Patent Publication Number: US-4150829-A

Title: Game apparatus

Description:
The present invention relates to amusement devices and games of skills, and more particularly to a game apparatus that may be played by two or more players and which generally requires logical deduction and memory to be played skillfully. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Amusement devices and games of skills and chance have long been played and enjoyed by people of all ages. The present invention relates to a game apparatus and game that may be played by two or more players and which generally requires memory, intellect, and logical deduction in order to play the game skillfully and successfully. 
     The game is referred to herein as &#34;LOCK&#34; and basically comprises a game board having two opposed playing areas or stations, each playing area including a plurality of passageways with a spherical object movably stationed adjacent a terminal end of each passageway and movable therefrom into an adjacent drop cavity formed in the game board. The object of the game entails moving the spherical objects located about a respective playing area into the drop cavities. In playing the game, a locking tumbler from a set of various length locking tumblers is placed in each passageways prior to the start of the game. Without knowing which length locking tumblers are located in each passageway of a player&#39;s playing area or side, the player then attempts to unlock each passageway with one key from a set of keys of various lengths. Unlocking is realized when the combined length of the inserted key and the internal locking tumbler is sufficient to cause the locking tumbler to protrude out the terminal end of the respective passageway adjacent the located spherical object so as to cause the spherical object to move into the adjacent drop cavity. One intriguing and interesting aspect of the game arises because the lengths of the keys and the locking tumblers of each set are dimensioned such that certain keys of the key set are only effective to unlock certain locking tumblers of the locking tumbler set. In playing games with the game apparatus of the present invention, scoring can only be achieved by moving a spherical object into an ajacent drop cavity. But because of the varying difficulties of unlocking certain locking tumblers, it is contemplated that &#34;key points&#34; would be awarded for each score, and the &#34;key points&#34; awarded for each score would preferably increase with the level of difficulty for achieving an unlock state with a certain key of the key set. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus and game that is interesting and challenging and which requires the utilization of memory, intellect and logical deduction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus and game that can be played and enjoyed by individuals of a wide age group, including children, adults, and young adults. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus having a game board and associated playing components that is simple in construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the game apparatus of the present invention with a portion thereof being broken away to better illustrate an internal portion of the game apparatus. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a set of keys that form a part of the game apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a set of locking tumblers that also form a part of a game apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the game apparatus and game board of the present invention illustrating a key engaging a locking tumbler within a passageway to successfully move an object from an initial locked position to an unlocked or scoring position within a drop cavity. 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the game apparatus of the present invention with a top portion thereof being removed to illustrate the position of the objects, locking tumblers, and keys after a game has been played. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a master key and a dead bolt locking tumbler that comprise alternate game components for the game apparatus of the present invention. 
    
    
     THE GAME APPARATUS 
     With further reference to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, the game apparatus of the present invention is shown therein and comprises a game board or structure, indicated generally by the numeral 10. Before dealing with the particulars of a game that may be played by use of the game apparatus and its various playing components, the discussion will first deal with the structure of the game apparatus and its various playing components. 
     In this regard, game board 10, constructed of wood, plastic, or any other suitable material, includes two playing areas, indicated generally by the numerals 12 and 14, respectively, and wherein the particular playing ares are opposingly disposed such that one or more players during the course of the game will be stationed on one side of the game board 10 while the other opposing player or players will be stationed on the other side. Game board 10 comprises a base 16 having two playing side areas 18 and 20 with a shield or blinder 22 and 24 secured to the outer upper edge of respective playing sides 18 and 20 and extending angularly therefrom. 
     Extending through the game board 10 are a plurality of passageways or playing slots 26 that extend longitudinally through the elevated side areas 18 and 20 and are of a generally cylindrical bore. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the drawings, there are seven passageways formed in each side 18 and 20 of the game board 10, each passageway having an inlet end 28 beginning about the outer end or edge of the game board and extending through the elevated side to where an outlet end 30 is defined. For purposes of reference, the passageways or playing slots are identified by references A, B, C, D, E, F and G about an intermediate board area 32 that is disposed about a level just below the top of the sides 18 and 20. 
     As seen in the drawings, the passageways 26 of each side area are generally aligned and in fact as illustrated in the drawings the passageways or playing slots continue about the intermediate board area 32 in the form of a generally semi-cylindrical indention. 
     Transversely aligned across the intermediate board area 32 adjaceng both side areas 12 and 14 are a set of drop cavities 34, each drop cavity being disposed adjacent and in alignment with a terminal or outlet end 30 of the respective passageways 26. 
     The game apparatus of the present invention is provided with at least two sets of locking tumblers, and in the case of a preferred embodiment as disclosed herein, each locking tumbler set includes a plurality of seven locking tumblers, all of a varying length and each referred to by the numeral 38. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the locking tumblers 38 illustrated therein are each designated by a number and in the case of the seven locking tumblers shown therein the locking tumblers are denoted by Nos. 1 through 7. It is seen that the length of the locking tumblers 38 progressively increase in length from locking tumblers No. 1 to locking tumbler No. 2 and so on through locking tumbler No. 7. 
     Shown in FIG. 3 adjacent the set of locking tumblers is a set of keys. The set of keys includes a plurality of seven keys, each being referred to by the numeral 40 and since each is of a different length they are, as with the locking tumblers, denoted by a number. Key No. 1 is the shorter of the keys of the key set and each successive numbered key thereafter is slightly longer than the preceding numbered key. The game apparatus of the present invention would include at least two sets of keys and two sets of locking tumblers, one set for each player or team of players. 
     From subsequent portions of this disclosure, the relationship of the various length keys 40 to the various length locking tumblers 38 will be explained in greater detail, and especially how they interplay during the course of a game played with the game apparatus of the present invention. 
     The game apparatus of the present invention is also provided with a plurality of objects or men, referred to by the numeral 44. Each object is, in the case of the preferred embodiment disclosed, a spherical object and can be a small ball object or a marble. During the course of the game, a set of spherical objects or marbles 44 are transversely aligned with the terminal end 30 of respective passageways 26 and are generally disposed between that terminal end and the adjacent drop cavity 34, as illustrated in FIG. 5. 
     THE GAME &#34;LOCK&#34; 
     With the game apparatus of the present invention, a game can be played by two or more people and can appropriately be termed &#34;LOCK&#34;. When played by two players, one version of the game &#34;LOCK&#34; can be played by issuing to each player a set of locking tumblers and a set of keys corresponding to those illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. First, each player places each of the series of seven locking tumblers 38 into various passageways 26 about the opposing player&#39;s side of the playing board. It is noted that there are seven passageways 26 on each side of the board and seven locking tumblers 38. Therefore, each passageway will have a respective locking tumbler inserted therein. The locking tumblers 38 are inserted in random fashion and during the course of inserting the locking tumblers the blinders or shields 22 and 24 keep an opposing player or team from seeing which locking tumblers are placed in which passageways. It should be pointed out that because of the various length of the locking tumblers 38, that each should be inserted such that the outer end stops or terminates with the outer side of the playing board or the inlet end 28 of the respective passageways 26. 
     After each player has inserted the locking tumblers into a side of a playing board, the players should note or at least remember which locking tumbler is placed in which passageway. Then, the game board 10 is rotated 180 degrees to where the locking tumblers placed in the game board by each opposing player now directly faces the other player. 
     The game is begun by determining who moves first and this can be done by any number of ways such as drawing from a set of keys 40 to see which player or team draws a longer or shorter key. After this has been determined, the game is ready to be played and it is the object of each player to insert respective keys 40 of his or her key set, shown in FIG. 3, into respective passageways 26 on his side of the game board in an effort to move an internally contained locking tumbler from an initial locked position to an unlocked position which corresponds to causing the object 44 adjacent the terminal end of that respective passageway to move and drop into an adjacent drop cavity 34. Of importance is the fact that the different locking tumblers, i.e., locking tumblers Nos. 1 through 7, are each progressively longer than a preceding locking tumbler number, and because of the various length of the keys 40 of the key set shown in FIG. 3, not all keys of the key set will be effective to unlock all of the locking tumblers. 
     In the case of the sets of keys and locking tumblers of FIGS. 3 and 4, the following table sets forth which locking tumbler each key will effectively unlock and suggest the awarding of certain &#34;key points&#34; for unlocking particular locking tumblers with a certain key. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
      LOCKING TUMBLER OR                                                  
      TUMBLERS WHICH MAY                                                  
      BE UNLOCKED BY A   SUGGESTED KEY                                    
KEY   PARTICULAR KEY     POINTS AWARDED                                   
______________________________________                                    
No. 1 No. 7              7                                                
No. 2 No. 6, No. 7       6                                                
No. 3 No. 5, No. 6, No. 7                                                 
                         5                                                
No. 4 No. 4, No. 5, No. 6,                                                
                         4                                                
      No. 7                                                               
No. 5 No. 3, No. 4, No. 5,                                                
                         3                                                
      No. 6, No. 7                                                        
No. 6 No. 2, No. 3, No. 4,                                                
                         2                                                
      No. 5, No. 6, No.7                                                  
No. 7 No. 1, No. 2, No. 3                                                 
      No. 4, No. 5, No. 6,                                                
      No. 7                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Thus, it is appreciated that in order to effectively unlock a locking tumbler 38, the combined length of an inserted key and the locking tumbler of a particular passageway must be at least a certain length. In the case of the embodiment illustrated above, it is seen that key No. 4 of the key set will not unlock locking tumbler No. 2 of the locking tumbler set. But, it is seen that key No. 4 will unlock locking tumblers Nos. 4, 5, 6, and 7. 
     It is also appreciated from the above table that the shorter the key, the more difficult it becomes to unlock a locking tumbler in a passageway on a pure random basis. Accordingly, as the difficulty increases, the &#34;key points&#34; awarded likewise increase. 
     In inserting a key into a passageway 26, the key should only be inserted a depth to where the object 44 drops into the drop cavity 34 or until the stop ring 42 of the key engages the edge of the game board. This will prohibit the opponent from knowing exactly what key has been inserted in a particular passageway 26. In a contemplated version of the game &#34;lock&#34;, the player inserting a particular key should be appraised of which locking tumbler is in that particular slot when in fact an unlocked situation results from playing a particular key. This information can be furnished by the opponent, or in the alternative indicia may be placed on each key such that the depth of insertion will automatically indicate what tumbler has been unlocked. 
     To better appreciate the game &#34;LOCK&#34; and a contemplated method of scoring, reference is made to FIG. 6 that illustrates the game apparatus of the present invention and the playing components thereof after a game has been played. Note that the player playing side 12 has unlocked the locking tumblers 38 in passageways or playing slots A, C, D, E and G of the game board 10. The opposing player, playing side 14, has unlocked locking tumblers 38 in playing slots B, D, E and F. In scoring, one point (a base point) is awarded a player for each playing slot where a locking tumbler is unlocked and the associated object assumes a position in an adjacent drop cavity, and where the opposing player&#39;s object for that same slot remains in a locked position. Where in one playing slot, the objects 44 of both players remain locked or unlocked, a tie is declared and no points are awarded. In accordance with this, the player&#39;s playing side 12 is awarded three base points based on the fact that in playing slots A, C and G the object 44 on his side of the game board has been unlocked while the opposing player&#39;s object in each of these slots remains locked. Likewise, the player playing side 12 is awarded two base points due to the unlocked situation that exists in playing slots B and F, because in each of these slots that player&#39;s object 44 has been unlocked while the opposing objects 44 of the same slots remain unlocked. 
     With the base score just referred to, i.e., three points for the player playing side 12 and two points for the player playing side 14, there is added &#34;key points&#34; for each slot where a base point has been scored. In accordance with the suggested scoring table outlined hereinbefore, with respect to the player playing side 12, it is seen that the unlocked result of slot A was achieved with a No. 6 key and consequently two &#34;key points&#34; is awarded for this, one &#34;key point&#34; is awarded for the No. 7 key utilized in slots C and three &#34;key points&#34; are awarded for the No. 5 key utilized in slot G. Therefore, the player playing side 12 is awarded a total of six &#34;key points&#34; that are combined with the three base points and which yield a total of nine points. 
     The player playing side 14 achieved an unlocked situation in slots B and F. In slot B a No. 5 key was utilized and three &#34;key points&#34; are awarded for this, and in slot F a No. 6 key was utilized and two &#34;key points&#34; are awarded for this. This gives the player playing side 14 a total of five &#34;key points&#34; which combine with the two base points give a total of seven points. Therefore, in this suggested or contemplated method of scoring, the player playing side 12 wins the game by a score of nine to seven. It should be noted that in this contemplated or suggested method of scoring, that no &#34;key points&#34; are awarded in slots that result in a tie which, as noted above, results when both players objects 44 of a particular slot are unlocked or remain locked. 
     With reference to FIG. 7, an alternate master key 46 and an alternate dead bolt locking tumbler 48 are shown. These two playing pieces may be used in an alternate game that may be played with the game apparatus of the present invention. In this case, the master key 46 will unlock all of the aforementioned locking tumblers 38 of the set shown in FIG. 4. In addition, it is seen that when using the master key 46 it is of sufficient length that when inserted within a respective passageway 26 that its remote end will project to the opposite side of the game board 10 and in accordance with proposed rules is effective to block and completely prohibit the opposing player from unlocking the object 44 on his side of the playing board in that same playing slot. 
     With respect to the dead bolt locking tumbler 48, it is of a particular length that is so short that not any one of the keys of the set shown in FIG. 3 would effectively unlock such when in a passageway 26. In an alternate game format, it is contemplated that each player would be issued both a master key 46 and a dead bolt 48, but it is suggested that each player be allowed to use only one of the two. Because the dead bolt must be inserted prior to the actual playing of the keys, it follows that a decision as to which is to be used must be made before the game proceeds. It is suggested that no &#34;key points&#34; be awarded for the use of a master key 46, but only a base point awarded for unlocking an object in a particular playing slot. In playing the game in this alternate game format, the master key may be substituted for any other key in the key set. Also, the opponent should not be aware of whether or not a player has used a dead bolt or master key 46 until the fact is actually revealed during the course of the game. 
     The game apparatus of the present invention can be played by more than two players by placing two or more game boards together. For example, two game board corresponding to that shown in the drawings can be placed side by side to accommodate four players, two on each side. In such case the players alternate in making the plays and the score is added up in the same manner as suggested above and a team score is reached by adding the individual scores of the players for each team. 
     From the foregoing specification, it is clear that the game board apparatus of the present invention presents a game board and game that is intriguing and fascinating. The particular relationship of the various length keys 40 and locking tumblers 38 and the aspect of awarding &#34;key points&#34; gives the game a character that rewards intelligence, memory and deductive logic. It should be noted, that although a suggested scoring scheme has been outlined above, that the game apparatus and the components thereof of the present invention can be utilized to play games such as the game &#34;LOCK&#34; and that the rules of scoring can be altered as desired from that suggested above. 
     The present invention, of course, may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range are intended to be embraced herein.