Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a board game, and more specifically to a
board game
with a series of themes related to specific books, that serves the dual
purpose of being
both educational and entertaining for children, and for others .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Board games that are intended as learning tools for children have previously
been
described. U.S. Patent Number 5,860,652, which issued to Ruff on January 19,
1999,
discloses a board game having a movement path along which players advance
their
game piece from a starting point to a finishing point. Each player may advance
their
game piece upon correctly answering a randomly selected question from a
plurality of
question cards. The board game is designed for young children, in that
questions
printed on the aforementioned question cards test the player's ability to
recognize
colors, shapes and letters of the alphabet.
A similar method of play whereby players advance along a movement path upon
correctly answering a randomly selected question from a plurality of question
cards was
disclosed in U.S. Patent Number 4,932,666, which issued to Corle on June 12,
1990.
As described therein, the playing surface of the board itself is illustrated
with a
geographical map of the United States and questions printed on the
aforementioned
question cards relate to American history and geography.
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U.S. Patent Number 4,991,854, which issued to Weiss on February 12, 1991,
discloses
a board game that similarly comprises a board having a continuous movement
path and
a plurality of question cards. The board game described therein is intended to
improve
children's language skills by testing a player's knowledge of figurative
expressions
commonly used in the English language.
The prior art discloses board games that are each ideally suited to a narrow
age range
and intended to test a player's knowledge of a particular subject matter. Such
games
focus on the recollection of specific information without stimulating the
development of
other cognitive skills such as comprehension, application or analysis.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, the purpose of the present invention is to develop a
board
game that is adaptable to different age groups and functions as both a source
of
entertainment and a teaching tool for cognitive skills such as comprehension
and critical
thinking.
Preferably the game has one or a series of themes that are related to specific
books,
and test the knowledge of the players, in relation to that book, or books.
Many different
books can be used as themes for parts of the game, as will become apparent
below.
The books can be works of fiction, plays, or even non fiction. The books will
be known
to, or have been studied by, the players, prior to playing the game.
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In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an educational board
game
comprises a planar game board having printed thereon a contiguous series of
numbered spaces. The movement path originates at a space designated as "Start
Area," follows the numerical sequence of the spaces and ends at a space
designated
as "The Winner Area." A first group of spaces on the board bear a pattern of
green-
colored diagonal lines and are set to receive corresponding panels that
contain
instructions for movement of a game piece. A second group of spaces on the
board
bear a pink-colored grid pattern and are set to receive corresponding panels
that also
contain instructions for movement of a game piece. A third group of spaces on
the
board are blank and set to receive corresponding panels which are illustrated
with
scenes from a given book. A fourth group of spaces on the board are blue-
colored and
designated as "Take a Question Card" spaces. A fifth space on the board is
designated
as "Theme Area" and is set to receive a panel bearing the title of a given
book. The
"Start Area" and "The Winner Area" are also set to receive corresponding
illustrated
panels.
The educational game further comprises random number selector such as dice,
and
calculator, or a simple spinner. The game also has game pieces, tokens and a
"Theme
Pack." A "Theme Pack" relates to a given book and is itself comprised of one
"Theme
Identification" panel, one "Start Area"panel, one "The Winner Area" panel, a
plurality of
instruction panels that correspond to the first and second group of spaces on
the board,
a plurality of illustrated panels that correspond to the third group of spaces
on the
board, a plurality of question cards and a plurality of character image panels
which can
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be affixed to the aforementioned game pieces.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the board has a metallic
material
incorporated within it and all "Theme Pack" panels have a magnetic base so
that they
remain in position once placed onto the game board.
The character image panels also have a magnetic base which allows them to be
affixed
to the metallic upper portion of the game pieces.
The "Theme Pack" can be varied in order to change the book or subject matter
of the
game while keeping the rules of the game constant. Thus, the same game board
can
be used with different "Theme Packs", each of which relate to a different
book, or
subject. This advantageously allows the board game to be adaptable to
different age
groups and to be used as a learning tool for different cognitive skills,
depending on the
nature of the questions printed on the question cards provided with each
"Theme Pack",
and of course the subject matter of the book itself. Furthermore, once a
player has
learned the rules of the game, he or she can focus on the subject matter. A
still further
advantage lies in the reduced cost associated with the purchase of additional
"Theme
Packs" rather than a whole new board game for each additional book or subject
matter,
and the reduced storage space associated therewith.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed
out with
more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a
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better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific
objects
attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred
embodiments
of the invention.
IN THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the board;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the spinner;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the "Theme Identification," "Start Area" and
"The Winner
Area" panels related to the book The Wonderful Wizard of OZ as an exemplary
"Theme
Pack;"
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the instruction panels corresponding to green-
colored and
pink-colored spaces on the board, related to the book The Wonderful Wizard of
OZ as
an exemplary "Theme Pack;"
Figure 5 is a top plan view of the illustrated panels corresponding to blank
spaces on
the board, related to the book The Wonderful Wizard of OZ as an exemplary
"Theme
Pack;"
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the front side and back side of question cards
related to
the book The Wonderful Wizard of OZ as an exemplary "Theme Pack;"
Figure 7 is a top plan view of the "Theme Identification," "Start Area" and
"The Winner
Area" panels related to the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as a second
exemplary "Theme Pack;"
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Figure 8 is a top plan view of the instruction panels corresponding to green-
colored and
pink-colored spaces on the board, related to the book Alice's Adventures in
Wonderland as a second exemplary "Theme Pack;"
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the illustrated panels corresponding to blank
spaces on
the board, related to the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as a second
exemplary "Theme Pack;"
Figure 10 is a top plan view of the front side and back side of question cards
related to
the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as a second exemplary "Theme Pack;"
and
Figure 11 contains a top plan view of one character image panel related to the
book
The Wonden'ul Wizard of OZ as an exemplary "Theme Pack," a front view of one
game
piece with the said character image panel affixed and a side view of the said
game
piece.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to Figure 1, the present invention includes a planar
rectangular game
board 100 having printed thereon a contiguous series of spaces. Each space is
identified by a number printed on the bottom right corner 102. Spaces 2
through 31 are
square-shaped areas distinguished by thin borders whereas spaces 1, 32 and 33
are
rectangular-shaped areas distinguished by thick borders. Space 1 has the words
"Start
Area" printed therein. Space 32 has the words "The Winner Area" printed
therein.
Space 33 has the words "Theme Area" printed therein. The movement path
originates
at space 1, follows the numerical sequence of the spaces from 1 to 32 and ends
at
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space 32. Spaces 3, 9, 15, 18, 23 and 28 bear a pattern of green-colored
diagonal
lines 104. Spaces 5, 6, 10, 14, 21, 25 and 29 bear a pink-colored grid pattern
106.
Spaces 2, 7, 12, 19, 22, 24, 26 and 31 are blank 108. Spaces 4, 8, 11, 13, 16,
17, 20,
27 and 30 are blue-colored and have the words "Draw a question card" printed
therein
110. The left side of the board has a rectangular-shaped area distinguished by
a thick
border and has the words "Place Question ? Cards here" printed therein 112.
The right
side of the board has a rectangular-shaped area distinguished by a thick
border and
has the words "Place used Question ? Cards here" printed therein 114. A square-
shaped area distinguished by a thick border has the words "Place Spinner Here"
printed
therein 116. An unbordered region on the right side of the board has the words
"Token
Bank" printed therein 118. Unbordered regions on the top left, top right,
center left,
center right, bottom left and bottom right side of the board have the word
"Tokens"
printed therein 120. The bottom center region of the board has a rectangular-
shaped
area distinguished by a thick border and has the rules of the game printed
therein 122.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the board is produced
from two
thin layers of a lightweight material such as cellulose or polyvinylchloride
and has a
metallic material in between. A very thin layer of cellulose on which the
playing field is
printed is adhered to the top surface of the board. Both top and bottom
surfaces of the
planar board have a water-impermeable coating.
Figure 2 shows a random play movement selector , which might be a dice, an
electronic device or, as in this case ,a spinner that is to be used with all
"Theme
Packs." A square-shaped thin layer of cellulose or plastic provides a base 124
for
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adhering a very thin layer of cellulose on which a circular image is printed
126. The
circular area 126 is divided into 6 equal-sized regions 128, distinguished by
a thin
border 130, each containing one of the following indicia: "1," "2," "3," "4,"
"Lose Turn" or
"Free Spin" printed therein. An arrow is affixed on the top surface of the
spinner via a
metallic or plastic pin that connects the center of the arrow's shaft to the
central point of
the aforementioned circular area 132, such that the arrow is free to rotate
about the
axis of the pin.
Clearly this is but one of many random number selectors which may be used.
Dice
could also be used. Conceivably some form of simply electronic calculator
could also be
used.
Figure 3A shows the "Theme Identification" panel related to the book The
Vllonderful
hVizard of OZ as an exemplary "Theme Pack." The panel is fashioned from a
rectangular-shaped magnetic material as a base. Adhered onto the top surface
of the
magnetic base is a very thin layer of cellulose on which is printed the title
134 and
author 136 of the aforementioned book, and an illustration 138 of a character
from the
book . The top right corner of the printed surface has "33" printed therein
140.
Figure 3B shows the "Start Area" panel related to the book The Wonderful
IIVizard of OZ
as an exemplary "Theme Pack." The panel is similarly fashioned from a
rectangular-
shaped magnetic material as a base. A very thin layer of cellulose is adhered
to the top
surface of the aforementioned base with the words "The Cyclone" and "Start"
142, and
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an illustration of a scene from the aforementioned book printed thereon 144.
The
bottom left corner of the printed surface has "1" printed therein 146.
Figure 3C shows the "The Winner Area" panel related to the book The Wonderful
Wizard of OZ as an exemplary "Theme Pack." The panel is similarly fashioned
from a
square-shaped magnetic material as a base. A very thin layer of cellulose is
adhered to
the top surface of the aforementioned base with the words "Home Again" and
"Win"
148, and an illustration of a scene 150 from the aforementioned book printed
thereon .
The bottom left corner of the printed surface has "32" printed therein 152.
Figure 4 shows instruction panels related to the book The Wonderful Wizard of
OZ as
an exemplary "Theme Pack." Each panel is fashioned from a square-shaped
magnetic
material as a base. Adhered onto the top surface of the magnetic base is a
very thin
layer of cellulose on which is printed a statement followed by an instruction
for
movement of a game piece 154. The number printed in the bottom right corner of
the
instruction panel corresponds to the specific space on the game board on which
the
panel is to be placed 156.
Figure 5 shows illustrated panels related to the book The Wonderful Wizard of
OZ as an
exemplary "Theme Pack." Each panel is fashioned from a square-shaped magnetic
material as a base. Adhered onto the top surface of the magnetic base is a
very thin
layer of cellulose on which is printed a scene from the aforementioned book
158. Each
panel has a different scene printed on it. The number printed on the
illustrated panel
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corresponds to the specific space on the game board on which the said panel is
to be
placed 160.
Figure 6 shows question cards related to the book The Wonderful Wizard of OZ
as an
exemplary "Theme Pack." Each question card is formed from a rectangular-shaped
thin Payer of cellulose. Each question card has an illustration of a scene
from the
aforementioned book printed in the top left corner of one surface designated
as "front"
162. Below the illustration is printed a question 164, followed by
instructions for
movement of a game piece in the events of a correct 166 and incorrect answer
168.
The other surface of the card, designated as "back," has a different scene
from the
aforementioned book printed in the top left corner 170. The correct answer to
the
question on the "front" side of the card is printed below the illustration on
the "back" side
of the card 172.
Figure 11A shows one character image panel related to the book The Wonderful
Wizard of OZ as an exemplary "Theme Pack." The panel is fashioned from a
square-
shaped magnetic material as a base. Adhered onto the top surface of the
magnetic
base is a very thin layer of cellulose on which is printed a character 174
from the
aforementioned book .
Figure 11 B shows a side view of a game piece having a plastic base 176 and a
metallic
upper panel 178.
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Figure 11 C shows a front view of one character image panel affixed to one
game piece
via a magnetic interaction.
Prior to commencement of the game, the "Theme Identification," "Start Area"
and "The
Winner Area" panels, shown in Figure 3, are laid out on the game board in
spaces
numbered 1, 32 and 33, respectively. The instruction panels, shown in Figure
4,
corresponding to green-colored spaces numbered 3, 9, 15, 18, 23, 28 and pink-
colored
spaces numbered 5, 6, 10, 14, 21, 25, 29 are laid out on the board. The
illustrated
panels, shown in Figure 5, corresponding to blank spaces numbered 2, 7, 12,
19, 22,
24, 26, 31 are also laid out on the board. Question cards, shown in Figure 6,
are
placed on the board in the area designated as "Place Question ? Cards Here"
with the
front sides facing up. Tokens are placed in the area designated as "Token
Bank." The
character image panels shown in Figure 11A are then affixed to game pieces, as
shown
in Figure 11 C.
The game commences with each player selecting and placing their game piece in
space number 1. Each player spins the arrow of the spinner shown in Figure 2
and the
player who spins the highest number plays first. If two or more players get
the highest
number they spin again to determine who plays first. The order of play is
clockwise
from the person who plays first. The first player spins the arrow of the
spinner again to
determine the number of spaces to advance his or her game piece. The other
players
proceed in a similar manner. If the arrow of the spinner lands on "Free Spin"
the player
is entitled to collect one token from the "Token Bank" and spin again. A
player loses his
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or her turn if the arrow of the spinner lands on "Lose Turn," unless the
player is in
possession of a token which can be redeemed for the chance to play.
Upon landing on one of the green-colored instruction panels, a player is
entitled to
advance his or her game piece as indicated on the panel. Upon landing on one
of the
pink-colored instruction panels, a player is required to move his or her game
piece as
indicated on the panel. If a player is instructed to return to the starting
space, a token
may be redeemed for the chance to immediately play again. If the player is
instructed
to lose his or her next turn, two tokens can be redeemed for the chance to
immediately
play again; alternatively, one token can be redeemed to avoid losing the next
turn.
Upon landing on one of the blue-colored "Take a Question Card" spaces, a
player must
select a question card, read the question and proffer an answer. A player is
entitled to
advance the number of spaces indicated on the question card, or less, if the
question is
answered correctly. If answered incorrectly, a player is required to move the
game
piece as indicated on the question card. The object of the game is to be the
first player
to reach the last square designated "The Winner Area." No player can move
directly
into the last square from a blue-colored "Take a Question Card" space.
The present invention can be adapted to different books or subject matter by
simply
changing the "Theme Pack." As an example, the game can be varied from testing
a
player's comprehension of the book titled The Wonderful tlVizard of OZ to
testing a
player's comprehension of the book titled Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Figures 7
through 10 show the components of a second "Theme Pack" related to the book
Alice's
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Adventures in Wonderland.
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
which is given
here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to
any of the
specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as
come
within the scope of the appended claims.
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