US20050212212A1

US20050212212A1 - Treasure hunt game

Info

Publication number: US20050212212A1
Application number: US10/907,250
Authority: US
Inventors: Elizabeth Goodwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-26
Filing date: 2005-03-25
Publication date: 2005-09-29

Abstract

A treasure hunt game comprising at least one series of clue cards, wherein the series includes at least a first card that contains a rhyme indicating the location of a subsequent card in the series, and a final card that contains a rhyme indicating the location of an ultimate prize.

Description

This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/556,750, filed Mar. 26, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a treasure hunt game, and more particularly, to a treasure hunt game in which the clues are rhymes or rhyming riddles. Other aspects of the invention relate to a method for preparing such a treasure hunt game. In some aspects, the method is used to provide a generalized game that may be mass-distributed. In other aspects, the method used is to provide an individualized game for a specific participant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Treasure hunt games are known in the prior art. In a typical prior art “treasure hunt” game, a player (or one of a number of players) is provided with a first clue. Reading and understanding the first clue provides insight as to the location of a second clue. If the player is correct in determining the location of the second clue, then the second clue is ascertained, and the reading and understanding of the second clue provides an insight as to the location of a third clue. If a hypothetical treasure hunt game has a plurality of n clues, then the player needs to successfully locate (n−1) clues, since the first clue is given to the player. After locating the nth clue, correct interpretation of the clue leads the player to a prize. In summary, a treasure hunt game of n clues has a starting point and n subsequent locations, (n-1) of which are clue locations and one of which is an ultimate prize location.
It is an unmet object of the prior art to provide a treasure hunt game in which a plurality of rhyming or rhyming riddle location clues are provided to lead a player from an initial location to an ultimate prize location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a treasure hunt game comprises at least one series of clue cards, wherein the series includes at least a first card that contains a rhyme indicating the location of a subsequent card in the series, and a final card that contains a rhyme indicating the location of an ultimate prize.
In another embodiment, a treasure hunt game comprises at least one series of clue cards, the series including a sub-series of card-indicating clue cards and a final ultimate prize-indicating clue card, wherein the sub-series contains at least a first card that provides a rhyme identifying the location of a subsequent clue card in the at least one series of clue cards, and wherein the final ultimate prize-indicating clue card is subsequent to the sub-series of card-indicating clue cards and provides a rhyme identifying the location of an ultimate prize.
In still another embodiment, a method of playing a treasure hunt game comprises: providing an organizer and at least one player or team; providing a series of clue cards for each player or team and an ultimate prize; placing all clue cards, except for the first clue card, at the locations identified by the rhyme included on the preceding clue card; placing the ultimate prize at the location identified by the final card; providing each player or team with the first card in the associated series of clue cards; searching for the card subsequent the first clue card based upon the rhyme included on the first clue card; finding the clue card subsequent the first card; repeating the prior two steps using the most recently located clue card until locating the final clue card; searching for the ultimate prize based upon the rhyme included on the final clue card; and finding the ultimate prize.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of a treasure hunt game of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a typical clue card, used in the treasure hunt game of the present invention, in an opened state;
FIG. 3 shows a typical clue card, used in the treasure hunt game of the present invention, in a closed state; and
FIG. 4 shows a summary listing of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a set of n clues is provided to a game organizer for each game player. In such an embodiment, one clue is provided on each of n clue cards. The clue printed on the first clue card is a rhyme or a rhyming riddle that assists the game player in locating the second clue card, on which is printed a rhyme or rhyming riddle that serves as a clue to assist the game player in locating the third clue card and so forth. At the end of the game, the nth clue card (or final clue card) contains a rhyming or rhyming riddle clue that assists the game player in finding an ultimate prize.
In a possible variation of the game, there is more than one prize awarded during the game, so that the player is rewarded by one or more intermediate prizes as the player progresses toward the ultimate prize. In some versions of the game, these intermediate prizes may either comprise a part of the ultimate prize or may, in themselves, be complementary to the clue card and serve as a part of the clue leading to the next clue location.
In another variation on the game of the present invention involving more than one game player, each set of n clues will lead each of the game players through different locations (or the same locations in a different order), to ultimately reach the same prize. This variation may best be utilized with older children or adults, where a competition may be encouraged. In another variation that is particularly useful with younger children, each set of n clues will lead the game player to his or her own individual prize, so that each player ultimately receives a prize.
When there is more than one game player, each set of the n clue cards may be marked with a series identifying marking, including printing each card within the series on a colored card stock or the like, with a specific color assigned to each game player or team. In this way, each game player is able to identify the clue cards in his/her set of cards and does not disturb the cards of the other players. Typically, a card stock of 20# or greater is used for these clue cards. It is contemplated that various markings, including letters, numbers, and illustrations, may be used instead of or in conjunction with colors.
In order to permit the game to be produced and distributed in a mass manner, the locations for hiding the clue cards (and, consequently, the sites to which the clues are directed) should either be fairly standardized locations in the environs of the game player or be individualized or personalized to the game player in a way known to the game organizer. An example of the first type would direct a game player to a standardized site, like the kitchen sink. An example of the second type would direct a game player to an individualized or personalized site, such as under his/her pillow, or under his/her chair at the table. To assist the game organizer, the set of clue cards may be provided with a summary list of hiding locations for the particular clue cards. In such a case, each of the n clue cards may be imprinted with an identifying or index marking (indicium), so that the organizer (and game player) can correctly identify each clue. If only one set of n clue cards is provided, each clue card may be identified by a distinct color instead of a numeric indicium. This identifying or index marking may also identify a sequential card arrangement within a series of clue cards.
Clue cards may be provided for a variety of occasions, such as for Easter egg hunts, Christmas, birthdays, baby showers or the like, so that the treasure hunt game may be particularized to the event. This includes providing cards having various designs which may include certain messages, colors, and markings, such as illustrations.
While the characteristic clues of the present invention are rhyming in nature, the rhyme may also be a riddle, with there being a clear distinction between rhyming clues and rhyming riddle clues. Rhyming riddle clues tend to be used more commonly with adults. An example of a rhyming clue for a treasure hunt game for children of the present invention may read as follows:

- “As you begin this treasure hunt
- You'll find the clues are sweet.
- The first clue that you're looking for
- Is right here at your feet.”

The preferred clues for children tell them exactly where to go. Another example reads:

- “Clue number four is some place wet
- But not where you might think.
- It won't be in the bathroom, but
- It is beneath a sink.”

On the other hand, an example of a rhyming riddle clue for a treasure hunt game for adults of the present invention may read as follows:

- “Is it better to illuminate the spirit or the mind?
- Illumination's simpler at the next clue that you find.”

Clues for adult games require that the adult ascertain the meaning of the riddle. Another example reads:

- “A word can wound, a word can heal.
- If not spoken aloud, how to make it real?”

A typical layout of a treasure hunt using the game 10 of the present invention is depicted schematically in FIG. 1. The embodiment illustrated is a four-clue game. In such a game, a player or team at a first location 12 is provided with a first clue card 30 from a series 20, as is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. This clue card 30 has a rhyming or rhyming riddle clue 32 imprinted on one side of the card. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the card may be folded along a crease line 34 to be initially in a closed state, as shown in FIG. 3. It is contemplated that no crease line 34 may exist, and that the card may not be folded. When opened, the clue 32 is available to the player or team. In the embodiment shown, an index marking or indicium 36 may be used to identify the clue, sequentially or non-sequentially, while a series indicator 38 may be used to identify the series. Index marking 36 and series indicator 38 may exist on any face of card 30. If the card 30 is folded, the markings may be on an exterior face of the card 30, opposite the clue 32. In the embodiment shown, the index marking 36 is a letter of the alphabet, but a number or a color may also be used. Further, the series indicator 38, as shown, is a number; however, any marking or color may be used as specified above. As stated above, any markings include illustrations. In FIG. 1, only a single series 20 is shown; however, game 10 may comprise multiple series 20, wherein each player or team is associated with a different series 20.
When a player reads the clue 32 on card 30, the clue directs the player, either directly or through inference based upon the riddle, to the second location 14, where a second clue card 40 is located. This clue card 40 is of the same nature as clue card 30, but directs the player to third location 16. At the third location 16, a third clue card 50 directs the player to fourth location 18, and a fourth clue card 60 at the fourth location directs the player to a fifth location 19, where the player finds no further clue cards, but instead finds ultimate prize 70.
In some variations of the same as depicted in FIG. 1, there may be intermediate prizes at intermediate locations. For example, an intermediate prize 80 is shown at third location 16. As an example, an Easter hunt game according to the invention could provide small chocolate eggs as intermediate prizes at one or more intermediate locations.
Finally, a summary listing 90 may be provided that summarizes the locations identified by each card 30. The summary list 90 may summarize all cards 30 within a single card series 20 or within all the card series 20 for a game 10. This is especially helpful to a game organizer, when setting up game 10.
Although the invention has been described herein with reference to the present embodiments, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present embodiments of the invention as described herein can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A treasure hunt game comprising:

at least one series of clue cards, wherein the series includes at least a first card that contains a rhyme indicating the location of a subsequent card in the series, and a final card that contains a rhyme indicating the location of an ultimate prize.

2. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, wherein the at least one series of clue cards comprises sequential clue cards.

3. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rhymes expressly indicates the location of a subsequent card or the ultimate prize.

4. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, wherein at least one the rhymes is in the form of a riddle that indicates the location of a subsequent card or the ultimate prize.

5. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, wherein at least one of the clue cards is initially folded into a closed position.

6. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rhymes indicating the location of a subsequent clue card also indicates the location of an intermediate prize.

7. The treasure hunt game of claim 6, wherein the intermediate prize is a clue complementary to the subsequent clue card.

8. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, wherein each clue card within at least one of the at least one series of clue cards includes a series indicator, the indicator being a color or a marking thereon.

9. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, wherein each clue card within the at least one series of clue cards includes an index marking.

10. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, further comprising a summary listing of all locations identified by each clue card within the at least one series of clue cards.

11. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, wherein at least one card of the at least one series of clue cards identifies a personal location.

12. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, further comprising a theme.

13. The treasure hunt game of claim 12, wherein the theme is a holiday theme or a user defined theme.

14. The treasure hunt game of claim 1, wherein the at least one series of clue cards comprises a plurality of series of clue cards, the plurality of series leading to a single ultimate prize.

15. The treasure hunt game of claim 14, wherein the locations identified by the rhymes in the plurality of series of clue cards are the same.

16. The treasure hunt game of claim 15, wherein the sequence of the locations vary among the plurality of series of clue cards.

17. A treasure hunt game comprising:

at least one series of clue cards, the series including a sub-series of card-indicating clue cards and a final ultimate prize-indicating clue card;

wherein the sub-series contains at least a first card that provides a rhyme identifying the location of a subsequent clue card in the at least one series of clue cards; and

wherein the final ultimate prize-indicating clue card is subsequent to the sub-series of card-indicating clue cards and provides a rhyme identifying the location of an ultimate prize.

18. The treasure hunt game of claim 17, wherein at least one the rhymes is in the form of a riddle that indicates the location of a subsequent card or the ultimate prize.

19. The treasure hunt game of claim 17, wherein the at least one series of clue cards comprises a plurality of series of clue cards, the plurality of series leading to a single ultimate prize.

20. A method of playing a treasure hunt game comprising:

providing an organizer and at least one player or team;

providing a series of clue cards for each player or team and an ultimate prize;

placing all clue cards, except for the first clue card, at the locations identified by the rhyme included on the preceding clue card;

placing the ultimate prize at the location identified by the final card;

providing each player or team with the first card in the associated series of clue cards;

searching for the card subsequent the first clue card based upon the rhyme included on the first clue card;

finding the clue card subsequent the first card;

repeating the prior two steps using the most recently located clue card until locating the final clue card;

searching for the ultimate prize based upon the rhyme included on the final clue card; and

finding the ultimate prize.