurality of light play positions 33 as can be best seen in FIG. 1. Also, located under each of the light play positions 33 are electrical reed switches 51. All of the reed switches 51 and the light bulbs 50 are placed in a parallel circuit to assure a continuous electrical energy source 52 in the event of a malfunctioning of any one of the reed switches 51 or light bulbs 50. Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings which is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit used in my game board 20 it can be seen that each light playing position 33 of the game board 20 consists of a light bulb 50 and a reed switch 51 which are in series with the energy source 52. The reed switch 51 is of the type that is well known in the electrical field prior art, and one such reed switch which known to the applicant is marketed under the trade name of PK 10 supplied by Archer, a subsidiary of Tandy Corp. The electrical energy source 52 used to activate the light bulb 50 may be of either a standard AC or DC type current well known in the prior art. As my preferred embodiment I have disclosed the use of two (2) standard type C 1.25 volt batteries. 
     In addition to the light bulbs 50 located under the light play positions 33 a spinner light bulb 36 is also used for the spinner 34 located near the finish position 32 on playing surface 22 of the game board 20. The spinner 34 is of a disc or saucer type configuration and is constructed to be capable of being spun about its apex by the game operator. 
     A plurality of holes 35 are disposed near the circumference of the spinner 34. The holes 35 are covered with a translucent type colored material 38 and as my preferred embodiment, I wish to disclose the use of red, blue, and green colors material 38. The spinner light bulb 36 is positioned so that it is directly in line with the spinner indicator 37 and underneath the spinner 34 holes 35. The spinner light bulb 36 is also part of the series parallel electrical circuit as the other light bulbs 50, and is activated when a magnet play piece 40 becomes advanced to the finish position 32 containing a reed switch 51 and light bulb 50, as can be best seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10 where a perspective view of a mover object 42 is shown in the form of a ring. The mover object 42 is used by the game operator to advance the magnet play piece 40 along the game board 20 between the play positions 30. Hidden within the mover object 42 is a permanent magnet 43 which is so disposed therein that its top 41 has the same polarity as the top 41 of the play piece 40. It is well known in the art that a permanent magnet emits a magnetic flux or field which is capable of either attracting or repelling other magnetically charged objects. Therefore, as part of my preferred embodiment I wish to disclose the use of a hand held mover object 42 which utilizes a permanent magnet 43 and is so constructed that the side nearest the play polarity at it&#39;s top 41 as the top 41 of the play piece 40. the hand held mover object 42 is brought into close proximity of the magnet play piece 40, the play piece is repelled away from the mover object 42, since the frictional resistance force to the advancement of play piece 40 along the game board 20 playing surface 22 is less than the resulting magnetic replusion force emitted between the hand held mover object 42 and play piece 40. 
     It can also be appreciated that unlike other prior art games where the playing objects are moved by hand, the use of a magnetic type mover object 42 requires a certain amount of skill and therefore presents an interesting challenge for the operator to master. While I have disclosed as my preferred embodiment the use of a mover object 42 in the form of a ring, it should also be understood that the mover object may take any other form which can accommodate the use of a permanent magnet, such as a pistol or finger, depending on the game board logo. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, where a fragmentary cross section view of the game board 20 is shown, it can be seen that as the mover object 42 is brought into the close proximity to magnetic play piece 40 the play piece is repelled in the direction of the arrow toward a light play position 33 having a reed switch 51 in an open position. 
     As the playing piece 40 advances along the game board 20 playing surface 22 its magnetic flux permeates the game board 20 playing surface 22 medium which causes a reed switch 51 to close thus completing the electrical circuit with the light bulb 50 and energy source 52, as can best be seen in FIG. 3. Once the reed switch 51 is closed, the electrical circuit for the light play position 33 is completed and the light bulb 50 is energized. As the light from the bulb 50 permeates the medium of the translucent playing surface 22, a message in the form of words, colors, or drawings is communicated to the operator of the mover object 42. 
     The message may be printed on a colored plastic or acetate type transparent film 26 disposed between the bottom of the playing surface 22 and the light bulb 50. It should also be appreciated and understood that the desired game design 21 may be printed or inlaid directly on either the top or bottom of the entire playing surface 22, by means of a clear plastic or acetate type material, well known in the art. 
     While I have in the above discussion of this invention used the term &#34;magnet&#34;, &#34;permanent magnet&#34;, &#34;magnetic&#34; or &#34;magnetic material&#34;, I do not intend to limit the meaning to only a particular form of magnet or magnetic monolithic material composition since other forms, such as: bar, ring, horseshoe, and electro-magnets may also be used and different composite materials containing both magnetic and non-magnetic components may be used provided a repelling magnetic force is emitted. 
     It can be appreciated that the use of a permanent magnet in both the playing piece 40 and mover object 42 to move the playing piece 40 and to light up a plurality of game board play positions 30, results in an extremely intriguing and entertaining game and requires the operator to exercise considerable judgment and skill in its execution. 
     RULES OF PLAY 
     The following description will explain the rules of my game in general terms, however, it should be understood that the rules may be modified for use in a variety of games distributed under different logotype or seasonal versions thereof, such as: Christmas, Easter or Halloween. 
     The object of the game is to move a magnet play piece 40 from the start position 31 along a given path of play positions 30 having various consequences associated with a landing thereon, to the finish position 32. 
     Two or more players may compete, with the first player reaching the finish position 32 or spin saucer space becomes the winner of the game. 
     To start, each player is given a play piece 40 and then takes a turn throwing the die 44, as best seen in FIG. 11. The player with the highest die 44 number starts first by activating the game board 20 electrical circuit by means of an on/off switch 27 located on the outside frame 24 of the game board. The first player then throws the die 44 again and moves the play piece 40 by means of a mover object 42 the number on the die 44, without touching the playing piece 40. As my preferred embodiment I have in FIG. 10 shown the mover object 42 as a ring, which the player would place on his or her finger before attempting to advance the playing piece along the game board 20. Should a player cause the playing piece 40 to flip over, the player will receive a penalty of one turn and must correct the positioning of the play piece and proceed to the correct play position 30, associated with the number shown on the die. The balance of the players each receive their turn in a clockwise rotation from the first player. 
     The game board 20, design 21 has a plurality of different kinds of playing positions, viz.: white space 60, green space 61, and special space 62 which have specific instructions associated therewith should the players playing piece 40 advance thereto. During the advancement of the playing piece 40 across the various playing positions 30 the player may be able to collect and save draw cards such as: a green spot 45, red spot 46, and blue spot card 47, shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and other cards (not shown). 
     The first player who reaches the finish position 32 (spin saucer space) and then matches the spinner 34 hole 35 color with a color spot card which the player has accumulated during the game is the winner. Should the player on his/her first attempt fail to match either the spinner 34 color with color spot card, or has no colored draw cards the player would keep spinning the spinner 34 or pick a draw card, as the case may be, in sequence order with the other players, until matching the spinner hole 35 color with a color spot card. 
     It will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein and to the rules of play, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. By virtue of the above-described construction and rules of play the objectives of the invention listed above and numerous additional advantages are attained.