US5092606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Board game
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-10-24
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Granted: 1992-03-03
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Expires: 2010-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A board game has two chance taking devices such as spinners, dice for generating two numbers. A first number selects the number of a question on a question card from a deck of question cards that must be answered correctly. On the board is imprinted a first, direct path of connected spaces from start to win and a second, serpentine path of connected spaces that periodically intersects the first path at common, intersecting spaces. Each player's token is moved a particular number of spaces determined by the second change taking device. Complexity is introduced by what happens when a token is on an intersecting space at the start of a turn. If the question is answered correctly, the token advances along the direct path. If answered incorrectly the token moves one space onto one or the other side of the direct path onto a loop of the second path. Which side it moves is indicated on the question card. On one side the token is advancing and on the other side it is retreating. The token must continue to move in that direction until the next intersecting space is reached before returning to the direct path to the goal.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:19
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00006; A63F9/00; A63F9/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
396 words
A board game comprising: A) a plurality of playing pieces including one piece for each player of said game; B) a game board means for playing said game, said board means having indicia thereon over which said playing pieces are to be moved at chance-determined intervals and having displayed thereon a connected series of spaces defining paths over which the pieces are to be moved; C) a first chance device for generating a random number; D) a second chance device for generating a random number; E) a means for randomly indicating direction; F) a set of question cards in which each card is provided on a side with a numbered list of questions, one of which is to be answered by a player on his turn in playing said game; G) a plurality of connected spaces on said board means defining a short, first path of travel for said pieces from a start location to a finish location or goal; H) a plurality of connected spaces on said board means defining a long, second path of travel for said pieces and periodically intersecting said first path at common, intersecting spaces, wherein the number of spaces along said second path is greater than the number of spaces along said first path between adjacent ones of said intersecting spaces; I) said first chance device generating a number indicating a particular one of said numbered questions from said list on said card to be asked of a player; J) said second chance device generating a number indicating a particular number of spaces to move said piece along one of said paths when said question is answered correctly; K) in which movement of said piece from one of said intersecting spaces to one of two paths is based upon correctness of answer to a selected question by a player and chance, whereby, when a question is answered correctly, said piece is moved along said first path toward said goal a number of spaces indicated by said second chance device, and upon incorrect answer said piece is moved at least one space onto said intersecting second path in a first or second direction as indicated by a means for randomly indicating direction, in which said first direction is toward a next intersecting space closer to said goal and said second direction is toward a next intersecting space farther from said goal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
396 words
A board game comprising: A) a plurality of playing pieces including one piece for each player of said game; B) a game board means for playing said game, said board means having indicia thereon over which said playing pieces are to be moved at chance-determined intervals and having displayed thereon a connected series of spaces defining paths over which the pieces are to be moved; C) a first chance device for generating a random number; D) a second chance device for generating a random number; E) a means for randomly indicating direction; F) a set of question cards in which each card is provided on a side with a numbered list of questions, one of which is to be answered by a player on his turn in playing said game; G) a plurality of connected spaces on said board means defining a short, first path of travel for said pieces from a start location to a finish location or goal; H) a plurality of connected spaces on said board means defining a long, second path of travel for said pieces and periodically intersecting said first path at common, intersecting spaces, wherein the number of spaces along said second path is greater than the number of spaces along said first path between adjacent ones of said intersecting spaces; I) said first chance device generating a number indicating a particular one of said numbered questions from said list on said card to be asked of a player; J) said second chance device generating a number indicating a particular number of spaces to move said piece along one of said paths when said question is answered correctly; K) in which movement of said piece from one of said intersecting spaces to one of two paths is based upon correctness of answer to a selected question by a player and chance, whereby, when a question is answered correctly, said piece is moved along said first path toward said goal a number of spaces indicated by said second chance device, and upon incorrect answer said piece is moved at least one space onto said intersecting second path in a first or second direction as indicated by a means for randomly indicating direction, in which said first direction is toward a next intersecting space closer to said goal and said second direction is toward a next intersecting space farther from said goal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The game according to claim 1 in which correct answers to said questions are provided on the reverse side of said cards.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The game according to claim 1 in which said means for randomly indicating direction is indicia carried by said cards indicating whether a piece is to be moved left or right on said second path from said intersecting space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The game according to claim 1 in which said chance device includes at least one spinner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The game according to claim 1 in which said chance device includes at least one die.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The game according to claim 1 in which said questions are directed to knowledge of the Bible.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The game according to claim 1 in which said board means is a stiff board imprinted on at least one face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The game according to claim 1 in which said board means is flexible for rolling up for storage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
240 words
A board game comprising: A) a plurality of playing pieces including one piece for each player of said game; B) a game board means for playing said game, said board means having indicia thereon over which said playing pieces are to be moved at chance-determined intervals and having displayed thereon a connected series of spaces defining paths over which said pieces are to be moved; C) a plurality of connected spaces on said board means defining a short, first path of travel for said pieces from a start location to a finish location or goal; D) a plurality of connected spaces on said board means defining a long, second path of travel for said pieces and periodically intersecting said first path at common, intersecting spaces, wherein the number of spaces along said second path is greater than the number of spaces along said first path between adjacent ones of said intersecting spaces; E) number indicating means for indicating a particular number of spaces to move said piece; and F) direction indicating means for directing movement of said piece from one of said intersecting spaces to one of three alternate directions: 1) a first direction along said short, first path of travel toward said goal; 2) a second direction along said long, second path of travel in a direction toward said goal; and 3) a third direction along said long, second path of travel in a direction away from said goal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
240 words
A board game comprising: A) a plurality of playing pieces including one piece for each player of said game; B) a game board means for playing said game, said board means having indicia thereon over which said playing pieces are to be moved at chance-determined intervals and having displayed thereon a connected series of spaces defining paths over which said pieces are to be moved; C) a plurality of connected spaces on said board means defining a short, first path of travel for said pieces from a start location to a finish location or goal; D) a plurality of connected spaces on said board means defining a long, second path of travel for said pieces and periodically intersecting said first path at common, intersecting spaces, wherein the number of spaces along said second path is greater than the number of spaces along said first path between adjacent ones of said intersecting spaces; E) number indicating means for indicating a particular number of spaces to move said piece; and F) direction indicating means for directing movement of said piece from one of said intersecting spaces to one of three alternate directions: 1) a first direction along said short, first path of travel toward said goal; 2) a second direction along said long, second path of travel in a direction toward said goal; and 3) a third direction along said long, second path of travel in a direction away from said goal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The board game according to claim 9, in which said number indicating means for indicating a particular number of spaces to move includes a random number generator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The board game according to claim 9, in which said number indicating means for indicating a particular number of spaces to move is related to a player response based on player skill.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The board game according to claim 9, in which said direction indicating means for directing movement includes a chance means for indicating direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The board game according to claim 9, in which said direction indicating means for directing movement includes a player response based on player skill.
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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) | 1995-03-03 | 1995-09-02 | 1996-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-03 | 1999-09-02 | 2000-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-03 | 2003-09-02 | 2004-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |