US3746343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic game board especially for sightless persons
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-14
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A game board including an essentially rigid metallic backing which is sensitive to magnetic forces, a playing surface positioned thereover and a grid arranged to be reflective of the playing surface. The grid is constructed so as to form a pattern of raised ridges surrounding depressions reflecting a game pattern and shape on the playing surface. Braille characters projecting from the top of the grid enable a blind player to identify the game pattern reflected by the individual depressions and to locate the positions of game playing pieces. Playing pieces having Braille characters thereon, and magnets attached thereto, are fitted into and are magnetically held within the depressions in the grid. Holes are punched along one edge of the game board to conform with the rings of a loose leaf binder so that one or more game boards can be arranged in the form of book pages.
Inventors
- 👤 D Shapiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:22
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00694; A63F9/00; A63F9/0001; A63F3/00173; A63F3/00574; A63F2003/0063; A63F3/00895; A63F2003/00943; A63F2003/00946; A63F2009/0003; A63F2009/0004; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A magnetic game board particularly for use by sightless persons comprising a thin sheet of magnetic metal; a playing surface including game markings secured to said thin sheet of magnetic metal; playing pieces for use on the playing surface each having Braille-type characters protruding therefrom, identifying the playing piece, and a magnet secured to the surface of said playing piece opposite to said Braille-type characters; a coordinate reference system of Braille-type characters arranged with respect to said playing surface whereby a person, using his sense of touch, can locate specific game markings; and a game marking identification system of Braille-type characters arranged with respect to said game markings, the positioning and configuration of which Braille-type characters, with respect to a particular game marking, enables a sightless person, using his sense of touch, to readily identify specific game markings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A magnetic game board particularly for use by sightless persons comprising a thin sheet of magnetic metal; a playing surface including game markings secured to said thin sheet of magnetic metal; playing pieces for use on the playing surface each having Braille-type characters protruding therefrom, identifying the playing piece, and a magnet secured to the surface of said playing piece opposite to said Braille-type characters; a coordinate reference system of Braille-type characters arranged with respect to said playing surface whereby a person, using his sense of touch, can locate specific game markings; and a game marking identification system of Braille-type characters arranged with respect to said game markings, the positioning and configuration of which Braille-type characters, with respect to a particular game marking, enables a sightless person, using his sense of touch, to readily identify specific game markings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A magnetic game board especially for sightless persons as recited in claim 1, wherein the coordinate reference system of Braille-type characters consists of a vertical column of Braille-type characters representing a series of numbers extending along the sides of the game markings, each number representing a horizontal row of game markings, and a row of Braille-type characters representing a series of letters extending across the ends of said game markings, each letter representing a vertical column of game markings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A magnetic game board especially for sightless persons as recited in claim 1, wherein the game markings consist of a plurality of Braille dots arranged and aligned to extend outwardly from alongside each said game marking such that a line drawn through at least two such aligned Braille dots will point to a particular class of game markings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A magnetic game board especially for sightless persons as recited in claim 1, further including a grid-type webbing secured above the playing surface such that ridge portions thereof extend alongside and separate the particular game markings, said coordinate reference system and said game marking identification systems of Braille-type characters being on said webbing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A magnetic game board especially for sightless persons as recited in claim 4, wherein the magnets fixed to the undersides of the playing pieces fit between the ridges of the grid-type webbing; and the playing pieces extend above said ridges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A magnetic game board for sightless persons as recited in claim 5, wherein the playing pieces consist of a thin disk that is secured to the top of the magnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A magnetic game board especially for sightless persons as recited in claim 4, further including a border formed around the perimeter of the playing surface, said border extending above the grid-type webbing, and above any playing pieces arranged between the ridges of said grid-Type webbing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |