Patent Publication Number: US-7900925-B2

Title: Strategic pattern building board game

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a game assembly, and more particularly to a board game that involves abstract strategy pattern building for competition between two or more players. 
     For centuries board games have been an extremely popular form of entertainment for people of all ages. These types of games have been designed both for a single player and for competition between two or more players. Many games, such as Yahtzee™, mainly involve chance. Many games, such as backgammon, involve a combination of chance and skill, and many games, such as chess, mainly involve skill. 
     The present invention relates to games of skill that involve a competition between two or more players to build a desired pattern on the game board while preventing the other players from building the desired pattern. Popular games of this genre include Pente, gomoku, renju, and Milton Bradley&#39;s™ Score Four™. 
     Since 1974, the genre of pattern building games has included the very popular game of Connect Four™, a game also published by Milton Bradley™. A much older version of Connect Four™ is known as “The Captain&#39;s Mistress”. 
     Connect Four™ is a two player game in which the players take turns dropping alternating colored discs into a seven column, six row vertically suspended matrix. The object of the game is to connect four singly-colored discs in a row, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, before one&#39;s opponent can do likewise. Connect Four™ was created for players age seven and older and has an expected playing time of ten minutes. However, Connect Four™ is limited because only two players can play, because the suspended matrix only allows a player to insert the colored discs into a single plane, and because only one type of disc is used. Consequently, the difficulty and the enjoyment of the game are limited. 
     An abstract strategy pattern building game having a vertically suspended matrix that allows game pieces to be dropped into multiple planes, that uses varying types of game pieces, and that allows for more than two players is unknown in the prior art. Accordingly, it would be desirable to create a game that presents a variation in the aforementioned variables because the difficulty and the level of enjoyment of such a game would increase. The invention discussed in connection with the described embodiment addresses these and other deficiencies of the prior art. 
     The features and advantages of the present invention will be explained in or apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment considered together with the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the deficiencies of the prior art of abstract strategy pattern building games by expanding the limitations of a number of factors that are characteristic of that prior art. Particularly, the number of players that can play the game together is increased; the number of the dimensions in which patterns can be built is increased; the number of types of games pieces used is increased; consequently, the difficulty and the level of enjoyment of the prior art is increased. 
     While the prior art presents abstract strategy pattern building games for between two and four players and for pattern building in multiple dimensions, the prior art has not done so by presenting a game board assembly with a number of different types of game pieces that allow the players to simultaneously build patterns in more than one dimension. 
     A described embodiment of the invention provides a game board assembly as a vertically suspended matrix having multiple planes in which to build patterns by inserting game pieces (playing markers) into one or more of a number of planes. The described embodiment provides two types of game pieces, one for inserting the game piece into a single plane and one for inserting a game piece into multiple planes. 
     More particularly, the abstract strategy pattern building board game comprises a first wall having a multiplicity of first apertures and a second wall having a multiplicity of second apertures juxtaposed relative to said first wall. There is a multiplicity of first channels disposed along said first wall for receiving playing markers and a multiplicity of second channels disposed along said second wall for receiving playing markers. A plurality of dividers intermediate said first wall and said second wall define said multiplicity of first channels and said multiplicity of second channels. Said plurality of dividers are disposed to form a multiplicity of gaps defined by spaces between said multiplicity of first channels and said multiplicity of second channels. 
     The described embodiment further has two sets of playing markers. One set is such that a playing marker slides into either a first channel or a second channel. The second set is such that a playing marker simultaneously slides into a first channel, a second channel, and the gap between the first channel and the second channel. For each type of playing marker, there is a plurality of sets distinguishable by color. By sliding the playing markers into the channels, the players build patterns inside the vertically suspended matrix. 
     The described embodiment also has a first bracket and a second bracket slideably mounted to the top and the bottom of the vertically suspended matrix that are used to open and close the described channels. Thus, the brackets are used to allow the playing markers to slide into and out of the matrix and to hold the markers inside the matrix during game play and storage. 
     Lastly, the described embodiment has a foldable stand to support the matrix in an upright position. When the stand is unfolded it forms a compartment for catching the sets of playing markers. The stand then refolds to facilitate storage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the claims. The invention itself, as well as the preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, is best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of the game assembly with the slideably mounted bracket in a closed position and the supporting stand in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 1B  shows the slideably mounted bracket in an open position. 
         FIG. 1C  shows a perspective view of the game assembly with the supporting stand in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 2  shows an isolated view of the hinge mechanism used in the supporting stand. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the top of the game assembly. 
         FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  show the two different types of playing markers described. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the game assembly and playing markers prepared for storing or transporting. 
         FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show a perspective view of the bottom of the game assembly with the supporting stand folded. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the game assembly during game play. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the abstract strategy pattern building board game.  FIG. 1A  shows the board game comprising a first wall  10  having a multiplicity of first apertures  12  and a second wall  14  having a multiplicity of second apertures  16  juxtaposed relative to said first wall  10 . This figure shows said first wall  10  and said second wall  14  forming a vertically suspended matrix. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the top of the game assembly.  FIG. 3  shows a multiplicity of first channels  26   a - g  disposed along said first wall  10  for receiving playing markers and a multiplicity of second channels  28   a - g  disposed along said second wall  14  for receiving playing markers. 
       FIG. 4A  shows a set of first playing markers  34  that are loosely receivable by said multiplicity of first channels  26   a - g  and said multiplicity of second channels  28   a - g . In the preferred embodiment, the game comprises a plurality of sets of first playing markers  34  wherein each set of first playing markers  34  is distinguishably identifiable from any other set of first playing markers  34 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4A , a first playing marker  34  is a round disc that has dimensions allowing it to fit into a first channel  26   a - g  or a second channel  28   a - g . Preferably, the sets of first playing markers  34  are distinguishably identifiable by each set having a different color. The number of different colored sets corresponds to the number of allowed players. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the game further comprises a plurality of dividers  30   a - h  intermediate said first wall  10  and said second wall  14  defining said multiplicity of first channels  26   a - g  and said multiplicity of second channels  28   a - g . Said plurality of dividers  30   a - h  are disposed to form a multiplicity of gaps defined by spaces between said multiplicity of first channels  26   a - g  and said multiplicity of second channels  28   a - g.    
       FIG. 4B  shows a set of second playing markers  36  that are loosely receivable by said multiplicity of first channels  26   a - g  and said multiplicity of second channels  28   a - g  and said gaps defined by spaces between said multiplicity of first channels  26   a - g  and said multiplicity of second channels  28   a - g . In the preferred embodiment, the game comprises a plurality of sets of second playing markers  36  wherein each set of second playing markers  36  is distinguishably identifiable from any other set of second playing markers  36 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , a second playing marker  36  has dimensions, herein spool shaped i.e. two layers thick, allowing it to fit into said multiplicity of first channels  26   a - g  and said multiplicity of second channels  28   a - g  and said gaps defined by spaces between said multiplicity of first channels  26   a - g  and said multiplicity of second channels  28   a - g . The second playing markers  36  may also be referred to as blockers, and being provided as such, can change the outcome of the game by blocking opponents moves. Preferably, the sets of second playing markers  36  are distinguishably identifiable by each set having a different color. The number of different colored sets corresponds to the number of allowed players. 
     In a preferred embodiment the matrix is vertically suspended to facilitate receiving the playing markers  34 ,  36  and transparent to facilitate viewing the markers; however the matrix may be provided as opaque for example with enlarged apertures  12 ,  16 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , a preferred embodiment further comprises a first bracket  18  that is slideably mounted to said first wall  10  and said second wall  14 .  FIG. 1B  also shows the first bracket  18 . This first bracket  18  is preferably mounted to slide between an open position and a closed position. When the first bracket  18  is in the open position, a first playing marker  34  or a second playing marker  36  may be inserted into the channels. When the first bracket  18  is in the closed position, a first playing marker  34  or a second playing marker  36  may not be inserted into the channels.  FIG. 1A  shows the first bracket  18  in the closed position.  FIG. 1B  shows the first bracket  18  in the open position. The open position facilitates game play, and the closed position facilitates storage and transport. 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show a perspective view of the bottom of the game assembly. Similarly to the first bracket  18 ,  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show a preferred embodiment that further comprises a second bracket  40  that is slideably mounted to said first wall  10  and said second wall  14  on the bottom of the game assembly. This second bracket  40  is preferably mounted to slide between an open position and a closed position. When the second bracket  40  is in the open position, a first playing marker  34  or a second playing marker  36  that was inserted into the channels will fall out of the channels. When the second bracket  40  is in the closed position, a first playing marker  34  or a second playing marker  36  will not fall out of the channels.  FIG. 6A  shows the second bracket  40  in the open position.  FIG. 6B  shows the second bracket  40  in the closed position. The closed position facilitates game play, storage, and transport, and the open position facilitates emptying the game assembly to begin game play. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 1A , a preferred embodiment further comprises a foldable stand  20  to support said vertically suspended matrix. The foldable stand  20  as shown is attached to the sides of the game assembly with vertical supports  42  that are further attached to a hinge mechanism  22  that facilitates folding and holding the foldable stand  20  in a folded position or an unfolded position.  FIG. 1C  shows the foldable stand  20  in the folded position. When the foldable stand  20  is in the unfolded position, the stand forms a compartment  24  for catching said sets of first playing markers  34  and said sets of second playing markers  36 . Thus, when the second bracket  40  is moved from the closed position to the open position, any playing markers in the game apparatus will fall into the compartment  24 .  FIG. 2  shows an isolated view of a prototypical hinge mechanism  22  used in the supporting stand. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the game assembly and playing markers prepared for storing or transporting. This figure displays the first bracket  18  and the second bracket  40  in a closed position, preventing the playing markers  34 ,  36  from falling out of the game apparatus. This figure also shows the foldable stand  20  in the folded position, thus showing the game apparatus holding all the playing markers  34 ,  36  in a compact form that is useful for storing or transporting the game. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the game assembly during game play. This figure is shown with the first bracket  18  in the open position so that the players may insert the playing markers into the channels. The second bracket  40  is in the closed position to prevent the playing markers from falling out of the bottom of the game apparatus during game play. The foldable stand  20  is unfolded to catch and contain the playing markers when the second bracket  40  is moved into the open position after a game is completed.  FIG. 7  also shows the distinguishable sets of first playing markers  34  either in a first channel  26   a - g  or a second channel  28   a - g  and the distinguishable sets of second playing markers  36  filling the channels and the gaps. 
     The remainder of this description details an example of the game play of the preferred embodiment. The example described is for two to four players ages six and older. 
     The object of the game is to take turns dropping the playing markers into the vertically suspended matrix to create a line of four identically colored playing markers in a row either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in a single plane, or across both planes. The object of the game can also be accomplished by weaving four identically colored playing markers between two sides of the matrix. If two of the same color first playing markers are in the same position but in different planes, this only counts as one of the four required in a row. 
     The contents include the vertically suspended matrix and four groups of playing markers, each group having a unique color. Each group of playing markers includes sixteen first playing markers  34  and two second playing markers  36 . 
     The game apparatus initially appears as shown in  FIG. 5 . Referring back to  FIG. 1A , a player must hold the apparatus in a vertical position and move the foldable stand  20  to the unfolded position. The game apparatus will support itself in a vertical position. A player then moves the first bracket  18  from the closed position to the open position and the second bracket  40  from the closed position to the open position. The stored game markers will fall into the compartment  24 . A player must then move the second bracket  40  back to the closed position. Next, each player takes all the playing markers of a single color for use during the game. If four players are playing, each player only gets one second playing marker  36 . 
     The youngest player goes first and play passes to the left. On each turn, a player must drop either a first playing marker  34  or a second playing marker  36  into the matrix. A first playing marker  34  can be dropped into either a first channel  26   a - g  or a second channel  28   a - g . A second playing marker  36  can only be dropped simultaneously into a first channel  26   a - g , a second channel  28   a - g , and the gap between the two channels. When a player uses a second playing marker  36 , that player may leave empty matrix spaces below that playing marker. Play continues until one player wins by creating a line of four identically colored playing markers in a row either horizontally, vertically or diagonally. This may also be accomplished by weaving between two sides of the matrix. 
     To start another game, one must clear the matrix by moving the second bracket  40  to the open position, allowing the playing markers to fall into the compartment  24 . Then, a player must move the second bracket  40  back to the closed position, divide the playing markers between the players and start the game again. 
     When finished playing, one can prepare the game for storing or transporting by placing the playing markers into the matrix with the second bracket  40  in the closed position, moving the first bracket  18  to the closed position and moving the foldable stand  20  to the folded position. 
     It should be appreciated that a wide range of changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment as described herein. It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. While there has been illustrated and described a particular embodiment of the apparatus, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover those changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present apparatus.