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US3871657A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multilevel chess or checker board

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-20
•
Granted: 1975-03-18
•
Expires: 1994-03-20
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Abstract

Abstract A multilevel chess or checker board is provided which enables participants of the conventional games of chess or checkers to vary the topography of the board prior to commencement of the game. The preferred embodiment includes a playing surface divided into a checkerboard design of 64 alternately colored squares, conventionally of two colors. A lip extends about the periphery. A plurality of topography pieces of different heights are provided which enable the game participants to vary the topography of the actual playing surface. The topography pieces are intended as supports for the playing pieces. Means for attaching the topography or supporting pieces to the board are provided, which, in conjunction with the peripheral lip about the board, result in a compact, close fitting playing surface.

Inventors

  • 👤 Marilyn J Lorenz
  • 👤 Michael B Larson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 03:35
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00173; A63F3/00533; A63F3/00214; A63F3/02; A63F2003/00223; A63F3/00261; A63F2003/00394; A63F2003/00397; A63F2003/00545; A63F3/00697; A63F2003/00716; A63F2003/00719; A63F2003/00738; A63F2003/00826; A63F2003/00829

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 152 words
A checkerboard for playing a game, comprising: a playing surface, said playing surface including a laminated structure having a first layer including a top side having a plurality of alternately colored squares arranged in a checkerboard design displayed thereon, each of said squares having a length dimension and a width dimension, a second layer of magnetic material and a third structural layer; a peripheral lip extending around said playing surface; and a plurality of supporting pieces for varying the topography of said playing surface, said supporting pieces having length and width dimensions corresponding to the length and width dimensions of individual ones of said squares, said supporting pieces having magnetic means mounted in them, one of said magnetic means and said layer of magnetic material being magnetized, an equal number of individual elements of said supporting piece plurality having predetermined heights of one-half inch, 1 inch, 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 152 words
A checkerboard for playing a game, comprising: a playing surface, said playing surface including a laminated structure having a first layer including a top side having a plurality of alternately colored squares arranged in a checkerboard design displayed thereon, each of said squares having a length dimension and a width dimension, a second layer of magnetic material and a third structural layer; a peripheral lip extending around said playing surface; and a plurality of supporting pieces for varying the topography of said playing surface, said supporting pieces having length and width dimensions corresponding to the length and width dimensions of individual ones of said squares, said supporting pieces having magnetic means mounted in them, one of said magnetic means and said layer of magnetic material being magnetized, an equal number of individual elements of said supporting piece plurality having predetermined heights of one-half inch, 1 inch, 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 154 words
A checkerboard for playing a game, comprising: a playing surface, said playing surface including a top side having a plurality of alternately colored squares arranged in a checkerboard design displayed thereon, each of said squares having a length dimension and a width dimension, said playing surface having a plurality of receptacles in it, individual ones of said receptacles being approximately centrally located along individual ones of said squares comprising said checkerboard design; a peripheral lip surrounding said surface; and a plurality of supporting pieces for varying the topography of said playing surface, said supporting pieces having length and width dimensions corresponding to the length and width dimensions of individual ones of said squares, each of said supporting pieces having an upper surface and a lower surface, one of said upper and lower surfaces having a male member extending outwardly from it, said male member being removably intermountable with the receptacles of said game board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 154 words
A checkerboard for playing a game, comprising: a playing surface, said playing surface including a top side having a plurality of alternately colored squares arranged in a checkerboard design displayed thereon, each of said squares having a length dimension and a width dimension, said playing surface having a plurality of receptacles in it, individual ones of said receptacles being approximately centrally located along individual ones of said squares comprising said checkerboard design; a peripheral lip surrounding said surface; and a plurality of supporting pieces for varying the topography of said playing surface, said supporting pieces having length and width dimensions corresponding to the length and width dimensions of individual ones of said squares, each of said supporting pieces having an upper surface and a lower surface, one of said upper and lower surfaces having a male member extending outwardly from it, said male member being removably intermountable with the receptacles of said game board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 50 words
The checkerboard of claim 2 wherein the other of said upper and lower surfaces of individual ones of said plurality of supporting pieces has a receptacle in it, said receptacle being sized to receive the male member of any of the other of the individual ones of said supporting pieces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 37 words
The checkerboard of claim 3 wherein each of said supporting pieces has a height dimension equal to one half of the value of one of said length and width dimensions of an individual one of said squares.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 157 words
A checkerboard for playing a game, comprising: a playing surface, said playing surface inclUding a layered construction including a first layer having an outer surface, said outer surface having a plurality of alternately colored squares displayed thereon, said squares being arranged in a checkerboard design, each of said squares having a length dimension and a width dimension, a second layer permitting attachment of a plurality of supporting pieces, and a third structural layer; a peripheral lip extending around said playing surface; and a plurality of supporting pieces for varying the topography of said playing surface, said supporting pieces having length and width dimensions corresponding to the length and width dimensions of individual ones of said squares, said supporting pieces including means for removably mounting individual ones of said supporting pieces on said playing surface, equal numbers of individual elements of said supporting piece plurality having heights of one-half inch, 1 inch, 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 157 words
A checkerboard for playing a game, comprising: a playing surface, said playing surface inclUding a layered construction including a first layer having an outer surface, said outer surface having a plurality of alternately colored squares displayed thereon, said squares being arranged in a checkerboard design, each of said squares having a length dimension and a width dimension, a second layer permitting attachment of a plurality of supporting pieces, and a third structural layer; a peripheral lip extending around said playing surface; and a plurality of supporting pieces for varying the topography of said playing surface, said supporting pieces having length and width dimensions corresponding to the length and width dimensions of individual ones of said squares, said supporting pieces including means for removably mounting individual ones of said supporting pieces on said playing surface, equal numbers of individual elements of said supporting piece plurality having heights of one-half inch, 1 inch, 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US486308A Cited
US2732211A Cited
US2585268A Cited
US2665913A Cited
US3051489A Cited
US3692310A Cited
US3788644A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-03-17 1978-09-16 1979-03-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-03-17 1982-09-16 1983-03-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-03-17 1986-09-16 1987-03-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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