Patent US4696476A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4696476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-stepped gameboard apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-05-08
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Granted: 1987-09-29
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Expires: 2006-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A multi-stepped gameboard apparatus which is preferably made in a checkerboard design and divided into separate sections constructed in monotonic steps. The sections may be arranged in a variety of configurations to form a "mountain", "valley", or mixed mountain-valley configuration. Furthermore, the stepped gameboard sections are nestable to form an assemblage for carrying and storing the gameboard when not in use. Preferably, magnets or any other acceptable means known in the art are used to hold the sections together in the variable configurations. Storage areas for playing pieces are provided in each section.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene W. Eplett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:24
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00173; A63F3/0023; A63F3/00214; A63F3/00261; A63F2003/00359; A63F2003/00362; A63F2003/00391; A63F3/00895; A63F2003/00943; A63F2003/00965; A63F2003/00971; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A three-dimensional game board apparatus comprising at least four sections, each of said sections having at least one surface accommodating a checkerboard design and said surface constructed in seven planar levels having sixteen square steps in a monotonic arrangement, whereby said square steps in each diagonal row from one corner to a second corner of said section are of a similar color, said sections arrangeable n a variety of configurations and nestable forming a rectangular polyhedron, wherein there is one square step at a first planar level, two square steps at a second planar level, three square steps at a third planar level, four square steps at a fourth planar level, three square steps at a fifth planar level, two square steps at a sixth planar level and one square step at a seventh planar level, and said sixteen square steps descend from said first planar level to said seventh planar level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A three-dimensional game board apparatus comprising at least four sections, each of said sections having at least one surface accommodating a checkerboard design and said surface constructed in seven planar levels having sixteen square steps in a monotonic arrangement, whereby said square steps in each diagonal row from one corner to a second corner of said section are of a similar color, said sections arrangeable n a variety of configurations and nestable forming a rectangular polyhedron, wherein there is one square step at a first planar level, two square steps at a second planar level, three square steps at a third planar level, four square steps at a fourth planar level, three square steps at a fifth planar level, two square steps at a sixth planar level and one square step at a seventh planar level, and said sixteen square steps descend from said first planar level to said seventh planar level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rectangular polyhedron is substantially cubic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the four sections is substantially square shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said sections further comprises a means of fitting said sections together to form a configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said means comprises magnets symmetrically arranged in side walls of each of said sections and holding said four sections together forming a gameboard configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said configuration comprises an arrangement of the highest levels of said seven levels of each said separte section in a center area of said gameboard forming a "mountain" configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said configuration comprises an arrangement of the lowest levels of said seven levels of each of said separate together in a center area of said gameboard apparatus forming a "valley" configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said separate sections further comprise a storage area accommodating playing pieces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sections are arrangeable to form a gameboard having a substantially planar playing surface and said apparatus further comprises a bracing means for bracing said apparatus on said stepped side and assisting in holding said sections together forming said planar playing surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said bracing means aids in stacking said separate sections together and comprises a part of said rectilinear assemblage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A gameboard apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said bracing means is a collar having a square-shaped shelf of rigid material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
A three dimensional game board apparatus comprising at least four sections, each of said sections having at least one surface accommodating a checkerboard design and said surface constructed in seven planar levels having sixteen square steps in a monotonic arrangement, whereby said square steps in each diagonal row from one corner to a second corner of said section are of a similar color, said sections arrangeable in a variety of configurations and nestable forming a rectangular polyhedron, and said sections arrangeable to form a gameboard having a substantially planar playing surface; and a bracing means for bracing said apparatus on said stepped side and assisting and holding said sections together forming said planar playing surface, said bracing means aiding in stacking said separate sections together and comprising a part of said rectangular polyhedron, and said bracing means including a collar having a square-shaped shelf of rigid material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
A three dimensional game board apparatus comprising at least four sections, each of said sections having at least one surface accommodating a checkerboard design and said surface constructed in seven planar levels having sixteen square steps in a monotonic arrangement, whereby said square steps in each diagonal row from one corner to a second corner of said section are of a similar color, said sections arrangeable in a variety of configurations and nestable forming a rectangular polyhedron, and said sections arrangeable to form a gameboard having a substantially planar playing surface; and a bracing means for bracing said apparatus on said stepped side and assisting and holding said sections together forming said planar playing surface, said bracing means aiding in stacking said separate sections together and comprising a part of said rectangular polyhedron, and said bracing means including a collar having a square-shaped shelf of rigid material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-09-28 | 1991-03-30 | 1991-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-28 | 1995-03-30 | 1995-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-28 | 1999-03-30 | 1999-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |