Illuminated Cribbage Board Peg Holes for Dark Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cribbage boards are difficult to use in dark environments due to the lack of illumination, making it challenging to track scores accurately.
Innovation Solution
A cribbage board with illuminating peg holes and accompanying pegs, where LEDs are embedded underneath the playing surface and surrounded by reflective chrome-lined channels, allowing light to pass through and illuminate the pegs, enabling scorekeeping in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional cribbage boards are used in dark environments, then the structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the visibility and usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the peg holes: they serve as both scorekeeping markers and light guides. The hollow channels and reflective surfaces are integrated directly into the peg hole structure, merging illumination functionality with the existing scorekeeping mechanism without adding separate complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hollow channels as intermediary structures between the light source and peg holes, and uses reflective surfaces as mediators to redirect light. These intermediary elements efficiently transfer and distribute light throughout the board structure, achieving uniform illumination without requiring complex lighting systems.
2Illumination intensity
If LEDs are embedded underneath the playing surface with reflective channels, then illumination quality improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reflective chrome lining specifically to the interior surfaces of hollow channels that require light reflection, rather than coating the entire board. This localized application of reflective material focuses manufacturing effort only where it provides functional benefit, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and optical properties of materials used in the hollow channels by applying reflective chrome coating. This parameter change transforms ordinary channel structures into effective light guides, achieving superior illumination without requiring fundamentally different manufacturing processes.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are distributed throughout the board, then light distribution improves, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources into a coordinated system where individual LEDs are strategically positioned to illuminate specific regions. By merging their outputs through the hollow channel structure and reflective surfaces, the system achieves uniform overall illumination while each individual LED operates at lower power levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow channels act as intermediaries that collect, guide, and distribute light from multiple LED sources throughout the board structure. This intermediary light-guiding system efficiently combines light from distributed sources, achieving uniform illumination without requiring each LED to consume high energy independently.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides clear and distinguishable illumination of the pegs, allowing for accurate scorekeeping in dark environments by combining light from different tracks and using reflective surfaces to enhance light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
surrounded by reflective chrome-lined channels, allowing light to pass through and illuminate the pegs
Implementation Method 2
LEDs are embedded underneath the playing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A cribbage board having illuminating peg holes includes a discrete upper piece and a discrete lower piece. The top side of the upper piece includes a playing surface which is defined by a plurality of holes arranged as a first track and a second track, with each track including a continuous series of holes. The bottom side of the upper piece includes a plurality of distinct hollow channels, each running underneath a separate track of holes. In the hollow channels are a plurality of colored LEDs which illuminate when provided with electrical power. The LEDs are configured to illuminate underneath the first track of holes in a distinct color from the LEDs disposed underneath the second track of holes, so as to enable the different tracks of holes to be readily distinguished in a dark environment.