Amusement devices: games – Board games – pieces – or boards therefor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-31
2001-09-25
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Board games, pieces, or boards therefor
C273S246000, C273S445000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293548
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to racing events. In particular, the present invention pertains to a novel method of conducting a race that encourages improved racing and thus improved race fan excitement.
People have conducted races for centuries. People are, as if by nature, competitive. As such, people are interested in knowing which person, horse, camel, vehicle, tractor, beetle, or etc. is the fastest. Races have therefore been organized and conducted to determine exactly which person, camel, beetle or etc. is the fastest. Although races have long been conducted, the format of races has changed very little over the centuries. Races are still generally conducted by having the race participants simultaneously start at a common starting time and then travel over a race course a predetermined fixed distance. The first race participant to cover the required race course distance is traditionally declared the winner and thus the fastest.
While determining the fastest competitor in a given race, the traditional and conventional method of conducting races as described above does not always make for the most interesting and captivating race for fans observing the race. Races all too often evolve into a contest where a majority of the contestants chase the front-runner(s). In particular, automotive races oftentimes degenerate into an exhibition of “follow the leader” where the fastest cars, qualifying and starting at the front of the grid, maintain their positions at the front of the race throughout the majority of the race. The race in effect becomes a “follow the leader” event since the cars with the fastest times during qualifying trials begin the race at the forefront of those participating in the race.
Some of the most exciting racing action occurs when cars pass other cars. This is even more exciting when a fast car or driver qualifies for a starting position in the middle or back of the starting grid. This situation most often occurs due to technical, procedural or driver miscalculations during the qualifying trial(s). When this situation does occur, race fans are often treated to some of the most captivating racing since the faster, skilled driver often boldly and aggressively passes other cars in route to the front of the pack. The racing fans are thus treated to a creative display of driving skill and strategy as the misplaced fast car attempts to advance to the front of the pack and challenge the other fast cars.
A racing method is needed that will encourage top speeds, competitive and creative driving and continued competitiveness among the race participants throughout the entirety of the race.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention results from the realization that a more exciting race is effectuated by conducting a race that encourages and rewards the race participants for fast qualifying times, skillful passing and fast finishing times. The present inventive race method for conducting a race comprises conducting qualifying races, rewarding the racers for fast qualifying times, organizing the race participants in a reverse-qualifying time arrangement for the start of the race, rewarding racers for competitive passing of other racers during the race, rewarding racers for fast finishes and determining a race winner based on a combination of factors related to qualifying time, passes made and finishing time. The race method of the present invention provides incentives for the racers to qualify fast and to race competitively and to finish the race in a fast time. Since racers participating in a race conducted according to the present invention start the race in reverse-qualifying order and are rewarded for more than finishing the race fast, it is in the racers best self-interest to compete at their highest level throughout all phases of the race. The result is a competitive race that is challenging for the drivers yet more uncertain in outcome for the fans than traditionally conducted races.
The present invention comprising a reverse-qualifying order start and awarding of credits—either points or time credits—for passing encourages increased passing attempts to occur. Prior to conducting a race however, the form of credits that will be awarded during the race, either points or time credits, is decided. All race participants are equally challenged in the race since the racers in front of them qualified at a slower qualifying time.
Racers participating in a race conducted according to the present invention may be awarded with credits, either points or time credits, based on 1) the time/order of qualifying, 2) competitive passing during the race and 3) the time/order of finishing the race. The overall winner of a particular race may be determined based on a combination of the points and/or time credits awarded for a particular race. The specifics concerning the amount of points/credits awarded, number of racers eligible for points/credits and the formula by which the various points/credits are combined to determine a winner may vary depending on the race format or the preferences of the race organizers. According to the present racing method there may be more than one winner since the race participant finishing first in time, i.e. the traditional winner, may not necessarily finish first in terms of the number of point/time credits accumulated during the race. Additionally, this racing method contemplates determining a championship winner based on the cumulative point/time credits of racers over series of individual races.
The aforementioned specifics however are typically predetermined prior to the start of a race so that the race participants can strategically plan and execute the race. Accordingly, the present invention may be adapted to reward qualifying, competitive passing and finishing in numerous arrangements and formats.
The race method of the present invention may be adapted for any number of race formats, venues and/or racing entities, including but not limited to real-world, computer-based race simulation games or virtual reality game formats. The invention will be disclosed herein below and throughout primarily in the context of motor racing. The motor racing context will be used throughout for reasons of clarity and consistency, not as a limitation in any manner. The invention itself is not limited to motor racing or any other particular type or form of racing. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments than those described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.
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McGinnis Patrick F.
Swyers John
Lambert Gary E.
Lambert & Associates PLLC
Layno Benjamin H.
Timmer Edward
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