Amusement devices: games – Board games – pieces – or boards therefor – Piece moves over board having pattern
Patent
1994-07-01
1997-03-04
Layno, Benjamin H.
Amusement devices: games
Board games, pieces, or boards therefor
Piece moves over board having pattern
273254, 273292, 273146, A63F 300, A63F 920, A63F 904
Patent
active
056071590
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an apparatus for playing a game and more particularly it relates to a dice.
Many games incorporate an element of chance. This element of chance is often provided for by throwing a dice or selecting a printed card at random. A problem with the latter arrangement has been that is the card is lost, the game cannot be played as intended. Also the production of custom cards for a game has added to the expense of the game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is-provided a playing apparatus, having a plurality of faces, a first set of symbols on some of the faces, and a second set of symbols on different faces, wherein the faces bear indicia providing at least a third and fourth grouping of symbols, so that the symbols, the grouping into a first or second set and the grouping into a third or fourth set respectively provide three mutually unassociated criteria of movement, variations or consequences on at least some of the faces of the apparatus.
Preferably, the first set of symbols is indicative of forward movement and a second set of symbols are indicative of a rearward movement.
Preferably, the third set of symbols represent a first player's move and the fourth set of symbols represent a second player's move.
Preferably, one set of symbols represent movement along one axis of reference and at least one other set of symbols represent movement along at least one other axis of reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Preferably, at least two sets of symbols represent movement involving different games or different variations of, or consequences in, a game.
Preferably, at least two sets of symbols represent for at least two players an element of chance to be predicted.
The apparatus may be in the form of a dice. Preferably, a symbol is provided which if selected has no effect on the position of play. A symbol may also be provided which indicates a variable score. A symbol may also be provided and, if selected, may permit a player to select a particular move either for himself or his opponent. The term "selected" is intended to include an action of choosing as well as a throwing action. Accordingly in one embodiment the apparatus may take the form of tiles or tokens which may be selected at random from a bag.
Preferably, the expected results may be selected from the group of positive and negative numbers.
The term "expected result" is defined as the sum of the products of individual scores, or results, multiplied by their associated probability of occurring. Heretofore the expected result of a dice has always been positive, thus enabling overall forward movement in a game. The expected result of a regular six sided dice is: 1/6.times.(1+2+3+4+5+6)= 21/6. Because the dice of the present invention has negative numbers appearing on some faces it is now possible to have an expected result which provides for overall negative movement in a game. That is an expected result less than zero.
Reference is made to a 14 faced die in the book "Board and Table Games" by R. C. Bell, published by Oxford University Press 1969. However, no mention is made of a twenty faced die and accordingly this playing apparatus offers the advantage over existing dice in that more possible variations in play may be achieved, when playing with it.
Preferably, each face of a twenty sided dice is an equilateral triangle. Sets of symbols may be provided on different faces which indicate different moves, for example, backward, forward or no movement or a choice of movement. Means may be provided so as to distinguish each set of symbols from each other set of symbols. Means may be provided so as to distinguish the symbols of the first set of faces from the symbols of the second set of faces. The distinguishing means or symbols may serve to subdivide the symbols so as to enhance play, by incorporating the first and/or the second aspect of the present invention.
Preferably, a symbol may be provided on at least some of its faces, which symbol has no effect on the position of play
REFERENCES:
patent: 3073601 (1963-01-01), Baillo
patent: 4070026 (1978-01-01), Cambardella
patent: 4211419 (1980-07-01), Larsen
patent: 4813678 (1989-03-01), Collazo et al.
patent: 5085441 (1992-02-01), Jova
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