Patent Document

GOVERNMENT INTEREST IN THE INVENTION 
   The present invention was developed with government support under a Small Business Innovation Research Program Grant awarded by the National Institute of Health&#39;s National Institute on Aging. The government has certain rights in the invention. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to engaging persons with memory loss and, more particularly, to a game adapted to provide therapy for persons suffering from memory loss. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   It is well known that many persons suffer increasing loss of memory with advanced age due to a variety of factors. However, memory loss is limited not only to the elderly, as victims of head injuries, strokes and other illnesses also can suffer memory loss. Memory loss often is frustrating for these individuals, and can lead to a reduction in quality of life and additional health problems. While significant advances in therapy and treatment have been made in recent years, it remains difficult to reverse memory loss, especially memory loss due to advanced age. Many people with memory loss require care in long-term care, assisted living and adult day-care facilities. Activities staff and/or family members try to provide cognitive stimulation through a variety of techniques, such as playing games, making crafts, and providing entertainment, but such efforts often are not effective. 
   It is believed that the activities with the most therapeutic benefit are those that actively engage the mind, such as solving problems or answering questions, rather than those that passively engage the mind, such as watching television. It further is believed that an environment involving a number of people instead of a solitary environment also is therapeutic. Games that provide mental stimulation and mental engagement, and which provide opportunities for a number of people to interact, are best for persons having memory impairment. While games directed specifically to memory-impaired persons are known, such games have a number of drawbacks. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,577 discloses a diagnostic memory skill game that is played by students together with a teacher. The game is played on a game board having player areas. One of the player areas is occupied by the teacher, who plays the game with the students. Individual question cards are read one at a time to each of the players by the teacher. If the question is answered correctly, the question card is placed in a “mastered” area. If the question is answered incorrectly, the question card is placed in a “recycling” area. The object of the game is for each player to respond correctly to each question so that all of the player&#39;s question cards are placed in the mastered area before the teacher&#39;s question cards are placed likewise. The student players are motivated by competition with the teacher, while the teacher has an opportunity to diagnose student memory skill deficiencies. 
   Although the competition engendered by the game according to the &#39;577 patent might be desirable in a student-teacher learning environment, it is extremely undesirable for persons who suffer from memory loss. Moreover, the game presumes that the teacher will be as challenged by the questions as the students. Such a situation would be wholly inappropriate for a game played by persons suffering from memory deficiencies. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,077 discloses a non-competitive memory enhancement game. The game according to the &#39;077 patent is played with the assistance of family members, friends, and/or volunteers who coordinate play. The game has a question and answer format that is similar to flash-card games. Questions may relate to general knowledge or may be personalized. Personalized questions are developed by family, friends, and others using the player&#39;s personal memorabilia. The questions are provided in the form of a photograph or other pictorial image on one side of a card, and questions and/or comments relating to the picture on the opposite side. A game board has a playing path that is divided into positions identified by subject matter categories. Questions related to a given subject matter are asked based on the player&#39;s position on the board. Since the game is not competitive, there is no final goal or winning position on the board. The object of the game is to share memories and to receive a reward after participating for a predetermined period of time or number of plays. 
   While the game according to the &#39;077 patent is desirable in the sense that it is non-competitive, it may not be enjoyed by certain participants due to the personalized nature of some of the questions. In other words, some participants may not want personal information to be shared in a public environment or they may not want to be informed of others&#39; personal information. In addition, the nature of the board requires the participants to sit together around a table. Such an arrangement of the participants relative to each other may be undesirable in certain circumstances. In addition, the use of a game board limits the number of participants to those who can fit around the board. Yet additionally, the game has the potential to be boring because there is no inherent object to be accomplished. 
   In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, there remains a need for an effective and enjoyable memory engagement game. Any such game desirably would be non-competitive or largely non-competitive, could be played by individuals or a group of players, would permit players to be arranged in any desired position relative to each other, and would not involve the disclosure of personal information. Any such game desirably could be played by persons of different cognitive levels. Perhaps most importantly, the game would be interesting and entertaining to play and would have an inherent object to be accomplished. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a new and improved memory engagement game that is based on Montessori educational principles, and which employs elements of a trivia game and a bingo game. In the preferred embodiment, the game according to the invention comprises a plurality of game cards, each of which contains answers to certain pre-determined questions. The invention also includes a plurality of calling cards, each of which contains a pre-determined question on one side and various information on the other side, such as the answer to the question, clues to answer the question, and “talking points” to facilitate a discussion related to the question. The invention preferably includes game boards into which the game cards can be inserted. Each game board has a plurality of openings, each of which has a movable cover associated therewith. When a game card is inserted into the game board, the answers to the pre-determined questions are registered with the openings so that a player can see each of the answers. The player can move any given cover in order to mask the answer displayed in the associated opening. 
   The game according to the invention can be provided in different levels of difficulty and subject matter. Typical subjects would be Presidents, historical events, famous people, nursery rhymes, and so forth. The game cards can be provided with answers to two or more games slightly out of register with each other. Accordingly, by suitably positioning the game card in the game board, two or more separate games can be played on each side of the game card. If double-sided game cards are provided, each game card can contain four or more separate games. 
   In use, a game board containing a game card is distributed to each player. An activity leader holds up a calling card with the question displayed to the players. The question is read aloud, either by the leader or one or more of the players. If a player sees the answer to the question in one of the game board openings, the player announces the answer and closes the cover to mask the answer. The steps of asking questions and covering the answers are repeated until one or more players covers all of the openings on the game board, signifying the end of that particular game. By choosing games suited to different cognitive levels, the players will be suitably challenged in an interesting and entertaining manner, and will be able share thoughts and memories with each other in a non-competitive environment. 
   The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention are fully described in the specification and claims that follow. The accompanying drawings constitute a part of the specification and illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of a game board according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the game board according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the game board according to the present invention; 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are, respectively, front and rear views of a game card according to the present invention; 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are portions of a calling card according to the present invention; 
       FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are, respectively, a bottom view, a top perspective view, and a bottom perspective view of a release used with the game board according to the present invention to adjust the position of game cards within the game board; 
       FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the interior face of a front cover of the game board according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of a frame employed with the game board according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a rear elevation view of the frame of  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 10  is an end view of a cover used with the game board according to the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the various drawing FIGS., apparatus for playing the game according to the invention includes one or more game boards  10 , a plurality of game cards  62 , and a plurality of calling cards  74 . The board  10  has a rear face  12  and a front face  14 . The front face  14  has a plurality of openings  16  arranged in a rectangular array in the manner of a bingo game. The board  10  can be placed on any surface for purposes of playing the game, but it preferably will be placed atop a flat playing surface such as a tabletop (not shown). 
   The front face  14  is secured to the rear face  12 , typically by fasteners such as screws. The front face  14  and the rear face  12  are spaced from each other so as to define a cavity  18  therebetween. The game board  10  further includes a slot  20  disposed along one edge of the connected front face  14  and rear face  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the game board  10  is rectangular, but it may be shaped differently, if desired. 
   The rear face  12  is generally planar and includes a peripheral lip  22 . The lip  22  extends toward the front face  14 . A pair of movable legs  24  are disposed adjacent the upper corners of the rear face  12 . The rear face  12  includes a pair of compartments  26  to house the legs  24 . The legs  24  may be placed in a first position where the legs  24  are completely disposed within the compartments  26  or in a second position where the legs  24  extend outside the compartments  26 . The first position permits the rear face  12  to lie flat upon the playing surface or for storage, and the second position permits the board  10  to be positioned at an angle to the playing surface for improved viewing by players. In the second position, the legs  24  extend from the rear face  12  generally perpendicularly to the rear face  12 . 
   The front face  14  comprises a frame  28  and a front cover  30 . The front cover  30  has an exterior face  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and an interior face  34  that is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The openings  16  are formed in the front cover  30 . The frame  28  has a first side, shown in  FIG. 8 , and a second side shown in  FIG. 9 . The frame  28  includes two or more beams  36  that are disposed along opposed edges of the frame  28 . The beams  36  are parallel to each other. The frame  28  further includes one or more interior cross-supports  38  and a pair of peripheral cross-supports  40 . The cross-supports  38 ,  40  are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the beams  36 . The cross-supports  38 ,  40  are connected at their ends to the beams  36 . The peripheral cross-supports  40  cooperate with the beams  36  to form an outer periphery of the frame  28 . 
   A pair of tracks  42  are disposed along the opposed edges of each interior cross-support  38 . The peripheral cross-supports  40  have an outer edge  44  along the outer periphery of the game board  10 , and an inner edge  46 . A track  42  is disposed along each inner edge  46 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the beams  36  are thicker than the interior cross-supports  38  and peripheral cross-supports  40 . This permits the beams  36  to assist in holding the front cover  30  in place because the front cover  30  is disposed between the beams  36 . 
   The game board  10  includes a plurality of covers  48  that can be positioned to cover or uncover the openings  16 . Each cover  48  includes a panel  50  that is substantially planar and generally rectangular. A tab  52  extends outwardly from one edge of the panel  50 . A pair of flanges  54  extend outwardly of the panel  50  on opposed sides of the panel  50 . The flanges  54  generally define an extension of the panel  50 . When viewed from above, the flanges  54  are perpendicular to the tab  52 . An enlarged formation  56  is disposed along the outer edge of each flange  54 . It is expected that the panels  50  will be opaque, and will have dimensions that approximate that of the openings  16 , for example, about 1.3 inches by about 3.4 inches. Preferably, the covers  48  are formed in a molding operation from a colored or dyed plastics material such as clarified polypropylene. 
   The front cover  30  is substantially planar and fits on top of the interior cross-supports  38  and peripheral cross-supports  40  between the beams  36  on the first side of the frame  28 . The front cover  30  includes side edges  58  that extend over the outer edge  44  of the peripheral cross-supports  40 . The side edges  58  extend to meet the lip  22  of the rear face  12 , thereby defining the outer boundaries of the cavity  18 . The interior face  34  of the front cover  30  further includes raised edges  60  ( FIG. 7 ) that border each opening  16 . The raised edges  60  are disposed adjacent the tracks  42 . During assembly of the game board  10 , the front cover  30  is installed so that it rests upon the first side of the frame  28 . The tabs  52  of the covers  48  extend outwardly through the openings  16 . The tracks  42  and the raised edges  60  engage the flanges  54  so as to compress the flanges  54  therebetween. The tracks  42  and the raised edges  60  fit together in a manner that is tight enough to prevent the covers  48  from moving unless force is applied to the tabs  52  by a player. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , game cards  62  according to the invention are illustrated. Each game card  62  has front and rear sides  64 ,  66  and a pair of opposed side edges  68 , each of which includes a pair of notches  70 . Each game card  62  has indicia  72  thereon. As will be described in more detail below, the indicia  72  represent answers to pre-determined questions. Preferably, each side  64 ,  66  includes answers  72  for two games. In use, one or more game cards  62  are inserted through the slot  20  into the cavity  18 . The answers  72  for a selected game are visible through the openings  16  when the covers  48  are retracted. If the game card  62  is shifted slightly within the cavity  18 , answers  72  corresponding to the other game will be visible through the openings  16 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , calling cards  74  according to the invention are illustrated. Each calling card  74  has two sides  76 ,  78 . Indicia  80  in the form of a question is displayed on the side  76 . The question  80  preferably is a “fill-in-the-blank” question where a player is asked to complete a sentence. The answers  72  on each game card  62  correspond to and provide answers to the questions  80  displayed on the sides  76 . The other side of each calling card  74  displays information for an activity leader. The information for the activity leader includes the question  80 , the answer  72  to the question  80 , the game number and description of the category (indicated by the reference numeral  82 ), a clue  84  that rhymes with the answer  72  to the question  80 , and one or more talking points  86 . The talking points  86  are intended to facilitate discussion among the players. The talking points  86  relate to facts about the question  80  and the answer  72 . 
   The game board  10  is provided with a release  90  that locates the game cards  62  in a desired position within the cavity  18 . As illustrated in FIGS.  2  and  6 A– 6 C, the release  90  includes a button  92  that extends through an aperture  94  in the rear face  12 . The release  90  additionally includes a holder  96  disposed adjacent the button  92 , and a pair of deformable wings  98 . Each wing  98  terminates in a cylindrical end  100 . The ends  100  contact the lip  22  of the rear face  12 , and provide support for the wings  98  to position the holder  96  in a position that engages the game cards  62 . One of the peripheral cross-supports  40  is provided with a pair of notches  104 . The ends  100  move along the lip  22  when the button  92  is pressed. The ends  100  extend through the frame  28 , and the notches  104  provide room for unrestricted movement of the ends  100 . The holder  96  fits into one of the notches  70  and prevents the game card(s)  62  from sliding within the cavity  18 . 
   To operate the release  90  and remove a game card  62  (or move it to another position), pressure is applied to the button  92 . Movement of the button  92  causes the wings  98  to bend, thereby moving the holder  96  in a direction away from the game card  62  and disengaging the notch  70 . After the holder  96  has been disengaged from the notch  70 , the card  62  can be moved. 
   The use of slidable covers  48  is an example of one technique for selectively covering and uncovering the openings  16 . Other techniques also may be employed. For example, the cover  48  could be hinged such that the cover  48  could be lifted to uncover the associated opening  16 , or lowered to cover the opening  16 . The cover  48  could be removable. Such a removable cover  48  would be sized to fit the opening  16 , and would have a slight interference fit with the openings  16  to hold the cover  48  in place. The removable cover  48  would include a handle or other gripping means for a player to maneuver the cover  48 . Magnets also may be used to secure the covers  48  in place. The above-described alternate techniques for covering and uncovering the openings  16  are examples only, and other suitable techniques for selectively covering and uncovering the openings  16  will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   It is preferred that the openings  16  will be large enough to print the answers  72  in large font. A font size of 36 or larger is preferred, and a plain font such as a sans-serif style also is preferred. Additionally, the tabs  52  are sized so that they may be gripped by persons with difficulties resulting from diminished motor skills or arthritis. The game board  10  typically could have dimensions of approximately 11.4 inches by 13.2 inches. The answers  72  are arranged on the game card  62  so that when the game board  10  is inclined at an angle of approximately 15 degrees above the playing surface, the answers  72  appear to be centered in the openings  16 . 
   The game board  10  preferably is formed from a sturdy, lightweight plastics material. The front face  14  and the rear face  12  preferably are opaque and may be colored in a neutral color. The covers  48  may be translucent or opaque and preferably will have a color that contrasts with the color of the front face  14  and rear face  12  to aid players in locating the covers  48 . Most color schemes are suitable for the front face  14 , the rear face  12 , and the covers  48 ; however, it is preferred that the color scheme does not include fluorescent colors or colors that contrast in a vivid manner. In one preferred embodiment, the front face  14  and the rear face  12  are ivory, and the covers  48  are purple. The game cards  62  and the calling cards  74  preferably are formed from a non-glare cardstock. 
   The memory engagement game according to the invention may be played in assisted-living adult day care, long-term care, or similar settings. For use in such settings, a game kit preferably includes 15 game boards  10 , a plurality of double-sided game cards  62  for each game board  10 , a plurality of double-sided calling cards  74  (for example, 15 for each game), and an instruction manual. Each game board  10  has a plurality of openings  16  (preferably nine), and each game card  62  has a plurality of answers  72  (preferably 15) on each side  64 ,  66 , wherein each game card  62  may be used for a plurality of games, preferably four. The game kit thus provides game boards, game cards  62 , and calling cards  74  for 15 players. Because the game boards  10  are stand-alone units, there is no limitation on the arrangement of players relative to each other. 
   Before play begins, each player is provided with a game board  10  and one or more game cards  62 . Each side of each game card  62  has displayed thereon the answers  72  for a plurality of games. With reference to the game card  62  illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , each of the two sides  64 ,  66  of each game card  62  has a plurality of answers  72  printed thereon. The answers  72  preferably are printed so that the printing for each game contrasts with the printing for the other game or games. For example, a game card  62  could display answers  72  for “GAME 5” in white print on a black background, and for “GAME 6,” the answers  72  could be displayed in contrasting black print on a white background. The answers  72  are spaced on the game card  62  so that only the answers  72  for a particular game show through the openings  16 . For example, when the game card  62  is inserted entirely into the cavity  18 , the answers  72  to “GAME 6” may be viewed through the openings  16 . When the button  92  is pressed and the game card  62  is moved slightly outwardly from the cavity  18 , the answers  72  to “GAME 5” may be viewed through the openings  16 . 
   Each game relates to a particular category  82 . Typical game categories  82  include historical events, Presidents, nursery rhymes, and so forth. Each game has a set of game cards  62  and corresponding calling cards  74 . If desired, some game cards  62  can contain identical answers  72 . In that case, the game will be non-competitive because each of the players will answer the same questions at the same time. It also is possible for the game cards to have different combinations of answers  72 . In such a circumstance, the game will be somewhat competitive. For a game having nine answers  72  printed on each game card  62 , there preferably are 15 calling cards  74  associated with that game. 
   To begin play, each player inserts the game card  62  for a selected game into the game board  10 . A game leader then reads a question  80  from one of the calling cards  74  that corresponds to that game. If a player determines the answer  72 , the player covers the opening  16  in which the answer  72  is displayed. If the players are unable to determine the answer  72 , the leader may read a clue  84  displayed on the calling card  74  to assist players in answering the question  80 . The leader also may bring up some talking points  86  listed on the calling card  74  to promote discussion among the players. The process of reading questions  80  and covering answers  72  continues until one or more of the players covers all of the openings  16  and indicates to the leader that all of the openings  16  are covered. When a player covers all of the openings  16 , it signifies the end of that particular game. The covering of all of the openings  16  thus represents an inherent object to be accomplished by the players. The game card  62  may be moved within the cavity  18  or turned over to reveal the answers  72  that correspond to another game, and the process may be recommenced with a different set of calling cards  74 . 
   To accommodate players having different levels of cognitive functioning, or to speed up play, the play of the game may be modified. For example, play may begin with several of the openings  16  covered. It is possible to provide more difficult questions  80  for higher-functioning players, and simpler questions  80  for players with low-to-mid levels of functioning. The talking points  86  provided on each calling card  74  can be of further therapeutic benefit to players&#39; memory abilities and may be used to extend the game. If it is desired to shorten the game, all or some of the talking points  86  may be omitted. 
   As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the game according to the invention is non-competitive or largely non-competitive, can be played by individuals or a group of players, permits players to be arranged in any desired position relative to each other, and does not involve the disclosure of personal information. The game can be played by persons of different cognitive levels or needs. The game is interesting and entertaining to play and has an inherent object to be accomplished. 
   Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, equivalent alterations and modifications to the embodiments may be apparent to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims, and includes all such alterations, modifications, and equivalents.

Technology Category: 1