Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SUDOKU BOARD FACILITATING PICKING UP OF THE TILES , SUDOKU KIT AND METHOD FOR
PRODUCING THE
SUDOKU BOARD
Technical field
The invention pertains to the technical field of gameboards, specifically for
playing
Sudoku (in a variety of forms, such as Symboku, irregularly shaped Sudokus,
Sudokus
that use a larger or smaller range of numbers (mini or maxi Sudoku),
Futoshikis, binary
puzzles, Kakuros and others). More specifically, the proposed invention allows
for an
easier placement and more in particular, an easier picking up of the game
tiles.
Background
There remains a need in the art for an improved gameboard for playing Sudoku,
especially for picking up placed tiles without disrupting the rest of the
tiles in play, while
still being easy and cheap to produce.
The document US 2007/284815 discloses a possible Sudoku board, which however
does
not allow for an easy tilting of the placed tiles. Instead, the proposed
gameboard intends
to provide an erasable writing surface whereby the cells of the Sudoku grid
are
separated from each other by recesses. The purpose of this document as opposed
to US
2007/284815 is also to provide a gameboard which allows tilting of tiles that
are placed
on the board. Not only does the US application not use tiles, it also does not
allow for
an easy way to remove said tiles, and as such is of no relevance.
The document US 1462471 is directed to device for holding cards, and does not
relate
to puzzle games with tiles as is the case in the invention proposed here.
Furthermore,
it does not allow for an easy way to pick up placed tiles (amongst others as
there is no
indication of tiles being used) and also is not easily produced.
The document DE 20 2007 003486 U1 describes a gameboard for Sudoku wherein
magnets are provided in the cells of the Sudoku grid to hold placed tiles.
Again, no steps
are made to allow an easy tilting, and furthermore, the proposed invention is
not easy
to manufacture nor does it even intend to provide an easy to manufacture
product.
The document JP 2012/100739 discloses a possible Sudoku board as part of a
bigger
set. While it shows an embodiment wherein a tile can be tilted through a
seesaw
configuration wherein the tile is at one end pushed down, while it rests on an
elevated
ridge. However, as can be construed from the drawings, while the board shows
the base
principle of tilting tiles in such a way, it is exceedingly hard to
manufacture the proposed
board due to all of the different recesses and elevations, running in both X
and Y
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directions across the plane of the board. This will disallow a myriad of
manufacturing
techniques (for instance extrusion is practically impossible) and complicate
many other
techniques. For instance, it is practically impossible to simply add the
separate elevated
ridges piecewise, this can only be performed in one piece for the entire
gameboard, or
in a very time-consuming process of placing long elevated ridges separately
and
subsequently placing interconnecting ridges in the perpendicular direction.
This not only
inconveniences the production greatly thus making the product more expensive
by the
sheer increase in work hours, it also requires more materials, even further
increasing
the cost. Lastly, the manufacturing process can no longer be performed by
simple
machinery and will need very accurate and expensive systems with precise
positioning
means and delicate manipulation tools to place the components. Alternatively,
a milling
unit can be used to remove material instead of attaching the elevated
patterns. Again,
this will require a more complex setup of machinery as there is a two
dimensional
pattern that needs to be provided to the gameboard. Also, as the playing cells
are all
recessed, the player will need good coordination in order to place the playing
tile in the
recess, which can be especially hard for elderly players.
The applicant solves the aforementioned problems by providing a very
straightforward
gameboard which can be manufactured with optimal efficiency, speed and at low
costs
and without the need for expensive machinery. Furthermore, special additions
are
introduced for improved positioning possibilities.
The present invention aims to resolve at least some of the problems mentioned
above.
Summary of the invention
In a first aspect, the present invention provides an improved gameboard for
playing
Sudoku by placing and removing Sudoku tiles on and from said gameboard. The
gameboard is a substantially planar, preferably square or rectangular, sheet,
comprising
a top side which is provided with a plurality of elongate, parallel and
equidistantially
placed grooves extending at least partially across said top side. The grooves
have a
predetermined depth and width arranged to allow tilting of the Sudoku tiles,
preferably
up to a minimal tilting angle between the gameboard and the tilted tile of at
least 100.
More preferably said minimal tilting angle is at least 30 .
In a preferred embodiment the top side of the gameboard is provided with
visually
discernible markings indicating a grid of cells for placing a Sudoku tile on.
Said markings
comprise a first set of parallel equidistant lines and a second set of
parallel equidistant
lines, which second set of lines is perpendicular to the first set of lines.
The lines of the
first set extend along a first lateral edge of the grooves.
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In a preferred embodiment the grooves have a second lateral edge opposite to
the first
lateral edge, which second edge is beveled or chamfered. Preferably whereby
said
beveled or chamfered edge is angled with the plane of the gameboard between 30
and
70 .
In a preferred embodiment, each of the cells of the grid comprises a magnet or
a
magnetizable element. Said magnet or magnetizable element is located
underneath the
surface of the top side of the gameboard or at the surface of the top side of
the
gameboard, but not underneath or at the grooves. Preferably said magnets or
magnetizable elements are positioned centrally in the ungrooved part of each
cell,
referring to the part of the cell not comprising the groove. More preferably,
the magnets
or magnetizable elements are specifically shaped to attract a second,
similarly shaped
magnet or magnetizable element when brought in proximity of each other in a
specific
relative orientation to the magnet or magnetizable element in the gameboard.
Preferred
shapes are square, rectangular, triangular or polygonal.
In a second aspect, the invention provides in a number of efficient, fast and
cheap
methods of manufacturing a gameboard for playing Sudoku, preferably a
gameboard as
described in this document.
In a first embodiment, said method comprises following steps:
a. providing a flat sheet, preferably with a rectangular top surface, more
preferably
with a square top surface;
b. attaching a plurality, preferably 7, 8 or 9, of elongate slats to said flat
sheet
equidistantially and parallel with respect to the other slats, thereby
creating
parallel equidistant grooves, whereby said slats have a predetermined width
and
a predetermined distance from each other to allow tilting of Sudoku tiles;
c. applying two sets of visually discernible markings on the top side of the
gameboard, whereby the first set of markings is applied on and along a first
lateral edge of the slats, whereby the second set of markings is
equidistantially
applied perpendicular to said first set of markings and whereby said markings
indicate a grid suitable for playing Sudoku by placing Sudoku tiles thereon.
In a second embodiment, said method comprises following steps:
a. providing a flat sheet, preferably with a minimal thickness of 5 mm, more
preferably of 1 cm, and a rectangular or square top surface;
b. milling a plurality, preferably 7, 8 or 9, of elongate, parallel and
equidistant
grooves extending at least partially, preferably entirely, across the top side
of
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said flat sheet, said grooves having a predetermined depth and a width to
allow
tilting of Sudoku tiles;
c. applying two sets of visually discernible markings on the top side of the
gameboard, whereby the first set of markings is applied along a first lateral
edge
of the grooves, whereby the second set of markings is equidistantially applied
perpendicular to said first set of markings and whereby said markings indicate
a
grid suitable for playing Sudoku by placing Sudoku tiles thereon.
In a third embodiment, said method comprises following steps:
a. providing a flat sheet, preferably with a minimal thickness of 5 mm, more
preferably of 1 cm, and a rectangular or square top surface;
b. extruding said flat sheet through an extrusion profile comprising a top
side and
a substantially flat bottom side, whereby the top side of said profile
comprises a
plurality, preferably 7, 8 or 9, of equidistantially placed recesses for
extruding a
plurality of grooves into the milled sheet;
c. applying two sets of visually discernible markings on the top side of the
gameboard, whereby the first set of markings is applied along a first lateral
edge
of the grooves, whereby the second set of markings is equidistantially applied
perpendicular to said first set of markings and whereby said markings indicate
a
grid suitable for playing Sudoku by placing Sudoku tiles thereon.
Preferably in all of the methods, the grooves (or slats) have a second lateral
edge which
is chamfered or beveled, which allows for an easier tilting of the Sudoku
tiles.
In a third aspect, the method provides in a kit for playing Sudoku, comprising
a
gameboard as described in this document and a plurality of Sudoku tiles shaped
for
playing Sudoku on said gameboard. The Sudoku tiles are adapted to allow
tilting to at
least a predetermined tilting angle when partially pushed into the grooves of
the
gameboard, preferably whereby said tilting angle is at least 100, more
preferably at
least 30 .
In a further improved embodiment, the gameboard comprises magnets or
magnetizable
elements in each cell as described in this document, and the Sudoku tiles are
provided
with matching magnets or magnetizable magnets, removably affixing and
correctly
positioning (rotationally) the Sudoku tiles on or in a desired cell of the
grid when brought
into proximity of the magnets of magnetizable element of the gameboard.
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Description of figures
FIG. 1A-B-C show an isometric view (FIG. 1A), a top view (FIG. 1B) and a
lateral view
(FIG. 1C) of an embodiment of the gameboard of the invention.
FIG. 2A-B show a lateral view of the gameboard with magnets or magnetizable
5 elements on the surface (FIG. 2A) of the cells of the Sudoku grid or
underneath (FIG.
2B) of said surface.
FIG. 3A-B show a lateral view of the gameboard and an isometric view of the
gameboard with raised lines of the first set, thereby separating the rows of
cells.
FIG. 4A-B show sides of a Sudoku tile, possibly top and back side of a single
tile or top
sides of separate tiles.
FIG. 5A-B show a non-tilted (left) and tilted (right) Sudoku tile,
respectively on a
gameboard according to FIG. 2A-B and a gameboard according to FIG. 1A-B-C.
FIG. 5C-D show a Sudoku tile that is placed on a cell (FIG. 5C) and a lifted
Sudoku tile
on a cell (FIG. 5D).
FIG. 6A-B-C show a possible construction of Sudoku tile and gameboard with a
magnet
or magnetizable element specifically shaped to optimize positioning of the
Sudoku tile.
Detailed description of the invention
The present invention concerns an improved gameboard and kit for playing
Sudoku and
methods for manufacturing said gameboard.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention,
including technical
and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill
in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term
definitions
are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.
As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:
"A", "an", and "the" as used herein refers to both singular and plural
referents unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, "a compartment"
refers to
one or more than one compartment.
"About" as used herein referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an
amount,
a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/-20%
or less,
preferably +/-10% or less, more preferably +/-5% or less, even more preferably
+/-
1% or less, and still more preferably +/-0.1% or less of and from the
specified value,
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in so far such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed
invention. However,
it is to be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is
itself also
specifically disclosed.
"Comprise", "comprising", and "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein
are
synonymous with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing",
"contains"
and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what
follows e.g.
component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-
recited
components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed
therein.
The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and
fractions
subsumed within that range, as well as the recited endpoints.
It is to be borne in mind that although the invention will often be explained
in reference
of 'standard' Sudoku puzzles (9x9), it can easily be implemented for other
formats
(16x16, 25x25, 4x4 or bigger) and other types of such puzzles. These other
implementations are therefore to be considered as falling under the scope of
protection
of the claimed invention.
In a first aspect, the invention provides an improved gameboard for playing
Sudoku
with Sudoku tiles (by placing and removing these on and off said gameboard).
The
gameboard is substantially planar, preferably square or rectangular, sheet.
Said sheet
comprises a top side which is provided with a plurality (preferably 7, 8 or 9)
of elongate,
parallel (with respect to each other) and equidistant grooves extending (at
least
partially) across said top side. Said grooves have a predetermined depth and
width to
allow tilting of the Sudoku tiles, preferably up to a minimal tilting angle of
at least 100,
more preferably said minimal tilting angle is at least 30 . The tilting of the
Sudoku tiles
is executed by pushing part of the tile that is hanging over a groove
downward, thereby
tipping the opposite end of the tile upwards so it can be easily picked up and
removed
from the gameboard without disturbing other Sudoku tiles. Said tilting angle
can be
furthermore also be at least 12 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 32 ,
34 , 36 ,
38 , 40 , 45 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 , lower (5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ), higher, or
values between
the proposed angles.
As mentioned in this document, the main advantage of the proposed board is the
ease
with which Sudoku tiles that have been placed on the board can be picked up
when a
mistake was made. Without the possibility of tilting the tiles in order to
pick them up,
removal of tiles can be hard as it can be difficult to pick up a thin and flat
object lying
on a flat plane, but also as one can very easily disturb other tiles that are
already placed.
It is still the intention to provide a compact board so allowing wider empty
borders
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between tiles is undesirable, both for practical reasons (bigger board can be
impractical
to transport or to shelve) as well as for the reason that a bigger board could
complicate
the solving process due to lack of oversight. Therefore, the grooves are
introduced which
allow a compact board from which tiles can be easily removed even when other
tiles are
on the gameboard. The concept of a Sudoku board as opposed to the usual
writing down
of the solution is furthermore useful due to the advantages of a change of
perspective,
by making the problem solving process more tangible or allowing the player to
visualize
the problem in other ways.
However, it is also intended that the product can be easily manufactured
(fast, cheap,
without need for expensive or complex machinery). The gameboard as proposed
can be
manufactured through several methods which are not available for more complex
prior
art gameboards. For instance, by simply attaching a number of slats to a flat
surface,
the grooves can be provided (between the slats) with an extremely limited
number of
operations and extremely easily obtainable and relatively few building
elements.
Alternatively, the grooves can be milled into a flat sheet, laser-etched (or
other etching
techniques), or furthermore the proposed board can be easily extruded as it
would have
a constant cross-sectional profile. In a further alternative, the design is
easy to produce
by additive manufacturing (3D printing). Afterwards, markings to delineate the
cells of
the Sudoku grid can be easily applied to the product. Production costs (both
structural
as piecewise) are effectively reduced to a minimum by the design of the
product.
Furthermore, it is the intention of the applicant of providing a product that
can be easily
used, as a substantial market segment for the product could be the elderly,
who can for
instance lack the finer motor skills to fill in Sudoku puzzles in the old
fashioned way and
furthermore need a gameboard on which the tiles can be easily placed without
requiring
too much precise coordination and again the necessary finer motor skills.
Lastly, a further advantage of the presented invention is that it provides a
great deal of
surface visible for the eye on which information can be displayed, and can
serve as
promotional gifts with commercial information, a company logo or other figures
or text.
This information can be printed on the actual grid of the gameboard, and/or
around said
grid on the edges of the gameboard. It is furthermore possible to extend the
gameboard
somewhat to provide a surface to be used for said information.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the top side of the gameboard is
provided
with visually discernible markings indicating a grid of cells for placing a
Sudoku tile on.
Said markings comprise a first set of parallel lines and second set of
parallel lines
perpendicular to said first set of lines. The lines of the first set extend
along a first lateral
edge of the grooves. This ensures that a groove substantially falls into a
single row of
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cells of the playing grid, thereby ensuring that a tile that has been placed
on the board
correctly, will have a single edge region of the tile hanging over said groove
thus
allowing tilting (as opposed to when a tile would hang over a groove only with
a central
region and be suspended on two opposite edges).
In a preferred embodiment the grooves have a second lateral edge (opposite to
the first
lateral edge, both of which extend along the length of the groove), whereby
said second
lateral edge is beveled or chamfered. Preferably said beveled or chamfered
edge is
angled with respect to the gameboard itself with an angle comprised between
100 and
70 . Said angle can for instance be at least 12 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 24
, 26 , 28 ,
30 , 32 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 400, 42 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 500, 52 , 54 , 56 , 58 , 60
, 62 ,
64 , 66 , 68 , or can be at most 12 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 ,
300, 32 ,
34 , 36 , 38 , 400, 42 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 50 , 52 , 54 , 56 , 58 , 60 , 62 , 64
, 66 ,
68 , and possible combinations of the above proposed bounds.
A chamfered or beveled edge allows for an easier and more gradual tilting of a
tile, and
can ensure the tile to be tilted to a desired tilting angle. Furthermore, in
many
manufacturing techniques (such as milling), more acute (or right) angles are
more
difficult to provide than more obtuse angles, making beveled and chamfered
edges
easier to produce.
In a preferred embodiment, one or more (preferably either all, all but 1 or
all but 2) of
the lines of the first set are at least partially raised over their
substantially entire length
with respect to the top side of the gameboard, thereby separating individual
rows of the
grid. While this does not greatly impede the manufacturing process (at there
remains a
constant cross-sectional profile), it can however facilitate the placement of
the tiles
somewhat in one dimension of the plane of the gameboard. The protrusion of the
lines
of the first set with respect to the surrounding gameboard can be comprised in
a range
of a few mm, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 mm and values therein between. Furthermore,
the
width of said protrusion can again fall in the proposed range of a few mm.
In a preferred embodiment, the grooves have a width which is comprised between
one
fourth and three fourths of a shortest distance between two neighboring
grooves.
Preferably the grooves have width which is comprises between one third and two
thirds
of said shortest distance. The width of the grooves and said shortest distance
can
furthermore have a maximal ratio of 27.5%, 30%, 32%, 34%, 36%, 38%, 40%, 42%,
44%, 46%, 48%, 50%, 52%, 54%, 56%, 58%, 60%, 62%, 64%, 66%, 68%, 70% and
72.5% (although in theory this can go up to 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 100 /0). The
width
of the grooves and said shortest distance can furthermore have a minimal ratio
of
72.5%, 70%, 68%, 66%, 64%, 62%, 60%, 58%, 56%, 54%, 52%, 50%, 48%, 46%,
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44%, 42%, 40%, 38%, 36%, 34%, 32%, 30% and 27.5% (which may go down to 20%,
15%, 10% or 5% in theory). The width of the groove needs to be sufficient to
allow a
desired tilting angle, but must not be too high to allow for the ungrooved
part of the cell
to support the tile. Furthermore, it can be argued that the width of the
grooves should
be optimized to reduce the amount of material necessary for the production of
the
gameboard.
In a preferred embodiment, the grooves have a depth and a width, whereby said
depth
is at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 33% of said
width.
This ratio can however depend on other factors as well. Therefore, a range of
ratios is
suggested of depth to width: 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, 25%, 27.5%,
30%, 32%, 34%, 36%, 38%, 40%, 42%, 44%, 46%, 48%, 50%, 52%, 54%, 56%,
58%, 60%, 62%, 64%, 66%, 68%, 70%, 72%, 74%, 76%, 78%, 80%, 82%, 84%,
86%, 88%, 90%, 95%, 100%, 110%, 120% or more. This ratio can furthermore be
dependent on the shape of the tiles and the (relative) dimensions thereof.
Generally, a
ratio is desired so that the tile can be easily tilted to an angle which
allows for easy
lifting of the tile. Although this can again be dependent on the player in
question and
the (relative) dimensions of tile, a practical tilting angle of at least 30
is desirable,
which would require a ratio of about 10%-60% between depth and width,
preferably
about 22%-42% between depth and width.
The gameboard can furthermore be provided with anti-skid elements on the
bottom
surface or other elements, such as an adjustable foot in order to be able to
put the
gameboard under an angle, which allows a player to use it without having to be
bent
over the gameboard.
In a preferred embodiment, each of the cells of the grid comprises a magnet or
a
magnetizable element. Said magnet or magnetizable element is located
underneath or
at the surface of the top side of the gameboard, but is not underneath or at
the grooves.
Most preferably, the magnet or magnetizable element is located centrally in
the
ungrooved part of the cell. This allows an easy attachment of Sudoku tiles
which are
themselves provided with a magnet or magnetizable element. Furthermore, if the
magnets or magnetizable elements of both the gameboard and the tiles are
intelligently
shaped (square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal ...), this can also ensure
a proper
positioning of the tile (in the cell center and/or with the text/number/symbol
on the tile
positioned so it can be read). By not placing the magnet or magnetizable
element near
the groove or underneath it, the tile can be more easily removed from the
gameboard
after tilting it, thereby strongly reducing the magnetic interaction between
gameboard
and tile. The lingering magnetic interaction will be weakened sufficiently to
remove the
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tile from the gameboard without disturbing the gameboard itself this way. It
is therefore
furthermore preferred to minimize the size of the magnet or magnetizable
element of
the gameboard and/or of the tiles to reduce unwanted magnetic effects. The
magnets
or magnetizable elements can also be a magnetic or magnetizable coating, which
could
5 further simplify the production process as it does not require the
construction process
to introduce certain parts, but can be restricted to a post-construction
coating step.
In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the grooves is comprised between 1.0
mm and
4.0 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm, more preferably comprised
between
2.0 mm and 2.5 mm. Possible upper and lower bounds for the depth of the
grooves are
10 1.0 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.9
mm, 2.0 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.3 mm, 2.4 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.6 mm, 2.7 mm, 2.8 mm,
2.9 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.1 mm, 3.2 mm, 3.3 mm, 3.4 mm, 3.5 mm, 3.6 mm, 3.8 mm, 3.9
mm, 4.0 mm or higher. Of course, values therein between are also comprised in
the
range.
In a preferred embodiment, the width of the grooves is comprised between 3 mm
and
18 mm, preferably between 4 and 14 mm, more preferably between 5 and 12 mm.
Possible upper and lower bounds for the width of the grooves can be: 4 mm, 6.5
mm,
7.0 mm, 7.5 mm, 8.0 mm, 8.5 mm, 9.0 mm, 9.5 mm, 10.0 mm, 10.5 mm, 11.0 mm,
11.5 mm, 12.0 mm, 12.5 mm, 13.0 mm, 13.5 mm, 14.0 mm, 14.5 mm, 15.0 mm, 15.5
mm, 16.0 mm, 16.5 mm, 17.0 mm, 17.5 mm, 18.0 mm or higher. Of course, values
therein between are also comprised in the range.
In a preferred embodiment, the grooves are distanced from each other over a
shortest
distance comprised between 15 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 18 mm and 25
mm. Possible upper and lower bounds for said shortest distance are 15 mm, 16
mm, 17
mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm, 23 mm, 24 mm, 25 mm, 26 mm, 27
mm, 28 mm, 29 mm, 30 mm, but are not limited thereto and can be higher or
lower,
such as 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, 32 mm, 34 mm, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, the gameboard has a maximal thickness comprised
between
0.5 cm and 4 cm, preferably between 0.6 cm and 3 cm, more preferably about 0.7
to
1.5 cm. Possible upper and lower bounds for said thickness are 5 mm, 6 mm, 7
mm, 8
mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm,
19 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm, 23 mm, 24 mm, 25 mm, 26 mm, 27 mm, 28 mm, 29
mm, 30 mm, 32 mm, 34 mm, 36 mm, 38 mm, 40 mm, but are not limited thereto and
can be higher or lower, such as 3 mm, 4 mm, 45 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, etc.
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In a preferred embodiment, the gameboard comprises PVC, preferably a PVC
foamboard, more preferably a closed-cell PVC foamboard and most preferably
FOREXC).
These materials are ideal for the manufacturing of the proposed gameboard as
they
allow machining, such as milling or etching, are very lightweight and
economic, but
possess the necessary strength to only need a small thickness of the gameboard
to
provide enough resilience and avoid fractures (both in use as in processing).
Furthermore they are particularly suited for being printed on as they retain
ink
excellently. FOREXC) especially excels in these characteristics, with a dense
closed-cell
PVC foam core covered with a durable PVC coating for the top and bottom
surface. Other
materials are however also possible and have their merits, for instance: MDF,
a type of
mineral-organic composite such as Conan , a type of high-pressure laminate
(HPL)
plate such as TrespaC), and a type of composite panel such as DibondC).
In a preferred embodiment, each of the grooves extends uninterruptedly across
the top
side of the gameboard. Preferably the gameboard is reinforced at the bottom
side in a
direction along the bottom side and perpendicular to the grooves, or at the
very least
not parallel to the grooves. The advantages of having the grooves extend
uninterruptedly across the top side of the gameboard lies mainly in the
extreme ease of
manufacturing, where all possible techniques can be used without restrictions
or need
for expensive and complex machinery, more manual labor or more intricate and
thus
more expensive construction elements. The reinforcements can be added during
or after
the manufacturing process, if necessary at all.
In a preferred embodiment, the gameboard is manufactured by milling of a flat
sheet of
material. Optionally, the manufacturing step of milling is preceded by a
manufacturing
step wherein said flat sheet is provided with a printed pattern relating to
the grid of the
gameboard. The design of the gameboard is ideal for such a manufacturing
technique
as it has a constant cross-sectional profile. This will be discussed further
in the document
as well. Alternative techniques which share some if not all of the advantages
of milling
due to the advantageous profile of the board are extrusion, additive
manufacturing and
3D printing.
In an alternative embodiment, the lines of the second set are raised at least
partially
over their substantially entire length with respect to the top side of the
gameboard. Said
raised lines thereby separate either individual columns or groups of columns
from the
grid from each other, and also reinforce the gameboard. Preferably, two of the
lines of
the second set are thusly raised, thereby separating three equal groups of
columns
(preferably 3 in each group) of the grid from each other. Most preferably, the
gameboard
is produced through additive manufacturing.
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In a second aspect, the invention provides a number of methods for
manufacturing a
gameboard for playing Sudoku. The first of these methods comprises the
following
steps:
a. providing a flat sheet, preferably with a rectangular top surface, more
preferably
with a square top surface;
b. attaching a plurality, preferably 7,8 or 9, of elongate slats to said sheet
equidistantially and parallel with respect to the other slats, thereby
creating
parallel equidistant grooves in between the slats, whereby said slats have a
predetermined width and a predetermined distance from each other to allow
tilting of Sudoku tiles;
c. applying two sets of visually discernible markings on the top side of the
gameboard, whereby the first set of markings is applied on and along a first
lateral edge of the slats, whereby the second set of markings is
equidistantially
applied perpendicular to said first set of markings and whereby said markings
indicate a grid suitable for playing Sudoku by placing Sudoku tiles thereon.
Preferably said slats have a second lateral edge which is chamfered or beveled
(more
preferably under angles as proposed in the document).
The second of these methods comprises the following steps:
a. providing a flat sheet, preferably with a minimal thickness of 5 mm, more
preferably of 1 cm, optionally providing said flat sheet with a printed
pattern
relating to the grid of the gameboard;
b. milling a plurality, preferably 7, 8 or 9, of elongate, parallel and
equidistant
grooves extending at least partially, preferably entirely, across the top side
of
said flat sheet, said grooves having a predetermined depth and a width to
allow
tilting of Sudoku tiles;
c. applying two sets of visually discernible markings on the top side of the
gameboard, whereby the first set of markings is applied along a first lateral
edge
of the grooves, whereby the second set of markings is equidistantially applied
perpendicular to said first set of markings and whereby said markings indicate
a
grid suitable for playing Sudoku by placing Sudoku tiles thereon.
Preferably said grooves have a second lateral edge which is chamfered or
beveled (more
preferably under angles as proposed in the document).
The third of these methods comprises the following steps:
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a. providing a flat sheet, preferably with a minimal thickness of 5 mm, more
preferably of 1 cm, optionally providing said flat sheet with a printed
pattern
relating to the grid of the gameboard;
b. extruding said flat sheet through an extrusion profile comprising a top
side and
a substantially flat bottom side, whereby the top side of said profile
comprises a
plurality, preferably 7, 8 or 9, of equidistantially placed recesses for
extruding a
plurality of grooves into the milled sheet;
c. applying two sets of visually discernible markings on the top side of the
gameboard, whereby the first set of markings is applied along a first lateral
edge
of the grooves, whereby the second set of markings is equidistantially applied
perpendicular to said first set of markings and whereby said markings indicate
a
grid suitable for playing Sudoku by placing Sudoku tiles thereon.
Preferably said grooves have a second lateral edge which is chamfered or
beveled (more
preferably under angles as proposed in the document).
The advantages of the proposed methods speak for themselves. Not only does the
product manufactured this way allow for the tilting of tiles to remove these
in an easy
fashion, it also can be very easily manufactured due do its intelligent
design. Due to the
constant cross-sectional profile, a great deal of manufacturing techniques can
be
advantageously used to manufacture the product. As mentioned, milling,
additive
manufacturing (3D printing or simply actual attachment of components through
glue or
other adhesives), extrusion are especially interesting since the easy design
makes these
exceptionally suitable for the production of the gameboard. Particularly
certain
embodiment as proposed in this document (for instance, with beveled or
chamfered
edges) are preferable for certain manufacturing techniques (manufacturing by
milling
for instance prefers obtuse angles over more acute angles), as has been
discussed in
the document as well.
Most preferably, the gameboard manufactured with said method is a gameboard
furthermore according to one of the embodiments of the gameboard described in
this
document, with the mentioned advantages.
In a third aspect, the invention provides a kit for playing Sudoku. Said kit
comprises a
gameboard according to any one of the proposed embodiments in this document
and a
plurality of tiles shaped for playing Sudoku on the gameboard, whereby the
Sudoku tiles
are adapted to allow tilting of at least a predetermined tilting angle when
partially
pushed into the grooves of the gameboard, preferably whereby the tilting angle
is at
least 100, more preferably at least 30 . Preferably these tiles have a square
top side.
The number of tiles will in the case of regular sized Sudoku boards be at
least 81 (for
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other applications, the number of tiles can be easily correctly changed, for
instance at
least 16, at least 625 or others). However additional tiles are preferably be
included (in
case of loss, or if more tiles are required in different colors, shapes or
other
distinguishing characteristics to indicate a difference between 'known' tiles
and tiles
guessed/reasoned by players). The tiles have a top side and a back side. The
top side
is provided with a number between 1 and 9 in amounts sufficient to play Sudoku
(again,
this depends on the actual type of puzzle, so symbols, other numbers, etc. are
possible
as well). These markings can be printed or etched for instance.
Optionally, the back side of the tiles can be different from the top side and
be provide
with numbers (or others) as well in order to be able to use the same tile to
indicate a
'known' and a 'guessed' number.
Optionally, the gameboard can be provided with pinholes in the cells and the
Sudoku
tiles with pins suitable for being introduced into the pinholes in order to
easily affix the
Sudoku tiles. Vice versa, the gameboard cells can have pins and the Sudoku
tiles can
have pinholes.
In a further embodiment, the gameboard of the kit is a gameboard as described
in the
document, having magnets or magnetizable elements in the cells of the Sudoku
grid,
while the Sudoku tiles comprise magnets or magnetizable elements as well,
thereby
enabling magnetic interaction between the gameboard and the tiles,
specifically
magnetic attraction. This force would not need to be strong as it is the
intent that the
tiles can be removed easily, but still strong enough to hold the tiles in
place and more
specifically, affix the tiles so they are affixed correctly in the intended
cell (centered and
not occupying multiple cells). This can be achieved by having the magnets or
magnetizable elements of the gameboard and/or of the tiles shaped and located
specifically that they favor one or more relative position with respect to
each other.
Furthermore, by shaping the magnets or magnetizable elements, they can ensure
that
the Sudoku tiles are both positioned centrally in the desired cell, but also
in a correct
orientation (making sure the numbers are all oriented the same and not some
sideways
or upside down). Possible shapes of the magnets or magnetizable elements can
be made
to match, for instance triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, etc.
(bearing in mind
that the top surface of the element or magnet in question is discussed here).
The invention is further described by the following non-limiting examples
which further
illustrate the invention, and are not intended to, nor should they be
interpreted to, limit
the scope of the invention.
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The present invention will be now described in more details, referring to
examples that
are not !imitative.
Examples
Example 1:
5 FIG. 1A-B-C describe an embodiment of a gameboard for playing Sudoku by
placing and
removing Sudoku tiles as described in the document. FIG. 1A shows an isometric
view
of the gameboard, while FIG. 1B shows a top view of the gameboard, and FIG. 1C
shows
a lateral view of the gameboard along a longitudinal axis of the grooves (1).
The
gameboard comprises a flat sheet, square in this case. The top side of the
gameboard
10 is suited for playing Sudoku with Sudoku tiles, and the bottom is generally
flat. The top
side is provided with a number of grooves (1), in this case 9, which extend
parallel to
each other across the entire gameboard and are placed equidistantially. The
grooves
(1) separate support planes (2) which are meant to support a Sudoku tile that
has been
placed, while the grooves (1) are of a dimension to allow tilting of said
placed tile, by
15 pushing the end of the tile that is extended above the groove (1) downward
and into
the groove (1), thereby tilting the tile. Possible depths and widths of the
grooves and
the width of the support plane (2) (shortest distance between neighboring
grooves)
have been discussed in this document, however, the preferred dimensions are 2
to 2.5
mm for the depth of the grooves, 5 to 12 mm for the width of the grooves and
18 to 25
mm for the width of the support plane (2). The entire board has a thickness
between
0.5 cm and 2 cm, preferably about 1 cm. The gameboard is furthermore provided
with
a first (3) and a second set (4) of markings on the top side, which sets are
perpendicular
to each other, and indicate the Sudoku grid as known in the art. As can be
seen, the
markings of the first set (3) are parallel to the grooves (1) and are placed
on a first
lateral edge of the grooves (1). The markings can differ in thickness, pattern
and/or
color to separate subgrids (12) (3x3 cells) and/or cells from each other.
FIG. 2A and 2B show further embodiment of the gameboard according to the
invention,
wherein magnets or magnetizable elements (5) are comprised. Said magnets or
magnetizable elements (5) are underneath the mentioned support planes (2) or
are
located at the surface (or can even be a magnetic or magnetizable coating as
mentioned). The magnet or magnetizable element (5) of the cell can be placed
close to
the grooves of the cell, in order to minimalize the necessary force to be
exerted on the
tile to tilt it (by having a smaller moment by reducing the length of the
force arm), or
can be placed further away from the grooves, to reduce magnetic forces on the
tilted
tile by increasing the distance in between. Most preferably, said magnets or
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magnetizable elements are relatively small compared to a tile or a cell, thus
enabling
light attachment, but also efficiently adjusting the position of the tile to
fit in the
intended cell in a desired orientation.
The gameboard can furthermore be provided with a plurality of Sudoku tiles (7)
as can
be seen in FIG. 4A and 4B to provide a kit for playing Sudoku. Said tiles have
a top side
(8) provided with a marking (10), in this case a number. The tiles are
dimensioned in
order to match with the cells of the grid of the gameboard, preferably a bit
smaller than
the cells. As mentioned, the tiles can also have a back side (9) that differs
from the
front side, in this case in view of the background color, thus allowing the
tile to be used
as both a 'known' number and a 'guessed' number.
Furthermore, the tiles can comprise a magnet or magnetizable element (13) in
the tile
(or be coated with a magnetic or magnetizable coating) in order to be affixed
to the
gameboard through magnetic interaction with the gameboard, specifically with a
magnet or magnetizable element (5) in the gameboard. In FIG. 6A-B-C, such a
possibility is presented, whereby the magnet (or magnetizable element) (13) in
the tile
is shaped as a triangular prism, as is the magnetizable element (or magnet)
(5) in the
cells of the gameboard. These are positioned in such a way that the preferred
positioning
of the tile on a cell is centered in said cell, as well as oriented so that
the tile is readable
by a player.
Example 2:
FIG. 3A and 3B describe a gameboard according to what is described earlier in
example
1, without magnets or magnetizable elements this time although these could be
easily
implemented according to the instructions of this document. In this
embodiment, the
lines of the first set are raised (6) with respect to the rest of the top side
of the
gameboard. This way, a clear demarcation is present to separate the rows of
the grid,
which makes placing a tile easier, and disallows interference of tiles from
different rows,
thereby possible disturbing the game.
The gameboard can furthermore be provided with a plurality of Sudoku tiles as
can be
seen in FIG. 4A and 4B to provide a kit for playing Sudoku.
Example 3:
In FIG. 5A-B-C-D a method for positioning and removing tiles from the
gameboard is
shown. FIG. 5A shows a situation from a lateral view in which a first Sudoku
tile (7) is
present on a gameboard according to previous example 2, as well as a second
Sudoku
tile. A player can then tilt the second Sudoku tile by exerting a force on the
part of the
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tile that is extended over the groove. By exerting said force, this part of
the tile is
pushed downwards, thereby pushing the remaining part of the tile upwards as a
lever.
FIG. 5B shows the same action, on the gameboard according to example 1. Both
situations clearly show the ease of tilting and subsequently lifting the tile
without
disturbing other tiles. FIG. 5C illustrates the placement of the tile, while
FIG. 5D shows
the removal of it. The fulcrum (11) around which the tile is tilted is clearly
illustrated
here. It is furthermore obvious in the figures that the tile is somewhat
smaller than the
cell.
It is supposed that the present invention is not restricted to any form of
realization
described previously and that some modifications can be added to the presented
example of fabrication without reappraisal of the appended claims. For
example, the
present invention has been described referring to (regular sized) Sudoku, but
it is clear
that the invention can be applied to other logical puzzles for instance such
as Kakuros,
Futoshikis, and the likes.
