Game board with non-losable playing pieces for use in public spaces

Abstract

A game board with captive playing pieces for use in public spaces, wherein the game board comprises a guide track with a width b, wherein the playing pieces have at their ends a first and a second head section with a head diameter and in the middle a waist section with a waist diameter, wherein the sum of the waist diameters is smaller than the width b and the head diameter is larger than the width b, such that the playing pieces are movable in the guide track and cannot be removed, and wherein the first and the second head section are located at a distance h from each other which is such that it is adapted to the head diameter, the waist diameter and the width b, that at least two playing pieces can move past each other at at least one point on the width b of the guide track in at least one position of the playing pieces.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a game board with captive game pieces for use in public spaces.

[0002] The invention lies in the technical field of gaming devices in the form of game boards, in particular for public spaces, whose playing pieces cannot be removed from the game board by a playing person.

[0003] As is well known, in public spaces, especially playgrounds, there are playground equipment in the form of game boards to facilitate the playing of popular board games such as Nine Men's Morris, Ludo, and the like. These boards often contain movable playing pieces that cannot be removed from the board's guideways.

[0004] To prevent the pieces from being removed from the game board, the pieces are shaped so that they are wider at both ends and narrower in the middle. This is achieved, for example, by two plane-parallel discs connected in the middle by a rod. The width of the guide track is chosen so that it is just wider than the thinnest part of the piece and narrower than the thickest part. This allows the piece to move along the guide track, which includes the thinnest part. However, the thicker outer parts prevent the piece from being removed from the guide track. The distance between the two thickest parts is often only slightly greater than the thickness of the game board.

[0005] A disadvantage of all common game boards and playing pieces for public spaces is that they are designed in such a way that two playing pieces cannot move past each other on a guideway. However, since this is necessary in many games like Ludo, there are often additional paths and positions to which a playing piece must move to clear the way for an overtaking piece.

[0006] These additional lanes require more space on the game board. Furthermore, it's often cumbersome to move a piece to an evasive position to allow a second piece to pass.

[0007] It is the object of the present invention to provide a game board with captive game pieces for use in public spaces, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to enable the overtaking of game pieces without alternative paths or positions.

[0008] This object is achieved by a game board with captive game pieces for use in public spaces having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments form the subject matter of the associated subclaims.

[0009] The invention relates to a game board with captive game pieces for use in public spaces. The game board comprises a guide track with a width b. The game pieces have a head section with a head diameter at the top and bottom ends (the diameter is generally a straight line passing through the center of a flat or three-dimensional figure) and a waist section with a waist diameter in the middle, wherein the sum of the waist diameters (of two pieces) is smaller than the width b (e.g., smaller than half the width) and the head diameter is larger than the width b, so that the game pieces are movable in the guide track and cannot be removed.The head sections of a playing figure are located at a distance h from each other, which is adapted to the head diameter, the waist diameter and the width b in such a way that at least two playing figures can move past each other at at least one point of the width b of the guideway in at least one position of the playing figures by bringing the waist sections of the playing figures together and then rotating the figures past each other.

[0010] According to an advantage, the head section with the head diameter describes the widest part of the playing figure.

[0011] Preferably, the position of the playing pieces is tilted by a certain angle. This tilt allows for an arrangement in which the waist sections of the playing pieces can be brought closer together so that they lie next to each other in the guideway at a point of width b. This is not possible without tilting the playing pieces by the certain angle due to the head diameters, which are larger than width b.

[0012] According to an advantageous aspect, the tilt angle is determined by the ratio of the head diameter to the distance h. The larger the head diameter and the smaller the distance h, the greater the tilt angle. The tilt angle ranges from 5° to 60°.

[0013] According to an advantageous aspect, the head sections of the playing figures are designed as two cones connected at their tips, as two spheres connected by a rod, or as two discs connected by a rod. The two head sections must be located at the ends of the playing figure and, with the diameter of the head, comprise the thickest section of the playing figure. However, this point does not have to be at the outermost end of the playing figure. Furthermore, in the area between the waist section and the head section, no part of the playing figure is so wide that it exceeds an imaginary connecting line between a point on the outside of the head section and the waist section.

[0014] Preferably, the guideway has a width of b at all points or is narrower than b and wider than the waist diameter at at least one point. In designs with narrower points, overtaking the playing pieces is generally no longer possible. In this case, the points of width b can be used for overtaking and, if necessary, serve as seating positions.

[0015] According to an advantageous aspect, the game board has a thickness d that is smaller than the distance between the head sections of the head diameters. This allows the playing piece to be integrated into the guide track.

[0016] Advantageously, the thickness d is chosen so that tilting around the tilt angle is not prevented at least at one point. The thickness must be smaller than d; it is possible that the playing pieces will no longer fit next to each other due to the tilting at the point at the level of the playing field thickness.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a schematic drawing of a game board according to the invention with a guide track of constant width and two overtaking playing pieces Fig. 2 different possible versions of the playing figures with head diameter, waist diameter and distance Fig. 3 schematic representation of two game pieces tilted by the tilt angle

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a game board 1 according to the invention with captive playing pieces 2 for use in public spaces. According to this embodiment, the guide track 3 has a constant width b. The playing pieces have a head section 21 at the top and bottom ends and a waist section 22 in the middle. The head section 21 does not have to be located at the outermost end; instead, the head section 21 describes the widest point of the playing piece 2. The playing pieces 2 have a first and a second head section 211, 212 at the ends, each with a head diameter k. The playing pieces 2 have a waist section 22 in the middle with a waist diameter t. The waist diameter t is less than half the width b so that the playing pieces can "overtake" each other. The head diameter k is greater than the width b, so that the playing pieces 2 cannot be removed from the guide track 3.The first and second head sections 211, 212 are spaced apart by a distance h. To create a corresponding tilt, the distance h is adjusted to the head diameter k, the waist diameter t, and the width b. The tilt is sufficient if two playing figures 2 can move past each other in the guide track 3.

[0019] The head section 211, 212 with the head diameter k is determined by the contact points with the tangential cone through the waist section 22. The tangential cone runs between the head section 211, 212 with the head diameter up to the contact point at the waist section 22.

[0020] The illustration shows a section of a guide track 3, which forms a playing field on the game board. The guide track 3 has a constant width b at all points. Alternatively, the guide track 3 can be narrower than the width b at at least one point and wider than the waist diameter at the same time. This allows a playing position for a playing piece to be determined.

[0021] In the example shown, the game board 1 has a thickness d, which is much smaller than the distance h. The thickness d is chosen such that tilting by the tilt angle α is not prevented at least at one point on the guide track 3.

[0022] As in Fig. 2, the head and waist sections 21, 22 have the head diameter k and the waist diameter t respectively. The waist diameter t is less than half the width b and the head diameter k is greater than the width b. Thus, two waist sections 21 can theoretically be located next to each other within the guide track 3 at a point of width b and a playing piece 2 cannot be removed on either side of the guide track. The head sections 21 of a piece are spaced apart by a distance h. This distance is adjusted to the head diameter k, the waist diameter t and the width b, so that two playing pieces 2 can move past each other at at least one point of width b of the guide track 3 in at least one position of the playing pieces 2.

[0023] In the shown, the playing pieces 2 are designed as two cones connected at their tip, as two balls connected by a rod or as two discs connected by a rod

[0024] Fig. Figure 3 shows two playing pieces 2 tilted by the tilt angle α. This angle describes the position in which two playing pieces are able to overtake each other. This angle α results from the ratio of head diameter k to distance h.

Claims

[1] Game board (1) with captive game pieces (2) for use in public spaces, wherein the game board (1) comprises a guide track (3) with a width b, wherein the game pieces (2) have a first and a second head section (211, 212) with a head diameter (k) at the ends and a waist section (22) with a waist diameter (t) in the middle, wherein the sum of the waist diameters (t) is smaller than the width b and the head diameter (k) is larger than the width b, such that the game pieces (2) are movable in the guide track (3) and cannot be removed, and wherein the first and the second head section (211, 212) are at a distance h from one another which is matched to the head diameter (k), the waist diameter (t) and the width b, such that at least two game pieces (2) are adjacent to one another at at least one point on the width b of the guide track (3) in at least one position of the game pieces (2). can move past. [2] Game board (1) with captive game pieces (2) according to claim 1, wherein the head section (211, 212) with the head diameter (k) is determined by the contact points with tangential cones through the waist section. [3] Game board (1) with captive game pieces (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one position of the game pieces is a tilt by a tilt angle (α). [4] Game board (1) with captive game pieces (2) according to claim 3, wherein the tilt angle (α) is in the range of 5° to 60°. [5] Game board (1) with captive game pieces (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the game pieces (2) are designed as two cones connected at their tip, as two balls connected by a rod or as two discs connected by a rod. [6] Game board (1) with captive game pieces (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide track (3) has the width b at all points or is narrower than the width b and wider than the waist diameter at at least one point. [7] Game board (1) with captive game pieces (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the game board (1) has a thickness d, which thickness d is smaller than the distance (h). [8] Game board (1) with captive game pieces (2) according to claim 7, wherein the thickness d is selected such that tilting about the tilt angle (α) is not prevented at least at one point.

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