GB2124091A

GB2124091A - Game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2124091A
Application number: GB08215585A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Anthony Dobrowski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-05-27
Filing date: 1982-05-27
Publication date: 1984-02-15
Also published as: GB2124091B

Abstract

A square based pyramid 10 or tetrahedron has faces 12 which converge at an apex. Holes 14 are provided to receive pegs (not shown). The pyramid or tetrahedron may be mounted for rotation about a vertical shaft. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for playing a game The present invention is concerned with apparatus for playing a game of skill, and more particularly a game of the kind which is adapted to be played by two or more players seated around a table.

According to this invention, apparatus for playing a game comprises a prism having two or more playing faces angularly disposed relatively to each other about a vertical axis, each face providing a series of locations, and a series of cancellable indicia, one for each of the locations, the arrangement permitting the different faces of the prism to be brought one at a time, into a position facing each of a plurality of players arranged around the said vertical axis.

The apparatus could comprise a tetrahedron, in which case, one face would rest on the table or other playing surface, and the other three faces would provide the angularly arranged playing faces. Preferably however, the prism is a four sided pyramid, each of the four triangular faces providing one of the playing faces. It will be appreciated that more complicated shapes could be employed, having more than four playing faces, but in any event, it is preferred that each face is triangular, so that the prism has an apex, thereby providing a focal point for the vertical axis about which the prism has to be turned in play.

The locations may take the form of holes or recesses, in which case, the cancellable indicia are members adapted to be located in the holes or recesses (e.g. pins) or the locations may take the form of protrusions, in which case the cancellable indicia will take the form of bored or recessed members adapted to engage on the protrusions. Preferably the locations are formed by eyes let into the prism and the cancellable indicia are pins adapted to locate in the eyes. If pins are used, then it is preferred that they are tapered, so that when pressed into their respective eyes, they still project from the playing face, sufficiently to ailow the projecting portion of each pin to be gripped by a player for removal from the eye.

In the preferred arrangement, the locations on each playing face are divided into a plurality of groupings, and it is preferred that there different numbers of locations in each of the groupings on each playing face.

Thus, in a typical instance, the groupings comprise horizontal rows of locations. Further, it is preferred that the number of locations in at least one of the groupings on each face, is at least equal to the number of playing faces. It is intended, that in play, the prism shall be rotated according to a formula related to the number of cancellable indicia cancelled by a player making a move. Thus, to take the simplest instance, the formula may require the prism to be rotated through a number of steps (each of which brings a previously adjacent playing face into the facing or operative position for any one player) equal to the number of indicia cancelled when a player makes a move. It is also intended, that the rules shall provide, that indicia may only be removed from one of the groupings on a playing face, at each move of the game.

Since the prism has to be rotated, it may be mounted on a base with a vertical axle, to provide for easy rotation. However, it has been found sufficient for example, to simply provide a felt layer on the underside of the prism, as this allows the prism to be turned by the players in accordance with the required moves of the game.

In the preferred arrangement, in which the prism is a four sided pyramide, there are five horizontal rows of locations on each playing face, with five locations in the bottom row, four locations in the next row, three locations in the next row, two locations in the next row and a single location in the top row. Whatever form of grouping is provided, it is preferred, that one grouping comprises a single location. This is because it is intended that the rules of the game shall require the players to attempt to force their opponent(s) to cancel the indicia which stands by itself.

One construction of apparatus for playing a game in accordance with the invention, and possible ways of utilising the apparatus, will now be described by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of the apparatus.

It will be seen from the drawing, that the apparatus comprises a pyramid, having four equal triangular sides, two of which 10 and 12, are visible in the drawing. The underside of the prism is square, and is covered with a piece of felt, so that the prism can be placed on a table, and readily rotated about a vertical axis passing through its apex, by simply gripping the upper end of the prism, and turning it. The prism may be constructed of any suitable materials, but it is preferred to use leather cloth covered boards for the sides which make up the playing faces.

Metal eyes 14 are let into holes formed in the sides of the pyramid, and it will be observed, that in each side, there are fifteen holes arranged in five horizontal rows. In the bottom row there are five eyes, in the next row there are four eyes, in the next row there are three eyes, in the next row there are two eyes and in the top row there is a single eye. The use of metal eyes let into a leather cloth surface presents a good quality appearance to the prism.

The apparatus also includes a series of steel taper pins (not shown) each of which can be pressed into one of the eyes 14. Typically, the metals pins may be about one inch long, and the dimensions of the pins are such, that when a pin is pressed into one of the eyes 14, it will be held firmly in position, but a substantial proportion of the length of the pin will project on the outside of the prism, so that the pins are easily manipulable, for the purpose of insertion and removal. Afull set of pins is provided whereby all sixty eyes 14 in the prism can each be fitted with a respective pin, and this is the normal commencement position for playing a game.

In using the apparatus, the pin the top row of each playing face, is referred to as the "Kingpin" and the remaining fourteen pins in each playing face are referred to as the "Playpins." The aim of the game is to remove playpins in a planned fashion (and according to one rule pins may only be removed from a single row at any one move) so that an opponent has to remove the last pin which is always the Kingpin. In otherwords, in the simplest form of the game, the player who draws the Kingpin loses the game.

The game may be played in two modes. The first or simple mode, is played by only two players, and it is played on only one face of the pyramid. The second mode, which may be played by two to four players, is more demanding, and is played on all four playing faces of the pyramid. It is suggested, that players develop their skill in the first mode of play before progressing to the more complex second mode.

Rules of play of first mode 1. At least one pin, but no more than four pins, must be drawn per turn of play.

2. Pins must not be drawn from more than one row per turn of play.

3. Pins must not be drawn from more than one face of the pyramid per turn of play.

4. Once a pin has been drawn, it cannot be replaced.

5. A player cannot miss a turn.

It will be found, that by playing according to these rules, on one face of the prism shown in the drawing, considerable skill can be acquired, in forcing an opponent into a position, where the only pin he can remove is the Kingpin.

Additional rules forplaying according to the second mode ofplay 6. In a game with only two players, the players must sit opposite each other. With three or four players, each player must sit facing one of the playing faces of the prism.

7. When pins have been withdrawn by any player on his move, the prims must be rotated clock-wise (as seen from above) one quarter turn for each pin removed. The next player then draws a pin or pins from the playing face of the prism then facing him as his move.

8. When a Kingpin has been drawn, the pyramid contains one empty face. In the course of further play, it is likely that a player who has to make a move, will be presented with this empty face. In this event, the prism is rotated anti-clock-wise (as seen from above) one quarter turn, or, where there are two or more empty faces, it is rotated anti-clock-wise until the player who has to make a move is presented with a face containing pins.

9. In a game played according to the second mode, with only two players, the loser is the first player to draw more than two Kingpins.

10. When there are more than two players, a playerwho is obliged to draw a Kingpin drops out of the game. The prism is rotated clock-wise one quarter turn, because a pin has just been drawn, before the next player makes his move.

11. Where there are more than two players, the winner is the person who has not drawn a Kingpin when the game ends.

The following examples illustrates a game played by two players according to the first mode. Drawn pins are shown filled in.

move 1. Player A draws four playpins from layer 2.

move 2. Player B draws two playpins from layer 3.

move 3. Player A draws three playpins from layer 1.

move 4. Player B draws one playpin from layer 3.

move 5. Player A draws one playpin from layer 4.

move 6. Player B draws one playpin from layer 1.

move 7. Player A draws one playpin from layer 4. The following example shows how the prism is rotated in a clock-wise direction according to the number of pins drawn in the second mode of the game:

Original position

Position if one pin is drawn.

Position if two pins are drawn.

Position if three pins are drawn.

Position if four pins are drawn.

CLAIMS (Filed on 23 May 83) 1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a prism having two or more playing faces angularly disposed relatively to each other about a vertical axis, each face providing a series of locations, and a series of cancellable indicia, one for each of the locations, the arrangement permitting the different faces of the prism to be brought one at a time, into a position facing each of a plurality of players arranged around the said vertical axis.

2. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in Claim 1, which comprises a tetrahedron so that with one face resting on a table or other playing surface, the other three faces provide the angularly arranged playing faces.

3. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in Claim 1, in which the prism is a four sided pyramid, each of the four triangular faces providing one of the playing faces.

4. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in Claim 1, in which each of the playing faces is triangular, so that the prism has an apex, thereby providing a focal point for the vertical axis about which the prism has to be turned in play.

5. Apparatus for playing a game is claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the locations take the form of holes or recesses and the cancellable indicia are members adapted to be located in the holes or recesses.

6. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the locations take the form of protrusions and the cancellable indicia take the form of bored or recessed members adapted to engage on the protrusions.

7. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in Claim 5, in which the locations are formed by eyes let into the prism and the cancellable incicia are pins adapted to locate the eyes.

8. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in Claim 7, in which the pins are tapered, so that when

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. move 7. Player A draws one playpin from layer 4. The following example shows how the prism is rotated in a clock-wise direction according to the number of pins drawn in the second mode of the game: Original position Position if one pin is drawn. Position if two pins are drawn. Position if three pins are drawn. Position if four pins are drawn. CLAIMS (Filed on 23 May 83)

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a prism having two or more playing faces angularly disposed relatively to each other about a vertical axis, each face providing a series of locations, and a series of cancellable indicia, one for each of the locations, the arrangement permitting the different faces of the prism to be brought one at a time, into a position facing each of a plurality of players arranged around the said vertical axis.

pressed into their respective eyes, they still project from the playing face, sufficiently to allow the projecting portion of each pin to be gripped by a player for removal from the eye.

9. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the locations on each playing face are divided into a plurality of groupings.

10. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in Claim 9, in which there are different numbers of locations in each of the groupings on each playing face.

11. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in Claim 10, in which the number of locations in at least one of the groupings on each face is at least equal to the number of playing faces.

12. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, in which the prism is mounted on a base with a vertical axle, to provide for easy rotation.

13. Apparatus for playing a game as claimed in Claim 1 or any one of Claims 3 to 12 (except when they depend from Claim 2), in which the prism is a four sided pyramid, there are five horizontal rows of locations on each playing face, with five locations in the bottom row, four locations in the next row, three locations in the next row, two locations in the next row and a single location in the top row.

14. Apparatus for playing a game constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.