Game board

Description

[0001] This application relates to a board game apparatus and more particularly to a game for two or more players which employs chance, skill, education and creation.

[0002] Board games combining chance and skill are well-known and numerous. Many involve the use of dice and/or cards to move tokens from a start to a finish point on a board through a series of adjacent spaces, which may be peripherally positioned about the edges of the board or otherwise arranged on the game board. Examples of such prior art board games include those described and illustrated in CA-A 1 044 268 issued December 12, 1978 of Magi- era and CA-A 1 164, 205 issued March 27, 1984 of Sisak. Neither of these prior patents remotely contemplates the apparatus of the present invention.

[0003] Further, GB-A 2 051 588 discloses a game board apparatus combining a game board having a central token movement area of adjacent vertically and horizontally aligned rows of spaces, which spaces may be in any form and/or shape, as desired, with a plurality of spaced groupings of spaces forming pairings of token start and token finish areas, the token start or the token finish areas being located on the periphery of the central token movement area; a plurality of similar game tokens, distinctive for individual players, for movement between pairs of start and finish areas through the central token movement area and random numerical selection apparatus for determining the distance of movement of a player's tokens on the board for each player's turn during play.

[0004] The random numerical selection apparatus may be, for example, die, cards bearing numerical indications, or a spinner having a pointer which is rotatable over a disc having segments numerically marked, to randomly point to one of such segments when rotated by a player. The chance taking apparatus may be cards with appropriate directions marked thereon. When cards are used for either numerical selection or chance taking, questions may be associated with these cards, the correct answer to which question must be given by a player drawing such a card to enable use of that card.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a game of chance, skill, education and creation which will provide fun as well as challenge for players of all ages. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a basic game format which may be readily modified for different themes or to provide an entirely new game(s).

[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a game board apparatus as disclosed in the cited GB-A 2 051 588, but characterised by game reward units associated with predetermined spaces in the central token movement area, and by chance taking apparatus associated with pre-determined other spaces located anywhere in the central token movement area of the board, for determining the movement of the tokens of the players or the disposition of game reward units.

[0007] The collection of game reward units by the players provides a central element of motivation to the game which, besides adding to the interest created thereby, facilitates adaption of the game to a variety of themes, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

[0008] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:

figures 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d are plan views of alterna- five board formats for use in the apparatus according to the present invention;

figures 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are respectively perspective (figure 2a) and plan (figures 2b, 2c and 2d) views of alternative forms of random numerical selection apparatus for determining the distance of movement of a player's tokens on the board during play, in accordance with the present invention;

figures 3a and 3b are plan, schematic views of alternative forms of chance taking cards for use in the apparatus according to the present invention;

figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating tokens and game reward units for use in accordance with the present invention; and

figures 5, 5a 6 and 7 are respectively plan views of detachable specially designated spaces and obstacles which may be used to modify the game board as required by the players.

[0009] While the invention will be described in conjunction with exemple embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0010] In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.

[0011] Turning to the drawings, as can be seen in figures 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d, the game board 2 according to the present invention may have a wide number of various and distinctive lay-outs. Each however has a central token movement area 4 (which could have various numbers, as designed), made up of adjacent vertically and horizontally aligned rows of spaces 6 which spaces may be in any form and/or shape, as desired.

[0012] Additionally, a plurality of groupings of spaces 8 are provided on the periphery of the central token movement area 4 as token start areas, and groupings of spaces 10, either on the periphery of central token movement area 4 or somewhere within as token finish areas. Token start spaces 8 and token finish spaces 10 are paired, so that tokens starting from a particular group of spaces 8 must finish at a predetermined related grouping of token finish spaces 10. The token start spaces 8 and the token finish spaces 10 on the periphery may be reversed, if desired.

[0013] A plurality of game tokens 12, representing individual players, are provided, as illustrated in figure 4, for movement in the spaces 6 between corresponding pairs of groups of start and finish spaces 8 and 10, through the central token movement area 4. Each player will have a plurality of similar, distinctive tokens 12, differing from those of the other players, to be used in the playing of the game. It will of course be understood that one of the aims of the game is for each player to manoeuvre his or her pawns across the board, from that player's token start spaces 8, to that player's corresponding token finish spaces 10.

[0014] To determine the distance of movement of a player's tokens 12 on board 2, for each player's turn during playing of the game, random numerical selection apparatus such as a die 14 (figure 2a), a spinner 16 having a pointer 18 which, when spun, randomly points to one of the number-bearing segments 20 on base 22 on which pointer 18 is supported (figure 2b), or a deck containing variously numbered cards 24 (figures 2c and 2d) may be alternatively used. Numbered cards 24 may bear simple numerical references (figure 2c) or, as illustrated in figure 2d, may additionally be provided with a question for the player to answer in space 26 (a question not being illustrated in the drawing). In this case, of course the answer to the question is provided with the in an appropriate conventional fashion, and failure of the player to answer the question would prevent use of that card for that player's turn.

[0015] The game apparatus is also provided with game reward units 28 (figure 4), which units are associated in a conventional way, for example by colour coding, with predetermined spaces 30 on the central token movement area 4 of the board. These spaces 30 may be of any shape, in any location and as many in numbers as required or desired regardless of the shape of the playing board. These spaces 30 could take up part of or a full area of the gameboard (size of area(s) as desired) and could provide different designs or checkerboard pattern, as desired. It is preferred that a plurality of units 30 be similarly coded (by colour or otherwise) and have corresponding game reward units. By devising the rules of play of the game so that a player must direct his tokens through a predetermined number of differently coded spaces 30, thereby collecting corresponding game reward units associated with these spaces, in moving the tokens from start spaces 8 to finish spaces 10, an added dimension of the game is created. This aspect of the game lends itself readily to different themes for the game, such as, for example:

(a) Medieval Era: Each grouping of coloured spaces 30 could represent a castle defended by a knight. The token 12 could then represent a team of warriors dispatched by the Emperor to bring a hostage (coloured or specially coded game reward unit 28) from each castle.

(b) Early Canadian/American Era: Each coloured or coded grouping of spaces 30 could represent an Indian tribe. The tokens 12 could then represent em- issaries (courreurs-de-bois) sent to visit each tribal chief and return with a signed Peace Treaty (coloured or specially coded game reward unit 28).

(c) Space Theme: Each coloured or coded grouping of spaces 30 could represent a star in a galaxy. The tokens 12 could then represent a fleet of space- ships dispatched to bring back a rare precious mineral (coloured or specially marked game unit 28) found only on that particular star.

[0016] To further enhance particularly the chance taking aspect of the game, chance taking apparatus, preferably in the form of cards 32 (figures 3a and 3b) associated with predetermined spaces 33 in the central token movement area 4 (preferably different from spaces 30) are provided for determining movement of the tokens 12 of the players or disposition of game reward units 28. These cards 32 might simply have directions for example concerning movement of tokens of the player drawing the card or those of the other players, or obtaining or loss of game reward units (figure 3a) or, additionally, have a question the answer to which the player drawing the card must give correctly in order to be able to use the card, the question being placed in a portion 34 of the card (figure 3b).

[0017] On such chance taking cards 32, instructions such as the following might be used:

(1) "Keep - You may move any of your tokens to any unoccupied space (33) coded with the colour (as desired), and draw one chance taking card."

(2) "Use Now - Take an additional turn."

(3) "Keep - Keep this card until you have acquired all coloured or specially coded, marked and/or designed game reward units 28 and then use it to move any of your tokens to your finish spaces (10)."

(4) "Use Now - This card entitles you to move any of your tokens any number of spaces up to and including 3. Move in a straight line only (ie. horizontally, vertically or diagonally across)."

(5) "Keep - you may move any of your tokens to any unoccupied space (33) anywhere in the token movement area 4 and collect 1 (more) game reward unit (28)."

(6) "Use Now - Return any of your tokens to one of your start spaces (8)."

(7) "Use Now - Give one of your game reward units (28) to each of your opponents."

[0018] Turning to figure 1 a, for example spaces 33 might be coded with a symbol (e.g. "O") as illustrated. Obstacles to impede direct movement of tokens in central area 4 may be provided by a particular indication such as shown by reference numeral 35, which impediments may be of any form and/or shape and in any location of the central token movement area 4.

[0019] Appropriate spaces for chance taking cards or random numerical selection cards, if used, may be provided as illustrated at 36 (figure 1 a).

[0020] In the standard form of playing the game according to the present invention, both random numerical selection cards and chance taking cards are used. The players may have their own coloured or specially coded, marked and/or designed tokens to be placed on each player's own token start spaces 8. Each player in turn would draw a random numerical selection card 24 to determine the movement of that player's token 12. If a token falls on a chance taking space 33, then that player would draw a chance taking card 32 and move his and/or his opponent's tokens or receive or give up game reward units as called for on the card. If the numerical selection cards and chance taking cards are the type provided with questions 26, 34, then the player would be expected to answer the question correctly or forfeit the use of such card. The passage of a player's token through a space 30 would entitle that player to a correspondingly coded game reward unit 28. Of course, any number of variations on these basic rules could be effected on this basic game board apparatus and any appropriate manner of selecting the winner of the game could be set-up.

[0021] The movement of the player's token(s) may be made in a straight line going forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically or diagonally across the game board as a player desires and/or as the rules require.

[0022] In one adaptation of the game in accordance with the present invention, as illustrated in figures 5 and 5a, reusable space elements 40 may be provided which are releasably securable to the board so that the players may change the game board as they wish, prior to commencement of play. Space elements 40 may be made of magnetic material or have a magnetic backing where the board is made of an appropriate magnet-attractive material. Alternatively, they may have a backing of reusable self-adhesive or be securable in any other appropriate manner. These space elements 40 are, for example, intended to take place of or be in addition to spaces 30 (figures 1a to 1d) permanently positioned on the board. As well obstacle means 42 illustrated in figure 6, and reward/bonus spaces 44 illustrated in figure 7, which are similarly releasably securable to the board, may be provided to change the game board as desired by the players, taking the place of or, in addition to, the permanently positioned obstacle means 35 of figures 1a to 1d and the permanently positioned reward/bonus spaces 33 in figures 1a to 1d, respectively. Again obstacle means 42 and reward/bonus spaces 44 may be secured to the board by appropriate magnetic or adhesive means, or in any other appropriate fashion.

[0023] Thus it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention a game board apparatus that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modification and variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. For example, the game is readily adaptable to a soft- ware/computer format. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A game board (2) apparatus combining a game board having a central token movement area (4) of adjacent vertically and horizontally aligned rows of spaces (6), which spaces may be in any form and/or shape, as desired, with a plurality of spaced groupings of spaces forming pairings of token start (8) and token finish areas (10), the token start or the token finish areas being located on the periphery of the central token movement area; a plurality of similar game tokens (12), distinctive for individual players, for movement between pairs of start and finish areas through the central token movement area and random numerical selection apparatus (14; 22; 24) for determining the distance of movement of a player's tokens on the board for each players's turn during play; characterized by game reward units (28) associated with predetermined spaces (30) in the central token movement area (4); and by chance taking apparatus associated with predetermined other spaces (33) located anywhere in the central token movement area (4) of the board (2), for determining the movement of the tokens (12) of the players or the disposition of game reward units (28).

2. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the game reward units (28) are different groups of distinctive units, each group associated with one or more of said associated predetermined spaces (30) on the central token movement area (4).

3. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the random numerical selection apparatus comprises a die (14).

4. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the random numerical selection apparatus comprises a plurality of cards (24), each card (24) representing a numerical value.

5. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the random numerical selection apparatus comprises a spinner device (16) having a pointer (18) rotatable over a disc (22) with segments (20) numerically marked, to point to one of such segments (20) when rotated by a player.

6. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the random numerical selection apparatus comprises a plurality of cards (24), each card (24) representing a numerical value, at least some of which cards (24) are associated with questions (26), the correct answer to which question (26) must be given by a player drawing such a card (24) to permit use of that card (24) for movement of a token (12) of that player.

7. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chance taking apparatus comprises a plurality of cards (32) dictating movement of a token (12) or tokens (12) of the player drawing that card (32) or of the tokens (12) of other players, or disposition of game reward units (28).

8. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the chance taking apparatus comprises a plurality of cards (32) dictating movement of a token (12) or tokens (12) of the player drawing that card (32) or of the tokens (12) of other players, or the disposition of game reward units (28), at least some of which cards (32) are associated with questions (34), the correct answer to which question (34) must be given by a player drawing such card (32) to permit the movement of the tokens (12) or the disposition of game reward units (28) dictated by such card (32).

9. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that obstacle means (35) are provided anywhere in the central token movement area (4) to impede direct movement of tokens (12) through the spaces in that area.

10. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the game board (2) has a pre- determined number of differently coded, coloured spaces (30), located in the central token movement area (4), which spaces (3) are in a predetermined form and shape and are intended to collect game reward units (28).

11. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the token finish areas (10) are located either on the periphery of or anywhere inside the central token movement area (4).

12. A game board apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that some or all of said predetermined spaces (30, 33, 40, 44) in the central token movement area (4) which are associated with the game reward units (28) or the chance taking apparatus are releasably securable to the playing surface at different locations selected by the individual players prior to commencement of play.

13. A game board apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the releasably securable pre- determined spaces (30, 33, 40, 44) have a reusable self-adhesive backing.

14. A game board apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the releasably securable predetermined spaces (30, 33, 40, 44) are made of magnetic material or have a magnetic backing, and the game board is made of a magnet-attracting material.

15. A game board apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that it is further provided with obstacle means (35, 42) releasably securable to the playing surface at different locations selected by the individual players prior to commencement of play, the obstacle means (35, 42) to impede direct movement of tokens (12) through spaces in the central token movement area (4), the releasably securable predetermined spaces (30, 33, 40, 44) and the obstacle means (35, 42) being of magnetic material or having a magnetic backing, and the game board being made of a magnet-attracting material.

16. A game board apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that it is further provided with obstacle means (35, 42) releasably securable to the playing surface at different locations selected by the individual players prior to commencement of play, the obstacle means (35, 42) to impede direct movement of tokens (12) through spaces in the central token movement area (4), the releasably securable predetermined spaces (30, 33, 40, 44) and the obstacle means (35, 42) having a reusable self-adhesive backing.

Ansprüche

1. Spielbrettapparat (2), der ein Spielbrett mit zentralem Markenbewegungsgebiet (4) aus anliegenden, senkrecht und waagerecht ausgerichteten Reihen von Feldern (6) aufweist, wobei die Form und/oder die Abmassungen dieser Felder beliebig sein können, mit einer Mehrzahl mit Zwischenräumen angeordneten Gruppierungen von Feldern, welche Markenbeginnbereiche (8) und Markenendbereiche (10) bilden, wobei diese Markenbeginnbereiche oder Markenendbereiche am Umfang des zentralen Markenbewegungsgebietes lokalisiert sind; eine Mehrzahl ähnlicher, für einzelne Spieler unterscheidbarer Spielmarken (12) zum Bewegen zwischen Paaren von Markenendbereichen und Markenbeginnbereichen durch den zentralen Markenbewegungsgebiet und Zufallszahlgeneratoren (14, 22, 24) zum Bestimmen des Bewegungsabstandes der Marken eines Spielers auf dem Brett für jede Reihe der Spieler während des Spiels, gekennzeichnet durch den im zentralen Markenbewegungsgebiet (4) vorbestimmten Feldern (30) zugeordnete Spielbelohnungseinheiten (28) und durch irgendwo im zentralen Markenbewegungsgebiet (4) des Bretts (2), vorbestimmten anderen Feldern (33) zugeordnete Zufallswahlapparate zum Bestimmen der Bewegung der Spielermarken (12) oder der Anordnung von Spielbelohnungseinheiten (28).

2. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Spielbelohnungseinheiten (28) verschiedene Gruppen von unterscheidbaren Einheiten sind, wobei jede Gruppe einem oder mehreren Feldern dieser zugeordneten vorbestimmten Felder (30) im zentralen Markenbewegungsgebiet (4) zugeordnet ist.

3. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Zufallszahlgenerator einen Würfel (14) enthält.

4. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Zufallszahlgenerator eine Mehrzahl von Karten (24) enthält, wobei jede Karte (24) einen Zahlenwert darstellt.

5. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Zufallszahlgenerator eine Kreiselvorrichtung (16) enthält, die einen, über eine in numerisch gemerkte Segmente (20) verteilte Scheibe (22) drehbaren Zeiger (18) aufweist, um eines solcher Segmente (20) anzudeuten, wenn sie von einem Spieler zum Drehen gebracht wird.

6. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Zufallszahlgenerator eine Mehrzahl von Karten (24) enthält, wobei jede Karte (24) einen Zahlenwert darstellt und mindestens einige dieser Karten (24) mit Fragen (26) assoziiert sind, auf welche die richtige Antwort von einem, eine solche Karte (24) ziehenden Spieler gegeben werden soll, um den Gebrauch dieser Karte (24) zum Bewegen einer Marke (12) dieses Spielers zuzulassen.

7. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Glückswahlapparat eine Mehrzahl von Karten (32) enthält, welche die Bewegung einer oder mehrerer Marken (12) des diese Karte (32) ziehenden Spielers oder der Marken (12) anderer Spieler, oder die Anordnung von Spielbelohnungseinheiten (28) auferlegt.

8. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Glückswahlapparat eine Mehrzahl von Karten (32) enthält, welche die Bewegung einer oder mehrerer Marken (12) des diese Karte (32) ziehenden Spielers oder der Marken (12) anderer Spieler, oder die Anordnung von Spielbelohnungseinheiten (28) auferlegt, wobei mindestens einige dieser Karten (32) mit Fragen (34) assoziiert sind, auf welche die richtige Antwort von einem, eine solche Karte (32) ziehenden Spieler gegeben werden soll, um die Bewegung der Marken (12) oder die von einer solchen Karte (32) auferlegte Anordnung von Spielbelohnungseinheiten (28) zuzulassen.

9. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß Hindernisse (35) irgendwo im zentralen Markenbewegungsgebiet (4) vorgesehen sind, um die direkte Bewegung von Marken (12) durch die Felder dieses Gebietes zu verhindern.

10. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es eine vorbestimmte Anzahl verschiedentlich codierter, gefärbter Felder (30) aufweist, die im zentralen Markenbewegungsgebiet (4) lokalisiert sind, wobei diese Felder (30) eine vorbestimmte Form und Abmessung haben und zum Sammeln von Spielbelohnungseinheiten (28) bestimmt sind.

11. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Markenendbereiche (10) entweder am Umfang oder irgendwo innerhalb des zentralen Markenbewegungsgebietes (4) gelegen sind.

12. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß einige oder alle vorbestimmten Felder (30, 33, 40, 44) im zentralen Markenbewegungsgebiet (4), die den Spielbelohnungseinheiten (28) oder den Glückswahlapparaten zugeordnet sind, vor Spielbeginn auf abnehmbare Weise an verschiedenen, von einzelnen Spielern ausgewählten Stellen an der Spieloberfläche befestigt sind.

13. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, das die abnehmbar befestigbaren vorbestimmten Felder (30, 33, 40, 44) eine wiederverwendbare selbstklebende Rückschicht aufweisen.

14. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die abnehmbar befestigbaren vorbestimmten Felder (30, 33, 40, 44) aus magnetischem Material hergestellt sind oder eine magnetische Rückschicht tragen, und das Spielbrett aus einem magnetisch anziehenden Material hergestellt ist.

15. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß er außerdem mit Hindernissen (35, 42) ausgerüstet ist, welche vor Spielbeginn auf abnehmbare Weise an verschiedenen, von einzelnen Spielern ausgewählten Stellen an der Spieloberfläche befestigt sind, wobei diese Hindernisse (35, 42) zum Verhindern der direkten Bewegung von Marken (12) durch Felder im zentralen Markenbewegungsgebiet (4), die auf abnehmbare Weise befestigten, vorbestimmten Felder (30, 33, 40, 44) und die Hindernisse (35, 42) aus magnetischem Material hergestellt sind oder eine magnetische Rückschicht tragen, und das Spielbrett aus einem magnetisch anziehenden Material hergestellt ist.

16. Spielbrettapparat nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß er außerdem mit Hindernissen (35, 42) ausgerüstet ist welche vor Spielbeginn auf abnehmbare Weise an verschiedenen, von einzelnen Spielern ausgewählten Stellen an der Spieloberfläche befestigt sind, wobei diese Hindernisse (35, 42) zum Verhindern der direkten Bewegung von Marken (12) durch Felder im zentralen Markenbewegungsgebiet (4), die auf abnehmbare Weise befestigten, vorbestimmten Felder (30, 33, 40, 44) und die Hindernisse (35, 42) eine wiederverwendbare selbstklebende Rückschicht aufweisen.

Revendications

1. Appareil à tableau de jeu (2) combinant un tableau de jeu, celui-ci comprenant une zone centrale (4) dans laquelle se déplacent les jetons, cette zone étant constituée de rangées d'espaces adjacentes (6), ces espaces étant alignés horizontalement et verticalement, tandis qu'ils peuvent avoir n'importe quelle forme et/ou configuration souhaitée, avec plusieurs groupements séparés, ceux-ci étant constitués d'espaces formant des zones de départ (8) et des zones d'arrivée (10) appariées, pour les jetons, ces zones de départ et d'arrivée étant situées à la périphérie de la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons; plusieurs jetons de jeu semblables (12), distincts pour chaque joueur individuel, en vue d'effectuer des mouvements entre les zones appariées de départ et d'arrivée, à travers la zone centrale de déplacement des jetons, ainsi qu'un appareil de sélection numérique aléatoire (14; 22; 24), cet appareil servant à déterminer la distance de mouvement sur le tableau, d'un des jetons appartenant à un joueur, pour chaque joueur tour à tour, au cours de la partie; caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des unités de jeu de restitution (28) associées à des espaces prédétermines (30) ménages dans la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons; et en ce qu'il comprend un appareil de loterie asssocié à d'autres espaces prédéterminés (33), ceux-ci étant situés n'importe où dans la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons sur le tableau (2), en vue de déterminer le mouvement des jetons (12) des joueurs ou la disposition d'unités (28) de récompense d'un jeu.

2. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les unités (28) de récompense d'un jeu constituent des groupes différents d'unités distinctes, chaque groupe étant associé à un des espaces associés prédéterminés (30), ou plus, ménagés sur la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons.

3. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil de sélection numérique aléatoire comprend un dé (14).

4. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil de sélection numérique aléatoire comprend plusieurs cartes (24), chacune de celles-ci représentant une valeur numérique.

5. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil de sélection numérique aléatoire est constitué d'un dispositif giratoire (16) comprenant une aiguille (18) pouvant tourner sur un disque (22), qui comporte des segments (20) marqués numériquement, en vue d'indiquer un de ces segments (20), lorsqu'un joueur la fait tourner.

6. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil de sélection numérique aléatoire comprend plusieurs cartes (24), chacune d'elles représentant une valeur numérique, et en ce qu'au moins certaines de ces cartes (24) sont associées à des questions (26), dont les réponses correctes doivent être fournies par un joueur tirant une telle carte (24) et permettant ainsi l'utilisation de cette dernière pour mettre en mouvement un jeton (12) appartenant à ce joueur.

7. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil de loterie comprend plusieurs cartes (32), celles-ci dictant le mouvement d'un ou de jeton(s) (12) du joueur qui tire cette carte (32) ou des jetons (12) d'autres joueurs, ou encore la disposition des unités (28) de récompense d'un jeu.

8. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil de loterie comprend plusieurs cartes (32), celles-ci dictant le mouvement d'un ou de jeton(s) (12) du joueur qui tire cette carte (32) ou des jetons (12) d'autres joueurs, ou encore la disposition des unités (28) de récompense d'un jeu, certaines de ces cartes (32) au moins étant associées à des questions (34), dont la réponse correcte doit être fournie par un joueur qui tire une de ces cartes, permettant ainsi le mouvement des jetons (12) ou la disposition des unités (28) de récompense d'un jeu dicté par une telle carte (32).

9. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'on prévoit des obstacles (35), positionnés n'importe où dans la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons, afin d'empêcher le mouvement direct des jetons (12) à travers les espaces ménagés dans cette zone.

10. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le tableau de jeu (2) comporte un nombre prédéterminé d'espaces (30) colorés et codés différemment, et situés dans la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons, ces espaces (30) ayant une forme et une configuration prédéterminées et étant destinés à recueillir les unités (28) de récompense d'un jeu.

11. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les zones d'arrivée (10) des jetons sont situées soit à la péripherie, soit n'importe où à l'intérieur de la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons.

12. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'une partie ou la totalité des espaces prédéterminés (30, 33, 40, 44) ménagés dans la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons et étant associés aux unités (28) de récompense d'un jeu ou à l'appareil de loterie, peuvent être fixés provisoirement à la surface de jeu à différents endroits choisis individuellement par les joueurs avant le début de la partie.

13. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que les espaces prédéterminés (30, 33, 40, 44) pouvant être fixés de manière provisoire sont munis d'un support auto-collant réutilisable.

14. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que les espaces prédéterminés (30, 33, 40, 44) pouvant être fixés de manière provisoire sont fabriqués en matière magnétique ou sont munis d'un support magnétique, tandis que le tableau de jeu est constitué d'une matière aimantée.

15. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce qu'il est muni en outre d'obstacles (35, 42), pouvant être fixés provisoirement sur la surface de jeu à différents endroits choisis individuellement par les joueurs avant le début de la partie, les obstacles (35, 42); ayant été prévus afin d'empêcher le mouvement direct des jetons (12) à travers les espaces ménagés dans la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons, tandis que les espaces prédéterminés (30, 33, 40, 44) pouvant être fixés provisoirement, ainsi que les obstacles (35, 42) sont fabriqués en matière magnétique ou sont munis d'un support magnétique, tandis que le tableau de jeu est aimanté.

16. Appareil à tableau de jeu selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce qu'il est, en outre, muni d'obstacles (35, 42) pouvant être fixés de manière provisoire sur la surface de jeu à différents endroits choisis individuellement par les joueurs avant le début de la partie, ces obstacles (35, 42) ayant été prévus afin d'empêcher le mouvement direct des jetons (12) à travers les espaces ménagés dans la zone centrale (4) de déplacement des jetons, tandis que les espaces prédéterminés (30, 33, 40, 44) pouvant être fixés de manière provisoire, ainsi que les obstacles (35, 42) sont munis d'un support auto-collant réutilisable.

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