US4123062A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Game with multiple choice strategy
Assignee: MEGO CORP
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Filing: 1977-04-25
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Granted: 1978-10-31
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Expires: 1997-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A game played by two persons, namely a player and an opponent player. Each player has an equal plurality of playing pieces, and each player has alternate turns at manipulating a plurality of discrete identification elements bearing symbols, e.g. a pair of dice, and continuing his turn as long as the symbols can be used, either separately or in combination, to move his or his opponent's playing pieces on a playing board in correspondence to the symbols on the identification elements. The object of the game is to get all the playing pieces of the player or opponent player into certain positions on the playing board, and the multiple choice strategy entails a player moving his own playing pieces either towards the preestablished finish position or positions, or moving his opponent player's pieces back from a final position or positions. The multiple choice strategy evolves from the novel method of steps and alternate choice involved in the game. Structure for the game as an article of manufacture is also disclosed. The present game is a synergistic combination of concepts which combine both the elements of chance and judgment, with the element of chance arising from the random orientation, after manipulation, of the discrete identification means to register identifying symbols, e.g. the tossing or rolling of a pair of dice.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard Wexler
- 👤 Lawrence L. Reiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:33
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
553 words
In a game with multiple choice strategy for a player and an opponent player having alternate turns to play, a method of manipulating playing pieces consisting of a first plurality of playing pieces and a second plurality of playing pieces, the number of playing pieces in said first and second pluralities of playing pieces being equal, said first plurality of playing pieces relating to said player, and second plurality of playing pieces relating to said opponent player, each of said playing pieces in said first and second plurality of playing pieces relating to a distinct identifying symbol, the identifying symbol of each of said first plurality of playing pieces being the same as the identifying symbol of one of said second plurality of playing pieces, which comprises disposing each of said playing pieces at a location separate from the location of the balance of said playing pieces, said location for each playing piece being either a start position, a vulnerable intermediate position to which the playing piece has been moved from said start position, or a non-vulnerable finish position to which the playing piece has been moved from said intermediate position, said player and said opponent player in alternate turn concomitantly manipulating a plurality of discrete identification means bearing identifying symbols, a first manipulation of said plurality of identification means being by said player and a second manipulation of said plurality of identification means being by said opponent player, each of said manipulation registering a plurality of said identifying symbols, said first player displacing, after said first manipulation of said plurality of identification means, and in correspondence to the symbols registered either on each or the combination of at least two identification means, at least one of said first plurality of playing pieces either from its start position or its finish position to its intermediate position, or at least one of said second plurality of playing pieces from its intermediate position to its start position, said player continuing his turn and manipulating said plurality of identification means until movement of a playing piece corresponding to each separate one or the combination of a plurality of registered identifying symbols is no longer possible, thereafter said opponent player moving all of said second plurality of playing pieces in intermediate position to finish position, thereafter said second player displacing, after said second manipulation of said plurality of identification means, and in correspondence to the symbols thereafter registered on each or the combination of at least two identification means, at least one of said second plurality of playing pieces either from its start position or its finish position to its intermediate position, or at least one of said first plurality of playing pieces from its intermediate position to its start position, said opponent player continuing his turn and manipulating said plurality of identification means until movement of a playing piece corresponding to each separate one or the combination of a plurality of registered identifying symbols is no longer possible, thereafter said player moving all of said first plurality of playing pieces in intermediate position to finish position, and continuing manipulation of said plurality of identification means alternately by said player and said opponent player until either said first plurality of playing pieces or said second plurality of playing pieces is entirely disposed away from their start position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
553 words
In a game with multiple choice strategy for a player and an opponent player having alternate turns to play, a method of manipulating playing pieces consisting of a first plurality of playing pieces and a second plurality of playing pieces, the number of playing pieces in said first and second pluralities of playing pieces being equal, said first plurality of playing pieces relating to said player, and second plurality of playing pieces relating to said opponent player, each of said playing pieces in said first and second plurality of playing pieces relating to a distinct identifying symbol, the identifying symbol of each of said first plurality of playing pieces being the same as the identifying symbol of one of said second plurality of playing pieces, which comprises disposing each of said playing pieces at a location separate from the location of the balance of said playing pieces, said location for each playing piece being either a start position, a vulnerable intermediate position to which the playing piece has been moved from said start position, or a non-vulnerable finish position to which the playing piece has been moved from said intermediate position, said player and said opponent player in alternate turn concomitantly manipulating a plurality of discrete identification means bearing identifying symbols, a first manipulation of said plurality of identification means being by said player and a second manipulation of said plurality of identification means being by said opponent player, each of said manipulation registering a plurality of said identifying symbols, said first player displacing, after said first manipulation of said plurality of identification means, and in correspondence to the symbols registered either on each or the combination of at least two identification means, at least one of said first plurality of playing pieces either from its start position or its finish position to its intermediate position, or at least one of said second plurality of playing pieces from its intermediate position to its start position, said player continuing his turn and manipulating said plurality of identification means until movement of a playing piece corresponding to each separate one or the combination of a plurality of registered identifying symbols is no longer possible, thereafter said opponent player moving all of said second plurality of playing pieces in intermediate position to finish position, thereafter said second player displacing, after said second manipulation of said plurality of identification means, and in correspondence to the symbols thereafter registered on each or the combination of at least two identification means, at least one of said second plurality of playing pieces either from its start position or its finish position to its intermediate position, or at least one of said first plurality of playing pieces from its intermediate position to its start position, said opponent player continuing his turn and manipulating said plurality of identification means until movement of a playing piece corresponding to each separate one or the combination of a plurality of registered identifying symbols is no longer possible, thereafter said player moving all of said first plurality of playing pieces in intermediate position to finish position, and continuing manipulation of said plurality of identification means alternately by said player and said opponent player until either said first plurality of playing pieces or said second plurality of playing pieces is entirely disposed away from their start position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which the final disposition of the first or second plurality of playing pieces which is away from starting position is a portion in intermediate position and the balance in finish position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which the final disposition of the first or second plurality of playing pieces which is away from starting position is entirely in finish position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which the game is initiated with all of said playing pieces in start position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which the game is initiated with all of said playing pieces in intermediate position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which each identifying symbol is a number.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method in the game of claim 6 in which the number of playing pieces in each of the first and second plurality of playing pieces is ten, and the distinct identifying symbol for each playing piece is a number from one to ten.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in the game of claim 7 in which the plurality of identification means is a plurality of dice.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which each identifying symbol is a letter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which each identifying symbol is a color.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which each identifying symbol is a visual reproduction of a plant or animal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which the plurality of identification means is a plurality of regular polyhedrons, each face of each polyhedron bearing a different one of the identifying symbols.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in the game of claim 1 in which the number of identification means is two.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
315 words
An article of manufacture consisting essentially of a game with multiple choice strategy for a player and an opponent player having alternate turns to play, comprising a flat planar playing board, a first plurality of linear channels on said board, a second plurality of linear channels on said board, said first and second plurality of channels consisting essentially of discrete slide spaces on the surface of said board, said first plurality of channels being juxtaposed in parallel substantially perpendicular to a first edge of said board, said second plurality of channels being juxtaposed in parallel substantially perpendicular to a second edge of said board, said second edge being opposite to said first edge, a first plurality of discrete means on said board, said first plurality of discrete means designating first finish positions, each of said first plurality of discrete means being on the surface of said board and juxtaposed with the inner end of one of said first plurality of channels, a second plurality of discrete means on said board, said second plurality of discrete means designating second finish positions, each of said second plurality of discrete means being on the surface of said board and juxtaposed with the inner end of one of said second plurality of channels, a plurality of distinct identifying symbols, each of said symbols relating to one of said channels and its associated discrete means, the identifying symbol of each of said first plurality of channels and discrete means being the same as the identifying symbol of one of said second plurality of channels and discrete means, a plurality of movable playing pieces, each playing piece being associated with one of said channels and associated discrete means, each playing piece being disposed either at one end of a channel or at its associated discrete means, and a plurality of discrete identification means bearing identifying symbols and capable of being manipulated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
315 words
An article of manufacture consisting essentially of a game with multiple choice strategy for a player and an opponent player having alternate turns to play, comprising a flat planar playing board, a first plurality of linear channels on said board, a second plurality of linear channels on said board, said first and second plurality of channels consisting essentially of discrete slide spaces on the surface of said board, said first plurality of channels being juxtaposed in parallel substantially perpendicular to a first edge of said board, said second plurality of channels being juxtaposed in parallel substantially perpendicular to a second edge of said board, said second edge being opposite to said first edge, a first plurality of discrete means on said board, said first plurality of discrete means designating first finish positions, each of said first plurality of discrete means being on the surface of said board and juxtaposed with the inner end of one of said first plurality of channels, a second plurality of discrete means on said board, said second plurality of discrete means designating second finish positions, each of said second plurality of discrete means being on the surface of said board and juxtaposed with the inner end of one of said second plurality of channels, a plurality of distinct identifying symbols, each of said symbols relating to one of said channels and its associated discrete means, the identifying symbol of each of said first plurality of channels and discrete means being the same as the identifying symbol of one of said second plurality of channels and discrete means, a plurality of movable playing pieces, each playing piece being associated with one of said channels and associated discrete means, each playing piece being disposed either at one end of a channel or at its associated discrete means, and a plurality of discrete identification means bearing identifying symbols and capable of being manipulated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which the playing board is substantially rectangular.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article or manufacture of claim 15 in which the playing board is square.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which the linear channels are slots formed as linear depressions below the surface of the playing board.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which each discrete means of the first and second plurality of discrete means is a raised protuberance above the surface of the playing board.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of manufacture of claim 18 in which each playing piece is provided with a recess which mates with a raised protuberance when the playing piece is disposed on the discrete means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 19 in which the recess and the raised protuberance are circular.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which each of the distinct identifying symbols appears on one of the discrete means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which each playing piece is substantially disc-shaped.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 22 in which the linear channels are provided with rounded ends.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of manufacture of claim 23 in which the linear channels are slots formed as linear depressions below the surface of the playing board.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which an area for random movement of the discrete identification means is provided on the surface of the playing board, said area being spaced between said first plurality of linear channels and said second plurality of linear channels.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article of manufacture of claim 25 in which the area is centrally disposed on said playing board.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article of manufacture of claim 26 in which the area is a central recess in the surface of the playing board.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which each distinct identifying symbol is a number.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
69 words
The article of manufacture of claim 28 in which the number of linear channels and associated discrete means in each plurality of linear channels and associated discrete means is ten, and the distinct identifying symbols are numbers from one to ten, each one of said numbers for each one of the first or second plurality of linear channels and associated discrete means differing from the balance of the numbers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 29 in which the plurality of discrete identification means are dice.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 30 in which the number of dice is two.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which the number of discrete information means is two.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which the plurality of discrete identification means are regular polyhedrons, each face of each polyhedron bearing a different one of the identifying symbols.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of manufacture of claim 33 in which the number of regular polyhedrons is two.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 in which the linear channels each are of straight line form.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-30 | 1982-05-01 | 1982-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-30 | 1986-05-01 | 1986-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-30 | 1990-05-01 | 1990-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |