Patent Publication Number: US-3876206-A

Title: Concentration number board game apparatus

Description:
United States Patent 1 Moura 1 CONCENTRATlON NUMBER BOARD GAME APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Anthony L. Moura, 1245 Farrington Dr., San Jose Calif. 95127 [22] Filed: Jan. 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No: 434,618  
 [52] U.S. Cl. 4. 273/131 B; 273/131) R; 273/131 K 1451 Apr. 8, 1975 Primary E.\&#39;uminerDelbert B. Lowe [57] ABSTRACT A concentration number board game apparatus requiring the use of the player&#39;s skills in concentration and memory and consisting of a playing board divided in half with each half including a pair of side-by-side rows of squares extending along the edge thereof from end to end, a set of four penalty squares disposed adjacent one end of each of the pairs of rows of squares. and six center squares disposed on each half of the game board adjacent the center portion thereof and extending therealong substantially parallel to the rows of squares. Two sets of 12 chips are provided with each set being a different color and with each of the chips having a number imprinted thereon from one through twelve.  
 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures CONCENTRATION NUMBER BOARD GAME APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to game apparatus and more particularly to a novel concentration number board game apparatus comprising a board game and two sets of chips for play thereon and wherein the game requires the use of an individuals skills in concentration and memory retention.  
 2. Description of the Prior Art Board games of various types and configurations have always been generally popular with the consuming public, with those games requiring mental agility and skills enjoying greater popularity than those games merely relying on luck to determine the winner. Thus, while the prior art discloses many different types of board games and the play thereof, none of such games fully require the use of an individuals skills in concentration and memory retention as in the present invention which also serves to increase and enhance the mental development of individuals playing the game.  
  Further, many of such prior art games are excessively complicated to play, require undue time and effort in learning the rules of play thereof, require an excess number of playing pieces, and take an excessively long period of time to play a single game which soon discourages a player who is losing from still doing his best in completing the play of the game.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel concentration number board game apparatus requiring an individual to use skills of concentration and memory retention in a manner enhancing and increasing the mental development ofthe individual, this being especially desirable in play of the game by younger children in the mental developing stages. with the game employing a game board having its top surface marked off into rows of squares which are used with two sets of twelve chips with each player using one set of the chips, each set of chips being a different color for distinguishment thereof between the players. and each set of [2 chips being numbered from one through twelve.  
  It is a feature of the present invention to provide a novel concentration number board game apparatus adapted to be played by individuals of all ages ranging from the youngest children to the oldest adult in a manner providing fun and amusement to the players while calling upon the players individual skills in determining the winner of the game.  
  Among further features and advantages of the present invention is the provision of a concentration number board game apparatus which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is possessed of few parts; one which is rugged and durable in construction and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of usage; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; one which can be retailed at a sufficiently low price to encourage its widespread use; and one 2 which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.  
  Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following descriptlon.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:  
  FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the game board of the game apparatus of the present invention;  
 FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa stacked set ofchips;  
  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second stacked set of chips;  
  FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the twelve chips of the first stack of chips; and  
  FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the twelve chips of the second set of chips.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illus trated a preferred form of a concentration number board game apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and which is comprised of a game board 11, a first set of chips 12, and a second set of chips 13.  
  The game board 11 is of a flat rectangular shaped configuration having a top playing surface 2|, a bottom surface 22, opposed side edges 23 and 24, and opposed end edges 25 and 26. For ease in carrying and transporting ofthe game it is preferable that the game board be divided into adjacent half portions 27 and 28 with the portions being connected along hinge line 29 to permit folding thereof such that playing surfaces 2] of portions 27 and 28 are disposed in face-to-face juxtaposition when the playing board is folded in half. The game board may be manufactured out of a variety of suitable satisfactory materials such as compressed fiberboard, plastic, hard rubber, wood, metal, and the like. The top surface 21 of the game board is provided with playing indicia thereon, as will be later described, this playing indicia being formed on the game board in any convenient manner. such as by being molded therein, imprinted thereon, imprinted on decals or stickers and applied thereto, and the like.  
  The half portion 27 of the game board is provided with a first row of twelve squares 31 which extends longitudinally of the game board along side edge 23 between opposite ends 25 and 26. Disposed parallel to and adjacent to row 31 is a second row of twelve squares 32 which extends completely across the game board between the opposite ends 25 and 26 thereof with each square of row 32 being transversely aligned with an associated square of first row 31. Disposed adjacent the end of row 32 adjacent end 25 is a set offour penalty squares 33 which extend from row 32 transversely of the board in the direction of center fold line 29. Disposed centrally of the half portion 27 adjacent fold line 29 and extending parallel to rows 31 and 32 is a row of six center squares 34 which are disposed intermediate ends 25 and 26.  
  The half portion 28 is similarly provided with a first row of twelve squares 41 extending along side edge 24. a second row of 12 squares 42 extending along row 41,  
 a set of four penalty squares 43 extending along game board end 26, and a row of six center squares 44 disposed in confronting aligned relationship with center squares 34.  
  The sets ofchips or playing pieces 12 and 13 are each identical in size and configuration and are preferably of a flat circular disc-like configuration. with the sets being distinguished from each other by being of different colors. for example, as seen in the drawings. set 12 is designated as being blue in color with set 13 being designated as being red in color. it is to be understood that any colors may be used in designating the differences between the sets ofthe chips. The set ofchips 12 consists of 12 chips 51-62 with the chips being num bered on one face thereof with the numerals [-12 respectively and with the back surfaces of each chip being identical in appearance. Similarly. the set of chips 13 consists of chips 71-82 with each of the chips being numbered on the face surfaces thereof with the numerals 1-12 respectively and with the back surface of each of the chips being identical in appearance.  
  In play of the game each of the players receives one set of the chips with each player then placing their set of chips face down on the table or playing surface, mixing the chips up. and then placing each of the chips on one of the squares of the first row of squares 31 or 41. depending upon which player is being discussed. such that row 31 has l2 chips spaced therealong in the re spective squares thereof and with row 41 having the other set of chips spaced in the squares therealong. In this regard it is to be understood that prior to play of the game each of the players is assigned one of the board half portions 27 and 28 which is henceforth referred to as the players game portion of the board.  
  A coin is then flipped to see which player will go first, after which each player will go in successive turns of rotation with each player taking a single turn at a time. The starting player will take one chip from any of the squares of his board found in the first row thereof, show the number ol&#39;that chip to the opposing player and then place the selected chip on any square of the player&#39;s second row 32 or 42 in a face down manner to conceal the number on the face thereof. The opponent player then does likewise with one of his chips.  
  in the second move of the starting player. the player takes a chip from his first row, displays the number thereon to the opponent and then places the chip face down on the second row in a square next to the placement of the first chip. If desired, at this point of play in the game and for all further moves it may be decided between the players that each time a chip is removed from the first row and placed on the second row adja cent the chip previously placed thereon. that the previ ously placed chip would be skipped over the adjacent chip to the next empty square on the opposite side of the last placed chip in the second row. in this manner the numbers of the chips and their relative placement in the second row will be harder for the opponent and players to remember. thus increasing the skill and mental effort required by the players during the play of the game since the players must keep many numbers and positions in mind and be prepared to match their chips to the chips of the opponent from beginning of play of the game in order to win the game. However, it is most likely that children from the ages of 6 to l() should avoid such jumping ofchips on the second row to make the game more interesting and easier to play for such children who may have great difficulty in remembering the numbers on the pieces and placement thereof if skipping were permitted on the second row.  
  From the start of the game the players attempt to match one of their numbered chips with a correspond ing numbered chip of the opponents as soon as chips appear on the second row. He selects a numbered chip from his second row, turns the chip over, and then selects a chip from the opponents second row which is then also turned over. If the numbers match then the player captures the opponents chip, places his chip on top of the opponent&#39;s chip with the numbers facing upwardly. and then places the set of two chips on one of his center squares 34 or 44. However. should the player fail to match his chip with an opponents chip, his chip is then removed from the second row and placed in one of the penalty squares 33 or 43 with the opponent placing the unmatched chip back on the opponents first row on the game board in any square thereon.  
  Play continues in alternate successive moves until one of the players has the most chips. or has four sets of chips disposed in the center squares. at which time that player is declared the winner. Alternatively, play continues until one of the players has four chips in his penalty squares 33 or 43, at which time that player hecomes a loser and the opponent becomes the winner. Further, if a tie occurs then the player with the least penalty squares is declared the winner. The game is completed when all chips are removed from a players first row, at which time a winner is declared. Should a player fill all six center squares. then such player is declared as having accomplished a Grand Slam.  
  lt is to be understood that the rules of play of the game may be somewhat varied among the players. this being as envisioned within the scope of the present invcntion.  
  It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same. and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. the scope of the novel concepts thereof. or the scope of the subjoined claims.  
  Having thus described the invention. what is claimed is:  
  l. A concentration number board game apparatus comprising:  
 a game board having a flat top playing surface, a flat bottom surface. opposed longitudinally extending side edges. and opposed transversely extending end edges;  
 the game board being divided in half along its longi tudinal axis between said end edges into two sepa rate portions to provide identical opposing game playing portions for two individual players of the game.  
 hinge means connecting together the two separate game board portions along said dividing line to permit folding of the game board onto itself for ease of storage and transportation;  
 a first row of twelve side-by-side squares extending completely along the associated side edge of each halfof said game board top surface between opposite end edges of the game board;  
 a second row oftwelve squares extending adjacent to said first row between opposite ends of each half of said game board top surface with each square of said second row in transverse alignment with an associated square of said first row;  
 a set of four penalty squares provided on each half of said game board top surface adjacent one end of said second row of squares thereon;  
 a longitudinally extending set of six squares disposed on each half of said game board top surface extend ing parallel to said associated first and second rows of squares and disposed intermediate said opposite end edges of said game board top surface and spaced transversely from said associated second row of squares;  
 the grouping of playing squares on each half of the game board top surface being identical when that particular half portion is viewed from the associ ated side edge thereof;  
 a first set of playing pieces;  
 a second set of playing pieces distinguishable from said first set of playing pieces;  
 each of said playing pieces in said first and said second sets of playing pieces being identical in size and configuration with each of a size to be completely received within the boundary of an associ ated square on said playing surface when the playing piece is placed thereon;  
 each playing piece being of a flat circular configuration having a flat face surface, a flat back surface. and a circular peripheral edge surface:  
 each set of playing pieces including a total number of 12 playing pieces therein;  
 each playing piece of each set of playing pieces being numbered with the numerals 1 through 12 respectively on said face surface thereof for clearly identifying each playing piece of each set from each other playing piece of the same set;  
 the back surface of each of said playing pieces of each set being identical in appearance to each other so as to be non-distinguishable when said playing pieces are rested in a face down manner on said game board to conceal said numeral marked thereon; and  
 the playing pieces of said first set of playing pieces being ofa different color than the playing pieces of said second set of playing pieces to provide ease of readily distinguishing the first set from the second