Inclined Gaming Surface With Locking Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing board game devices do not provide an inclined playing surface that enhances accessibility and convenience for players, limiting the ease of game play and accessibility to game pieces.
Innovation Solution
A game assembly with an upright assembly, support assemblies, and a base that utilize a locking hinge and interlocking bars to create a compact and portable inclined gaming surface, allowing the device to stand on its own and support game pieces at an ergonomic angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the game board is designed with a flat playing surface, then the structure is simple and compact, but the accessibility and convenience for players is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing the game board with a pivotable support assembly that allows the playing surface to transition between flat and inclined positions. The support assembly can be rotated about a pivot pin, enabling the board to adapt its configuration based on whether it is being transported or actively played, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the game board is designed to be portable and compact, then it is easier to transport, but the playing surface cannot be inclined to enhance accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is designed to be pivotable about a pivot pin, allowing the game board to transform from a compact flat configuration for portability to an inclined configuration for enhanced accessibility during play. This dynamic transformation enables the board to provide ergonomic benefits without permanently increasing its footprint or weight.
3Weight of moving object
If the support assemblies are made foldable to improve portability, then the device becomes more compact, but the stability and security of the inclined surface is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a latch mechanism that automatically engages to secure the support assembly in its inclined position before gameplay begins. This preliminary locking action ensures that the inclined surface remains stable and secure during use, while still allowing the support to be folded compactly for transport when the latch is disengaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is designed with a pivot pin and latch mechanism that allows it to dynamically transition between folded and inclined positions. When unfolded and latched, it provides a stable inclined surface; when unlatched, it folds compactly for portability, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and portability.
4Ease of operation
If the playing surface is made inclined to enhance accessibility, then player convenience is improved, but the device becomes less compact and harder to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The game board utilizes a pivotable support assembly that allows the playing surface to be inclined during gameplay for enhanced accessibility, while the same support can be folded flat against the board body for compact storage and transport. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the device to provide ergonomic benefits without permanently increasing its volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A game device that uses an inclined playing surface to achieve the goal of making the game more convenient by allowing the player easier accessibility to game pieces. The game assembly includes a base, an upright module and a pair of support assemblies. The inclined playing surface is achieved through combination of a locking hinge and an interlocking set of bars. The locking hinge is achieved through the connection of a set of plastic fasteners on the pair of support assemblies to a set of notches on the base. The locking hinge allows the support assemblies to be able to pivot upwards towards the upright assembly. The interlocking set of bars is achieved through the even spacing of bars along the bottom edge of the base and the edge of the pair of support assemblies. An ergonomic design is achieved for player use of the game device with the base and upright assembly supported at the base, with the two gaming surface assemblies connected to the base such that when the device is on a supporting surface, the game surface assemblies extend angularly upwardly from the supporting surface to the base. The base may also include player interface electronic control panels.