GB2426717A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to play a game for several players a plurality of receptacles 10, 20, 30 are provided, each formed of two parts 11, 12 which fit together to provide an enclosure. The receptacles are different sizes so that each smaller one 20, 30 is capable of nesting within a larger one 10, 20. Fastening means are provided to connect the respective parts together or to secure them in a connected condition until specifically released. A stand 40 is also provided with a plurality of formations, such as wells 41-44 adapted to receive separated parts of the respective receptacles 10, 20, 30. The apparatus can be used for playing a game similar to the traditional party game of "Pass the Parcel" or another children's game sometimes known as "Sixes".

Description

GAME APPARATUS

This invention concerns apparatus for playing a game similar to the traditional party game of "Pass the Parcel" or another common children's game which goes under various names, including the name "Sixes".

According to the invention game apparatus comprises a plurality of receptacles, each formed of at least two parts which fit together to provide an enclosure, said receptacles being of different sizes so that each smaller one is capable of nesting within a larger one, and a stand provided with a plurality of formations adapted to receive separated parts of the respective receptacles.

The receptacles are preferably all of substantially the same shape, just different sizes They may be substantially spherical, or cuboid, box-like, cylindrical, egg shaped or any other suitable shape.

In simple embodiments the receptacles may each be of two parts, which fit together by a friction fit of inter-engaging lips. In more complex embodiments the receptacles may still be of two parts, but fastening means are provided to connect them together or to secure them in a connected condition until specifically released.

More complex embodiments may have receptacles formed of more than two parts.

In preferred embodiments of two part receptacles, the parts are of comparable size. For example, where the receptacle is substantially spherical the parts are substantially hemi- spherical; where the receptacle is substantially cubic, the parts are substantially equal in size, ie, half of the cube.

The formations on or in the stand conveniently comprise wells or apertures of approximate size to receive each part, or both parts, of each size of receptacle.

However, the formations may alternatively comprise suitably configured projections, for example dome shaped projections over which hemispherical or half egg shaped receptacle parts may be located Since the game involves selection of players who then have an opportunity to separate the parts of receptacles in turn, provision of fastening means for securing the parts of each receptacle together are preferred, in order to make such separation a more time consuming task so that further players have an opportunity to supplant any existing player, leading to greater interest, excitement and fun Such fastening means may take many forms. For example, one or each part may have tabs which overlap the adjoining edge of the other part, the tabs carrying button-like projections which engage into corresponding apertures in the adjoining edge by a press fit or snap fit action. Conversely, such tabs may have the apertures while the adjoining edge is provided with the corresponding projections.

Another example of fastening means may comprise bolts which engage through apertures in overlapping adjoining edge margins, or in overlapping tabs and adjoining edge regions and then threadedly engage into captive nuts to secure these together.

Yet another example of fastening means may comprise sliders which engage guide flanges extending along adjoining edges of respective parts of each receptacle, but are releasable from one flange, at least, at a specific location where the flange is cut away.

One specific practical embodiment of the game apparatus of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one receptacle formed of two conjoined parts and fastening means; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts separated; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-section along X-X in Fig 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section along Y-Y in Fig 2; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the receptacle of Figs. I and 2 with its two parts separated to reveal a smaller receptacle of the same configuration nested inside; Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the two receptacles of Fig. 5 both having their two parts separated to reveal a yet smaller third receptacle of the same configuration nested inside the inner of those; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a stand for holding the parts of the four receptacles of this exemplary apparatus This illustrated embodiment of the apparatus of the invention comprises four substantially spherical receptacles (only three of which 10, 20, 30 are shown), which are of increasingly smaller size so as to nest one within the other, and a stand 40 (Fig. 7) for holding the parts when they are not assembled together Each of the receptacles 10, 20, is formed of two substantially hemi-spherical parts.

The game played with this apparatus may also involve use of a dice or a spinner or any rotatable articles (eg a spoon) to serve as a pointer If a dice is used it may be either of conventional form, with numbers one to six or from one to six spots on respective faces, or of any other form, eg, different coloured faces.

The general idea of the game to be played is that a small present or reward is placed inside the smallest receptacle, which is closed and then secured by its fasteners The successively larger receptacles are then closed and secured around the smallest one, until they are all assembled in a nested manner, as indicated best in Fig. 6. Additional small, relatively thin items, such as coins or messages written on paper, may be included in the spaces between the nested receptacles for additional interest in the game.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the largest receptacle 10 of this particular exemplary embodiment comprises two approximately hemispherical parts 11, 12, suitably of substantially rigid plastics material. The first part 11 has an annular inturned ledge 13 around its circular edge and this ledge 13 terminates in an annular upstand 14. The ledge and upstand are cut away at three places 15, approximately equally spaced around the circular edge. A short distance from one such cut away 15, the upstand 14 only has a notch 16 cut in and an arrow 17 on the exterior of the part 11 indicates the position of this notch, as it is not itself visible when the two parts 11, 12 are fitted together, as in Fig 1.

The second part 12 is similar, having a corresponding internal ledge 131 and upstand 141. However, it lacks the cut away places 15 and the notch 16. Instead it is formed with three tabs 18 which are approximately equally spaced around the circular edge and which each are a continuation of the main hemispherical surface of the part 12. The length of these tabs 18 corresponds to the combined height of the upstands 14, 141 of the respective parts 11, 12 so that they contact the ledge 13, and the upstands 14, 141 contact each other, when the parts 11, 12 are brought together.

One of these tabs 181 has a crosswall 19 (see Fig. 3) linking to the upstand 141 so that it can only contact the other ledge 13 if this crosswall 19 is in register with the notch 16.

This tab 181 also carries an arrow 171.

Three small slidable fasteners 26 of a cross-sectional profile shown in Fig. 4 are mounted captively onto the continuous ledge and upstand 131, 141 of the second part 12. These fasteners 20 are of a width matching the cut away places 15 of the first part 11. At these places 15 they can fit in and be brought into alignment with the other ledge 13 and upstand 14, along which they can slidably engage when pushed sideways to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. A bump 24 is provided on the external surface of each fastener 26 to facilitate its manipulation when sliding it sideways.

The other receptacles 20, 30 which are visible in Figs 5 and 6 are the same in all the above respects, just smaller in size, so the description of all the above features need not be repeated. These smaller receptacles 20, 30 may have an additional feature, however, namely an external pocket on one or both parts, which may be transparent, and which is indicated generally at 21 in Figs. 5 and 6. Coins or messages written on paper may be inserted into these pockets 21 as part of the game.

The stand 40, shown in Fig. 7, has four pairs of hemispherical wells 4144 dimensionalised to receive the respective parts 11, 12 of each of the four receptacles (only three of which 10, 20, 30 are shown) when they are disconnected. The stand 40 is rectangular and supported by a suitable number of legs 45.

In playing one version of the game using the above described apparatus, a small gift is placed in the smallest receptacle and the other part is fitted to it. This is done by aligning the arrows 17. 171 so the tab 181 has its crosswall 19 in the notch 16. At this position (as in Fig. 3), the fasteners 20 all fit into the recesses 15. They can then be slid along away from the adjacent tabs 18, 181 (to the left in the drawing Figs I and 2, 5 and 6). Messages or coins may then be inserted in the various pockets 21 of the three smallest receptacles and the next two 20, 30 are fitted over the smallest one in turn in exactly the same manner as just described. The largest one 10 is similarly fitted together around the outside.

The assembled apparatus of multiple receptacles (10, 20, 30 and smallest [not shown]) is then placed in the centre of a group of players, who take turns with a dice. Whenever a player throws a six, he/she is allowed to take the apparatus and remove the outermost receptacle 10. This involves sliding each fastener 20 to the right as shown in Figs 1 and 2 and Figs 5 and 6 until it is releasable at the respective recess 15 adjacent to the next tab 18, 181. This cannot be done in a single manual operation so takes time.

The two parts 11, 12 should then be placed in the largest wells 41 of the stand 40.

The first message or coin on the outside of the next smallest receptacle 20 can then be taken The same player then continues to open the next receptacle 20 in the same way and so on. However, in the meanwhile, play continues so a further player may throw a six and take over at any time.

The foregoing is illustrative and not limitative of the scope of protection and many variations in the details of the receptacles are possible, some of which have been

mentioned earlier in this specification.

Claims (8)

1. Game apparatus comprising a plurality of receptacles, each formed of at least two parts which fit together to provide an enclosure, said receptacles being of different sizes so that each smaller one is capable of nesting within a larger one, and a stand provided with a plurality of formations adapted to receive separated parts of the respective receptacles.

2. Game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receptacles are formed of two parts.

3 Game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each of the receptacles is provided with fastening means to connect the respective parts together or to secure them in a connected condition until specifically released.

4 Game apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fastening means comprises tabs provided on one or each part of each receptacle, which tabs overlap the adjoining edge of the other part, the tabs carrying button-like projections which engage into corresponding apertures in the adjoining edge by a press fit or snap fit action.

5. Game apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fastening means comprises bolts and captive nuts, which bolts engage through apertures in overlapping adjoining edge margins of respective parts of each receptacle, or in overlapping tabs and adjoining edge regions of respective parts of each receptacle, and then threadedly engage into the captive nuts to secure these parts together.

6. Game apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fastening means comprises sliders which engage guide flanges extending along adjoining edges of respective parts of each receptacle, but are releasable from one flange, at least, at a specific location where the flange is cut away.

7. Game apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each smaller receptacle is provided with an external pocket.

8. Game apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.