Tactile braille dice

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tactile die for playing games, the die comprising a plurality of sides, wherein each side comprises a face having a Braille character, each side comprises 3 or more raised border edges surrounding the face, and wherein one of the 3 or more raised border edges is an indicator edge configured to indicate an orientation of the face, the indicator edge comprising an indentation along its length.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to dice for playing games, configured for use by people with limited or no vision. BACKGROUND

[0002] Certain games, such as role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, employ polyhedral dice. People with limited or no vision can require Braille dice. A desired dice for playing games is easy to interpret via touch, comfortable to grip and pleasant to touch, stable when resting on one side and of a suitable size. SUMMARY

[0003] Accordingly, a tactile dice for playing games, the dice comprising a plurality of sides, wherein each side comprises a face having a Braille character, each side comprises 3 or more raised border edges surrounding the face, and wherein one of the 3 or more raised border edges is an indicator edge configured to indicate the orientation of the face, the indicator edge comprising an indentation along its length.

[0004] Also disclosed is a tactile dice set comprising at least two different said dice, the set comprising dice having 4, 6, 8, 10, 10, 12 or 20 sides. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] The disclosure described herein is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings without necessarily depicting all possible embodiments. For simplicity and clarity, the illustrative drawings can not show all possible components of aspects of the application. In some instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods, ingredients, and equipment are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present embodiments. In the drawings:

[0006] Figures 1A to 1J Front, top, left perspective views; front, rear, left, right, top, bottom views; front, top, right perspective views; rear, bottom, left perspective views; and rear, bottom, right perspective views of a 20-sided dice according to some embodiments are shown, respectively.

[0007] Figure 2 A 12-sided dice according to an embodiment is shown.

[0008] Figure 3A And Figure 3B Different 10-sided dice according to some embodiments are shown.

[0009] Figure 4 An 8-sided dice according to an embodiment is shown.

[0010] Figure 5 A six-sided die is shown according to the implementation scheme.

[0011] Figure 6 A four-sided die is shown according to the implementation scheme. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Figure 1A A perspective view of a 20-faced icosahedral die 100 according to some embodiments is shown. The die 100 comprises 20 faces 101. When rolled, the die 100 will eventually come to rest on a single face, with the single opposite face (the face to be interpreted) facing up. Each triangular face 101 includes a Braille character 102 and raised boundary edges 103 and 104. The raised boundary edge 104 is an indicator edge, which includes a notch 105 along its length. The boundary edge 104 includes a smooth downward sloping edge 106, which slopes downward to a lowest point / lowest part 107, approximately flush with the face 101. The characters 102 are neatly arranged in the face 101, excluding the "h" symbols (typically present in Braille numbering) indicating the digits.

[0013] Figure 1B A front view of a 20-faced icosahedral die 100 according to an embodiment is shown. The distance D1 between the starting point of the indentation 105 and the point of the low point 107 comprises approximately 52% of the entire length from corner 109 to the edge of corner 109. The distance D2 of the length of the low point 107 is approximately 18% of the entire length from corner 109 to corner 109 or approximately 33% of D1. The raised boundary edges 103 and 104 meet at corner 109. Corner 109 has substantially the same size and shape. Corner 109 has an enlarged surface area 108, which is small enough not to crowd the Braille characters 102 and provides stability when the die 100 is stationary on one face. For example, the triangular face includes, for example, the surface area of ​​the ... Figure 1B In the case of rounded corners / rounded corners, an increased surface area of ​​108 can be indicated. Figures 1C to 1J Provides an alternative view of the dice roll of 100.

[0014] Figure 2 A 12-faced dodecahedral die 200 is shown according to an embodiment. The die 200 includes 12 faces 201, Braille characters 202, and raised boundary edges 203 and 204. The boundary edges 204 include indentations 205. Corners 209 include enlarged surface areas 208 that occupy a portion of the surface area of ​​the pentagonal faces 201.

[0015] Figure 3A and Figure 3BDifferent 10-sided pentagonal pyramidal icosahedral dice 300a and 300b are shown according to some embodiments. Dice 300a and 300b include 10 faces 301, Braille characters 302, and raised boundary edges 303 and 304. Indicated edge 304 is not straight, but curved or curvilinear. Raised boundary edge 303 is straight like the other boundary edges shown in the figure. Each side shares with two other sides a portion having indicated edge 304. Dice 300a includes obtuse angles 310, while dice 300b includes acute angles 311, so the two dice are different. Indented portion 305 is centered along edge 304.

[0016] Figure 4 An 8-sided octahedral die 400 is shown according to an embodiment. Die 400 includes 8 faces 401, Braille characters 402, and raised boundary edges 403 and 404. Indicated boundary edge 404 includes an indentation or recess 405. Each triangular side includes 2 raised edges 403 and one indicated edge 404. Each side shares an indicated edge 404. Corner 409 includes an increased surface area 408 that occupies some of the surface area of triangular face 401.

[0017] Figure 5 A 6-sided cubic die 500 is shown according to an embodiment. Die 500 includes 6 faces 501, Braille characters 502, and raised boundary edges 503 and 504. Indicated edge 504 includes an indentation or recess 505. Each square side includes 3 edges 503 and one indicated edge 504. Each side shares an indicated edge 504. Corner 509 includes an increased surface area 508 that occupies some of the surface area of square face 501.

[0018] Figure 6 A 4-sided die 600 is shown according to an embodiment. Die 600 includes 4 faces 601, Braille characters 602, and raised boundary edges 603 and 604. Indicated edge 604 includes an indentation or recess 605. Each rectangular side includes 3 edges 603 and one indicated edge 604. Each side shares an indicated edge 604. Corner 609 includes an increased surface area 608 that occupies some of the surface area of rectangular face 601. Four-sided die 600 contains two smooth / rounded dome-shaped sides 625 that do not have characters. Sides 625 are opposite each other.

[0019] The following are the indicated numbers of features in the figures.

[0020] 100 200 300a 300b 400 500 600 Die

[0021] 101 201 301 401 501 601 Die face

[0022] 102 202 302 402 502 602 Braille character

[0023] 103 203 303 403 503 603 Raised border edge

[0024] 104 204 304 404 504 604 Raised border edge - indicating edge

[0025] 105 205 305 405 505 605 Edge indentation

[0026] 106 206 306 406 506 606 Downward slope of edge

[0027] 107 207 307 407 507 607 Low point of indicating edge

[0028] 108 208 308 408 508 608 Increased surface area of corner

[0029] 109 209 409 509 609 Corner

[0030] 625 Rounded side

[0031] 310 Blunt corner

[0032] 311 Sharp corner

[0033] In some embodiments, an indentation positioned along the length of a raised indicating edge can be substantially centered along the length of the edge. In other embodiments, the indentation can be positioned off-center along the length of the edge. The indentation can be a groove having any shape (e.g., triangular, rectangular, square, arcuate, etc.). In some embodiments, the indentation can be referred to as a "recess" or "pocket." The indentation can have sharp edges and / or corners. In other embodiments, the indentation can have smooth edges. In some embodiments, the indentation can have a smooth downward sloping edge that slopes downward to a lowest point. In some embodiments, the lowest point can be flush or substantially flush with the surface of the face. In other embodiments, the lowest point can be positioned at a location above the surface of the face.

[0034] The faces are substantially planar and contain Braille characters. The faces are bounded by raised border edges, where one or more of the raised edges is an indicator edge. Typically, a side face will include a single indicator edge. In some cases, one side face (a minority of side faces) will contain only an indicator edge (and thus not be an indicator edge). In some embodiments, all edges are substantially straight. In other embodiments, some edges can be non-straight, e.g., curved or curvilinear. In some embodiments, the indicator edge can be curved or curvilinear.

[0035] In some embodiments, the indicator edge can include a single indentation. In other embodiments, the indicator edge can include 2, 3, 4, or more indentations. In some embodiments, two side faces of the die can share a single indicator edge. The indicator edge allows a person to determine the orientation of the die, e.g., can indicate which face is up, e.g., how to interpret 6 vs. 9.

[0036] In embodiments, the present Braille characters are configured to be interpreted as numbers. Typically, the Braille characters that are interpreted as numbers use the letters A-J to represent the numbers 1-10, and are preceded by a "hash" symbol to indicate that they should be read as numbers. For example, "#AH" would indicate the number 18, #C would indicate 3, etc. In some embodiments, the present Braille characters do not employ a "hash symbol," and can use only the corresponding alphabet letter to indicate the number. For example, S can represent 19, P can represent 16, C can represent 3, etc. The present number indicating system can allow for more space on the die side faces, thus allowing for increased surface area of the corners.

[0037] In some embodiments, the indentation, groove, or recess can include a length from any of about 3.0 mm, about 3.5 mm, about 4.0 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5.0 mm, about 5.5 mm, about 6.0 mm, or about 6.5 mm to any of about 7.0 mm, about 7.5 mm, about 8.0 mm, about 8.5 mm, about 9.0 mm, about 9.5 mm, about 10.0 mm, about 10.5 mm, about 11.0 mm, or greater than 11.0 mm, measured from the point of inflection where the indentation begins along the length of the edge.

[0038] In some embodiments, the length of the indentation, groove, or recess measured between the points of inflection can comprise from any of about 15%, about 18%, about 20%, about 23%, about 26%, about 29%, about 32%, or about 35% to any of about 38%, about 41%, about 44%, about 47%, or greater than 47% of the entire length of the edge between corners.

[0039] In some embodiments, the length of the indentation, groove, or recess low point can comprise a length from any of about 0.5 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.3 mm, about 1.6 mm, about 1.9 mm, or about 2.2 mm to any of about 2.5 mm, about 2.8 mm, about 3.1 mm, about 3.4 mm, about 3.7 mm, about 4.0 mm, about 4.3 mm, about 4.7 mm, about 5.0 mm, about 5.3 mm, about 5.6 mm, about 5.9 mm, about 6.2 mm, about 6.5 mm, about 6.8 mm, or greater than 6.8 mm, measured along the low point edge surface.

[0040] In some embodiments, the length of the indentation, groove, or recess low point measured along the low point edge surface can comprise from any of about 10%, about 13%, about 16%, about 19%, about 22%, or about 25% to any of about 28%, about 31%, about 34%, about 37%, or greater than 37% of the entire length of the edge between the corners.

[0041] In some embodiments, the height of the Braille characters of one face can be approximately the same as the height of the border edge. In other embodiments, the Braille character height can be slightly less than the height of the border edge. In some embodiments, the Braille character height can be from any of about 40%, about 45%, or about 50% to any of about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, or about 100% of the height of the border edge.

[0042] In some embodiments, the die side includes a die face and a border edge that surrounds the face. After the die is rolled, it can end up resting on the raised edge. In some embodiments, the increased corner surface area provides increased stability when the die is resting on its edge.

[0043] It has been found that the present dice are comfortable to the touch, easy to read, and stable when resting on one of their sides.

[0044] The term "adjacent" can mean "near" or "in the vicinity of" or "beside".

[0045] The term "towards" when referring to a point of attachment can mean exactly at that location or point, or alternatively can mean closer to that point than to another different point, for example "towards the center" means closer to the center than to the edge.

[0046] The term "similar" means analogous and not necessarily exactly similar. For example, "annular" means substantially shaped like a ring, but not necessarily a perfect circle.

[0047] The article "a" or "an" is used herein to refer to one or to more than one (e.g., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. Any range referenced herein is inclusive. The term "about" is used in the context of describing and considering small fluctuations. For example, "about" can mean ±0.05%, ±0.1%, ±0.2%, ±0.3%, ±0.4%, ±0.5%, ±1%, ±2%, ±3%, ±4%, ±5%, ±6%, ±7%, ±8%, ±9%, ±10%, or greater modification to a value. All numerical values are modified by the term "about" whether explicitly indicated or not. Numerical values modified by the term "about" include the specific identified value. For example, "about 5.0" includes 5.0.

[0048] The term "substantially" is similar to "about" in that the defined term can vary by, for example, ±0.05%, ±0.1%, ±0.2%, ±0.3%, ±0.4%, ±0.5%, ±1%, ±2%, ±3%, ±4%, ±5%, ±6%, ±7%, ±8%, ±9%, ±10%, or greater of the stated definition; for example, the term "substantially perpendicular" can mean 90°, a perpendicular angle can mean "about 90°". The term "generally" can be equivalent to "substantially".

[0049] Features described in connection with one embodiment of the disclosure can be used in connection with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated.

[0050] Embodiments of the disclosure include all components and / or portions of the embodiments, claims, descriptions, and figures. Embodiments of the disclosure also include all combinations and / or subcombinations of the embodiments.

Claims

1. A tactile die for playing games, the die comprising a plurality of sides, wherein each side comprises a face configured to be interpreted having a Braille character, each side comprises 3 or more raised border edges surrounding the face, when rolled, the die is configured to rest on the raised border edges, the die rests on a single face, and a single opposite face, i.e. the face to be interpreted, will face up, and wherein one of the 3 or more raised border edges is an indicator edge configured to indicate the orientation of the face to be interpreted, the indicator edge comprising a notch along its length.

2. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein the Braille character is configured to be interpreted as a number.

3. The tactile die of claim 2, wherein the Braille character is preceded by a hash symbol that does not indicate the number.

4. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein the notch is substantially centered along the length of the raised border edge.

5. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein the notch comprises a smooth downward sloping edge.

6. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein the lowest point of the notch is flush or substantially flush with the face.

7. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein any two sides share an indicator edge.

8. The tactile die of claim 1, comprising 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 20 sides.

9. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein each side comprises a single indicator edge.

10. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein each side comprises 3 raised border edges and a single indicator edge.

11. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein each side comprises 4 raised border edges and a single indicator edge.

12. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein each side comprises 5 raised border edges and a single indicator edge.

13. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein the raised border edges meet at corners, and wherein the corners have an increased surface area.

14. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein the raised border edges meet at corners, and wherein the corners are substantially identical in shape.

15. The tactile die of claim 1, wherein the indicator edge is straight or non-straight.

16. A tactile die set comprising at least two different dice according to claim 1, the set comprising dice having 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 20 sides.

17. The tactile die set of claim 16, comprising 7 different dice having 4, 6, 8, 10, 10, 12, and 20 sides.

18. The tactile die set of claim 17, wherein the two different dice having 10 sides are distinguished by their corners.

19. The tactile die set of claim 18, wherein one of the two dice having 10 sides comprises obtuse corners.

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