Patent US4346889A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4346889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Board game with path creating tiles for vehicle
Assignee: GORDON BARLOW DESIGN A ILLINOIS LP
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Filing: 1981-02-02
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Granted: 1982-08-31
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Expires: 2001-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A board game including a number of generally similar rectangular tiles slidable relative to one another on a base to form a rectangular pattern with at least one vacant space equal in size to a tile. At least one groove is formed in the top surface of some of the tiles and more than one groove is formed in the top surfaces of others of the tiles with each groove extending from one side edge of a tile to another side edge of a tile. All grooves intersect the side edges of its tile at the midpoint of each side edge so that continuous paths can be formed on adjacent tiles if each adjacent tile has a groove extending to its side edges that is contiguous to an adjacent tile. Discontinuous paths are formed if one of the tiles does not have a groove extending to its side edge that is contiguous with an adjacent tile. A self-propelled vehicle is provided to move across the tiles. The vehicle has a guide which rides in the groove to direct the vehicle across the tile. An alarm is carried by the vehicle and the alarm is arranged to sound when the vehicle reaches the side edge of a tile.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon A. Barlow
- 👤 John R. Krutsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:16
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00097; A63F9/00; A63F9/20; A63F3/00173; A63F3/00261; A63F2003/00324; A63F2003/00331; A63F2003/00337; A63F3/00006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A board game including: a plurality of generally similar rectangular tiles slidable relative to one another to form a rectangular pattern with one vacant space equal in size to a tile, at least one groove formed in the top surface of some of said tiles and more than one groove formed in the top surface of other of said tiles with each groove extending from one side edge of a tile to another side edge of a tile with all grooves intersecting the side edges of its tile at the midpoint of each side edge so that continuous paths can be formed on adjacent tiles if each adjacent tile has a groove extending to its side edges that is contiguous to an adjacent tile or discontinuous paths can be formed if one of the tiles does not have a groove extending to its side edge that is contiguous with an adjacent tile, a self-propelled vehicle adapted to move across the tiles, said vehicle having guide means which ride in the grooves to steer the vehicle across the tiles, an alarm carried by said vehicle, and means to sound the alarm when the vehicle reaches the side edge of a tile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A board game including: a plurality of generally similar rectangular tiles slidable relative to one another to form a rectangular pattern with one vacant space equal in size to a tile, at least one groove formed in the top surface of some of said tiles and more than one groove formed in the top surface of other of said tiles with each groove extending from one side edge of a tile to another side edge of a tile with all grooves intersecting the side edges of its tile at the midpoint of each side edge so that continuous paths can be formed on adjacent tiles if each adjacent tile has a groove extending to its side edges that is contiguous to an adjacent tile or discontinuous paths can be formed if one of the tiles does not have a groove extending to its side edge that is contiguous with an adjacent tile, a self-propelled vehicle adapted to move across the tiles, said vehicle having guide means which ride in the grooves to steer the vehicle across the tiles, an alarm carried by said vehicle, and means to sound the alarm when the vehicle reaches the side edge of a tile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The board game of claim 1 in which the one groove formed in the top surface of some of said tiles extends from the midpoint of one side edge to the midpoint of the opposite side edge of said tile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The board game of claim 1 in which a pair of grooves extending at right angles to each other are formed in other of said tiles and each groove extends from one side edge to an opposite side edge of said tile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The board game of claim 1 in which a pair of non-intersecting curved grooves are formed in other of said tile with each groove extending from a side edge to an adjacent side edge of a tile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
The board game of claim 1 in which said means to sound the alarm includes at least one recess formed in the top surface of each tile with said recess being positioned adjacent the inner section of a groove in said tile with a side edge thereof and an alarm operating lever carried by said self-propelled vehicle which lever drops into said recess to operate the alarm when the vehicle reaches the recess and is lifted out of the recess by engagement with the top surface of the tile to shut off the alarm when the vehicle moves away from the recess.
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) | 1985-08-30 | 1986-03-01 | 1986-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-30 | 1990-03-01 | 1990-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-30 | 1994-03-01 | 1994-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |