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(11) | EP 0 447 270 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Games apparatus |
| (57) A games apparatus is provided for two or more participant arranged into opposing
sides. The apparatus comprises a playing surface and playing pieces wherein the playing
surface is in cross-section irregular and provides participants with a fixed three-dimensional
terrain, the playing pieces are movable across the playing surface in a substantially
horizontal or substantially vertical direction and the outcome of the game is determined
by one side successfully directing its playing pieces against those of the opposing
side subject to any obstacles created by the terrain and in accordance with the rules
of the game. A method of playing a game, is also provided, the method being such that
two of more participants or opposing sides play a game of skill or a game of chance
or a game combining the two. |
[0002] More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to apparatus and a method for two or more players to play a board-type game wherein the playing surface is irregular or undulating. At the present time, various types of board-type games have been commercially available but to varying degrees have suffered from the disadvantage of being uni-dimensional and somewhat unchallenging. An example of this is the game of draughts, which is played on a planar board which allows two players to move their playing pieces in various horizontal directions. Certain three dimensional games are also known. However, none of these games provide a fixed and in cross-section irregular playing surface upon which the game is played. For example, Australian Patent No. 68 635/81 in the name of R.P. Moore discloses a game wherein the entire playing surface may be filled with a plurality of interfitting blocks or playing pieces. While three dimensional in a sense the playing surface itself is flat.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a games apparatus which can provide a relatively cheap, simple and challenging game and in a preferred embodiment thereof particularly to facilitate the playing of chess and draughts with an added dimension of difficulty and interest.
[0004] Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is thus provided a games apparatus for use according to a set of rules with two or more participants arranged into opposing sides, the games apparatus comprising a playing surface and playing pieces wherein the playing surface is irregular thereby providing the participants with a fixed three-dimensional terrain, the playing pieces are movable across the playing surface in both a horizontal and vertical direction, the outcome of the game is determined by one side successfully moving its playing pieces against those of the opposing side subject to any obstacles created by the terrain and in accordance with the rules of the game.
[0006] According to a final aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of playing a board-type game, as above defined.
[0007] Further aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of a possible embodiment thereof and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1: Shows diagrammatically a perspective view of a games apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 2: Shows diagrammatically a perspective view of a means of attachment of a playing piece to the playing surface of the invention;
Figure 3: Shows diagrammatically a cross-sectional view of a means of attachment of playing pieces to a non-horizontal surface;
Figure 4: Shows diagrammatically a cross-sectional part view of the said playing surface illustrating playing surface markings.
[0008] The present invention relates to a games apparatus which in the preferred embodiment is particularly suitable for the playing of board-type games such as chess and draughts. However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention has applications beyond this, for example, for the playing of various games where the movement of playing pieces over a varying terrain is desired. It would also be appreciated that this adds a further dimension to the game, which dimension is not present in traditional games having flat or otherwise regular playing surfaces.
[0009] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the games apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown diagrammatically. It is referenced generally by arrow 1, it has a base 2, an irregular playing surface 3 and substantially vertical sides 4. The playing surface 3 is shown to comprise a varying terrain being hills 5, valley 6, course of approach 7 and fortified castle 8. The said castle 8 is shown to have substantially vertical walls 9.
[0010] In one embodiment of the invention a grid pattern may be placed over the playing surface 3. Playing pieces 11 could then be provided to allow two or more players to advance their respective playing pieces across the terrain. Thus, if a game of chess or the like was played, one player would advance his/her playing pieces towards the castle 8 and the other player would advance his/hers towards the plains 5. The grid pattern would not necessarily need to be uniform throughout and it is envisaged that the arrangement of squares within the grid pattern could be such that the passage over the hills 5 or up the cantle wall 9 would be relatively more difficult than advancing along a flat valley or plain 6. It will also be seen that this would alter substantially the way in which a game such as chess or the like was played because the area of easy access across the terrain would need to be more heavily protected than those areas of terrain which are more difficult to traverse. This would in fact change the nature in which the game of chess (or draughts or any similar game) was played.
[0011] It will be appreciated that while the games of chess and draughts have been described by way of example, that any game where playing pieces are advanced across a given terrain, could be played on the games apparatus. Thus, a more haphazard game of chance such as a "war game" could be played on the games apparatus whereby the rules were structured so that one player (or group of players) needed to attack castle 8 and another defend the castle from such attack. Likewise, the games apparatus could be used to combine a game of skill and chance whereby players competed with each other to secure a given position on the playing surface. In such a game individual playing pieces could be given predetermined values which would vary depending on where on the playing surface the playing piece was located. for example, a high value on the top of the wall of the fortified castle 8 and a low value immediately below such a wall where it would be susceptible to attack.
[0012] Figure 2 shows a playing piece 11. It is shown to be positioned above an annular aperture 12 which aperture is positioned within a square 13. Figure 3 shows a vertical playing surface 14 within which is placed a playing piece 15. The said playing piece 15 has a stem 16 and face 17. The said playing piece 15 is shown with the face 17 in one orientation, namely vertical. Arrow B shows the said face in a different, more horizontal, orientation which is inclined off the vertical. This may be achieved by the rotation of said face 17 upon pivot 18.
[0013] The playing piece may be advanced around the playing surface 3 and retained in a desired position on the playing surface or grid pattern. When advancing across uneven or substantially vertical terrain, the playing piece 15 would need to be suitably adhered to the playing surface 3. This may be achieved by magnetising the playing surface and playing pieces or providing for a series of annular apertures 12, within which the stem 16 of the playing piece could fit. However, once a playing piece ascends a vertical surface such as a wall, the player might have difficulty in recognising his or her playing pieces. For this reason the face 17 would be rotatable depending on the particular orientation of the playing pieces.
[0014] Figure 5 shows a side view of a portion of the playing surface. The playing surface is represented by 3 and within such surface are indentations 19. They are shown to comprise V-shaped indentations within the playing surface 3. Within the said indentations 19 is a coloured portion 20. Said coloured portion 20 would be positioned in such a way that only one of the two players or teams could see such colouring, thereby knowing which path to follow across the terrain or grid pattern. Thus, a player or team playing with say white playing pieces, would only sea white squares or other markings, while a player playing with say black pieces, would only see black squares or other markings.
[0015] The wide application of the present invention is obvious upon an explanation of the above. It will be appreciated that the playing surface and playing pieces may be varied depending on the the of game played. For example, a medieval theme may be provided with specialised players. Likewise, a water-crossing could be provided with a ferry to transport playing pieces across such a water barrier. It will also be seen that the game could correspond to a period in the past, present or future.
1. A games apparatus for use according to a set of rules with two or more participants
arranged into opposing sides, the games apparatus comprising a playing surface and
playing pieces CHARACTERISED IN THAT the playing surface is in cross-section irregular and provides the participants with
a fixed three-dimensional terrain, the playing pieces are movable across the playing
surface in a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical direction and the
outcome of the game is determined by one side successfully directing its playing pieces
against those of the oposing side subject to any obstacles created by the terrain
and in accordance with the rules of the game.
2. A games apparatus for use according to a set of rules with two or more participants
arranged into opposing sides, the games apparatus comprising a playing surface and
playing pieces CHARACTERISED IN THAT the playing surface is in cross-section irregular and provides the participants with
a fixed three-dimensional terrain, the playing pieces are movable across the playing
surface in a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical direction and the
playing pieces have a predetermined valur and wherein their value is additionally
variable depending on the position of the playing piece on the playing surface.
3. A games apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the playing surface is
linearly demarcated and whereby the participants are required to move their playing
pieces according to such demarcation but subject to any obstacles created by the terrain
of the playing surface.
4. A games apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the linear demarcation comprises a
grid pattern across part of or the entire playing surface.
5. A games apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the obstacles in
the playing surface impede either temporarily or throughout the duration of any given
game the progress of any playing piece which comes into contact with such obstacle/s.
6. A games apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the playing pieces
are attachable to the said playing surface whether substantially horizontal or substantially
vertical and wherein the orientation of the face of the playing piece may be varied
depending on the terrain at any given point on the playing surface.
7. A games apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the face of the playing piece is pivotably
variable.
8. A method of playing a game, the apparatus of which is substantially as defined in
any one of the preceding claims and the method being such that two or more participants
or opposing sides play a game of skill or a game of chance or a game combining the
two, including the steps of:
a) one participant or side moving playing pieces across a playing surface in either a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical direction,
b) overcoming any obstacles created by the terrain
CHARACTERISED IN THAT the playing surface is in cross-section irregular and provides the participants with a fixed three dimensional terrain whereby the outcome of the game is determined by one participant or side successfully directing its playing pieces against those of the opposing participant or aide subject to the said obstacles created by the terrain and in accordance with the rules of the game.9. A method of playing a game, the apparatus of which is substantially as defined in
any one of the preceding claims and the method being such that two or more participants
or opposing sides play a game of skill or a game of chance or a game combining the
two, including the steps of:
a) one participant or side moving playing pieces across a playing surface in either a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical direction,
b) overcoming any obstacles created by the terrain
CHARACTERISED IN THAT the playing surface is in cross-section irregular and provides the participants with a fixed three dimensional terrain whereby the outcome of the game is determined by one participant or side successfully directing its playing pieces against those of the opposing participant or side and the playing pieces have a predetermined value and wherein their value is additionally variable depending on the position of the playing piece on the playing surface the said game being played subject to the said obstacles created by the terrain and in accordance with the rules of the game.