Assembly and Method for Frame Side Matching Game Play

Abstract

A game play assembly incorporating 24 substantially square frames, each substantially square frame having a quadruple of zones; and incorporating 96 objects wherein a first third of the 96 objects are of a first type, wherein a second third of the 96 objects are of a second type, wherein the remainder of the 96 objects are of a third type, wherein the 96 objects are divided in 24 four element rotational series of objects, wherein each four element rotational series of objects is supported upon and aligned with one of the quadruples of zones, and wherein each four element rotational series of objects is different from each other four element rotational series of objects.

Claims

1. A game play assembly comprising: (a) 24 substantially square frames, each such frame having a quadruple of zones; and (b) 96 objects, a first third of said 96 objects being of a first type, a second third of said 96 objects being of a second type, and the remainder of said 96 objects being of a third type, wherein said 96 objects are divided into 24 four element rotational series of objects, wherein each of said series is supported within one of the quadruples of zones, and wherein said each series is different from each of the 23 other series.

2. The game play assembly of claim 1 wherein each quadruple of zones is bounded by a frame edge and by a pair of frame diagonals.

3. The game play assembly of claim 2 wherein each four element rotational series of objects comprises objects selected from the group consisting of the first type of objects, the second type objects, and the third type objects.

4. The game play assembly of claim 3 wherein each of the three object types has an integer value, and wherein each substantially square frame has an integer value which is equal to the sum of the integer values of the object types supported upon said each substantially square frame.

5. The game play assembly of claim 4 wherein each substantially square frames' integer value is printed upon said each substantially square frame.

6. The game play assembly of claim 5 wherein the printing of each substantially square frame's integer value resides at said each substantially square frame's corners.

7. The game play assembly of claim 5 wherein the first object type comprises a null object, wherein the second object type comprises a surface deposition of ink or paint configured so that peripheral edges of such deposition silhouette an arrow, and wherein the third object type comprises a surface deposition of ink or paint configured so that peripheral edges of such deposition silhouette a crossed arrow.

8. The game play assembly of claim 7 wherein 23 of the substantially frames have corner arrow indicia, each substantially square frame's corner arrow indicia depicting said each substantially square frame's four element rotational series of objects.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIGS. 1-24 present images of upper sides of frames included within the instant inventive frame set.

[0021] FIG. 25 is a perspective and stacked view of the frames of FIGS. 1-24, the topmost frame of the stack corresponding with the frame of FIG. 12.

[0022] FIG. 26 presents a fanned configuration of the frames of FIGS. 5, 6, 11, 14, and 18.

[0023] FIG. 27 presents a grouping of frames of FIGS. 20, 17, 9, and 3 placed and arranged during game play.

[0024] FIG. 28 presents an alternative frame and rotational objects series combination.

[0025] FIG. 29 presents a further alternative frame and rotational object series combination.

[0026] FIG. 30 presents a further alternative frame and rotational object series combination.

[0027] FIG. 31 presents a further alternative frame and object configuration.

[0028] FIG. 32 is a sectional view as indicated in FIG. 30.

[0029] FIG. 33 is a sectional view as indicated in FIG. 31.

[0030] FIG. 34 is a partial magnified view of the structure of FIG. 33, as indicated in FIG. 33.

[0031] FIG. 35 presents a further alternative frame and rotational object series combination.

[0032] FIG. 36 is a sectional view of the structure of FIG. 35, as indicated in FIG. 35.

[0033] FIG. 37 is a partial magnified view of the structure of FIG. 36, as indicated in FIG. 36.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND OF A PREFERRED MODE OF GAME PLAY

[0034] Referring now to the drawings and in particular simultaneously to Drawing FIGS. 12 and 25, the frame structure of FIG. 12 is, for the sake of example, shown at the top of a stacked configuration of the instant inventive frame set, such stack of frames being referred to generally by Reference Arrow 3.

[0035] The FIG. 12 frame is preferably substantially square, and has an upper side 2 or surface. The FIG. 12 frame is suitably composed of durable thin material, and has four orthogonal edges 4, 6, 8, and 10. As shown in FIGS. 28-37, the invention's frame components may alternatively be relatively thick and rigid.

[0036] Isosceles triangular zones or quadrants 12, 14, 16, and 18 are positioned at the upper side 2 of the FIG. 12 frame, and such zones are respectively radially outwardly bounded by the frame edges 4, 6, 8, and 10, and are circumferentially or rotationally bounded by diagonals 40 and 42. Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 1-11 and 13-24, each of the depicted four edged frames may suitably be configured substantially identically with the FIG. 12 frame.

[0037] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 12 and 25, a first object 22, a second object 23, a third object 24, and a fourth object 26 are depicted. The first object 22 is designated by a dashed line oval signifying a blank or null space which is supported by the FIG. 12 frame at a fixed position within zone 12. A physical object capable of being visually or tactilely perceived by a game contestant (e.g., referring to FIG. 35, a triangular protrusion 108) may be suitably substituted for such null object 22.

[0038] A clockwise zone-to-zone progression from the null object 22 initially arrives at an object 23 supported within zone 14. Such object 23 may comprise, as depicted, a deposition of paint or ink having a peripheral border or edge configured for silhouetting an arrow, such object is secured by the FIG. 12 frame within zone 14. Continuation of such clockwise progression next meets a crossed arrow object 24 which is supported by the FIG. 12 frame within zone 16. Thereafter, the clockwise progression meets a fourth object which is another arrow 26 in zone 18, and the progression then cyclically returns to the null object 22 in zone 12.

[0039] The null space object 22, the arrow objects 23 and 26, and the notched arrow object 24 which are positioned and supported upon the FIG. 12 frame are intended as being representative of other suitably substituted first, second, third, and fourth objects such as ink depositions silhouetting numbers, ink depositions silhouetting letters, ink depositions silhouetting geometric shapes, ink depositions silhouetting various articles or things, bold relief protrusions of varying shapes, indentations of varying shapes and various physical articles and things. For example, as is shown in FIG. 28, the invention's three object types may comprise a bead 58, a bead pair 60, and a null object 59. Means for supporting such objects upon frame 52 and within the frame's quadruple of quadrants or isosceles triangular zones 62, 64, 66, and 58 may suitably comprise wires 56 and 58. Hatching 53 upon the upwardly oriented surface of the frame 52 is representative of a color or texture differential which allows game contestants to determine the frame's upper side. In the structure of FIG. 28, objects of the null type are supported by the frame 52 within triangular zones 66 and 68, an object of the bead type is supported within zone 62, and an object of the bead pair type is supported within zone 64, each of such three object types being distinctly different from each other.

[0040] In the alternatively configured frame 70 (having upper side 72) of FIG. 29, wires 74 and 77 support null objects within triangular zones 69 and 71, while supporting a washer type object 80 within zone 73 and a washer pair type object 70 within zone 75.

[0041] In the further alternative frame of 82 of FIG. 30, null type objects are supported within triangular zones 81 and 83, while a penny type object 90 is supported within zone 85 and a penny pair type object 88 is supported within zone 87. Referring further to FIG. 32, in lieu of the wires 54, 56, 74, and 77 of the FIGS. 28 and 29 frames, glue 91 is utilized by the frame 82 to fixedly support and position the penny type and penny pair objects within zones 85 and 87.

[0042] In a further alternative frame 92 of FIGS. 31, 33, and 34, null type objects are supported within triangular zones 91 and 92, while a dot type object 98 is supported within zone 99, and a dot pair type object 100 is supported within zone 101. The dot object 98 and the dot pair object 100 may comprise a disposition of paint, a disposition of ink, or a decal, or an applique, and the frame 92 may utilize the adhesive characters of such objects as its means for holding and fixedly positioning such objects.

[0043] In the further alternative frame 106 of FIGS. 35-37, a first triangular bold relief protrusion type object 108 is supported within triangular zone 109, while a circular bold relief protrusion type object 110 is supported within zone 107. A pair of square bold relief protrusion type objects 112 are supported within zones 105 and 111. As indicated in FIG. 37, the frame 106 utilizes wholly formed joints such as joint 113 as its means for securing and positioning its objects.

[0044] The objects and object types 24, 26, 58, 60, 78, 80, 88, 90, 98, 100, 108, 110, 112, and null objects 22 and 59 described above are considered to be representative of other object types which are amenable to being supported and positioned by a frame and which are easily discerned as differing from other object types through a game contestant's use of his or her visual and/or tactile senses.

[0045] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-25, 96 objects are shown attached to the 24 frames, a first one-third or 32 of the 96 objects being renditions of a first object type (i.e., null object 22), a second one-third or 32 being renditions of a second object (i.e., arrow shaped ink deposition 23), and the remaining 32 being renditions of a third object type (i.e., notched arrow shaped ink deposition 24). Referring in particular to FIGS. 12 and 25, the first object 22 type, being a blank, null, or arrow-less space, may be advantageously assigned or ascribed a numerical value of zero. The other two object types supported upon the frame (i.e., plain arrow 23 and notched arrow 24) are correspondingly advantageously assigned values of one and two. Suitably, other numeric values may be assigned to the frames' object types. Given the respective assignments of the preferred 0, 1, and 2 numerical values to the object types 22, 23, and 24, a cumulative total of the object type values appearing on FIG. 12 frame equals 4. To reflect such cumulative object type total, a matching integer indicia 28 comprising the number 4 may be advantageously centrally printed upon the FIG. 12 frame. Referring further to FIGS. 1-11 and 13-24, each frame's central integer indicia preferably signifies the sum of the frame's object values.

[0046] Referring further to FIGS. 12 and 25, it may be seen that corner indicia 20 frame depicts at the frame's corners both the frame's central integer indicia 28 and the frame's array of four objects. Referring further to Drawing FIG. 26, the presence of such corner indicia 20 upon the frames allows subsets of the frames to be held by a game playing contestant in a fan 30. In the fan 30, the values associated with each frame held by the contestant are conveniently displayed at the frames' exposed corners. In any rotational orientation of the frames of the fan 30, corners and corner indicia 20 are conveniently upwardly exposed, allowing the game playing contestant to assess the content of the frames within the fan 30 without the necessity of individually moving and repositioning the frames.

[0047] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-24, it may be seen that each of the depicted frames includes a rotational objects array or rotational series of objects which differs from that of each other frame among such 24 frames. Beginning with the uppermost object shown upon each of the frame among the FIGS. 1-24 frames, and progressing about each of such frames in a clockwise zone-to-zone fashion, the rotational and cyclically repeating object type series supported by the Drawing FIGS. 1-24 frames are as set forth in the following table: [0048] FIG. 1 first, first, first, first [0049] FIG. 2 first, first, first, second [0050] FIG. 3 first, first, first, third [0051] FIG. 4 first, first, second, second [0052] FIG. 5 first, first, second, third [0053] FIG. 6 first, first, third, second [0054] FIG. 7 first, first, third, third [0055] FIG. 8 first, second, first, second [0056] FIG. 9 first, second, first, third [0057] FIG. 10 first, second, second, second [0058] FIG. 11 first, second, second, third [0059] FIG. 12 first, second, third, second [0060] FIG. 13 first, second, third, third [0061] FIG. 14 first, third, first, third [0062] FIG. 15 first, third, second, second [0063] FIG. 16 first, third, second, third [0064] FIG. 17 first, third, third, second [0065] FIG. 18 first, third, third, third [0066] FIG. 19 second, second, second, second [0067] FIG. 20 second, second, second, third [0068] FIG. 21 second, second, third, third [0069] FIG. 22 second, third, second, third [0070] FIG. 23 second, third, third, third [0071] FIG. 24 third, third, third, third
Where a value n equals a number of unique object types, and where renditions of those object types are supported and arranged in rotational series upon such frames (i.e., within such frames' quadruples of isosceles triangular zones), the number of unique frames which include such rotational object series is determined by the formula (n.sup.4+n.sup.2+2n)/4. Where n equals 3, indicating three distinct object types (e.g., a null space object type, a plain arrow ink deposition object type, and a notched arrow ink deposition object type), such formula produces the number 24. Hence, the 24 unique frames of the instant inventive frame set.

[0072] For purposes of accommodating a greater number of game playing contestants, the number of unique objects which are supported in four element rotational series upon the inventive frame set may be increased from 3 to 4. For example, a frame set supporting bead (e.g., bead 56 of FIG. 28), bead pair (e.g., bead 60 of FIG. 28), bead triple, and bead quadruple object types may be provided, resulting in an n value of four. Where n equals four, the (n.sup.4+n.sup.2+2n)/4 formula produces a set of 70 cards, each bearing a unique rotational series of such bead type objects. Where the inventive frame set includes 70 frames, each of the frames of the n=3 frame set (i.e., a set consisting of 24 frames) is included within or comprises a subset of the 70 frame set. To accommodate an even larger number of players, the value n may be increased to 5 (by adding, for example, a null object to the above described quadruple of bead object types), resulting in a 165 frame set.

[0073] Multiple functional relationships exist between the instant invention's frames and instant invention's objects. One notable functional relationship results or arises from close mechanical associations between the rotational character of the frames' physical features and the objects' four element rotational series. As indicated above, each frame's corner-to-corner diagonals define at the frame's upper side a set of four or quadruple of isosceles triangular quadrants. Beginning at any one of the frames' triangular quadrants, and progressing clockwise in a zone-to-zone fashion over the frame's upper end, one invariably rotationally cyclically returns to the beginning triangular quadrant. A progression in the same fashion over the frame in the counter-clockwise direction similarly rotationally returns to the beginning triangular quadrant. Like the four orthogonal edges, each frame's triangular quadrants constitute rotational four element series, the elements of each such series constituting a quadruple of physical zones or areas within or upon the frames.

[0074] Also as indicated above, for any set of objects drawn from three distinct object types, there are at most 24 unique four element rotational series of objects which can be created. A portion of the instant invention's functional frames/object series relationship arises from an identical matching of the number of the frames in the inventive frame set (i.e., 24) with the number of those unique rotational series of objects (i.e., 24). A further functional inter-relationship arises from the fact that the diagonals of the 24 frames cumulatively define 96 isosceles triangular quadrants, and from the fact that only 96 objects selected from a supply of three unique object types are needed to create all 24 of the invention's unique four element rotational series of objects. Those 96 selected objects are, in accordance with the instant invention, physically provided, and the 24 frames of the instant invention perform a function of mechanically positioning and fixedly holding each of those 96 objects within one of the frames' triangular quadrants. According to the invention, such mechanical support and positioning arranges the objects so that no two objects reside within any one of the 96 quadrants. A further frame/object series functional relationship arises from the fact that the frames fixedly position and mechanically arrange the invention's 24 four element rotational object series so that each series is physically supported and held upon one of the frames. According to the invention, such mechanical support positions and arranges the four element object series so that no two of such series is physically attached to any one frame. Each individual frame among the 24 frame set further functions in relation to one of the rotational object series by physically supporting each of such series' objects within one of such frame's triangular quadrants. Such physical support and positioning provided by each frame component to its four element rotational series of objects requires that the above described clockwise or counter-clockwise progression about the frame's four quadrants simultaneously progresses about or cycles through the attached four element rotational series of objects. Accordingly, the functionally inter-related structures of the instant invention require that a clockwise or counter-clockwise progression about a frame's four quadrants simultaneously progress about the attached four element rotational series of objects.

[0075] The functionality of the instant invention's frames in relation to their four element object series may also be understood by recognizing the fact that the invention's set of 24 substantially square frames constitutes a machine or tool which is specially adapted for arranging and supporting the instant invention's 24 four element rotational series of three objects in a manner which is consistent with or consonate with those series' cyclical nature. The inventive frame's tool function is demonstrated by hypothetically considering alternative tools comprising sets of triangular frames or sets of pentagonal frames. A set of 24 triangular frames could conceivably fixedly support and position the instant invention's 24 four element rotational series of objects. However, any arrangement of a four element series of objects upon a triangular frame would associate at least one pair of objects among the four objects more closely with one side of the triangle than with either of the other two sides of the triangle. Therefore, upon utilization of the hypothetical triangular frame tool, and upon a clockwise progression about such triangular frame, a single progression step about the frame would traverse a pair of elements among the four object rotational series. In each cyclical step or progression along one of the instant invention's four elements rotational series, only one element of the series may be met, not two. Therefore, such hypothetical triangular frame set could not support the invention's four element rotational series in a manner which is consistent with their cyclical character.

[0076] Upon a provision of an alternative hypothetical pentagonal frame tool, it would be mechanically impossible for any of the instant inventions' four element rotational series of objects to be properly supported and arranged. This is because it is mechanically impossible to support and associate four discreet objects with the five sides (or five surface zones) of a pentagonal frame. At least one frame side or zone would always remain unassociated with the four objects, effectively introducing into the object series a fifth null object. Such altered five element series would not constitute the instant invention's four element series, and no support of any four element series would be provided by such hypothetical pentagonal frame.

[0077] Consideration of the instant invention's actual four sided frame set tool of the instant invention, in view of the functional deficits of such hypothetical three sided and five sided frame set tools, shows that the instant invention's four sided frame tool set is the only tool set which is capable of functioning in the manner required by the instant invention.

[0078] Other geometrically shaped frame sets (such as circular frames and hexagonal frames), may be hypothetically considered in the manner described above, and all of such other alternative frame configurations would similarly be found to be incapable of arranging the invention's four element rotational series of three object types in a manner consistent with such series cyclical nature.

[0079] The functional relationship existing between the instant invention's frame set and the instant invention's four element rotational series is further demonstrated by the fact that both the frame set and the four element rotational series of objects are capable of being arranged on a flat surface in a square matrix pattern. The capacity of the invention's four element rotational series of objects to be arranged in a square matrix pattern is not dependent upon the square frames. Similarly, the capacity of the square frames to be arranged in a square matrix pattern is not dependent upon the invention's four element series of objects. However, a simultaneous arrangement of both the invention's object series and the invention's frames in a single square matrix pattern is dependent upon the frame's mechanical support and positioning of the object series. The instant invention requires such simultaneous square matrix creations, and the invention's frames and object series mechanically work together to perform that function.

[0080] Factors outlined and described above are considered as constituting grounds and reasons establishing that in the instant invention there is a functional relationship existing between the invention's four element rotational series of objects selected from three object types, and the instant invention's set of substantially square frames. Notwithstanding, the above recited factors are not considered as being the only grounds and reasons which establish the fact that such functional relationship exists.

[0081] The instant inventive frame set's utilization of the (n.sup.4+n.sup.2+2n)/4 formula prescribing the number of frames in the set, along with the instant invention's correlation of unique rotational series of objects within the frame set allows game playing contestants utilizing the inventive frame set to easily mentally conceptualize, understand, and memorize the various frames which are included within the inventive frame set. Accordingly, the inventive frame set facilitates game playing contestants' ability to deduce or infer probabilities relating to the identity of unviewed frames held by other game playing contestants or remaining in an undistributed portions of such set. Such frame identity deduction facilitation enhances the inventive frame set's ability to support strategic game play.

[0082] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-27, in a preferred of mode play utilizing the inventive frame set, a plurality of game playing contestants, suitably as few as two contestants, may each be dealt a subset 30 of frames among the FIGS. 1-24 frames. Thereafter, a first contestant may play upon a flat play surface 32 such as a table top a first frame such as the FIG. 9 frame.

[0083] Thereafter, the second game playing contestant may play a next successive frame such as the FIG. 3 frame. As indicated in FIG. 27, the second game playing contestant opted to match the third object type (i.e., the notched arrow ink disposition) of the FIG. 3 frame with the FIG. 9 frame's third object type. In such successive frame play, the second contestant might have suitably alternatively matched any of the FIG. 3 frames' three first object types (i.e., its null objects) with either one of the FIG. 9 frame's first type objects.

[0084] Thereafter, in a next successive game play turn, the first game contestant may play the FIG. 20 frame as indicated with one of such frame's second objects matching the FIG. 9 frame's single second object.

[0085] Thereafter, the second game playing contestant may play in turn the FIG. 17 frame as indicated. According to the configurations of frames appearing upon the table 32 immediately prior to such successive play turn, the second game playing contestant would have had eight other ways to matchingly play the FIG. 17 frame, including a possible opposite side match of the FIG. 9 frame, three modes of matching the FIG. 3 frame, and four modes of matching the FIG. 20 frame.

[0086] Assuming that the first game playing contestant has in his or her frames the five frames indicated in Drawing FIG. 26 (i.e., the FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 11, FIG. 14, and FIG. 18 frames), he or she is able to play at the next play turn one of his or her frames upon the table 32 to complete a square matrix of frames in five separate and distinct ways. Any one of the first contestant's FIG. 5, FIG. 11, FIG. 14, and FIG. 18 frames may be played by the first contestant within space 34 to complete a four frame matrix which includes the FIG. 17, FIG. 9, and FIG. 3 frames. Alternatively, the first game contestant may play the FIG. 6 frame within space 36 to complete a different four frame matrix which includes the FIG. 20, FIG. 9, and FIG. 17 frames.

[0087] The instant inventive game establishes a game playing objective of completing one or more of such four frame matrixes. In pursuit of such objective, the first contestant may recognize upon said game turn that, upon playing the FIG. 6 frame within space 36, the only other frames among the 24 frame set which could be played within space 34 to complete a second four frame matrix are the FIG. 7, FIG. 13, and FIG. 16 frames. The first game playing contestant may choose as a matter of strategy to play the FIG. 6 frame within space 36 with such frame's third and second objects respectively matching those of the FIG. 20 and FIG. 17 frames. The strategy of such a frame play would rest upon a comparison of the probability that each of the FIGS. 7, 13, and 16 frames (i.e., the available frames that are playable within space 34) is undistributed rather than held by the second contestant, with the probability that each of the FIGS. 12, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23 frames (i.e., the available frames that are playable within space 36) are undistributed. Provided that each frame among the FIG. 7, FIG. 13, and FIG. 16 frames has yet to be distributed to or drawn by the second game playing contestant, the first game playing contestant is assured that on his or her next play turn, one of the FIG. 5, FIG. 11, FIG. 14, or FIG. 18 frames will be playable within space 34, resulting in a second completion by the first contestant of a square frame matrix. The probability of completing a second square matrix at space 34 may be seen by the first contestant as inherently greater than the probability of completing a second square matrix at space 36. The first game playing contestant's knowledge of the identity of the frames among the 24 frame deck, along with his or her views of the frames held personally, and views of frames played upon the table, advantageously allows the first contestant to assess such probabilities and to strategically perceive the greater likelihood that the second game playing contestant holds a frame playable within space 36. Thus, the next frame play executed by the first contestant may advisedly constitute a placement of the FIG. 6 frame within space 36.

[0088] Strategic choices, inferences, and deductions of the type described above continuously arise as the game play progresses, and the unique configuration of the frame's rotational series of objects continuously facilitates the making of such strategic choices.

[0089] In the preferred mode of play of the instant inventive card game, points are awarded to each game playing contestant who completes a square frame matrix. Integer indicia appearing upon the frames of completed square matrixes may be a factor in points awards, such factor advantageously enhancing the game's capacity for strategic play.

[0090] At a termination of play, the game playing contestant having the most cumulative awarded points is declared to be the winner.

[0091] While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications in the structure, arrangement, portions, and components of the inventive card deck, and those skilled in the art may make modifications to the method steps including their identity, character, and sequence of performance without departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope at least commensurate with the appended claims.