WO2007102179A1

WO2007102179A1 - Game base for table game

Info

Publication number: WO2007102179A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000814
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Gelosa
Original assignee: Claudio Gelosa
Priority date: 2006-03-07
Filing date: 2006-11-22
Publication date: 2007-09-13
Also published as: ITMI20060405A1

Abstract

A game base (1) for. a table game comprises a base structure (10), a plurality of elements (20) rotatably associated with the base structure (10) and defining respective game cells and engagement means (41, 42, 43) of the elements (20) with the base ' structure (10) . The elements (20) are arranged on the base structure (10) in a condition of substantial surface alignment and mutual adjacency. The engagement means (41, 42, 43) comprise elastic means (43) operationally interposed between the elements (20) and the base structure (10) and activatable to pass from a first game configuration wherein the elements (20) are in a first position to a second game configuration wherein at least one element (20) is in a second position which is rotated with respect to said first position.

Description

Game base for table game

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a game base for a table game.

The invention also relates to a kit of parts to make a table game comprising the above-mentioned game base.

Various types of table games are known, wherein a game base (or board) and a plurality of accessory elements

(such as, for example, pieces, dice, cards and/or other) placeable and/or movable at will on the game base according to wished game strategies are used.

Table games are also known wherein the game base is composed of a plurality of game elements, or cells, differently placeable with respect to each other in order to define different game configurations. In this case, the different game strategies are implemented either by timely placing the various game cells and by timely placing the accessory elements on the game cells .

The present invention is directed to the category of table games that require the use of a game base of the above-described type and relates, in particular, to a new game base which allows for making various game configurations depending on the different placing of the elements that define the game cells.

The present invention relates, in a first aspect thereof, to a game base for a table game, comprising:

- a base structure;

- a plurality of elements rotatably associated with said base structure and defining respective game cells, each element of said plurality of elements being in a condition of mutual adjacency and substantial surface alignment with at least another element of said plurality of elements;

- engagement means of at least one element of said plurality of elements with said base structure;

wherein said engagement means comprise elastic means operatively interposed between said at least one element and said base structure and activatable to pass from a first game configuration wherein said at least one element is in a first position to a second game configuration wherein said at least one element is in a rotated position with respect to said first position.

Advantageously, the game base of the present invention allows going from one game configuration to another one by simply rotating at least one of the elements that define the game cells (hereinafter such elements are also called: rotating elements) . Even more advantageously, the transition from one game configuration to another one takes place in an extremely easy and immediate manner due to the use of the elastic means appropriately interposed between the rotating elements and the base structure. In fact, the elastic means allow the player to act on the rotating element in order to move it from a position of mutual adjacency and .substantial surface alignment with the other rotating elements to a condition wherein the rotating element is on a different plane in relation to that of the other rotating elements and may therefore be rotated without modifying the position of the other rotating elements. The rotating element is then brought back to the position of mutual adjacency and substantial surface alignment with the other rotating elements by the returning action of the elastic means, now however being rotated with respect to the starting position.

Preferably, said at least one rotating element is r-emovably associated with the base structure. Advantageously, it is thus possible to make different, types of game with the same base structure, both for leisure and educational purposes, by simply replacing the rotating elements with others having different surface graphics.

Preferably, the above-mentioned elastic means comprise a spring housed in a seat formed in at least one of said at least one element and said base structure, such spring being activatable by acting on said at least one element. More preferably, the spring is a pressure spring. Advantageously, the shifting of the rotating element from the starting position of mutual adjacency and substantial surface alignment . with the other rotating elements to the intermediate position wherein it is possible to rotate it without modifying the position of the other rotating elements may therefore take place by simply pushing the rotating element from above with one finger.

In the preferred embodiment of the game base of the present invention, the above-mentioned seat is formed on the base structure and the rotating element comprises a thrust pin of the spring, such pin being slidingly associated with the above-mentioned seat. Advantageously, the sliding coupling between the seat and the pin allows carrying out a guided shifting of the rotating element from the position of surface alignment with the other rotating elements to the above-mentioned intermediate position and vice versa.

Preferably, the thrust pin acts on an end turn of said spring.

Preferably, the rotating element comprises, on an upper face thereof, a plurality of predefined game areas and said game areas comprise at least one placing zone of at least one accessory game element. The above- - A -

mentioned game areas define the surface graphics of the rotating elements._.

The accessory elements may be, for example, pieces, dice, cards and/or other.

The rotating elements are preferably of non-circular shape, in particular of polygonal shape, such as, for example, squared, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal shape, etc.

In the preferred embodiment of the game base of the present invention, the rotating elements are of hexagonal shape. In this case, the rotating elements are preferably seven in number, a first rotating element being centrally arranged and the other rotating elements being arranged around the central rotating element so that each rotating element has at least one side portion adjacent to the central rotating element and to at least another rotating element.

Moreover, all the rotating elements preferably have the same shape, but the possibility of providing other embodiments wherein the elements have different shapes is not excluded. Analogously, the base structure may have the same shape as the rotating elements or a different shape.

In the preferred embodiment of the game base of the present invention, the rotating elements and also, preferably, the base structure, are made of plastic material, for example, by die-casting moulding. This allows ensuring desired lightness and cheapness features of the product. Alternative embodiments are however foreseen wherein different material is used, such as, for example, metal or wood.

The game base of the present invention is further provided with, preferably, at least one seat for at least one collection tray of the accessory game elements.

In a second aspect thereof, the invention relates to a kit of parts to make a table game, comprising a game base of the _^above-described type, a plurality of accessory game elements and a cover that may be associated with said game base.

The above-mentioned kit of parts defines, in particular, the minimum content of a table game box which comprises the game base described above with reference to the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably, the kit of the present invention further comprises a plurality of sets of rotating element having different surface graphics . Advantageously, it is thus possible to use the same base structure to make different types of game, whether for leisure or educational purposes, by replacing the rotating elements with those of another set having different surface graphics, depending on the rules of the game that one wants to implement.

Preferably, the kit of the present invention further comprises a plurality of sets of accessory game element of a different type. Advantageously, it is thus possible to make different types of game by replacing the accessory game elements with those of another set, also in this case depending on the rules of the game that one wants to implement.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clear from the following detailed description, given in a exemplifying and non- limiting way, of a preferred embodiment thereof, given with reference to the accompanying drawings . In such drawings :

- figure 1 is a schematic side view of the game base of the present invention in a first operational configuration;

- figure 2 is a schematic side view of the game base of the present invention in a second operational configuration;

- figure 3 is a schematic view from above of the game base of the present invention.

In such figures, a game base for a table game according to the present invention is indicated by 1. The game base 1 comprises a base structure 10 and a plurality of elements 20 that define respective game cells. The elements 20 are, in particular, of hexagonal shape

(figure 3) and are removably associated with the base structure 10 in order to be removed and replaced.

Moreover, the coupling between the elements 20 and base structure 10 is such that it allows the rotation of each element 20 around a rotation axis passing through the respective centre, as will be more clear hereinafter in the present description.

The base structure 10 shown in figure 3 is of circular shape, but variations are provided wherein the base structure has a different shape, for example a squared or rectangular shape, or possibly equal to the shape of the elements 20.

Both the base structure 10 and the elements 20 are preferably made of plastic material, by die-casting moulding.

In the specific embodiment of the present invention shown in the accompanying figures and in particular in figure 3, the elements 20 are seven in number and are placed adjacently one to another, with a central element 20 and six side elements 20 arranged around the central element 20, each^' of the side elements 20 being at the side of one of the sides 21 of the central element 20. Each side 21 of the central element 20 is thus adjacent and parallel to a side 22 of a respective side element 20. Each of the side elements 20 therefore has a side 22 adjacent and parallel to a respective side 21 of the central element 20, a side 23 adjacent and parallel to a side 23 of another one of the side elements 20, a side 24 adjacent and parallel to a side 24 of yet another one of the side elements 20, while the other three sides 25 thereof are oriented outwardly, that is they are not adjacent to any element 20.

The number of elements 20 may however be different from seven and may somewhat be correlated to the shape of the elements 20.

The elements 20 have an upper face 30 and a lower face 40 (figures 1 and 2) .

On the upper face 30 of each element 20, a pattern is drawn that defines, possibly in combination with the patterns drawn on the upper faces 30 of the other elements 20, the graphics of the game.

On the faces 20, specific game areas may be provided which may, in turn, comprise specific placing zones of accessory game elements such as, for example, pieces, dice, cards and/or other.

- For example, referring to the graphics depicted in figure 3, by simply tracing on the game base 1 the three diagonals that join the opposite vertices of each element 20, 42 game cells are defined, 6 per each element 20, each cell having the shape of an equilateral triangle.

On the lower face 40 of each element 20, a pin 41 is formed that is slidingly housed in a respective cylindrical seat 42 formed on the base structure 10. The pin 41 rests on the upper turn of a compression spring 43 housed inside the cylindrical seat 42. In the specific embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the pin has a _. shank 44 that extends longitudinally inside the spring 43.

The game base 1 of the present invention- may be provided with one or more seats (not shown) for the housing of respective collection trays of the accessory game elements. Such seats may be provided alongside the side elements 20, for example in the zones 100 defined between two outer sides 25 of two respective side elements 20.

Various sets of elements 20 having different surface graphics and various sets of accessory elements of a different type may be provided, so as to be capable of changing the type of game depending on the rules of the game that one wants to implement with the game base 1.

A cover is then provided (not shown) , adapted to be associated with the game base 10 to make the game box.

In a game configuration such as that shown in figure 2, the upper faces 30 of the elements 20 are all aligned so as to define a substantially flat game surface. In this game configuration, the springs 43 are in a rest condition.

To pass from the game configuration of figure 1 to a different game configuration wherein an element 20 is rotated with respect to the position of figure 1, pressure is exerted with a finger on the central part of the element 20 that one wants to rotate (in figure 1, the central element 20) . In this way, the respective spring 43 of the element 20 that one wants to rotate is pressed and the upper face 30 of such element 20 is shifted downward in order to be placed at a lower plane with respect to that on which the faces 30 of the adjacent elements 20 lie (figure 1) . It is possible in this position to rotate the element 20 around the respective rotation axis without modifying the position_, of _.the adjacent elements 20. Releasing then the element 20 from the pressure exerted with the finger, the spring 43 pushes ■ such element 20 upward bringing its upper face 30 back to the alignment position with the upper faces 30 of the adjacent elements 20. A new game configuration is achieved in this way, which differs from the initial one in that the central element 20 is in a rotated position with respect to the previous position.

■ Obviously, one skilled in the art will understand that it is possible to provide a number of variations and alternative embodiments, while still remaining within the scope of the invention defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Game base (1) for table game, comprising:

- a base structure (10);

- a plurality of elements (20) rotatably associated with said base structure (10) and defining respective game cells, each element (20) of said plurality of elements being in a condition of mutual adjacency and substantial surface alignment with at least one other element (20) of said plurality of elements;

- engagement means (41, 42, 43) of at least one element (20) of said plurality of_. elements with said base structure (10) ;

wherein said engagement means (41, 42, 43) comprise elastic means (43) operatively interposed between said at least one element (20) and said base structure (10) and activatable to pass from a first game configuration wherein said at least one element (20) is in a first position to a second game configuration wherein said at least one element (20) is in a rotated position with respect to said first position.

2. Game base (1) according to claim 1, wherein said elements are removably associated with said base structure.

3. Game base (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said elastic means comprise a spring (43) housed in a seat (42) formed in at least one of said at least one element (20) and said base structure (10) , said spring (43) being activatable by acting on said at least one element (20) .

4. Game base (1) according to claim 3, wherein said spring (43) is a compression spring.

5. Game base (1) according to claim 4, . wherein said seat (42) is formed on said base structure (10) and .said at least one element, comprises a thrust pin (41) of said spring (43) , said pin (41) being slidingly associated with said seat (42) .

6. Game base (1) according to claim 5, wherein said thrust pin (41) acts on an end turn of said spring (43).

7. Game base (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said at least one element (20) comprises, on an upper face (30) thereof, a plurality of predefined game areas .

8. Game base (1) according to claim 7, wherein said game areas comprise at least one placing zone of at least one accessory game element.

9. Game base (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said at least one element (20) is of a non-circular shape.

10. Game base (1) according to claim 9, wherein said at least one element (20) is of a polygonal shape.

11. Game base (1) according to claim 10, wherein said at least one element (20) is of a hexagonal shape.

12. Game base (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein all of said elements (20) have the same shape.

1^'3. ^' Game base (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said base structure (10) has the same shape as that of said at least one element (20) .

14. Game base (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said elements (20) are made of plastic material.

15. Game base (1) according to claim 14, wherein said elements (20) are made by die-casting moulding.

16. Game base (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said base structure (10) is made of the same material as said elements (20) .

17. Game base (1) according to claim 11, wherein said elements (20) are seven in number, a first element (20) being centrally arranged and the other elements (20) being arranged around said first element (20) so that each element (20) has at least one side portion (22, 23, 24) adjacent to said first element (20) and to at least another element (20).

18. Game base (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one seat for at least one collection tray of accessory game elements .

19. Kit of parts to make a table game, comprising a game base (1) according to any one of the previous claims, a plurality of accessory game elements and a cover associable with said game base (1) .

20. Kit of parts according to claim 19, further comprising a plurality of sets of elements (20) having different surface graphics.

21. Kit of parts according to claim 18 or 19., comprising a plurality of accessory game elements of a different type.