US4497491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method employing selectively stackable game pieces
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1983-12-19
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Granted: 1985-02-05
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Expires: 2003-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of geometrically arranged circular depressions are formed in a game board to nestingly receive one or a stack of game pieces. The game pieces, which may be in the shape of discs, are stackable in ascending order reflective of the valuation assigned to each and which valuation is indicated by a raised symbol on the upper surface of each game piece. The lower surface of each game piece includes an indentation configured to mate with a lower valuation symbol formed on the upper surface of another game piece to interlock the game pieces when stacked and regulate the stacking order. To play the game, each of the players is given a set of game pieces. Taking turns, the players attempt to align a specific number of uncovered ones of their game pieces of a common valuation upon the game board and any existing stacks; variations in object and mode of play are contemplated.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul D. Holman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:24
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00094; A63F3/00173; A63F3/00574; A63F3/00697; A63F2003/007; A63F2003/00712; A63F2003/00716; A63F2003/00719
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A game of skill, said game comprising in combination: (a) a game board; (b) a plurality of positions delineated on said game board; (c) at least two sets of game pieces for use with said game board, each said set of game pieces including: i. a first plurality of game pieces having a first valuation; ii. a second plurality of game pieces having a second valuation, which second valuation is superior to the first valuation; iii. a third plurality of game pieces having a third valuation, which third valuation is superior to the second valuation and inferior to the first valuation; and (d) means for stacking said game pieces only in ascending order of valuation upon selected ones of said positions of said game board.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A game of skill, said game comprising in combination: (a) a game board; (b) a plurality of positions delineated on said game board; (c) at least two sets of game pieces for use with said game board, each said set of game pieces including: i. a first plurality of game pieces having a first valuation; ii. a second plurality of game pieces having a second valuation, which second valuation is superior to the first valuation; iii. a third plurality of game pieces having a third valuation, which third valuation is superior to the second valuation and inferior to the first valuation; and (d) means for stacking said game pieces only in ascending order of valuation upon selected ones of said positions of said game board.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The game as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said game pieces includes a symbol representative of the respective one of the first, second and third valuations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The game as set forth in claim 2 wherein each said game piece includes a top surface and each said symbol comprises an element raised above said top surface of the respective one of said game pieces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The game as set forth in claim 3 wherein each said game piece includes a bottom surface and an indentation in said bottom surface commensurate in configuration with the symbol of valuation inferior to the valuation of the symbol on said top surface of the respective game piece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The game as set forth in claim 4 wherein said raised element depicting one symbol on one of said game pieces is nestable within said indentation depicting the same symbol in another of said game pieces to permit stacking of said game pieces in ascending order of valuation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The game as set forth in claim 4 wherein said stacking means comprises nesting of the raised element of one of said game pieces with a correspondingly configured indentation of another of said game pieces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The game as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said game pieces includes means for inhibiting relative rotation between stacked ones of said game pieces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The game as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said positions of said game board includes means for inhibiting rotation of a game piece of said game pieces placed thereupon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The game as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said positions of said game board includes means for orienting any of said game pieces placed thereupon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The game as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said positions of said game board comprises a cavity for receiving one of said game pieces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said positions define a three by three matrix upon said game board.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The game as set forth in claim 11 wherein said game board includes delineations for defining three columns and three rows of said positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The game as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of said positions comprises a cavity for receiving one of said game pieces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The game as set forth in claim 1 including means for inhibiting relative rotation between stacked ones of said game pieces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The game as set forth in claim 14 including further means for inhibiting rotation of a game piece of said game pieces placed upon one of said positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The game as set forth in claim 15 wherein each said position comprises a cavity for receiving one of said game pieces.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for playing a game with a game board having a plurality of positions delineated thereon and at least two sets of game pieces, each said set of game pieces having a first plurality of game pieces of a first valuation, a second plurality of game pieces of a second valuation superior to the first valuation and a third plurality of game pieces of a third valuation superior to the second valuation and inferior to the first valuation, means for stacking said game pieces only in ascending order of valuation upon selected ones of said positions of said game board, said method comprising the step of: (a) alternately locating game pieces of the first and second sets upon a position of the game board; (b) alternately stacking game pieces of the first and second sets upon game pieces previously placed upon a position of the game board; and (c) repeating one of said locating and stacking steps until game pieces of one of the sets of game pieces become arranged on the game board in a predetermined arrangement.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for playing a game with a game board having a plurality of positions delineated thereon and at least two sets of game pieces, each said set of game pieces having a first plurality of game pieces of a first valuation, a second plurality of game pieces of a second valuation superior to the first valuation and a third plurality of game pieces of a third valuation superior to the second valuation and inferior to the first valuation, means for stacking said game pieces only in ascending order of valuation upon selected ones of said positions of said game board, said method comprising the step of: (a) alternately locating game pieces of the first and second sets upon a position of the game board; (b) alternately stacking game pieces of the first and second sets upon game pieces previously placed upon a position of the game board; and (c) repeating one of said locating and stacking steps until game pieces of one of the sets of game pieces become arranged on the game board in a predetermined arrangement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said step of stacking includes the step of nesting the game pieces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein said step of nesting includes the step of interlocking the game pieces to prevent relative rotation between stacked ones of the game pieces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as set forth in claim 19 wherein said step of interlocking includes the step of interlocking a game piece placed on the game board with the game board.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of stacking includes the step of stacking the game pieces in ascending valuation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said step of repeating includes the step of locating and stacking game pieces of a predetermined valuation uppermost in the arrangement sought.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said step of stacking includes the step of stacking the game pieces in ascending valuation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said step of stacking includes the step of interlocking the game pieces to prevent relative rotation between stacked ones of the game pieces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said step of interlocking includes the step of interlocking a game piece placed on the game board with the game board.
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) | 1988-02-05 | 1988-08-06 | 1989-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-02-05 | 1992-08-06 | 1993-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-02-05 | 1996-08-06 | 1997-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |