GB2323299A

GB2323299A - Game board

Info

Publication number: GB2323299A
Application number: GB9705556A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Gilbert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-03-18
Filing date: 1997-03-18
Publication date: 1998-09-23
Also published as: GB9705556D0

Abstract

An apparatus for a game comprises a track having a plurality of elongate lanes in side by side relationship. Each lane is divided along its length into a plurality of discrete divisions. The apparatus includes a plurality of markers each arranged to substantially fit into a discrete division.

Description

GAME The present invention relates to an apparatus for a game.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for a game, the apparatus comprising: a track having a plurality of elongate lanes in side by side relationship, each lane divided along its length into a plurality of discrete divisions; and a plurality of markers each arranged to substantially fit into a said discrete division.

Preferably the track forms a loop or ring. There may be provided an inner lane, adjacent an inside of the track, and an outer lane peripheral to an out side of the track.

Preferably, the inner lane has a number of divisions along its length, which is lower than the number of divisions along the length of any other lane of the track.

In one preferred embodiment, the track is substantially oval, and comprises six lanes in side by side by side relationship. In other embodiments, the track may follow a curved path having one or a plurality of substantially "U" or "C" shaped loops.

Said lane may extend over a whole length of the track or may extend along only part of the length of the track.

Preferably the markers are arranged to cooperate with the track by placement of no more than one said marker into a said one division at any one time.

Suitably, the markers are movable along the lanes in accordance with a set of instructions, said instructions controlling interaction of the plurality of markers with each other and with the track.

Preferably said instructions are arranged to control said markers such that no two said markers can occupy a single division at the same time.

Preferably said instructions control said markers such that said markers are movable along a single said lane in a first direction only.

Preferably said instructions are arranged to control said markers such that a said marker may move from one lane to another lane.

Preferably, said instructions are carried on an instruction generating device.

Said instructions may be carried on a set of playing cards.

The instructions may be carried on a random number generating device, for example a dice.

Along a length of each lane, a predetermined number of divisions may be grouped together, to form a group, the arrangement being that a plurality of said groups extend along the length of each said lane.

Preferably said markers are controlled in accordance with said instructions, such that a marker can only pass from a first group to a second group in response to a predetermined selected instruction. Said predetermined selected instruction preferably comprises an instruction generated by a said card or random number generating device. Said predetermined selected instruction preferably comprises either an odd number or an even number.

Preferably, said instructions are arranged to control the movement of said markers along said lanes, such that a first marker cannot progress beyond a second marker further along the same lane in the first direction, without first moving to an adjacent lane.

Preferably, said instructions permit movement of a marker between adjacent divisions of adjacent lanes.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment game apparatus according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 2 to 10 show examples of a movement of markers with respect to the track, in accordance with a set of instructions.

Figure 11 shows a second track comprising a second embodiment game apparatus.

Referring to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, an apparatus for a game comprises a track 1 and a plurality of markers 2, the markers arranged to cooperate with the track in accordance with a set of instructions generated by an instruction generating device.

The track comprises a plurality of elongate lanes 1015 arranged substantially in parallel, each lane in the form of a substantially oval loop. Each lane is divided into a discrete number of individual divisions. An inner lane 10 bordering an inside of the track has a lowest number of individual divisions along its length as compared with the other lanes. Each lane is divided along its length into a plurality of groups of divisions. For example a group 16 of divisions is shown on the inner track 10, the group comprising ten individual divisions arranged serially along the length of the group. In the example of figure 1, the inner track 10 is divided into nine individual groups. In a given lane each group may have an equal number of divisions to each other group. In the example of figure 1, the inner track 10 is divided into nine separate groups each having ten individual divisions and one group having twenty divisions.

The next to inner lane (the second lane 11), adjacent the inner lane, has a greater number of individual divisions than the inner lane 10. The second lane 11 is divided into a plurality of groups, numbering nine, however some groups of the second lane 11 have a higher number of individual divisions than the adjacent groups of the inner lane 10. For example, on a curved section 20 of the track, the group 21 of the inner lane 10 has ten individual divisions, whereas the adjacent group of the second lane 11 has fifteen individual divisions.

Each marker is of a size capable of occupying a single division of the track.

The markers are arranged to cooperate with the track according to a set of instructions or rules, so as to produce movement of the markers along the length of the track in a first direction. Movement of the markers in an opposite direction is not permitted, however movement of the markers between lanes in a direction transverse and substantially perpendicular to the first direction is permitted.

Operation Operation of the first specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The instructions are provided on either a set of cards, eg. conventional playing cards each containing an individual instruction, or by a random number generating device, for example a dice.

The instructions contained on the instructing device, (cards or dice), determine the number of divisions over which an individual marker may progress along the track either in the first direction or in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto. Progress of each marker is determined by counting a number of divisions serially linked, over which the marker may travel.

An object in moving the markers along the track is to progress an individual marker assigned to a player, around the track, before another marker assigned to another competing player.

Each player is assigned a marker, and each player may move his marker in turn. For example a first player A may receive an instructing card directing the first player to move the appropriate marker A a predetermined number of divisions, for example six. For example player A may move marker A six divisions forward along a single lane if there are no other markers on the six divisions immediately in front of marker A. If there is a marker on any of the six divisions immediately in front of marker A, then the player may move marker A one division in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the track into an adjacent lane, and five divisions forward along the length of the track in the adjacent lane, totalling a move of six individual divisions.

Where the instruction carrying device comprises a set of cards, the number of divisions moved may be determined in accordance with table 1 herein. Where the instruction carrying device comprises a dice, the number of moves may be determined by the number showing on the dice.

Where the instruction carrying device is a set of cards, the number of cards allocated to each player is dependent upon the number of players, and may be determined in accordance with table 2 herein.

Further examples of movement of the markers with respect to the track will now follow.

Alternate successive groups are designated even and odd. The transition between an even group and an odd group is designated a JUMP. The jumps can be even or odd jumps. For example on one section of the inner lane 10, every ten designations is provided an even or an odd jump, along the length of the inner track. Even or an odd jumps are indicated by bold lines 30, 38 extending across a width of the track. In order for a marker to move over an even or an odd jump, a predetermined instruction is required. For example to pass an even jump, the player needs to procure an even numbered card. For example two, four, six, eight, ten or Queen. To pass an odd numbered jump, a player needs to obtain and display an odd numbered card, ie. an Ace, three, five, seven, nine, Jack or King.

Where the instructing device is a dice, the dice needs to show an odd number to pass an odd jump or an even number to pass an even jump.

Referring to figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, examples of movements of markers are shown. In each of figures 2 to 4, a forward direction along the track is shown as arrowed. The markers are not permitted to move in reverse direction opposite to the forward direction Referring to figures 2 and 3, in each case, marker A is permitted to move direct to a division directly forward, or directly to the side, in an adjacent lane.

Marker B of player B is not permitted to move diagonally across to an adjacent marker in an adjacent lane, or in a reverse direction.

Referring to figure 4, marker A is in the inner lane 10 of the track and the inner and second lane divisions immediately in front of the marker A are blocked by other markers. Marker A can move to an adjacent division 40 in the second lane 11 by movement of Marker A in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the inner lane 10 at that point along the inner lane. To comply with an instruction of, for example six moves, the marker can move across the track backwards and forwards between adjacent divisions in adjacent lanes as many times as necessary.

Referring to figures 5 to 9 of the accompanying drawings, further examples of movement of markers under conditions of immediately adjacent markers blocking progress in a lane are given.

In figure 6 marker A is blocked forward and to each side by markers C, B and D.

In figure 7 marker A is blocked by markers B, C, D.

In figure 8 marker A is blocked by marker B, C, D, E.

In figure 9 marker A is not blocked by markers B, C but can go around the back of marker B.

Referring to figure 10 of the accompanying drawing, an example of an odd or even jump between groups is given.

For example if player A, allocated marker A does not have the appropriate instruction card or dice throw to proceed in the inner lane 10, he cannot move to the adjacent second lane 11, since marker B is present in the adjacent division. Payer A must miss a turn, until marker B moves, or until player A possesses the appropriate instruction card or dice throw.

Twenty divisions from the finishing line, a final odd jump 38 between adjacent groups is provided. When a player has placed a card down and moved his marker past the last odd jump, the player is not allocated a new card, but can only play cards which he or she has acquired. The player must ensure that he or she has enough remaining cards of high enough numbers, left to reach the finishing line 50, otherwise risks failing to progress his or her marker to the finish line. This instruction only applies to the last lap where the markers proceed around the track more than once. This instruction does not apply where a dice is used as the instructing device.

Preparation for the game is as follows.

(i) Players must decide how many laps of the track are to be played.

(ii) Players must decide whether to use cards or a dice as the instructing device.

(iii) Players must decide which player will have the first turn at moving their marker. This is determined by picking ordinary playing cards from a pack. The player with the highest number card may take the first turn. The player with the second highest card takes the second turn and so on.

(iv) The player allocated the first move deals out the appropriate number of cards in accordance with table 3, to each other player face down.

Each player preferably does not show his cards to any other player.

(v) A plurality of markers are placed behind the starting line. Allocation of the markers in the lanes follows a priority that the first person to move has first choice of which lane to place his marker, the second player to move, second choice etc.

Only one marker can be placed in one division.

At the start of the game, the player A starts by placing a down a card face up so the other players can view it. Player A then moves marker A from the starting line, an appropriate number of divisions. For example if a card equal to a number of seven moves is put down, marker A can be moved seven divisions. Player A then picks up a replacement card from a deck of cards.

Then player B may place down a Queen playing card face up and move marker B an appropriate number of divisions, in this case in accordance with table 1, twelve divisions. Player B then picks up a replacement card.

When all cards from the deck have been played, the deck of cards is shuffled and placed face down again.

Team events Where a plurality of players are divided into teams of players, one team competing against another team, the players of each team may each be allocated a marker of a same colour or same designation. Where the players are split into teams, each team must have an equal number of players.

Where players are divided into teams, the players of one team may work together.

The rules for team events are as follows: (a) The number of players in a team may be determined by table 3 herein.

(b) Rules for team events are substantially similar as described herein above.

(c) Cards and dice can be used in team events, but all teams must have equal number of players.

For example where cards and dice are used a first number of players in team A may play cards and a second, equal number of players in team B may also play cards.

Where for example two players in team B play a dice, then two players in team A must also play a dice.

(d) The number of markers which each team can play is decided by consent between teams. Each team must play the same number of markers as each other team.

Where the number of markers allocated in a team equals the number of players in the team, there is an option that each marker of the team can be played by any member of the team, or only by one unique member of the team. This option must be decided prior to commencing the game.

(e) In a team event, when a marker has moved passed the finishing line, a player may move other marks of his team is if they were his own, if the option of any team member moving any marker is selected.

If the option of a team member moving a unique marker is selected, once the team member's marker has passed the finishing line, he may not move the marker of any other player in his team.

(f) When a team member takes a marker past the last odd jump on the last lap, whether the marker can be moved by himself or any other team member, that player cannot pick a card up from the deck, but can carry on playing his own marker or team marks with his remaining cards. This rule does not apply to dice players.

(g) Only one marker can be moved at any one time in accordance with any one instruction. For example a dice instruction of five cannot be used to move a first marker two divisions and a second marker three divisions. One marker must be moved five divisions.

(h) All team members must be arranged around the track in alternate manner. For example with three teams A, B, C, each of three players, the players must be arranged A, B, C, A, B, C, A, B, C.

(i) To determine the outcome of a team event, scoring is in accordance with table 4.

Referring to figure 11 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a second specific embodiment track. The second specific embodiment track is substantially similar to the first track, but has straight runs, twists, "U" or "C" shaped bends and the width of the track at any position can vary in number of lanes from six lanes to two lanes.

In the embodiment of figure 11, there are no even and odd jumps. Otherwise, the rules for moving the markers along the track are as described above, except that players cannot pick cards up once their markers have passed a position twenty-five divisions before the finish line. This rule only applies to the last lap.

Where more than one lap is being played, markers may pass through a pit-stop area 100 comprising four individual divisions on the outer two lanes on the track.

In the pit-stop, a players cards may be replaced for a new set of cards. The players must decide before the game is commenced how many pit-stops will be allowed.

As an optional rule, instead of changing cards on the same lap as a marker arrives at the pit-stop, the cards may be changed on the next lap.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein. by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same,. equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

TABLE 1 CARDS VALUE OF MOVES ACE 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 JACK 11 QUEEN 12 KING 13 TABLE 2 NUMBER OF PLAYERS NUMBER OF CARDS Two players 7 cards each Three players 7 cards each Four players 6 cards each Five players 5 cards each Six players 4 cards each Seven players 4 cards each Eight players 4 cards each Using one deck of cards Nine players 7 cards each Ten players 6 cards each Eleven players 6 cards each Twelve players 6 cards each Using two decks of cards.

TABLE 3 NUMBER OF PLAYERS NUMBER OF TEAMS NUMBER OF PLAYERS IN A TEAM 4 2 2 6 2 3 6 3 2 8 2 4 8 4 2 9 3 3 10 2 5 10 5 2 12 2 6 12 3 4 12 4 3 SCORING SYSTEM POSITION POINTS 1st 12 2nd 11 3rd 10 4th 9 5th 8 6th 7 7th 6 8th 5 9th 4 10th 3 11th 2 12th 1

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for a game comprising: a track having a plurality of elongate lanes in side by side relationship, each lane divided along its length into a plurality of discrete divisions; and a plurality of markers each arranged to substantially fit into a said discrete division.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the track forms a loop or ring.
3. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the track comprises an inner lane, adjacent an inside of the track, and an outer lane peripheral to an out side of the track.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inner lane has a number of divisions along its length, which is lower than the number of divisions along the length of any other lane of the track.
5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the markers are arranged to cooperate with the track by placement of no more than one said marker into a said one division at any one time.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the markers are movable along the lanes in accordance with a set of instructions, said instructions controlling interaction of the plurality of markers with each other and with the track.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said instructions are arranged to control said markers such that no two said markers can occupy a single division at the same time.
8. An apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said instructions control said markers such that said markers are movable along a single said lane in a first direction only.
9. An apparatus according to claim 6 or any succeeding claim, wherein said instructions are arranged to control said markers such that a said marker may move from one lane to another lane.
10. An apparatus according to claim 6 or any succeeding claim, wherein said instructions are carried on an instruction generating device.
11. An apparatus according to claim 6 or any succeeding claim, wherein said instructions are carried on a random number generating device.
12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein along a length of each lane, a predetermined number of divisions are grouped together, to form a group, the arrangement being that a plurality of said groups extend along the length of each said lane.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 6, wherein said markers are controlled in accordance with said instructions, such that a marker can only pass from a first group to a second group in response to a predetermined selected instruction.
14. An apparatus according to claim 6 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein said instructions are arranged to control the movement of said markers along said lanes, such that a first marker cannot progress beyond a second marker further along the same lane in the first direction, without first moving to an adjacent lane.
15. An apparatus according to claim 6 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein said instructions permit movement of a marker between adjacent divisions of adjacent lanes.
16. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.