Game component

Abstract

The present invention relates to a game component used with a table top game. The component has the general shape of three truncated hexagonal pyramid sections, the bottom section sitting on a base, a platform located between the bottom and middle sections, a platform located between the middle and top sections, and a platform atop the top section. Additionally, the component can include a turntable which allows for rotation and movement of the game component.

Description

GAME COMPONENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This Application claims the benefit of United States provisional patent application serial no. 63517141 , filed 2 August 2023, for a GAME COMPONENT, incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The game component of this invention is a component used in the play of a board or table top game.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Typical board games include two-dimensional gameplay on a flat board. A need exists for additional dimensions of gameplay to increase options and player interest.SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention relates to a game component used with a table top game. The component has the general shape of three truncated hexagonal pyramid sections, the bottom section sitting on a base, a platform located between the bottom and middle sections, a platform located between the middle and top sections, and a platform atop the top section. Additionally, the component can include a turntable which allows for rotation and movement of the game component. The game component may also be referred to herein as a “mountain”.

[0005] More particularly, the present invention is for a game component having a base receiving a plurality of stacked sections thereon, the stacked sections reducing in size from bottom to top, where adjacent stacked sections each have a platform therebetween, the adjacent sections having tabs and cooperating notches which engage each other through openings in each platform. Further, each stacked section may have a plurality of generally trapezoidal sections and where eachstacked section may have the same number of generally trapezoidal sections as the others. Also, at least some of the generally trapezoidal sections in each of the stacked sections may physically be connected to each other. A pair of magnetic clips can be used to connect each of the non-connected trapezoidal sections of each stacked section. Also, the base can be securely connected to a turntable on the base’s underneath side. The base can have a lower tray which connects to the turntable and an upper tray which sits atop the lower tray, the lower tray and the turntable each having a central opening therethrough, and where arms of a clip are inserted downward through the central opening of the lower tray and the central opening of the turntable with arm outward extending ends extending after insertion to securely connect the base and the turntable. The turntable can include a top platform having a circular channel on its underside, the turntable further including an insert ring having a plurality of bearing receiving receptacles therein, the central opening of the turntable passing through the center of the top platform and the insert ring, the turntable further including a plurality of circular bearings, one bearing located in each of the plurality of bearing receiving receptacles, each bearing also received partially into the top platform circular channel and also extending partially from below the insert ring.

[0006] Additionally, with the base including a lower tray and an upper tray which sits atop the lower tray, with the bottom of the plurality of stacked sections received into channels in the lower tray and supported by engaging surfaces on the upper tray, with at least some of the generally trapezoidal sections of the bottom of the plurality of stacked sections contain a card opening therein, with the base lower tray having at least some card receptacles, with the base upper tray having at least some card opening dividers, and where each card opening is aligned with a card receptacle and a card opening divider.

[0007] Even further, the present invention is for a game component including a base receiving a plurality of stacked sections thereon, the stacked section received by the base being a bottom section, the stacked sections reducing in size from bottom to top, where adjacent stacked sections each have a platform therebetween, the adjacent sections having tabs and cooperating notches which engage each otherthrough openings in each platform, where each stacked section has a plurality of generally trapezoidal sections and where each stacked section has the same number of generally trapezoidal sections as the others, where at least some of the generally trapezoidal sections in each of the stacked sections are physically connected to each other, where a pair of magnetic clips are used to connect each of the non-connected trapezoidal sections of each stacked section, and where at least one of the plurality of generally trapezoidal sections of the bottom section has a card opening therein located where the bottom section is received by the base. The base includes a lower tray and an upper tray which sits atop the lower tray, where the bottom of the plurality of stacked sections is received into channels in the lower tray and supported by engaging surfaces on the upper tray, where the base lower tray has at least one card receptacle, where the base upper tray has at least one card opening divider, and where each card receptacle and a card opening divider align with each bottom section card opening such that when cards are placed in a lower tray card receptacle and on an upper tray card opening divider a game player can remove a card through an associated bottom section card opening. The lower tray has a plurality of posts and the upper tray has a corresponding number of post receptacles, such that when the upper tray sits atop the lower tray, the plurality of posts are each received into a corresponding post receptacle so that the upper and lower trays have a fixed relationship. The lower tray connects to a turntable, the lower tray and the turntable each having a central opening therethrough, and where arms of a connecting clip are inserted downward through the central opening of the lower tray and the central opening of the turntable with arm outward extending ends extending after insertion to securely connect the base and the turntable. The turntable includes a top platform having a circular channel on its underside, the turntable further including an insert ring having a plurality of bearing receiving receptacles therein, the central opening of the turntable passing through the center of the top platform and the insert ring, the turntable further including a plurality of circular bearings, one bearing located in each of the plurality of bearing receiving receptacles, each bearing also received partially into the top platform circular channel and also extending partially from below the insert ring. The turntable topplatform includes a plurality of upward extending pins and the base lower tray has a corresponding number of pin receptacles, such that when the base lower tray sits atop the turntable top platform, the plurality of pins are each received into a corresponding pin receptacle so that the base lower tray and the turntable top platform have a fixed relationship. The lower tray includes a plurality of upright posts, the plurality of upright posts positioned toward outer edges of the lower tray, such that a game player, with the aid of the bearings extending partially below the insert ring of the turntable, can engage one of the upright posts and rotate or move the game component to see all trapezoidal sections of the plurality of stacked sections. Even further, the base upper tray and the base lower tray may each contain storage compartments therein.

[0008] It will be appreciated that the various systems and methods described in this summary section, as well as elsewhere in this application, can be expressed as a large number of different combinations and subcombinations. All such useful, novel, and inventive combinations and subcombinations are contemplated herein, it being recognized that the explicit expression of each of these combinations is unnecessary.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of the game component of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded top front perspective view of the game component of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a bottom front perspective view of the game component of the present invention, the component rotated from the view of FIGs. 1 and 2.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the game component of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a top view of the game component of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a top view of the bottom section.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a front view of the bottom section.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a top front perspective view of the bottom section.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a top view of the middle section.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a front view of the middle section.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a top front perspective view of the middle section.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a top view of the top section.

[0022] FIG. 13 is a front view of the top section.

[0023] FIG. 14 is a top front perspective view of the top section.

[0024] FIG. 15 is a flat front view of one of the two sections of the bottom section, one of the three trapezoid sections without a card opening.

[0025] FIG. 16 a flat front view of the other one of the sections of the bottom section, all sections with a card opening.

[0026] FIG 17 is a flat front view of one of the two sections of the middle section, the other section being identical to the section shown.

[0027] FIG. 18. Is a flat front view of the top section.

[0028] FIG. 19 is a flat top view of the bottom / middle platform.

[0029] FIG. 20 is a flat top view of the middle / top platform.

[0030] FIG. 21 is a flat top view of the top platform.

[0031] FIG. 22 is a top front perspective view of the base lower tray.

[0032] FIG. 23 is a bottom front perspective view of the base lower tray.

[0033] FIG. 24 is a top view of the base lower tray.

[0034] FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the base lower tray.

[0035] FIG. 26 is a top front perspective view of the base upper tray.

[0036] FIG. 27 is a bottom front perspective view of the base upper tray.

[0037] FIG. 28 is a top view of the base upper tray.

[0038] FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the base upper tray.

[0039] FIG. 30 is a top front perspective view of the base upper tray with each card receptacle having a card therein.

[0040] FIG. 31 is a top front perspective view of the base lower tray with each card opening divider having a card thereon.

[0041] FIG. 32 is a top front perspective view of the turntable top platform.

[0042] FIG. 33 is a bottom front perspective view of the turntable top platform.

[0043] FIG. 34 is a cross section view of the turntable top platform along the lines 34-34 shown in FIG. 32.

[0044] FIG. 35 is a top front perspective view of the turntable insert ring.

[0045] FIG. 36 is a bottom front perspective view of the turntable insert ring.

[0046] FIG. 37 is a bottom front perspective view of the clip used to connect the turntable to the base lower tray.

[0047] FIG. 38 is a bottom view of the clip of FIG. 37.

[0048] FIG. 39 is a top view of the base lower tray showing the clip of FIG. 37 inserted down through the tray’s center opening.

[0049] FIG. 40 is a cross-section view of the turntable connected to the base lower tray using the clip of FIG. 37 along the lines 40-40 shown in FIG. 39.

[0050] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the magnetic clip showing the first surface and the sloped surface with the magnet therein.

[0051] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the magnetic clip showing second surface and looking into the channel and showing the teeth therein.

[0052] FIG. 43 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 41 , but with the magnet shown removed.

[0053] FIG. 44 is a top view showing how two magnetic clips would connect.

[0054] FIG. 45 shows the flat front view of one of the two sections of the bottom section, one of the three trapezoid sections without a card opening, as shown in FIG. 15, demonstrating how a magnetic clip would be attached at each end of the section.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to selected embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. At least one embodiment of the invention is shown ingreat detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features or some combinations of features may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

[0056] Any reference to “invention” within this document is a reference to an embodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including features that are necessarily included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although there may be references to “advantages” provided by some embodiments of the present invention, other embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may include different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims.

[0057] Specific quantities (spatial dimensions, dimensionless parameters, etc.) may be used explicitly or implicitly herein, such specific quantities are presented as examples only and are approximate values unless otherwise indicated. Discussions pertaining to specific compositions of matter, if present, are presented as examples only and do not limit the applicability of other compositions of matter, especially other compositions of matter with similar properties, unless otherwise indicated. Unless stated otherwise, explicit approximate quantities (e.g., about 1 ; approximately 20) refer to a range of ± 10% of the recited quantities (e.g., “about 1” refers to 0.9 to 1 .1 ; “approximately 20” refers to the range of 18 to 22).

[0058] The following reference numerals are used in the drawings: 2 - card; 3 - card (smaller); 4 - token; 10 - game component or mountain; 12 - compartment; 14- compartment; 16 - die cut section; 18 - mountain bottom section, 19 - upward notch, 21 - section of three trapezoid sections with each section having a card slot, 22 - section of three trapezoid sections with two sections each having a card slot, 23- trapezoid section with card opening, 24 - trapezoid section without card opening; 25 - upward tab, 26 - downward tab, 27 - opening for magnetic clip tooth, 28 - card opening, and 29 - notch for magnetic clip channel to engage; 30 - mountain middle section, 31 - section of three trapezoid sections, 32 - section of three trapezoid sections, 33 - upward notch, 34 - lower notch, 35 - upward tab, 36 - downward tab, 37 - opening for magnetic clip tooth, 38 - trapezoid section, and 39 - notch for magnetic clip channel to engage; 40 - mountain top section, 44 - lower notch, 45 - upward tab, 46 - downward tab, 47 - opening for magnetic clip tooth, 48 - trapezoidsection, and 49 - notch for magnetic clip channel to engage; 50 - bottom / middle platform, 52 - tab slot, and 53 - opening; 54 - middle / top platform, 56 - tab slot, and 57 - opening; 58 - top platform, 60 - tab slot, and 62 - central opening; 64 - base lower tray, 65 - upright post for upper tray, 66 - clip receptacle, 67 - post, 68 - card receptacle, 69 - channel to receive mountain bottom section, 70 tab slot, and 71 - pin receptacle; 72 - base upper tray, 73 - post receptacle, 74 - card opening / divider, and 75 - mountain bottom section engaging surface; 80 - magnetic clip, 81 - body, 82 - channel, 83 - tooth, 84 - magnet opening, 85 - magnet, 86 - first surface, 87 - second surface, 88 - sloped surface, and 89 - third surface; and 90 - turntable, 92 - top platform, 93 - clip opening, 94 - pin to engage lower tray of base, 95 - circular channel, 96 - upper surface, 97 - lower surface, 100 - insert ring, 101 - upper surface, 102 - lower surface, 103 - bearing receiving receptacle, 104 - clip opening, 105 enlarged lower clip opening, 110 - connecting clip, 111 - clip top, 112 — downward extending arm, 113 - outward extending arm end, and 120 - circular ball bearing.

[0059] Referring now to FIGs. 1 and 2, a game component or mountain 10 is shown. It is envisioned that component 10 would be used by multiple game players along with cards and tokens and other game items to play a game. While the component 10 could be any size, it is envisioned that it could be around 21 inches (around 54 cm) tall. Another game component could be added to the top of component 10 using the tabs 45 extending through tab slots 60 in top platform 58 and / or using opening 62 in top platform 58. As is explained later, mountain 10 can be rotated or moved laterally using turntable 90 to facilitate playing of the game. Players might move the mountain 10 to view options for paths to take up the mountain 10, to view the status of other players on the mountain 10, to access cards 2 or 3 to draw, or to check the score track which could, for example, run vertically form the bottom to the top of the mountain 10 on one corner of the mountain 10.

[0060] With reference to FIGs. 1-21 , mountain 10 is shown having the general shape of three truncated hexagonal pyramid sections 18, 30, and 40, the bottom section 18 sitting on a base 64, a bottom / middle platform 50 located between the bottom 18 and middle 30 sections, a middle / top platform 54 located between themiddle 30 and top 40 sections, and a top platform 58 atop the top section 40. Mountain 10 with sections 18, 30, and 40 and platforms 50, 54, and 58 also has the general shape of a truncated hexagonal pyramid.

[0061] With reference to FIGs. 1-8 and 15-16, mountain bottom section 18 is shown. Section 18 contains six generally trapezoidal shaped sections. These sections could be six individual sections or the sections could be connected in some way, including connecting all six sections. Here, the inventor has chosen to have section 18 made up of two sections 21 and 22 each having three trapezoidal shaped sections. FIGs.6 and 16 show section 21 having three trapezoidal shaped sections 23 each having a card opening 28 toward their base. FIGs. 6 and 15 show section 22 having three trapezoidal shaped sections having two trapezoidal shaped sections 23 each having a card opening 28 toward their base and one trapezoidal shaped section 24 without a card opening 28 therein. Sections 21 and 22 are joined together using magnetic clips 80, each clip 80 inserted into a notch 29 and its associated openings 27 to receive teeth 83 of clip 80, the notches 29 and associated openings 27 located on each end edge of section 21 and 22, explained in more detail later with the discussion of FIG. 45. Looking to FIGs. 1-8 and 15-16, each of the generally trapezoidal shaped section 23 (with a card opening 28) and section 24 (without a card opening 28) have one or two downward extending tabs 26 which will be received into tab slots 70 in base lower tray 64 (FIG. 24). Sections 23 and 24 each have upward tabs 25 which will be received through tab slots 52 in bottom / middle platform 50 (FIG. 19) and into lower notches 34 in mountain middle section 30 (FIG. 11 ). Each of section 23 and 24 also has an upward notch 19 which are explained with the description of middle section 30.

[0062] With reference to FIGs. 1-5, 9-11 , and 17, mountain middle section 30 is shown. Section 30 contains six generally trapezoidal shaped sections 38. These sections could be six individual sections or the sections could be connected in some way, including connecting all six sections. Here, the inventor has chosen to have section 30 made up of two identical sections 31 and 32 each having three trapezoidal shaped sections 38. Sections 31 and 32 are joined together using magnetic clips 80, each clip 80 inserted into a notch 39 and its associated openings37 to receive teeth 83 of clip 80, the notches 39 and associated openings 37 located on each end edge of section 31 and 32, explained in more detail later with the discussion of FIG. 45. Looking to FIGs. 1 -5, 9-11 , and 19-20, each of the generally trapezoidal shaped sections 38 have one or two downward extending tabs 36 which will be received into tab slots 52 in bottom / middle platform 50 (FIG. 19) and into upper notches 19 in mountain bottom section 18 (FIG. 8). Sections 38 each have upward tabs 35 which will be received through tab slots 56 in middle / top platform 54 (FIG. 20) and into lower notches 44 in mountain top section 40 (FIG. 14). Each section 38 also has an upward notch 33 which are explained with the description of top section 40.

[0063] With reference to FIGs. 1-5, 12-14, and 18, mountain top section 40 is shown. Section 40 contains six generally trapezoidal shaped sections 48. These sections could be six individual sections or the sections could be connected in some way, including connecting all six sections. Here, the inventor has chosen to have section 40 made up of one section having the six trapezoidal shaped sections 48. The two sections 48 on the ends of the six sections are joined together using magnetic clips 80, each clip 80 inserted into a notch 49 and its associated openings 47 to receive teeth 83 of clip 80, explained in more detail later with the discussion of FIG. 45. Looking to FIGs. 1-5, 12-14, 18, and 21 , each of the generally trapezoidal shaped sections 48 have one or two downward extending tabs 46 which will be received into tab slots 56 in middle / top platform 54 (FIG. 20) and into upper notches 33 in mountain middle section 30 (FIG. 11 ). Sections 48 each have upward tabs 45 which will be received through tab slots 60 in top platform 58 (FIG. 21 ) and preferably extend thereabove (FIG. 1 ).

[0064] As was explained above, for the mountain bottom section 18 and the middle section 30, the inventor chose to have sections 18 and 30 made up of two identical sections 21 / 22 and 32 / 32 respectively. With the top section 40, the inventor opted to have a single section. These choices were made to optimize game box packaging.

[0065] With reference to FIGs. 1-5 and 19-21 , the bottom / middle platform 50, the middle / top platform 43, and the top platform 58 are shown. Bottom / middle platform 50 is shown with a plurality of openings 53 therein. All of these openings 53 makethe platform lighter in weight and provide “finger” openings which could make the mountain 10 easier to assemble. Platform 50 could be produced with all the openings 53 without anything in them or some or all of the openings 53 could contain game tokens 4 used in playing the game which the mountain 10 erector would punch out for use in the game. Middle / top platform 54 is shown with a plurality of openings 57 therein. As with platform 50, these openings 57 make the platform lighter in weight and provide “finger” openings which could make the mountain 10 easier to assemble. Platform 54 could be produced with all the openings 57 without anything in them or some or all of the openings 57 could contain game tokens 4 used in playing the game which the mountain 10 erector would punch out for use in the game. Top platform 58 is shown with a central circular opening 62 therethrough. That opening could also initially contain a game token 4. This opening 62 also makes platform 58 lighter. If included, opening 62 could be made any shape so that it could support any additional desired game component. For clarity, openings 53, 57, and 62, as well as any tokens 4, are optional and any or all could be omitted.

[0066] FIGs. 1-2 and 22-25 show the base lower tray 64. Upright posts on each of the four corners of tray 64 can be used by game players to turn and move the mountain 10 as they wish. Clip receptacle 66 is an opening in the center of the tray 64 and its use will be explained with the discussion of FIGs. 39 and 40. Three upward extending posts 67 are shown and those will engage receptacles 73 on base upper tray 72. Lower tray 64 is shown having five card receptacles 68. On the top of tray 64 there are channels 69 which receive the lower portion of the mountain bottom section 18 when inserted thereinto. There are also tab slots 70 within channels 69 which are open through the tray 64 and receive downward tabs 26 of section 18 when section 18 is inserted into channels 69.

[0067] FIGs. 1-2 and 26-29 show base upper tray 72 having three post receptacles 73. As previously receptacles 73 each receive one of lower tray posts 65 when the upper tray 72 is placed atop base lower tray 64. Tray 72 is shown having five card opening dividers 74. When trays 64 and 72 are stacked, and section 18 is inserted into channels 69, each of the five dividers 74 and card receptacles 68 can be accessed through one of the five card openings 28 in section 18. It is also noted thatthere are numerous upright sloped bottom engaging surfaces 75 on tray 72 which add additional support when section 18 is inserted into channels 69.

[0068] As best seen in FIGs. 22 (lower tray 64) and 26 (upper tray 72), respective compartments 14 and 12 are shown. These compartments 14 / 12 can be provided to be used by the players to store game tokens along with small plastic and wood components when the game component is stored for non-use. Also, as seen in FIGs. 22-24, a die cut section 16 has been removed from base lower tray 64 to provide more storage space in the game component box for other items. This can help make game storage more compact and allow for use of a smaller box.

[0069] FIG. 30 shows lower tray 64 and FIG. 31 shows upper tray 72, each tray having five cards 2 or 3 included into the five card receptacles 68 of tray 64 and five cards 2 or 3 included into the five dividers 74 of tray 72. While each receptacle 68 and divider 74 is shown with a single card 2 or 3 therein, each card 2 / 3 represents a potential deck of many cards stored therein. The cards 3 are shown smaller than the cards 2 and, as shown there are three receptacles / dividers with larger cards 2 therein and two receptacles / dividers with smaller cards 3 therein. It is noted that, depending on the game to be played, cards of the same size or cards of two or more different sizes can be used. Also, a different number of receptacles / dividers / card openings than the five shown in the drawings may be desired. As such, lower tray 64, upper tray 72, and bottom section 18 could be modified as desired to adjust for the type, size, and number of cards desired for a particular games.

[0070] The lower tray 64 can be connected to a turntable 90 using a connecting clip 110. Turntable 90 is shown in FIGs. 2-3 and 32-36. The clip 110 is shown in FIGs. 37-38 and the connection of tray 64 to turntable 90 using clip 110 is shown in FIGs. 39-40.

[0071] FIGs. 32-34 show top platform 92 of turntable 90 and FIGs. 35-36 show the insert ring 100 of turntable 90. Both platform 90 and ring 100 have the shape of a spoked wheel, but other circular configurations are possible, for example, a solid disk. Top platform 92 includes clip opening 93 therethrough and three pins 94 in the top or upper surface 96 which will engage pin receptacles 71 in lower tray 64. On the bottom or lower surface 97 there is a circular channel 95 therearound which hasan arcuate cross-section. The insert ring 100 has an upper surface 101 and a lower surface 102. It also includes a plurality of bearing receiving receptacles 103, which preferably have a concave shape. A clip opening 104 of circular shape passes through the center of ring 100 and has an enlarged lower clip opening 105 of circular shape from the lower surface 102.

[0072] FIGs. 37-38 show connecting clip 110 having a top portion 111 and downward extending arms 112 which each have outward extending arm ends 113 at their extremities.

[0073] FIGs. 39-40 show the connectivity of base lower tray 64 and turntable 90 using clip 110. FIG. 39 is a top view of tray 64 and, with FIG. 40, shows the top 111 of clip 110. Looking at the cross-section view of FIG. 40, clip 110 is shown with its arms 112 passing down through clip receptacle 66 of tray 64, further down through clip opening 93 of top platform 92 and further down through clip opening 104 of insert ring 100, with the outward extending arm ends 113 of clip 110 received into the enlarged lower clip opening 105 portion of insert ring 105. Before the clip was inserted, circular ball bearings 120 were placed into the plurality of bearing receiving receptacles 103 of ring 100 and the ring 100 was placed against top platform 92 so that the tops of bearings 120 are received into circular channel 95 in top platform 92. Insertion and locking in of clip 110 will retain the ball bearings 120 in this configuration, as the preferably arcuate cross-section of circular channel 95 and the preferably concave shape of receptacles 103 holds the bearings 120 in place while allowing them to rotate freely. It is noted that, as particularly seen in FIG. 40, the bearings 120 are slightly exposed on the bottom of ring 100 which allows for the entire component 10 to be rolled around and rotated as the game players desire. While bearings 120 can be of most any diameter, for perspective, the six bearings 120 shown are each about 8 mm in diameter.

[0074] FIGs. 1 -3, 5-14, and 41 -45 show magnetic clip 80 and FIGs. 15-18 and 45 show where / how clip 80 is used to assembly mountain bottom section 18, middle section 30, and top section 40 into their generally truncated hexagonal pyramid shape. FIGs. 15-16 show the two sections 21 and 22 of bottom section 18 and show notch 29 and a pair of openings 27 on each end of sections 21 and 22. FIGs. 17-18show the two sections 31 and 32 of middle section 30 and show notch 39 and a pair of openings 37 on each end of sections 31 and 32. FIG. 18 shows the single section of top section 40 and show notch 49 and a pair of openings 47 on each end of the section. A magnetic clip 80 will be received into each respective notch 29, 39, 49 and secured into respective openings 27, 37, 47. With particular reference to FIGs. 41-44, clip 80 is shown having a body 81 , a channel 82, teeth 83, a magnetic opening 84, a magnet 85 and a first surface 86, a second surface 87, a sloped surface 88, and a third surface 89. Adding FIG. 45, it is seen that the channel 82 is designed so that a portion of a mountain section 18, 30, or 40 can be received therein. As clip 80 is inserted to engage relevant notch 29, 39, or 49, the teeth 83 will engage into relevant openings 27, 37, or 47. The magnet clips 80 are inserted so that when sections 18, 30, and 40 are formed two magnetic clips 80 will engage as shown in FIG. 44. With each section 18, 30, and 40 shown having six trapezoidal sections, the angle the two clips 80 form is a one hundred and twenty degree angle. While the connected clips are shown in many figures, FIGs. 6, 9, and 12 show the four clips 80 connecting sections 21 and 22 of section 18, the four clips 80 connecting sections 31 and 32 of section 30, and the two clips 80 connecting the ends of the one section of section 40. The size of an example magnet could be five mm in diameter and two mm thick.

[0075] As to additional materials of construction, only as an example since many materials can be used to make the game component 10, it is envisioned that sections 18, 30, and 40 could be made from greyboard or even a magnetized greyboard around two to three mm thick. Further platforms 50, 54, and 58 could be constructed of cardboard around two mm thick. Magnetized or non-magnetized cardboard could be used. It is envisioned that lower tray 64 and upper tray 72 would be molded plastic. However, molded pulp cardboard or other construction is possible.

[0076] The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications can be made by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A game component, comprising: a base receiving a plurality of stacked sections thereon, the stacked sections reducing in size from bottom to top, where adjacent stacked sections each have a platform therebetween, the adjacent sections having tabs and cooperating notches which engage each other through openings in each platform.

2. The game component of claim 1 , where each stacked section has a plurality of generally trapezoidal sections and where each stacked section has the same number of generally trapezoidal sections as the others.

3. The game component of claim 2, where at least some of the generally trapezoidal sections in each of the stacked sections are physically connected to each other.

4. The game component of claim 3, where a pair of magnetic clips are used to connect each of the non-connected trapezoidal sections of each stacked section.

5. The game component of claim 1 , where the base is securely connected to a turntable on the base’s underneath side.

6. The game component of claim 5, where the base comprises a lower tray which connects to the turntable and an upper tray which sits atop the lower tray, the lower tray and the turntable each having a central opening therethrough, and where arms of a clip are inserted downward through the central opening of the lower tray and the central opening of the turntable with arm outward extending ends extending after insertion to securely connect the base and the turntable.

7. The game component of claim 6, where the turntable includes a top platform having a circular channel on its underside, the turntable further including an insert ring having a plurality of bearing receiving receptacles therein, the central opening of the turntable passing through the center of the top platform and the insert ring, the turntable further including a plurality of circular bearings, one bearing located in each of the plurality of bearing receiving receptacles, each bearing also received partially into the top platform circular channel and also extending partially from below the insert ring.

8. The game component of claim 2, where the base comprises a lower tray and an upper tray which sits atop the lower tray, where the bottom of the plurality of stacked sections is received into channels in the lower tray and supported by engaging surfaces on the upper tray, where at least some of the generally trapezoidal sections of the bottom of the plurality of stacked sections contain a card opening therein, where the base lower tray has at least some card receptacles, where the base upper tray has at least some card opening dividers, and where each card opening is aligned with a card receptacle and a card opening divider.

9. The game component of claim 8, where the lower tray connects to a turntable, the lower tray and the turntable each having a central opening therethrough, and where arms of a clip are inserted downward through the central opening of the lower tray and the central opening of the turntable with arm outward extending ends extending after insertion to securely connect the base and the turntable.

10. The game component of claim 9, where the turntable includes a top platform having a circular channel on its underside, the turntable further including an insert ring having a plurality of bearing receiving receptacles therein, the central opening of the turntable passing through the center of the top platform and the insert ring, the turntable further including a plurality of circular bearings, one bearing located in each of the plurality of bearing receiving receptacles, each bearing also received partially into the top platform circular channel and also extending partially from below the insert ring.

11. A game component comprising: a base receiving a plurality of stacked sections thereon, the stacked section received by the base being a bottom section, the stacked sections reducing in size from bottom to top, where adjacent stacked sections each have a platform therebetween, the adjacent sections having tabs and cooperating notches which engage each other through openings in each platform, where each stacked section has a plurality of generally trapezoidal sections and where each stacked section has the same number of generally trapezoidal sections as the others, where at least some of the generally trapezoidal sections in each of the stacked sections are physically connected to each other, where a pair of magnetic clips are used to connect each of the non-connected trapezoidal sectionsof each stacked section, and where at least one of the plurality of generally trapezoidal sections of the bottom section has a card opening therein located where the bottom section is received by the base.

12. The game component of claim 11 , where the base comprises a lower tray and an upper tray which sits atop the lower tray, where the bottom of the plurality of stacked sections is received into channels in the lower tray and supported by engaging surfaces on the upper tray, where the base lower tray has at least one card receptacle, where the base upper tray has at least one card opening divider, and where each card receptacle and a card opening divider align with each bottom section card opening such that when cards are placed in a lower tray card receptacle and on an upper tray card opening divider a game player can remove a card through an associated bottom section card opening.

13. The game component of claim 12, where the lower tray has a plurality of posts and the upper tray has a corresponding number of post receptacles, such that when the upper tray sits atop the lower tray, the plurality of posts are each received into a corresponding post receptacle so that the upper and lower trays have a fixed relationship.

14. The game component of claim 13, where the lower tray connects to a turntable, the lower tray and the turntable each having a central opening therethrough, and where arms of a connecting clip are inserted downward through the central opening of the lower tray and the central opening of the turntable with arm outward extending ends extending after insertion to securely connect the base and the turntable.

15. The game component of claim 14, where the turntable includes a top platform having a circular channel on its underside, the turntable further including an insert ring having a plurality of bearing receiving receptacles therein, the central opening of the turntable passing through the center of the top platform and the insert ring, the turntable further including a plurality of circular bearings, one bearing located in each of the plurality of bearing receiving receptacles, each bearing also received partially into the top platform circular channel and also extending partially from below the insert ring.

16. The game component of claim 15, where the turntable top platform includes a plurality of upward extending pins and the base lower tray has a corresponding number of pin receptacles, such that when the base lower tray sits atop the turntable top platform, the plurality of pins are each received into a corresponding pin receptacle so that the base lower tray and the turntable top platform have a fixed relationship.

17. The game component of Figure 16, where the lower tray includes a plurality of upright posts, the plurality of upright posts positioned toward outer edges of the lower tray, such that a game player, with the aid of the bearings extending partially below the insert ring of the turntable, can engage one of the upright posts and rotate or move the game component to see all trapezoidal sections of the plurality of stacked sections.

18. The game component of claim 17, where the base upper tray and the base lower tray each contain storage compartments therein.

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