STRATEGIC SUMMER QUEST BOARD GAME

Abstract

The invention is a board game and associated method for playing a board game. The board game includes a playing board, a token holder configured to hold a plurality of tokens, a picnic blanket, playing pieces, a set of cards, dice, a spinner, and a pegboard that holds pegs. Specifically, players move around the playing board and interact with the spinner, picnic blanket, and pegboard to spell words and perform activities in an effort to win the game.

Claims

1. A game for one or more players, the game comprising: a playing board with a top playing surface defined by a single track, each track including a plurality of action spaces, a plurality of activity spaces, and a start space; a plurality of playing pieces; a spinner defined by an indicator that spins about a base, wherein the base includes a plurality of divisions selected from a letter or a graphic, wherein the letters spell a target word; a picnic blanket; a plurality of cards configured to be removably retained on the picnic blanket; a pegboard comprising a series of openings, each opening associated with a letter or a graphic element, wherein the pegboard letters are the same letters of the spinner and the pegboard letters spell the target word, and wherein the graphic elements are associated with the activity spaces on the playing surface of the playing board; a plurality of pegs configured to removably fit into the pegboard openings; a plurality of tokens; and one or more dice.

2. The game of claim 1, wherein the spinner includes a single graphic division and the remainder of the divisions each include a letter.

3. The game of claim 2, wherein the graphic division is larger or smaller compared to the remainder of the divisions.

4. The game of claim 1, wherein the picnic blanket has a length and width of about 2-10 inches.

5. The game of claim 1, wherein each game piece is unique with respect to shape, color, pattern, or combinations thereof.

6. The game of claim 1, wherein the top playing surface of the game board includes a single track comprising a plurality of action spaces and a plurality of activity spaces, wherein the action spaces correspond to a particular action to be taken by a player and wherein the activity spaces correspond to a particular activity to be undertaken by a player using the spinner.

7. The game of claim 6, wherein the action spaces are selected from losing a token, gaining a token, advancing forward a set number of spaces, or advancing to an activity area.

8. The game of claim 1, wherein the number of pegboard openings associated with the letters is equal to the number of pegboard openings associated with the graphic elements.

9. The game of claim 1, wherein the number of activity spaces is equal to the number of letters on the pegboard to enable the target word to be spelled after completion of each activity.

10. A method of playing the game of claim 1 by two or more players, the method comprising: assigning a game piece to each player; positioning all game pieces on the start space; determining playing order of each player; wherein a first player rolls the dice and advances the first player's playing piece the number assigned to the dice rolled; wherein when a player lands on an action space, one of the following actions is assigned to the player, dictated by a notation or symbol on the particular action space: lose a token, gain a token, advance forward along the track to a different action space, or move forward to an activity area; wherein when a player lands on an activity space, the player either: pays one token to enter the activity area and spin the spinner; has no tokens to pay and cannot enter the activity space and the player's turn is over; chooses not to enter the activity area and their turn is over; or the player has already completed an activity associated with the activity space and the player's turn is over; wherein after the first player rolls the dice, moves the playing pieces and takes appropriate action, the first player's turn is over and play moves to the next player; wherein when a player spins the spinner and lands on a letter, a peg is inserted into the same letter in the corresponding pegboard opening; wherein when a player puts at least one peg in an empty letter space on the corresponding pegboard, a peg is also inserted into the graphic space on the pegboard that corresponds with the activity just completed; wherein when a player spins the spinner and lands on a graphic, a card is removed from the picnic blanket; wherein the winner is determined by either: one player positioning a peg in each letter opening of a player's pegboard; or when all of the cards are removed from the picnic blanket, the player with the highest score is deemed the winner.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the highest score is determined by 1 point awarded for each peg positioned in a corresponding letter opening in that player's pegboard; 1 point awarded for each peg positioned in a corresponding graphic opening in that player's pegboard; 1 point deducted for each card a player has taken from the picnic blanket.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the playing board includes six activity spaces.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein each activity space is unique compared to the remaining activity spaces.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein each player spins the spinner a number determined by 1 plus the number of prior activities completed, wherein a prior activity is deemed completed when a peg has been inserted into a letter opening during an activity and consequently a peg is also inserted into the graphic opening on the pegboard that corresponds with the activity completed.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein each activity space includes an entry space, an exit space, and an activity area separate from the track.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein playing order is determined by rolling one die and the lowest number rolled on the die goes first.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a board game in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0023] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a game board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0024] FIG. 2b is a side plan view of the game board of FIG. 2a game in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a game board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0026] FIG. 4a is a top plan view of a game board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0027] FIG. 4b is a side plan view of a game board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a game spinner in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0029] FIG. 6a is a top plan view of a board game pegboard in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0030] FIG. 6b is a fragmentary perspective view of a board game pegboard in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0031] FIG. 6c is a top plan view of board game pegboard and associated pegs in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0032] FIG. 6d is a perspective view of a game peg in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0033] FIG. 7a is a top plan view of a board game picnic blanket in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0034] FIG. 7b is a top plan view of a board game picnic blanket and associated cards in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of game tokens in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a token holder in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a playing piece in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a playing board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustrating game setup in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0040] FIG. 13 illustrates a plurality of track action spaces in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0041] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of a game board activity area in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptions expound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0043] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.

[0044] Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms a, an, and the refer to one or more when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to a device can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth.

[0045] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0046] As used herein, the term about, when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentage can encompass variations of, in some embodiments +/20%, in some embodiments +/10%, in some embodiments +/5%, in some embodiments +/1%, in some embodiments +/0.5%, and in some embodiments +/0.1%, from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in the disclosed packages and methods.

[0047] The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a unique board game and associated method for playing a board game. The term board game as used herein broadly refers to a game played according to a set of rules where players participate in game competition using a playing board in addition to a plurality of accessories. As shown in FIG. 1, board game 5 includes playing board 10, token holder 15 configured to hold tokens 20, picnic blanket 25, playing pieces 30, a set of cards 35, at least one dice 40, spinner 45, and pegboard 50 that holds pegs 55. Specifically, players move around the board and interact with the playing board, spinner, picnic blanket, and pegboard to spell words and perform activities to win the game.

[0048] As noted above, game 5 includes playing board 10 that provides a surface upon which to play the game. FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate one embodiment of playing board 10 comprising top playing surface 60 and opposed bottom surface 61. Players interact with the top playing surface, such as by moving playing pieces 30 along a track as described in detail below. The bottom surface of the playing board rests upon and directly contacts a support surface, such as a table, the floor, etc. The playing board also can include a pair of side edges 65 and opposed top and bottom edges 66, 67.

[0049] Playing board 10 can be constructed from any suitable material(s), such as (but not limited to) cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, or combinations thereof. Top playing surface 60 can be printed or otherwise include graphical representations, such as numbers, images, words, logos, artwork, and the like. The top playing surface can be printed on the playing board using a printing process, adhered to the playing board, or may be formed as a part of the playing board itself. One example of a representative graphic top surface of board 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3. It should be appreciated that the top surface of the game board is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and any design can be used.

[0050] The playing board is not limited and can be configured in any desired size. For example, the playing board can have length 70 and width 75 as shown in FIG. 4a. The term length refers to the longest straight-line horizontal distance of the game board (e.g., between opposed side edges 65 in some embodiments). The term width refers to the longest straight-line vertical distance of the game board (e.g., between the upper and lower edges 66, 67 in some embodiments). For example, the game board can include length 70 and/or width 75 of about 5-60 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 inches). It should be appreciated that the dimensions of the playing board are not limited and can be configured to be larger or smaller than the length and width ranges given above.

[0051] The playing board can also include thickness 80 as shown in FIG. 4b. The term thickness refers to the distance between the board top and bottom surfaces 60, 61. Playing board 10 can have thickness 80 of about 0.1-1 inches in some embodiments. However, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited and the playing board thickness can be greater or less than the given range.

[0052] Although depicted as square or rectangular in shape in the Figures, the playing board can have any suitable shape, such as (but not limited to) oval, round, triangular, cross-shaped, pentagonal, octagonal, hexagonal, abstract, and the like. It should be noted that any shaped playing board can be used.

[0053] As noted above, game 5 includes spinner 45, as illustrated in FIG. 5. As shown, the spinner includes indicator 85 that randomly points to one of a plurality of letters or images upon being spun by a player. In some embodiments, the indicator can be configured as a pointer arm that freely rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about a pivot in the center of a base when pressure is applied by a player, as is known in the art. The base is radially divided into several divisions 86 representing various letters and at least one graphic space. As noted below, the letters correspond to a word that must be spelled to win the game. For example, the letters of the spinner can include the letters to spell out the word summer (e.g., S-U-M-M-E-R). However, it should be appreciated that the game is not limited to the word SUMMER and any suitable word can be used. As noted, the base includes at least one graphic space 87 that corresponds to an adverse action that must be taken by the player landing on that division, as explained in detail below. Thus, the spinner can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more graphic spaces 87 and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more letter spaces 88. The number of graphic spaces can be more, less than, or the same number of letter spaces 88. The term graphic space refers to a space that lacks a letter and/or includes an image (e.g., an image of an animal, such as an ant).

[0054] In use, a player rotates indicator 85 by applying pressure to land on a random division (e.g., a letter space or a graphic space). The divisions 86 can be about the same size in some embodiments. Alternatively, one or more divisions can be larger or smaller than at least one other division to increase competition and enjoyment of game 5. For example, the negative consequence division (graphic space 87) can be larger or smaller than the letter spaces 86.

[0055] As described above, the game also includes pegboard 50 configured to hold pegs 55. The pegboard is used to track progress of each player during the game. Specifically, each player's pegboard 50 includes a plurality of letters 51 and a plurality of graphics 52, each letter and graphic associated with a corresponding opening 53 that is sized and shaped to cooperate with an associated peg 55, as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b. For example, if the pegboard includes 6 letters 51 and 6 graphics 52, the pegboard will include 12 openings total (e.g., one opening for each of the 6 letters, one opening for each of the 6 graphics). As explained in detail below, as activities are completed, the spaces associated with letters and graphics 51, 52 that correspond with each activity are filled with pegs 55, as shown in FIG. 6c. Thus, if a player completes Activity 1 by spinning the letter R, the player will insert a peg in the opening corresponding with letter R, as well as the Activity 1 graphic opening in the pegboard.

[0056] In some embodiments, the pegboard can include tray 54 configured to conveniently hold pegs 55 when not in use. In this way, when a peg is needed, it is close at hand. The tray can be configured as any retention element capable of holding pegs 55.

[0057] Pegboard 50 is not limited to any particular size or shape, so long as it includes letters 51, graphics 52, and openings 53. It should be appreciated that the letters of the pegboard are the same letters included on spinner 45 (e.g., 1 S, 1 U, 2 Ms, 1 E, 1 R). The game can be designed to spell any words or combination of words and is not limited to the spelling of the word SUMMER. Similarly, graphics 52 are not limited to any specific elements and can vary as desired.

[0058] Pegs 55 likewise are not limited to any particular design. For example, each peg can include stem 56 that is sized and shaped to fit into opening 53. The pegs can also include head 57 with a diameter that is greater than opening 53, so that the peg can be easily added and removed by grasping the head and dropping stem 56 into the opening. Because the head does not fall into opening 53, it can easily be grasped by a player to remove the peg. One non-limiting embodiment of a peg is illustrated in FIG. 6d, although any device that can be inserted and removed from opening 53 can be used.

[0059] Game 5 also includes picnic blanket 25 upon which cards 35 are placed, as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b. The term picnic blanket includes any portion of material configured to lay flat on a table or other support surface. The picnic blanket can be constructed from any material, such as cloth, plastic, wood, metal, or any combination thereof. The picnic blanket can have any suitable dimensions and size. For example, the blanket can have length 26 and or width 27 of about 2-10 inches in some embodiments. The blanket can further have a thickness of 0.01-1 inches (0.01, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, or 1 inch).

[0060] The blanket can be configured in any desired shape, such as rectangular, square, oval, round, triangular, abstract, and the like. In some embodiments blanket 25 can be configured as a picnic blanket (e.g., red and white checkered pattern). However, the design, coloring, patterns included on blanket 25 are not limited.

[0061] The game includes cards 35 that are positioned on the top surface of the blanket. In some embodiments, there are 6 cards, although any number of cards can be used (e.g., at least/no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15). The cards can be arranged in any desired way on the top surface of the picnic blanket. As explained in detail below, the cards can be associated with food products placed on the picnic blanket 25 in some embodiments. For example, each card can include an image of a food product and/or words. However, the cards and any associated imagery are not limited to food products. Rather, any imagery or no imagery can be used. Once all the cards are removed from the picnic blanket, the game is over, as explain in detail below.

[0062] The game also includes a plurality of tokens 20 and associated holder 15. As explained in detail below, the tokens are used as currency to enter various activities during game play and are awarded or taken to/from a player as the player advances around the board. Tokens 20 can take any suitable shape, such as flat discs as shown in FIG. 8, allowing them to be stacked easily. However, the shape and size of the tokens are not limited. The game can include any number of tokens, such as at least/no more than about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30.

[0063] The tokens are stored in holder 15, which can have suitable shape to house several tokens. The holder can be configured to allow tokens to be easily and quickly added and removed from holder interior 16. One representative and non-limiting example of holder 15 is shown in FIG. 9. However, it should be appreciated that the holder can be configured in any shape or size, so long as the holder can house tokens 20.

[0064] Each player is assigned a corresponding playing piece 30 that moves along game board 10 during game play. As should be understood, the playing pieces are not limited to any particular shape or size. In some embodiments, the playing pieces include a flat bottom face 31, allowing the piece to rest flat on the top surface of the game board, as illustrated in FIG. 10. All the game pieces can be identical in shape in some embodiments (but vary with regard to color, pattern, etc.). In other embodiments, each playing piece has a unique shape relative to the remainder of the playing pieces.

[0065] As noted above, top playing surface 60 of the game board can be marked or printed in any desired way. For example, the top playing surface can include track 90 along which each player's playing pieces must travel from a start to a finish, as illustrated in FIG. 10. For example, a playing piece can begin at a start space and travel around the track until an end space is reached (or until the player reaches the initial start space). Thus, the track can be configured as a closed loop in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the track can include one or more offsets or branches from the loop adding complexity and challenge to the game (each offset can be associated with an activity as described herein).

[0066] The track includes a series of individual consecutive spaces 95 that a player must travel on during game play. Spaces 95 include a plurality of action spaces 95a and a plurality of activity spaces 95b. The action spaces are associated with a particular action a player must take when landing on that space (e.g., start the game, take/lose one token 20, advance to a different action space, enter an activity area). The activity spaces are associated with a player paying a token to enter the corresponding activity area 110, then using spinner 45 to try and accumulate pegs 55 in the peg board to spell a word, as explained in detail below.

[0067] In some embodiments, one or more spaces 95 can include summer-themed images, words, and/or numbers, as shown in FIG. 11. It should be appreciated that the images included on a space or on board 10 are not limited and any images and/or themes can be used.

[0068] To set up the game, board 10 is opened to a flat configuration, resting on a support surface (e.g., table). Spinner 45 and token holder 15 are placed on the support surface. In some embodiments, each token 20 is placed within the token holder. Picnic blanket 25 is placed on the support surface and food cards 35 are placed on the blanket top surface. In some embodiments, 6 food cards are place on the top surface of picnic blanket 25. Each player takes their own peg board 50 and places pegs 55 inside the associated peg board tray for storage until they are needed to spell a word (e.g., SUMMER) and to designate an activity as complete, as shown in the schematic of FIG. 12. It should be appreciated that the steps can be performed in any order.

[0069] Each player then selects a playing piece 30 and places it on the start space of the playing board. To determine playing order, each player rolls one die 40 and the player that rolls the lowest number goes first in some embodiments. Play then proceeds in a counterclockwise direction in some embodiments. If two or more players roll the same number, those players roll another die and the player with the lowest number rolled goes first. The process can repeat until there is a clear first player (e.g., no more ties). Any method of determining playing order can be used, and game 5 is not limited to the embodiment described.

[0070] A player advances their assigned playing piece the number of spaces rolled on die 40, traveling around track 90. Each space along the track is treated as a single number on a die. For example, a player that rolls a 3 on the dice must move 3 consecutive spaces along the track. Further, the starting space is not treated as a space when starting the game. There is no limit to the number of players that can occupy a single place at one time during gameplay.

[0071] As noted above, game board 10 includes a plurality of action spaces 95a. If a player lands on an action space, the player is then required to take an action. For example, if a player lands on a sun action space, the player is awarded one token and that player's turn immediately ends. Each player can have a maximum of 3 tokens at any given time in some embodiments. If a player lands on a bee action space, that player must surrender 1 token (if the player has any tokens), and the player's turn immediately ends. If a player lands on a bus stop action space, that player automatically advances to the next bus stop space along the track and that player's turn immediately ends. If the player lands on the slide action space, that player immediately slides down into the pool party activity area. Sun, bee, bus stop, and slide action spaces 100, 101, 102, and 103, respectively, are illustrated in FIG. 13. It should be appreciated that the action spaces are not limited to the spaces shown in FIG. 13 and can have any image or designation. Stated another way, a first designated action space can be used as an award token action space. A second designated action space can be used as a lose a token action space. A third designated action space can be designated as a skip ahead action space. A fourth action space can be designed as a slide (movement to an activity area) space. That is, the spaces are not limited to the designation and/or imagery of a sun, bee, bus stop, and/or slide.

[0072] In addition to the action spaces, there are several (e.g., six) activity spaces (e.g., pool party, catch bugs, fun park, camping, fishing, and fireworks). If a player lands on an activity space 95b, the cost to enter the space and associated activity area (away from track 90) is one token. If a player does not have one token, they cannot enter the activity space. A player can enter an activity space by an exact roll or inexact roll. Once the activity space is entered by paying one token, the player moves into that activity's area on the board, but away from track 90. Thus, each activity area is positioned separate from track 90 and includes an entrance and exit space, as shown in FIG. 14. The player enters activity area 110 though an entrance space 111 and exits the activity area through exit space 112.

[0073] Once in the activity area, the player then tries to complete the summer fun activity associated with the activity area using spinner 45. Each activity area has a unique theme. For each activity a player completes, they receive an extra spin per turn. For example, at the start of a game, Player 1 has not completed any activities, so Player 1 receives 1 spin per turn when entering an activity area. Once Player 1 completes 2 activities, Player 2 receives 3 spins total per turn (1 free spin plus 2 spins for completing 2 activities).

[0074] Thus, a player will spin spinner 45 the number of spins they have accumulated. In each spin, indicator 85 will land on either letter space 86 or graphic space 87. If the indicator lands on a letter space, the player will then place a peg in the associated letter's opening in the pegboard. For example, if a player spins the letter U, the player will then position a peg in the corresponding U opening on the pegboard. If however, the opening for the letter U is already occupied, then the player loses that spin and uses any remaining spins available for that turn. If a player places a peg in any open letter space during their turn, the corresponding activity is then considered complete, and the player puts a peg in the associated graphic opening on the pegboard that corresponds with that activity. If the player lands on graphic space 87 on the spinner, then one card 35 is removed from picnic blanket 25.

[0075] Once a player completes an activity, they may not re-enter that activity area again during the game.

[0076] A player's turn ends once that player uses all their spins, or if that player lands on the graphic space.

[0077] After an activity has been completed, on that player's next turn, that player will exit the activity area at exit 112 to proceed along track 90.

[0078] In some embodiments, one of the activity areas does not require a token to enter (e.g., the pool party activity). Rather, a player can enter the noted activity area via the slide action space 103. Any player can complete that activity. However, this feature is optional.

[0079] There are two ways to win the game. The first player to spell out the target word on pegboard 50 (one peg per opening 53 for each letter) wins the game. In some embodiments, the target word is SUMMER. If the game ends early because all of the cards have been removed from picnic blanket 25, the player with the highest score wins. Scoring can be determined as follows: 1 point awarded for each peg positioned in a corresponding letter opening in that player's pegboard; 1 point awarded for each peg positioned in a corresponding activity graphic opening in that player's pegboard; 1 point deducted for each card 35 a player has taken from blanket 25. If there is a tie, the tied players take turns spinning spinner 45, and the first player to land on graphic 87 loses.

[0080] Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.