Amusement devices: games – Board games – pieces – or boards therefor – Piece moves over board having pattern
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2001-10-30
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Board games, pieces, or boards therefor
Piece moves over board having pattern
C273S292000, C273S430000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308955
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This present invention pertains to a mathematical board game for 2-8 players. Its primary aim is to facilitate knowledge of the four basic formats of mathematics, concentrating on these mainly. They are: subtraction, multiplication, addition and division.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Many amazingly ingenious board games prevail in the prior art, all fulfilling a need in their own niche. One area amongst others no prior art addresses, are the feelings of inadequacy—embarrassment, of those young or old alike, who are mathematically-challenged. I am aware of the following patents and my understanding of the workings of the disclosed inventions are as follows.
The patent to Medlock, U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,805, refers to timing devices for timing answers given. Moving out of turn and incorrect answers—resulting in penalties. This prior art covers multiple categories—not concentrating solely on mathematics. No monies or award ribbons are used as an incentive for achievement. It is not a positive game for mathematically-challenged players. The random selector device in this prior art is ingeniously interchangeable, to cover multiple categories, this is its only function. Players move forward only if answer is correct. Question and Answer cards are handled by one player, along with cards of predetermined good and bad luck, they are randomly mixed in with question and answer cards. A great game for competent players, it is not devised to help players struggling with the basic formats of mathematics.
The patent to Carerra, U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,337, designates a random selector device, which enables players to determine which one of three stacks of cards on the board they must take a question card from. These question cards are pertaining to sex-education. In this prior art, the only other function of the random selector device is when players land on set playing spaces marked spinner and double spinner, taking one or two extra turns if correct, if incorrect penalized singly or doubly moving backwards. In this prior art, players move forward a predetermined number of spaces only if they answer correctly. Players moves are determined quite differently to this present art.
The patent to Bryant, U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,391, has in the prior art a random selector device affixed to the board and question cards, the scope of these quite different to Carerra and Medlock aforementioned and to this instant invention. The prior art of Bryant is all geared towards the subject of illegal chemical substances, warning/educating players.
The patent to Morris, U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,370. This prior art relates to multiple categories. There is a gambling aspect not always appreciated, but for those that do appreciate it, a lot of fun. In this prior art, movement by players, questions and subject matter categories are all selected by random die/dice casts. Players answer questions and move along the travel path, only if answer correctly corresponds to answer in a question and answer book. The spaces they move is determined by the total sum of their dice cast, plus if desired a predetermined number of additional spaces.
The patent to Scelzo, U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,002, is a mathematical board game, where once again players are penalized for incorrect answers and many other multiple differences. Fractions are included in this prior art, a difficult area of mathematics for players unskilled in multiplication, as they could not readily work out the common denominator.
The patent to Barrat, U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,671. This prior art makes use of money and question cards. Money is used to pay bills and is not awarded as an incentive for each space a player moves forward. Questions are trivia-type and the like. It is geared towards learning about different geographical places
atural and man-made attractions and places to lodge.
The patent to Gonzales, U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,372, describes a game in the prior art of chance solely. It is not a game based on multiple, or singular educational categories. The random selector device is quite intricately designed in the manner of a spinning top; is used to determine monies to be paid, which goes to kitty and money to be collected if it comes up jackpot; it may require players to pick up cards. It appears no question cards are used in this prior art, only cards of predetermined good/bad luck consequences. It is understood monies paid or collected depend on a die cast to determine amount—when players land on pay or pay double, or collect or collect double.
None of the aforementioned prior arts, either singularly or combined describe this instant invention: the players can start together and be on equal levels because of the Answer Value Charts, mode of movement by players is unique, it concentrates on one category—basic maths, utilizes positive methods—in this present art all these various components and methods are used in unique combinations or singularly in new and improved ways. Unlike any other prior art, this is the first novel and improved art dedicated and invented for individuals that struggle with the basics of mathematics, yet enables other players to be entertained, irrespective of mathematical abilities or age differences. In this present art they can all play together with an equal chance of achieving equal values. Hereafter these novel aspects and functions will be further detailed. This present art enables players to gain confidence in their mathematical prowess, and will provide a solid foundation upon which they can build, as this confidence grows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The first objective of the present invention was to provide a new and improved mathematical-teaching board game. Considering the prior art, it is apparent that there is a real need for a board game devoted to helping those, young and old alike, that struggle with the basic ‘building blocks’ of mathematics. Those basics being: subtraction, multiplication, addition and division.
A second objective was to do so in a positive manner that is helpful and constructive as well as motivational, whilst incorporating well-known learning styles, to aid memory and recall abilities, particularly in the area of multiplication and division. Then to set all this into a board game that does not make a player feel inadequate or embarrassed about their mathematical ‘standing’.
A third objective was to fulfil the obvious challenge of making it exciting and stimulating and an even more challenging task, to use new and improved means so that players win by chance, rather than mathematical ability.
A fourth objective was to design the game so that players of varying ages and abilities could play together, with an equal chance of attaining equal values. With all the above in mind, this game was designed to generate areas of chance, to avail means of rewarding players and to fulfil the aforementioned objectives.
In accordance with the first objective of this present invention a random selector device was deployed (hereafter referred to as the spinner) and designed to designate four games of play (hereafter referred to as formats) these formats being the basic ‘building blocks’ of mathematics, they are: subtraction, multiplication, addition and division. The spinner has other uses—see method of play.
In accordance with the second objective of this present invention, it has been designed specifically to utilize a multiplicity of motivational, positive not penalizing, means of learning, using new and improved methods and components. Award Ribbons, personal Award Boards, Answer Value Charts, Money, personal Money Trays, allowing players to facilitate the three known learning styles to attain the correct answers, (as they are ‘known styles’ they are not detailed herein, it's only mentioned—every player is given the time and means to attain the correct answers.) this gives them a helpful constructive way of building memory-recall abilities. Players also have the advantage of playing in three Divisions (hereinafter referred to as Sections, so as to avoid confusion of mathematical—division and division of ag
Layno Benjamin H.
Mendiratta Vishu
LandOfFree
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