Abstract:
An improved, modular game board able to interlock together. The improved game board utilizing a number of generally hexagonal main board pieces having key receiving portions provided in their corners. The improved game board further utilizing a number of key portions, and these key portions having appendages able to be received into the key receiving portions for locking the main board pieces together. The improved game board providing a game playing surface which is locked together and which does not have semi-hexagonal game pieces located at the seams between adjoining main board pieces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the connection of two or more adjoining surfaces, and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for connecting adjacent game boards.  
           [0003]    Background Information  
           [0004]    For storage and shipping reasons, many board games utilize game boards of such size that the game board must either be formed of or cut into a number of different pieces. These pieces are then, when the user wishes to play the game, laid upon a playing surface and butted against one another. While some board games are intended to only be utilized in a particular arrangement (side A of board  1  must abut side B of board  2 ), other games allow for any side of any board to be abutted against any side of any other board, thereby allowing for variation in game play. In one example of such a board game, a pair of four sided boards would be utilized. Thus, the maximum possible orientations and variations of the game (based upon the arrangement of two game boards having four sides each) are sixteen.  
           [0005]    More recent games utilize a hexagonal, tiled pattern applied to the surface of the rectangular game board, this pattern representing places in which a player or players can move. Examples of such game boards ( 2 ,  4 ) are shown in FIG. 1. Each of these individual hexagons are typically colored and/or shaded to represent particular terrain or other features. Thus, a pair of rectangular game boards can be oriented in eight different ways butting one another to form a variety of different game playing surfaces and scenarios. A problem with such rectangular, hexagonal marked game boards is the fact that the pattern located at the border of the game board must be semi-hexagonal in shape. This is really a problem where the adjoined hexagon along the seam consists of two halves, each half comprising a different terrain type. The determination of and remembering which type of terrain controls at such a seam is an annoyance. Also, the resting of a playing piece upon a seam can result in a tendency for the playing piece to fall over.  
           [0006]    While the utilization of hexagonal patterned rectangular playing boards allows for somewhat greater flexibility in the game playing, game developers sought to further increase the flexibility in game play. One manner of achieving this goal was through the creation of individual hexagonal game boards that can be arranged however the user wishes. A general example of such game boards ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ) is shown in FIG. 2. Typically, such game boards would be generally the size of a human hand or smaller and dozens of these game boards would be utilized with a particular game. This great number of hexagons able to be placed in various configurations allows for countless combinations of game boards and greatly increases the variety of game board placement.  
           [0007]    An additional disadvantage in utilization of all of these prior art game boards is the fact that if a player bumps one or more of the game boards during play, or bumps the surface upon which the game boards are placed (the table), the game boards can shift and the players are required to stop game play in order to realign all of the game boards. This is a much greater concern in the hexagonal game board versions, which may use many dozens of small, separate game boards during a particular game layout.  
           [0008]    What is needed is an improved game playing method and apparatus providing for interlocking adjacent game board pieces. What is also needed is an improved game playing method and apparatus providing for a solution to the split seam terrain problem of the prior art. The present invention solves these needs.  
           [0009]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention is an improved method and apparatus of joining two or more adjoining game boards together. While the present invention deals with and discusses a preferred embodiment comprising game boards, it is likewise envisioned that the present invention would alternatively be applicable to other arts, including masonry, tiling, puzzles, designs, flooring, mosaics, brick laying, decorative designs of any physical or computer medium, interlocking panels, etc., and all related arts.  
           [0011]    One embodiment of the present invention is an interlocking game board. This interlocking game board comprising a plurality of generally hexagonal main pieces and a plurality of generally triangular key pieces. Each of said hexagonal main pieces having six sides defining six corners, wherein each comer comprises a locking portion for interfitting (and interlocking) receipt of a key portion of a key piece therein. Each triangular key piece having first, second and third vertexes, wherein each of these vertexes comprise key portions. Each key portion configured for interfitting receipt into one of the main piece locking portions.  
           [0012]    Each key piece is preferably configured through use of said three key portions to connect three main pieces together through interfitting receipt of each key portion into one locking portion on each of said three main pieces.  
           [0013]    Each main piece preferably comprises a first main piece, a second main piece, and a third main piece. A corner is defined between a first side and a second side of each main piece. Preferably, the first main piece first side is configured to contact the second main piece second side, the second main piece first side is configured to contact the third main piece second side, and the third main piece first side is configured to contact the first main piece second side. Preferably, each of the sides are ridged in shape and configured to allow the first side ridges to intermesh with the second side ridges.  
           [0014]    The disadvantages of the prior art include: (1) rectangular and hexagonal board pieces do not interlock; (2) rectangular board pieces may join in only eight different alignments; (3) the rectangular boards cut individual hexagons in half along seams or edges, thus having limited value and cause game playing challenges; and (4) all game boards generally have to be of the same size.  
           [0015]    The benefits of the preferred embodiment of the present invention include: (1) the utilization of game boards that interlock; (2) providing game boards able to join to one another in dozens of different alignments; (3) the elimination of partial playing spaces located at the seams or edges; and (4) the ability to use differently sized game boards together.  
           [0016]    Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first prior art board game.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second prior art board game.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a main piece of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a key piece of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8A is a plan view of a second embodiment of the key piece of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8B is a plan view of a third embodiment of the key piece of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8C is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the key piece of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8D is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the key piece of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8E is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of the key piece of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention showing the use of squaring pieces.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is a plan view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14 is a plan view of a eighth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]    While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.  
         [0036]    FIGS.  1  (prior art) and  2  (prior art) were discussed supra.  
         [0037]    The present invention is an improved game board method and apparatus. Referring initially to FIG. 3, the present invention  10  comprises a number of interlocking keys  40  and main pieces  20 . The keys lock the main pieces together. The number of keys and main pieces shown in FIG. 3 is not intended to be a limitation to the present invention, nor is the shape of the keys or main pieces shown.  
         [0038]    One embodiment of the present invention comprises an interlocking game board, this interlocking game board comprising a plurality of generally polygonal main pieces and a plurality of generally polygonal key pieces. The main pieces comprising at least a first main piece and a second main piece. The main pieces having sides connected at endpoints thereby defining main corners. At least one of the main corners on each main piece comprising a locking portion for interfitting receipt of a key portion of a key piece therein. The polygonal key piece(s) having sides connected at endpoints thereby defining key corners. A first key corner on each key piece comprises a first key portion. A second key corner on each key piece comprises a second key portion. The first key portion for interlocking receipt into the first main piece locking portion. The second key portion for interlocking receipt into the second main piece locking portion.  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, shown is a first embodiment of a main piece  20  of the present invention. The preferred main piece is a polygon, generally hexagonal in shape as shown in the dotted line shown in FIG. 4. This main piece  20  having a plurality of sides  21 ,  23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  29 ,  31  (preferably six), each side having a comer such as that shown in dotted line fashion for the first comer  26  between the first side  21  and the second side  23 . Within this first comer  26 , a key receiving portion  24  for receiving a key portion ( 40 , shown in FIGS.  6 - 7 ) is formed. While the preferred embodiment utilizes a six sided main piece having a key receiving portion  24  located in its comer, other embodiment are also envisioned, including but not limited to main pieces having more than or less than six sides, and locating the key receiving portion  24  at a location other than a comer.  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, shown is one embodiment of a key portion  40  of the present invention. The preferred key portion is a polygon, generally triangular in shape as indicated by the dotted outline shown in FIG. 6. This generally triangular shape defining a first vertex  50 , a second vertex  52 , and a third vertex  54 . The first vertex  50  having defined therein a first key portion  42 , said second vertex  52  having defined therein a second key portion  44 , and said third vertex  54  having defined therein a third key portion  46 . These key portions able to interfit and interlock with the key receiving portions  24  of the main pieces.  
         [0041]    Referring now to FIGS.  8 A- 8 E, shown are some of the potential alternative embodiments of key portions of the present invention. FIG. 8A shows a key  82  having angular key portions  92 . FIG. 8B shows a key  84  having circular key portions  94 . FIG. 8C shows a key  86  having spur-shaped key portions  96 . FIG. 8D shows a key  88  having wedge-shaped key portions  98 . Finally, FIG. 8E shows a key  90  having polygon key portions  100 . These disclosed key portion shapes, and their corollary key receiving portions located on corresponding main portions, are intended as examples and are not intended as limitations of the types, shapes or orientations of key portions.  
         [0042]    Optionally, the key portions could extend from the main portion with the key receiving portions located in the key themselves. Also, the key portions may join symmetrically with the main piece, or be offset.  
         [0043]    Referring now to FIG. 9, shown is an alternative embodiment of the present invention  10 . In comparison to FIG. 3, the main pieces  20  are much larger in FIG. 9 than in FIG. 3, and the key pieces  40  are much smaller in FIG. 9 than in FIG. 3.  
         [0044]    Referring now to FIG. 10, optionally a number of squaring pieces could be provided for forming a straight edge along the periphery of the playing surface. Such squaring pieces could take any form, including the form shown having vertical pieces  60 , horizontal pieces  64 , and corner pieces  62 . Any combination of these pieces could be used and only one type of piece could also be used.  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 11, shown is another alternative embodiment of the present invention  10 . This embodiment utilizes “fat” key portions  42  of the keys  40  in relation to the main piece  20 . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, a relatively small main piece  20  could be used or, as shown in FIG. 14, a relatively large main piece  20 . The various sizes and shape of the present invention may vary.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 12 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment showing a plurality of main pieces  20  joined by a plurality of keys  40 . In this preferred embodiment, one key is configured to be able to lock three main pieces together. The preferred general shape of the main pieces is hexagonal, and the preferred general shape of the keys is triangular. It is preferred that the main pieces and the keys be further formed of or patterned with a plurality of hexagons. It is preferred that a hexagonal pattern, in alignment with this hexagonal form, be applied to the surface of the main pieces and the keys, preferably with a pattern applied thereto. It is likewise preferred that the main pieces be configured to intermesh with one another, thereby eliminating the seam terrain problem of the prior art. Utilization of the preferred embodiment of the present invention produces an infinitely expanding isomorphic hexagon grid. The use of a hexagonal grid causes the naturally occurring travel of path where movement of game pieces can occur in six different directions from any one spot, except along the edges.  
         [0047]    Preferably, the platters, or main pieces, are isomorphic to one another and the keys are isomorphic to one another. Being isomorphic, the keys and main pieces may be joined in many different alignments.  
         [0048]    The combination of interlocking, isomorphic, indefinitely expanding shapes provides for a high level of variation of possible patterns. The variation, possible key sizes, and positions provide further pattern variation. The highly isomorphic attributes and the interchangeability of the board sections create very high variability in the structure and shape of the game board. The infinite expandability allows the game board to be very small to very large, depending upon player wishes. The variability of the comparative size of main pieces to the keys and the keys&#39;ability to be offset rather than symmetric, allows for infinite flexibility in the design of the game, both by the game designers as well as the game players.  
         [0049]    One additional benefit of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is the creation of natural, evenly spaced areas on a game board. These special areas can be presented with special features, thereby allowing for a game board game to be laid out with general terrain features located on the main board pieces with special terrain (or other) features located on the key pieces.  
         [0050]    The interlocking nature of the platters and keys keep the game board firmly intact during game play, preventing both horizontal and vertical shifting. It also allows the board to be in multiple, smaller sections and therefore fits into a smaller container. The configuration of the present invention further allows for various sizes and styles of main boards and keys to be utilized together.  
         [0051]    While the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes generally hexagonal shaped main pieces and generally triangular shaped key pieces, any and all suitable shapes and configurations are also envisioned as part of the present invention. These include triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles, and another shapes.  
         [0052]    There are countless, alternate, less preferred embodiments of the present invention. Some of these other embodiments include rather than locking three or more main pieces together at their respective corners, instead locking a pair of abutting main pieces together through use of a key engaging both main pieces.  
         [0053]    Another embodiment of the present invention is the utilization of a pair of intermeshing main boards without using an interlocking key. This intermeshing, preferably a zigzag hexagonal pattern, allows for increased resistance to accidental movement without physically locking the boards together. This further eliminates the prior art problem of semi-hexagonal seams.  
         [0054]    Another embodiment of the present invention is the utilization of a key to lock two or more adjoining main pieces together, without addressing the semi-hexagonal seam problem of the prior art.  
         [0055]    Another less preferred embodiment of the present invention is the creation of interlocking game boards in general, wherein the key is built into a first game board with the key receiving portion located in the other game board. Such a format of game board is not preferred for the reason that the orientation of the game boards would be limited due to the fixed connection orientation and/or point. However, such an invention is a permutation of the present invention.  
         [0056]    While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.