US5249805A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Board game apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-03-06
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Granted: 1993-10-05
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Expires: 2009-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A board game apparatus is disclosed which comprises one or more playing surfaces divided into a plurality of sections. A plurality of tokens are used for temporarily marking any of the sections. An electronic random generator generates a reference symbol corresponding to any of the sections. In the preferred embodiment, there are three playing surfaces or tiers disposed at three different levels in a three-dimensional vertical array. The random number generator generates pairs of numbers which identify any particular section of any particular tier at random.
Inventors
- 👤 Ambroz U. Neil
- 👤 Dwain A. Neil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:09
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00094; A63F9/00; A63F9/04; A63F9/0468
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A board game apparatus comprising at least one playing surface divided into a plurality of sections, each section having a unique locational identity, and means for temporarily marking any of said sections, characterized by a means for generating a reference identification corresponding to any of said sections which identifies that section in a manner which is functionally distinct from the location of that section itself; wherein the reference identification generating means is housed in a base unit of the apparatus which supports said at least one playing surface; the reference identification generating means includes at least one display panel on said base unit which provides a visual identification of any section to be identified by said reference identification generating means; said base carries at least one push button for initiating selection of a section by said reference identification generating means; and comprising a plurality of playing surfaces disposed as tiered levels in a vertical array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A board game apparatus comprising at least one playing surface divided into a plurality of sections, each section having a unique locational identity, and means for temporarily marking any of said sections, characterized by a means for generating a reference identification corresponding to any of said sections which identifies that section in a manner which is functionally distinct from the location of that section itself; wherein the reference identification generating means is housed in a base unit of the apparatus which supports said at least one playing surface; the reference identification generating means includes at least one display panel on said base unit which provides a visual identification of any section to be identified by said reference identification generating means; said base carries at least one push button for initiating selection of a section by said reference identification generating means; and comprising a plurality of playing surfaces disposed as tiered levels in a vertical array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reference identification generating means is an electronic number generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electronic number generator is a random number generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the number generator includes means for preselecting one or more numbers which are generated more frequently than others whereby the likelihood of those numbers being generated is weighted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are three playing surfaces in the array, second and third playing surfaces being mounted above a first playing surface on the base unit by means of a collapsible support structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support structure comprises a pair of support arms selectively connectible to the base unit so as to extend upwardly and obliquely from two adjacent corners of the base unit, the second and third playing surfaces being contained on respective transparent planar boards which are selectively connectible to said support arms so as to lie in respective parallel horizontal planes above the base unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections on the or each playing surface form a grid in the form of a "noughts and crosses" type pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a single playing surface on which is illustrated graphically a number of tiered playing levels so as to simulate in two dimensions the playing of the game in three dimensions.
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) | 1996-10-04 | 1997-04-05 | 1997-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-04 | 2001-04-05 | 2001-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-04 | 2005-04-05 | 2005-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |