Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
GAME APPARATUS AND USE
FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to games for autistic children.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Autistic children suffer from a dearth of suitable games.
SUMMARY
[0003] Forming one aspect of the invention is apparatus comprising:
a plurality of tokens and a plurality of game boards, the plurality of tokens
and plurality of game boards defining a plurality of game sets, each game set
being associated with a respective one of a plurality of features, the
plurality
of features being equal in number to the plurality of game sets such that one
of the game sets is provided for each of the features, each game set
including:
a set of tokens, each token of the set having the feature associated
with the game set; and
a game board defining, for each token of the set of tokens, a receiver,
the receiver defining a playing position and adapted such that, when
the token is operatively positioned at the playing position, the receiver
releasably engages the token; and
a dispenser having a receptacle adapted to receive the plurality of tokens and
adapted to present the tokens to facilitate the withdrawal of tokens one at a
time from the receptacle.
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-17
[0004] According to another aspect of the invention, the features can be
images.
[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, the receivers can be
sockets.
[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, in each game set, the
sockets, board and tokens can be such that a token can be drawn by finger
across
the board into one of the sockets.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, the tokens can be thin,
flat
pieces.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, in each game set, the
sockets, board and tokens are shaped such that a token, when operatively
positioned in the socket, is disposed at least substantially entirely within
the socket.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the sockets can receive
the
tokens in a clearance fit relation.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, each socket can include a
notch adapted to permit finger removal of the token.
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-17
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a view of apparatus according to an embodiment of
the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the structure of encircled area
2;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the structure of encircled area
3 of
FIG. 1 in use;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG. 3;
and
[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the structure of encircled area
3 of
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
APPARATUS
[0016] Apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated
in FIG. 1 and will be seen to comprise a plurality of tokens 22, 24, 26, 28,
30 and
32, a plurality of game boards 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 and a dispenser 46.
[0017] The tokens 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and game boards 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44
will be seen to be thin and flat and to define a plurality of game sets 48,
50, 52, 54,
56, 58, each game set being associated with a respective one of a plurality of
features 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70, specifically, images, the plurality of
features
being equal in number to the plurality of game sets, each game set including a
set
72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 of tokens and a game board 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and
44.
[0018] Each token of the set has the feature (image) associated with the game
set.
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-17
[0019] The game board of the set also has the feature (image) associated with
the game set and defines, for each of the set of tokens, a receiver 22A, 24A,
26A,
28A, 30A and 32A, the receiver defining a playing position 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B,
30B
and 32B.
[0020] As shown, playing positions 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B and 32B will be
seen
to be shallow sockets, each also having the feature (image) of the set and the
shape of the token. Each socket has an associated notch 84. In each game
board, the receivers are disposed in a line, with one end of the line
demarcated
with the word "start" and the other end of the line demarcated with the word
"finish".
[0021] The dispenser 46 has a receptacle 86, a dispensing slot 88, a pair of
finger holes 90 and a receiving slot 92.
[0022] The receptacle has, as best seen in FIG. 4, a base 94 that slopes
downwardly from the dispensing slot and a back 96 that slopes to the base.
CONSTRUCTION
[0023] The game boards will be understood to be constructed out of two pieces
98A, 98B of cardboard, laminated to one another. The upper layer 98A is die-
cut
to produce the sockets and notches and has the associated feature printed
thereon.
The lower layer 98B has a plurality of the associated features printed thereon
each
positioned so as to be visible through the sockets.
[0024] The tokens will be understood to be produced by the aforementioned die-
cutting process of the upper layer of the board.
[0025] The dispenser 46 will be understood to be constructed out of three
pieces
of die-cut cardboard 100, 102 and 104, as shown in FIG. 5. Dotted lines in
FIG. 5
show fold lines.
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-17
[0026] Piece 100 has the dispensing slot 88 and finger holes 90 defined
therein
and will be understood to be folded upon and secured to itself form a box. Tab
106
will be understood to be glued to panel 180, and tabs 110 will be understood
to be
inserted into slots 112. Persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate
the
manner in which piece 100 can be so folded and as such further detail is
neither
provided nor required.
[0027] Piece 102 will be understood to be folded and inserted into the box to
form the base. Persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate the manner in
which
piece 102 can be so folded and inserted as such further detail is neither
provided
nor required.
[0028] Piece 104 will be understood to be folded and inserted into the box to
form the back. Tab 114 will be understood to be fitted into slot 116. Persons
of
ordinary skill will readily appreciate the manner in which piece 104 can be so
folded
and inserted as such further detail is neither provided nor required.
USE
[0029] The apparatus can be used by 2-6 players for game play.
SET UP
[0030] For the purposes of set up:
= each player chooses their own image by selecting one of the game boards
and positioning the game board with the sockets presenting upwardly, the
word "start" disposed proximal to the player and the word "finish" disposed
distal to the player
= the tokens bearing the images not selected are stored
= the remaining tokens (those bearing the images selected by the players)
are
shuffled or otherwise randomized and placed into the receptacle
= a player sequence is selected by any conventional method
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-17
PLAY
[0031] Play commences with the first player in the sequence.
[0032] That player draws a token from the dispenser, by gripping a token using
one of the finger holes and drawing the token through the dispensing slot. In
this
regard, it will be appreciated that the shape, position and orientation of the
dispensing slots, finger holes, base and back, facilitate the withdrawal of
tokens one
at a time from the dispensing slot.
[0033] If the token drawn by the player:
= bears the image selected by the player, the token is placed into the open
socket nearest the player;
= does not bear the image selected by the player, the token is placed into
the
receptacle via the receiving slot.
[0034] Regarding the former, it will be appreciated that:
= the flat shape of the tokens and boards allows for the token to be drawn
by a
finger across the board towards a socket;
= the openings of the sockets are slightly larger than the tokens, such
that the
token is received by the socket in a clearance fit relation when the token
reaches the playing position space; and
= the depth of the sockets are such that a token, when operatively
positioned
in the socket, is disposed at least substantially entirely within the socket.
[0035] Play then passes to the next player in the sequence and continues until
one of the players places a token in the socket of the board furthest the
player:
that player is the winner.
[0036] Thereafter, the tokens can be drawn by a finger from the sockets using
the notches.
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-17
ADVANTAGES
[0037] The ease by which tokens can be positioned in play positions renders
the
game easy to use by persons with limited mobility, as can be commonplace
amongst the autistic.
[0038] The releasable engagement by the sockets of the tokens also renders the
game suitable for use by persons with limited mobility, as can be commonplace
amongst the autistic, since if the game board is brushed or nudged by a
player, the
tokens are unlikely to move.
VARIATIONS
[0039] Whereas a specific embodiment is herein shown and described, it will be
apparent that variations are possible, including but not limited to:
= the number of game boards provided can vary from six;
= the feature could be a color, for example, applied to the token and the
playing position
= the feature could be a shape, for example, of the tile and the socket;
= the number of receivers provided on each game board could vary from four;
= the apparatus need not be construed from cardboard; and
= the dispenser need not be formed out of folded cardboard components.
[0040] Accordingly, the invention should be understood to be limited only by
the
accompanying claims, purposively construed.
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-17
