Amusement devices: games – Miscellaneous – Electric
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-12
2001-07-03
Chiu, Raleigh W. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Miscellaneous
Electric
C273S440000, C273S441000, C273S444000, C273S459000, C273S242000, C273S275000, C273S287000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254101
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to techniques for teaching teamwork and to floor games. It relates more particularly, to apparatus and methods for playing a floor game in which multiple tiles are arranged to form a playing area containing a path invisible to a naked eye, and players attempt to discover the path through a team effort.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that light can be polarized. Unpolarized light, such as sunlight or light emitted from an ordinary incandescent light bulb, can become polarized light using light sensitive material such as tourmaline, or a polarized sheet or filter, such as filters manufactured by Polaroid Corporation. A polarized filter has complicated long molecules arranged with their axes parallel to a direction that is called the axis of the polarized filter. Such a polarized filter acts as a series of parallel slits to allow one orientation of polarization parallel to the axis of the polarized filter to pass through nearly undiminished, while blocking light with perpendicular polarization almost completely.
Unpolarized light consists of light with random directions of polarization. Each of these polarization directions can be divided into components along two mutually perpendicular directions. Thus, an unpolarized light beam can be thought of as two polarized beams of equal magnitude perpendicular to one another. When the unpolarized light beam strikes a first polarized filter or lens, the component with the polarization parallel to the axis of the polarized filter is allowed to pass. If a second polarized filter is positioned behind the first polarized filter at an orthogonal position, i.e., with their axes perpendicular to one another, the second polarized filter blocks the light component passed by the first polarized filter. This is because the axis of the second polarized filter is perpendicular to the polarization of the component of the light beam passed by the first filter. Therefore, the unpolarized light is entirely stopped.
Another means of producing polarized light from unpolarized light is by reflection. When light strikes a nonmetallic surface at any angle other than perpendicular, the reflected beam is polarized preferentially in the plane parallel to the surface. In other words, the component with polarization in the plane perpendicular to the surface is preferentially transmitted or absorbed. If an observer wears polarized sunglasses to receive the reflected beam, the observer can reduce glare to a minimum from that surface by rotating the polarized sunglasses or the surface so that the axis of the polarized sunglasses is perpendicular to the polarization of the reflected beam. If the light is reflected from the surface of a polarized sheet, a complete blackout by rotating either the polarized sunglasses or the polarized sheet can then be achieved.
Walking games utilizing optical instruments are also known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,111,313 issued to Parks teaches an optical illusion walking games in which a player attempts to walk along a line or trial shown on a rug, mat, etc. while looking through the wrong end of a binocular telescope. U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,529 issued to Nielson et al. discloses a mirror game in which a visual image alteration device contains a mirror held adjacent to the eyes to alter an image seen in the mirror by a person playing the game. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 3,454,279 issued to Foley et al. describes a team game in which the players compete with each other for spaces or loci without falling down.
None of the prior games utilize polarized film and spectacles as part of the game or use an optical instrument in cooperation with a facilitator to facilitate game playing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a training system utilizing a floor game including a matrix of tiles and an optical instrument. The tiles are laid on a surface forming a playing area. Patterns, such as arrows, on the tiles are visible to players. A path across the playing area is visible to a game facilitator utilizing the optical instrument. The facilitator using the optical instrument advises the players whether they are on the path revealed to the facilitator. Players working with each other and the facilitator traverse the path from end to end through a team effort.
The game is a team event, the object which is to get the entire team across the playing area one at a time. In playing the game, a first player makes a guess whether a particular tile is on the path. The facilitator tells the player whether his or her guess is correct. If the guess is correct, the player stands on that tile and makes another guess. If not, the player moves off the matrix and waits for his or her next opportunity to play. A second player then guesses the position of the next portion of the path, based on the learning from his or her predecessor. Play continues until a player traverses the entire path from end to end.
At any given step of the path, a participant has at least two (and usually more) possible directions to go. Thus, an appreciation of his or her predecessor(s)'s experience will enhance his or her chances to guess correctly. The whole team finishes the game quicker if everyone pays attention to each other's experience on the playing area. Thus, the process of playing the game becomes a team building experience among the players.
The compact, light weight tiles are easy to carry, set-up and/or move around. The game can be made in different colors and materials. In one embodiment, the tiles are made from a flexible material such as plastic. A polarized film is adhered to one side of the tile. Substantially identical marks, visible to a naked eye, are printed on a layer underneath the polarized film. The marks can be directional indicators such as arrows, or other suitable symbols. In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the tile is a rough texture. A rough bottom surface provides conformation between the tile and a playing surface and avoids slipping. Alternatively, the bottom surface of the tile has a smooth finish.
In an alternative embodiment, the game is played by one or more teams. Each team can have one or more players. Teams can play the game on the same playing area. Alternatively, teams can play the game on different playing areas. The game facilitator can set up different paths with the same number of the steps on the different playing areas. Each team then tries to find the path and cross the playing area first.
Objects of this invention include:
To provide a floor game for promoting learning from each other in an enjoyable team building environment.
To provide a floor game that can be played by one or more groups of players.
To provide a floor game played on a matrix of substantially identical tiles defining a playing area wherein a path is invisible to players and discoverable through a team effort.
To provide a floor game utilizing polarized film and polarized glasses for facilitating the game set up and the play.
To provide a floor game that requires simple, inexpensive and portable parts for its operation.
As the following description and accompanying drawings make clear, these and other objects are achieved by this invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3111313 (1963-11-01), Parks
patent: 3454279 (1969-07-01), Foley et al.
patent: 3484106 (1969-12-01), Foley et al.
patent: 3630526 (1971-12-01), Winkless, III
patent: 3761084 (1973-09-01), Dieckmann
patent: 3879034 (1975-04-01), Petrusek
patent: 4009880 (1977-03-01), Lammersen
patent: 4982959 (1991-01-01), Rudell et al.
patent: 5020882 (1991-06-01), Makow
patent: 5248152 (1993-09-01), Timmerman
patent: 5711529 (1998-01-01), Nielsen et al.
patent: 5717522 (1998-02-01), Hattori et al.
patent: 5963371 (1999-10-01), Needham et al.
Chiu Raleigh W.
Globerman, Esq. Kyle M.
Interface, Inc.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Pratt, Esq. John S.
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