US20160158637A1

US20160158637A1 - Game assemblies with launching game pieces

Info

Publication number: US20160158637A1
Application number: US14/565,191
Authority: US
Inventors: Damon R. Saddler
Original assignee: Mattel Inc
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 2014-12-09
Filing date: 2014-12-09
Publication date: 2016-06-09

Abstract

A game assembly for forming words with letters. Players take turns launching a chip onto a lettered tile on a game surface or into a receiving portion of tower, in which case the player may select a desired letter. The first player to spell out a word based on the letters corresponding to lettered tiles bearing chips and the player's letter selection, collects all of the chips corresponding to the lettered tiles used to form the word. The last player with all of the chips wins the game. The game assembly includes chips, chip launchers, a game surface, and a tower placed on the game surface. The tower comprises receiving and discharging portions. The receiving portion comprises a cavity formed within the tower and the discharging portion comprises a sliding surface surrounding the cavity and angled downwardly toward the game surface to discharge a chip onto the game surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to game assemblies and, more particularly, to multi-player word-forming game assemblies utilizing letters selected by a tossing a plurality of game piece onto a game target or a randomizer.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous word games and puzzles in the form of spoken or board games which are designed to challenge a player's ability for language and word formation. Word games provide a source of entertainment and an educational purpose for those developing important language skills, such as spelling and word recognition. Indeed, there are a variety of letter arrangement games, which are based on selecting and arranging letters on a board. One such example is Scrabble®, where users take turns arranging lettered tiles on a board to form interconnecting words.
Traditional word games have focused mainly on challenging a player's mental abilities. Games that challenge and coordinate both a player's mind and physical dexterity, however, are desirable as they engage more than just a player's mental abilities.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The game assemblies described herein challenge a player's mental agility and physical dexterity and coordination. Each player is provided with a predetermined and equal number of game pieces (e.g., 7-10 chips) and a game piece launcher. Players take turn aiming and launching a single game piece onto lettered sections on a game surface or a randomizer.
The game surface comprises a plurality of lettered and penalty sections and players may form words based on the letter sections covered by the chips. The randomizer includes a receiving portion disposed at a distance above the game surface and a player may select a desired letter when a chip lands in the receiving portion and use that letter in combination with the letters covered by the chips to form a word. The randomizer also includes a discharging portion. When a chip initially lands on the discharging portion, the chip will be discharged from the tower and randomly land onto one of a letter section or a penalty section on the game board.
The first player to shout out a valid word based on the lettered sections covered by the chips gets to collect the chips that created the word. If a chip lands on a penalty section, the player loses the number of chips indicated by the penalty section (e.g., “−1” means that the player loses one chip). If a player runs out of chips, that particular player can no longer launch chips onto the game surface, but may still participate in shouting out a word to gain back chips for play. The last remaining player with chips wins the game.
In one embodiment, a game assembly comprises a plurality of game pieces, a game surface, a randomizer, and a game piece launcher.
The game surface comprises a plurality of demarcated target areas each comprising an identifying indicium. The identifying indicium may be at least one of an alphanumeric letter or number.
The randomizer comprises a receiving portion and a discharging portion, the discharging portion being elevated above the game surface. The randomizer discharging portion may be disposed peripherally around the randomizer receiving portion and may comprise a sliding surface angled downwardly from the randomizer receiving portion and toward the game surface.
A plurality of guides may further be provided and coupled to the sliding surface. The plurality of guides are spaced apart at a distance that is greater than a largest width of each one of the plurality of game pieces.
The game piece launcher is operable to launch one of the plurality of game pieces to initially land on one of the game surface, the randomizer receiving portion or the randomizer discharging portion.
During play, when the game piece initially lands on the randomizer receiving portion, the game piece may be retained within the randomizer. The game piece may be retained within a cavity disposed centrally of the randomizer. When the game piece initially lands on the randomizer discharging portion, the game piece may be discharged from the randomizer and onto the game surface.
In another embodiment, a game assembly comprises a plurality of game pieces, a game surface and a randomizer.
The game surface may comprise a plurality of demarcated sections, each comprising an identifying indicium. The identifying indicium may include an alphanumeric character.
The game surface may be a flat, contiguous, planar surface, preferably devoid of any raised protrusions which may interfere with the sliding of the game pieces. Alternatively, each one of the demarcated sections may have a raised protrusion about its periphery to ensure that the chips are placed only on a single section and not overlapping more than one section.
The game surface may have a circular outer periphery and fold lines along first and second diameters that intersect at the center at a 90° angle. The game surface may be cut along at least a first half of one of the first and second diameters.
The randomizer comprises a receiving portion and a discharging portion elevated above the game surface. The receiving portion comprises a cavity formed within the randomizer and the discharging portion comprises a sliding surface surrounding the cavity and angled downwardly toward the game surface.
The game assembly may further comprise a game piece launcher operable to launch one of the plurality of game pieces to initially land on one of the game surface, the randomizer receiving portion or the randomizer discharging portion.
During play, when the game piece initially lands on the randomizer receiving portion, the game piece is retained within the cavity. When the game piece initially lands on the randomizer discharging portion, the game piece slides downwardly toward the game surface and lands on the game surface.
In a further embodiment, a game assembly comprises a plurality of round chips having flat opposing surface and a diameter, a planar game surface, a tower, and a chip launcher operable to launch one of the plurality of game pieces to initially land on one of the game surface, the tower receiving portion or the tower discharging portion.
The planar game surface comprises a center and a plurality of rings surrounding the center. The plurality of rings each comprise a plurality of separate and demarcated target areas. The target areas may each comprise one letter and the game surface may further comprise a plurality of penalty areas. The penalty areas may each include an indicium comprising a numerical value.
The tower is configured to be placed at the center of the game surface. The tower comprises a receiving portion and a discharging portion elevated above the game surface. The receiving portion comprises a cavity formed within the tower and the discharging portion comprises a sliding surface surrounding the cavity and angled downwardly toward the game surface. A plurality of guides may further be provided. The guides may be coupled to the sliding surface and spaced apart at a distance that is greater than the diameter of the round chips. The tower may comprise a top portion comprising the receiving portion and the discharging portion, a base, and at least one leg to displace the top portion at a distance above the base. The receiving portion may include a surface parallel to the game surface.
Other objects, features and advantages of the described embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a game assembly, including game pieces, game piece launchers, a game surface and a randomizer.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the game surface of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3B are perspective views depicting the folding of the game surface of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 4A-4C are various views of the game randomizer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the game randomizer.

FIG. 4B is a side elevational view of the game randomizer.

FIG. 4C is a top elevational view of the game randomizer.

FIG. 5A-5C are various views of a game piece launcher of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a top elevational view of the game piece launcher.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the game piece launcher.

FIG. 5C is a side elevational view of the game piece launcher.

FIG. 5D is a rear elevational view of the game piece launcher.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a game assembly, including game pieces, game piece launchers, a game surface and a randomizer.

FIG. 7A-7D are various views of the randomizer of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the randomizer.

FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the randomizer.

FIG. 7C is a bottom perspective view of the randomizer.

FIG. 7D is a top elevational view of the randomizer.

FIG. 8A-8D are various views of the game piece launcher of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a top elevational view of the game piece launcher.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the game piece launcher.

FIG. 8C is a side elevational view of the game piece launcher.

FIG. 8D is a rear elevational view of the game piece launcher.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Specific, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a game assembly 100 that is set up for four players. The game assembly 100 is depicted as including a game board 110, four sets of game pieces 200, four sets of game piece launchers 300 and a randomizer or tower 400 that is placed at the center of the game board 110. While FIG. 1 depicts each player starting out with a total of ten (10) game pieces 200, it is understood that the players may start with a greater or fewer number of game pieces.
The game board 110 comprises a plurality of demarcated target areas 130, each comprising an identifying indicium 132. FIGS. 1-3 depict the demarcated target areas 130 forming a plurality of rings around a center 120 of the game board 110. The demarcated target areas 130 each comprise an alphanumeric letter. Players may attempt to aim and launch a game piece 200 to land on a desired demarcated target area 130 using the game piece launcher 300. The game board 110 further comprises a plurality of penalty zones 140 peripherally of the demarcated target areas 130. It is generally undesirable for a player to have a game piece land on one of the penalty zones 140 as it will require the player to give up the number of chips indicated at 142 by the penalty zone. The game board 110 may be a completely flat, planar and continuous surface. In one aspect of the embodiment, the game board 110 may be completely devoid of any raised protrusions (other than those created by the fold lines A-A and B-B in FIGS. 3A-3B) that will interfere with the sliding of the game pieces 200 across the game board 110. While the game board 110 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 6 are shaped with a circular periphery and with the demarcated target areas 130 in a circular arrangement, it is understood that other shapes and arrangements are possible, such as a square periphery and a linear arrangement of the demarcated target areas.
FIG. 3A-3B depict the folding of the game board 110 to a more compact configuration for packaging and travel. The game board 110 comprises two fold lines A-A and B-B that intersect at the center 120 of the game board 110 at right angles. A cut line 114 is provided along half of the fold line B-B to permit separation of the two halves of the game board 110 along B-B and permit folding such that the folded configuration of the game board 110 is a quarter of its flattened state when folded along the remaining fold lines A-A and B-B.
FIGS. 4A-4C depict various views of the randomizer or tower 400 which is positioned at the center 120 of the game board 110 during play. The randomizer 400 comprises a top portion having a receiving portion or cavity 410 and a discharging portion 420.
The top portion of the randomizer 400 is coupled to the base 440 by a leg 430 and is elevated above the game board at a suitable distance to create a challenge with respect to aiming and landing a game piece 200 into the cavity 410 and also to permit a range of distances from which the game piece 200 is discharged from the discharging portion 420. In one embodiment, the height of the randomizer is 20-60% of the diameter of the game board 110, preferably about 30-50% of the diameter of the game board 110 and most preferably about 35-45% of the diameter of the game board. In one embodiment, the top portion, the leg 430 and the base 440 may be separable to permit compact packaging and storage and may be assembled prior to use.
The cavity 410 may be located at the center of the randomizer 400 and may have sufficient depth and width to retain a plurality of game pieces 200. A discharging portion 420 may be provided around the periphery of the cavity 410 and angled downwardly from the cavity 410 toward the game board 110 such that a game piece 200 that initially lands on the discharging portion 420 slides downwardly away from the cavity 410, toward the game board 110, and onto one of the demarcated target areas 130 or a penalty zone 140. The shape of the discharging portion 420 is preferably the same as the shape of the arrangement of the demarcated target areas 130. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4A-4C, both the game board 110, the demarcated target areas 130 and the discharging portion 420 have a substantially circular or round shape.
FIGS. 5A-5D are various views of the game piece launchers 300. The game piece launcher 300 comprises a launch arm 320 that is resiliently coupled at an angle to a base arm 340 via a hinge 330. A game piece 200 may be placed on the loading area 310. A peripheral ridge around the loading area 310 helps maintain the game piece 200 within the loading area 310. The base arm 340 preferably includes a round domed portion that facilitates a user's finger to grip or hold the game piece launcher 300. In order to launch the game piece 200 onto the game board 110 or the randomizer 400, a game piece 200 is placed on the loading area 310 and launch arm 320 is depressed toward the base arm 340 with a finger hold on the peripheral ridge on the launch arm 320. Once the finger is released, the launch arm 320 resiliently springs to its original angle relative to the base arm 340 and catapults the game piece 200 into the air.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a game assembly 500 that is set up for four players. The game assembly 500 is depicted as including a game board 510, four sets of game pieces 600, four sets of game piece launchers 700 and a randomizer or tower 800 that is placed at the center of the game board 510. While FIG. 6 depicts each player starting out with a total of ten (10) game pieces 600, it is understood that the players may start with a greater or fewer number of game pieces.
The game board 510 is similar to the one depicted in FIGS. 1-2, except that the game board 510 has a different arrangement of the demarcated target areas 530, each comprising a letter 532. Additionally, the penalty zones 540 are similar in the respect that they include a value 542 which represents the number of game pieces 600 that a player must give up if the game piece lands on the penalty zone 540. The penalty zones 540 are different from the ones depicted in FIGS. 1-2 in that they occupy a larger area. The game board 110 may be a completely flat, planar and continuous surface.
FIGS. 7A-7D depict another embodiment of a randomizer or tower 800 comprising a cavity 810 and a discharging portion 820 surrounding the cavity 810 having a sliding surface that is angled downwardly from the cavity 810. As depicted in FIG. 7D, the randomizer 800 further includes a plurality of guides 840 coupled to the sliding surface and spaced apart at a distance that is greater than a largest width of each one of the plurality of game pieces 600. Preferably, the guides 840 are angled on opposing sides so as to guide a game piece 600 along the angled trajectory. A peripheral wall 850 may be provided to join the plurality of guides 840 and to define slots 842 between the guides 840. The randomizer 800 may further comprise a plurality of legs 830 that may be used to elevate the cavity 810 and the discharging portion 820 at a distance above the game board 510. The cavity 810 further comprises a surface 812 parallel to the game board 510. The legs 830 may be removed, as depicted in FIG. 7B, to permit compact packaging.
FIG. 8A-8D are various views of the game piece launchers 700. The game piece launchers 700 are similar in most respects to the game piece launchers 300 depicted in FIGS. 5A-5D with the main difference being the configuration of the launch arm 720 and the base arm 740. A hinge 730 resiliently couples the launch arm 720 to the base arm 740, which has a substantially flat surface. A game piece 600 may be placed on the loading area 710. A peripheral ridge around the loading area 710 helps maintain the game piece 600 within the loading area 710. In order to launch the game piece 600 onto the game board 510 or the randomizer 800, a game piece 600 is placed on the loading area 710 and launch arm 720 is depressed toward the base arm 740 with a finger hold on the launch arm 720. Once the finger is released, the launch arm 720 resiliently springs to its original angle relative to the base arm 740 and catapults the game piece 600 into the air.
The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific preferred embodiments disclosed herein, as these embodiments are intended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A game assembly comprising:

a plurality of game pieces;

a game surface comprising a plurality of demarcated target areas each comprising an identifying indicium;

a randomizer comprising a randomizer receiving portion and a randomizer discharging portion, the randomizer discharging portion being elevated above the game surface, wherein the randomizer discharging portion is disposed peripherally around the randomizer receiving portion and wherein the randomizer discharging portion comprises a sliding surface angled downwardly from the randomizer receiving portion toward the game surface;

a plurality of guides coupled to the sliding surface, the plurality of guides being spaced apart at a distance that is greater than a largest width of each one of the plurality of game pieces; and

a game piece launcher operable to launch one of the plurality of game pieces to initially land on one of the game surface, the randomizer receiving portion or the randomizer discharging portion;

wherein when one of the plurality of game pieces initially lands on the randomizer discharging portion, the game piece is discharged from the randomizer and onto the game surface.

2. The game assembly of claim 1, wherein the identifying indicium is at least one of an alphanumeric letter or number.

3. The game assembly of claim 1, wherein when the game piece initially lands on the randomizer receiving portion, the game piece is retained within the randomizer.

4. The game assembly of claim 3, wherein the randomizer receiving portion is a cavity disposed centrally of the randomizer.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. A game assembly comprising:

a plurality of game pieces;

a game surface that is a flat, contiguous and planar surface; and

a randomizer comprising a randomizer receiving portion and a randomizer discharging portion elevated above the game surface, wherein the randomizer receiving portion comprises a cavity formed within the randomizer and the randomizer discharging portion comprises a sliding surface surrounding the cavity and angled downwardly toward the game surface.

10. The game assembly of claim 9, further comprising a game piece launcher operable to launch one of the plurality of game pieces to initially land on one of the game surface, the randomizer receiving portion or the randomizer discharging portion.

11. The game assembly of claim 10, wherein when the game piece initially lands on the randomizer receiving portion, the game piece is retained within the cavity.

12. The game assembly of claim 10, wherein when the game piece initially lands on the randomizer discharging portion, the game piece slides downwardly toward the game surface and lands on the game surface.

13. The game assembly of claim 9, wherein the game surface comprises a plurality of demarcated sections each comprising an identifying indicium and wherein the identifying indicium includes an alphanumeric character.

14. (canceled)

15. The game assembly of claim 1, wherein the game surface has a circular outer periphery and fold lines along first and second diameters that intersect at the center at a 90° angle, wherein the game surface is cut along at least a first half of one of the first and second diameters.

16. A game assembly comprising:

a plurality of round chips each having flat opposing surfaces and a diameter;

a planar game surface comprising a center and a plurality of rings surrounding the center, the plurality of rings each comprising a plurality of separate and demarcated target areas;

a tower configured to be placed at center of the game surface, the tower comprising a receiving portion and a discharging portion elevated above the game surface, wherein the receiving portion comprises a cavity formed within the tower and the discharging portion comprises a sliding surface surrounding the cavity and angled downwardly toward the game surface; and

a chip launcher operable to launch one of the plurality of game pieces to initially land on one of the game surface, the tower receiving portion or the tower discharging portion.

17. The game assembly of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of guides coupled to the sliding surface, the plurality of guides being spaced apart at a distance that is greater than the diameter of the round chips.

18. The game assembly of claim 16, wherein the randomizer receiving portion includes a surface parallel to the game surface.

19. The game assembly of claim 16, wherein the target areas each comprise one letter.

20. The game assembly of claim 19, wherein the game surface further comprises a plurality of penalty areas and wherein the penalty areas each include an indicium comprising a numerical value.