Patent Publication Number: US-6655687-B2

Title: Arrangement for table game boards

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of this invention is the manufacture of toys and accessories for table games. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The applicant is aware of the existence of a Utility Model applied for in Spain with No. 224,341 on Nov. 9, 1976 under the name of Jose Salazar Fernandez, called the ABILITY GAME. 
     The mentioned ability game consists of a vertical board formed by two rectangular parallel sides aligned with each other and separated by several parallel and vertical partition walls. Flat and vertical passages were thereby configured, and in each one there were transversely passing holes arranged symmetrically. 
     The upper horizontal edge of the game board is open while the lower horizontal edge is closed by a bottom which can slide to one edge to permit lower removal of game disks. Alternatively, the game disks introduced by the two players in the various vertical channels can be removed by shaking the board. 
     The invention in question has game disks in two different colors, 21 for each player, the number of disks being similar to the number of perforations existing in the rear and front faces of the board. The game disks have a size suitable for the width of the channels or passages and a thickness according to the separation the two parallel sides or faces. The diameter of the holes in registration on the front and rear faces and their separation corresponding to the diameter of the game disks, permits the disks to be visible and therefore observable by both players so that each player may try to prevent the opponent from placing four game disks in a straight line consecutively in a horizontal, vertical or inclined position. 
     However, the applicant is unaware of the current existence of a board for table games having an arrangement such that internal obstacles not visible to either player cause deviations in the expected vertical path of the game disks to cause transference to alternate channels and even to penetrate blind channels. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The present specification relates to an improved arrangement for table game boards. The improvement over table game boards known as “four in a line” lies in a series of challenges which involve the heightened awareness of the players requiring memory, reflexes and personal initiative to overcome the impediments presented by internal curved protrusions, blind channels, and deviation ramps which cause game disks introduced by players lacking concentration to pass to unintended areas. By concentrating, a player can compensate for these internal deviations to achieve the final purpose of locating the four of the game disks in the alignment necessary to win the game. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The improved arrangement for table game boards proposed by this invention provides novel features which obliges the players to exhibit constant concentration in order to play in a competitive manner. 
     More specifically, the game board of this invention while externally similar in configuration to known game boards, has internal channels with curved protrusions and occasional open spaces between them such that a game disk may be deviated from the channel into which it were introduced into an adjacent channel. In addition, curved protrusions in the bottom may cause a game disk to pass to a next one. 
     Likewise, the partition walls may have curved protrusions causing the game disk introduced in a descending vertical direction to pass automatically to the adjacent channel and from this, to remain in position if blocked by previously placed game disks in the bottom, or if free to move, to pass down some steps toward the lower area. 
     Likewise, at least one blind channel has been arranged such that the player introducing a disk in it will practically lose it. 
     Also, the lower area has a ramp which, through openings in the channel walls, may cause a game disk introduced in a channel situated on the right to pass to the central area or to the lower area of a channel situated three or four columns to the left. 
     The invention also has various support components. It is unloaded through the top edge where the players introduce the game disks. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an improved arrangement for table game boards of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the object represented in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the improved arrangement for table game boards of this invention. Two rectangular face panels  2  and  2 ′ are joined at their ends to two supports  6  and  6 ′ with the help of lugs  5  and  5 ′. This arrangement places face panels  2  and  2 ′ in a vertical position with partition walls  10 ,  11 ,  13 ,  18 ,  20  and  21  therebetween in an interior space of constant depth. 
     The mentioned partitions produce seven vertical channels  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  and  90  numbered from left to right respectively, having a similar width as well as an identical length. 
     Each one of the face panels  2  and  2 ′ has forty-two circular perforations identical to each other and which are in exact registration on face panels  2  and  2 ′. The mentioned channels permit the introduction and sliding of game disks  25  with an appropriate thickness and diameter to slide along the channels. Game disks  25  have diameters slightly greater than perforations  7  and can be moved from one channel to another due to the existence of obstacles, when occurring. 
     Channel  30  located on the left side presents a curved protrusion  8  at the lower left area of the third opening  7 . When game disk  25  hits protrusion  8 , it is displaced to the right whereupon it may pass from channel  30  to channel  40  through a gap between the lower portion of partition  10  and its extension  10 ′. 
     Likewise in the lower area of channel  30  another curved protrusion  24  similar to  8  is placed at the left edge permitting a game disk to pass to another place. 
     Channel  40  has a curved protrusion  9  at a similar height protrusion  8  involving the possible deviation of game disk  25  when introduced in channel  40 . In the lower right area of channel  40 , a curved protrusion  26  is placed similar in function to that numbered  24 . 
     In channel  50 , separated by a longitudinal partition wall  11  there is a curved deviation  12  at the height of the fourth perforation from the upper to the lower area, which automatically guides game disk  25  to the lower area of channel  60 . 
     Channel  60  has a curved deformation at the height of the third perforation in a descending vertical direction, forming a channel that permits the passage of game disk  25  toward channel  70 , channel  60  being separated from  70  by partition wall  18 . Partition wall  13  having straight portion  15  after curved area  14  has in its lower area a straight deviation  16  toward the left forming steps with a partition wall  17  constituting the lower area of partition wall  13 . 
     Partition wall  18 , has a curved deformation  19  which terminates on the left face of partition wall  20  thereby forming a blind end preventing the game disk  25  from being moved. 
     Over partition wall  20 , which is open at its bottom area, there is a gap opening  3  having a curved protrusion  8 ′ which likewise produces the potential of moving game disk  25  toward channel  70 , on being introduced through  80 , there existing in the bottom part of channel  80  a ramp  23  terminating in the lower area of channel  60  to this purpose. A game disk introduced through channel  80  is thus displaced through the lower part ending up in the lower area of channel  60 , if the lower areas of channels  60  and  70  are clear. 
     Finally, channel  90  formed by the upper partition wall  21  parallel to  20  and its extension  22  has a curved protrusion  9 ′ at a similar height to protrusion  8 ′ in channel  80 . 
     As a consequence of the above, it is clearly evident that there exist multiple difficulties to be overcome by the players due to the varied arrangements of obstacles existing inside. 
     It is not considered necessary to further extend this description for anyone skilled in the art to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it. 
     The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the components may be varied, provided that this does not involve an essential change of the invention. 
     The terms in which this specification has been described should always be interpreted in the widest and non-limiting sense.