SCAVENGER QUEST BOARD GAME

Abstract

The invention is a board game in which players are to perform a scavenger quest by moving around the game board in an attempt to land on specific spaces that will allow them to collect a variety of objects in the form of items tokens, which they will then place on a card assigned to them containing a unique combination and pattern of potentially matching objects in an attempt to complete one of a number of prescribed geometric patterns using the item tokens, Other players of the game are potentially in competition for the same objects, and as such being the first player to successfully complete any of the geometric patterns on their card will deem them the winner of the game.

Claims

1. A board game comprising: a playing board with a top playing surface defined by a single track, each track including a plurality of action spaces, and a start space; a plurality of playing pieces; a plurality of item tokens, each item token comprising a unique graphic element; a plurality of backpack tokens; a plurality of token holder bases, each token holder base configured to securely hold one or more location token holders; a plurality of location token holders, each location token holder comprising an interior configured to house one or more item tokens and a lower surface comprising an elevated and angled defined by an elevated and angled platform; a plurality of lost and found mound token holders, each configured with an interior configured to house one or more item tokens and a lower surface comprising an elevated and angled platform, and each comprising an aperture configured to securely hold a single die; a plurality of scavenger cards, each comprising one or more graphic elements on at least one face; and one or more dice; wherein each token unique graphic element matches with one or more scavenger card graphic elements.

2. The board game of claim 1, wherein the Scavenger Cards have a length and width of about 4-12 inches.

3. The board game of claim 1, wherein each game player piece is unique with respect to shape, color, pattern, or combinations thereof relative to a remainder of the game player pieces.

4. The board game of claim 1, wherein all Scavenger Cards include the same graphic elements, except two graphic elements that are unique to each Scavenger Card.

5. The board game of claim 1, wherein the top playing surface of the game board includes a single track comprising a plurality of action spaces, wherein each action spaces correspond to a particular action to be taken by a player that lands on that action space.

6. The board game of claim 1, wherein each location token holder comprises a cutout adjacent to an edge configured for removal, addition, or both of a token to the location token interior.

7. The board game of claim 1, wherein each token holder base holds 4 location token holders.

8. The board game of claim 1, wherein the game board track comprises a series of colored spaces.

9. The board game of claim 1, wherein each lost and found mound token holder comprises a cutout adjacent to an edge configured for removal, addition, or both of a token from the cavity of the lost and found mound token holder.

10. A method of playing the board game of claim 1, the method comprising: assigning each player a corresponding playing piece; positioning each location token holder base plate on a designated area of the game board; positioning each location token holder within an interior of a corresponding location token holder base; positioning a number of items tokens in the interior of each location token holder; a first player selects a scavenger card corresponding to the player's playing piece; the first player rolls the die and moves the playing piece a corresponding number of spaces along the board track; successive players repeat the rolling the die and moving the playing piece steps; wherein when a player lands on an action space along the track, a corresponding action is taken by that player; wherein when a player lands on a colored space along the track, that player selects one Item Token from Location Token Holder of the same color; placing the Item Token on a matching picture on that player's Scavenger Card and if there is no match, the item token is discarded into the lost and found mound holder; and wherein the first player to complete any one of a predetermined winning token pattern on their scavenger card is determined a winner of the game.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the player piece of each player is the same color as the scavenger card of that player.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein more than one player playing piece can occupy the same space on the track.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein each action space is selected from: a. selecting a backpack token and ending a turn; b. moving that player's playing piece along the track to a space of any color; c. using either a top or bottom face of the die to move along the track on a next turn; d. removing all item tokens from the lost and found mound token holder, and adding the tokens to any location token holders; e. selecting one item token; or f. removing all item tokens from a matching location token holder and selecting any desired token, then replacing the remaining tokens back into the location token holder.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein a player may not select an item token from the same colored location two consecutive turns.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the winning token pattern is selected from left and right diagonals, columns, rows, boxes, and L-shape variations.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the number of Scavenger Cards in play corresponds to the number of game players.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the graphic elements on the Scavenger Cards are organized into a grid pattern via a plurality of rows and columns.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the number of item tokens is the same as the number of unique graphic elements on the Scavenger Cards.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein one or more item tokens do not correspond to any graphic elements on any of the scavenger cards.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein all of the winning geometric patterns require four item tokens to complete.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] FIG. 1a is an exploded view of a board game in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0051] FIG. 1b is a top plan view of the Location Token Holders assembled on the base in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0052] FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the Location Token Holders assembled on the base in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0053] FIG. 1d is a perspective view of a Location Token Holder in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0054] FIGS. 1e-1g are perspective views of the lost and found token holder in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0055] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a game board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0056] 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.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a game board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0058] FIG. 4a is a top plan view of a game board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0059] FIG. 4b is a side plan view of a game board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of game tokens in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0061] FIGS. 6a and 6b are perspective views of the Location Token Holder of FIGS. 1d and 1e, and the lost and found token holder of FIGS. 1f and 1g in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a playing piece in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a playing board in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0064] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustrating game setup in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0065] FIG. 10 is a schematic of a method of beginning game play in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0066] FIG. 11 illustrates a plurality of track action spaces in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0067] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a representative Scavenger Card in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0068] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of representative item tokens and backpack token in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0069] FIGS. 14a-14i are top plan views of Scavenger Card winning patterns in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0070] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a Scavenger Card with item tokens placed on it in a winning pattern in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a unique and interactive board game and associated method for playing a board game that challenges players to find objects in their environment (e.g., home, neighborhood). Players compete to collect item tokens by landing on colored spaces 96 as they travel around the track 90 of a game board 10. The first player to find the correct combination of objects to put on an assigned Scavenger Card 15 is deemed the winner of the game. Specifically, the first player to place four matching items on their Scavenger Card 15 in one of the predetermined winning patterns shown in FIGS. 14a-14i wins the game.

[0077] 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. 1a, board game 5 includes playing board 10, scavenger cards 15, a set of tokens 20, at least two dice 25, playing pieces 30, a lost and found mound token holder 35 configured to hold one die 25 and a plurality of tokens 20, a location token holder base 40 configured to hold location token holders 50 configured to hold tokens 20. Specifically, players move around the board and interact with the playing board, player pieces, scavenger cards, tokens, dice, location token holders and lost and found mound to collect certain item tokens to put on their scavenger cards to win the game.

[0078] 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 front and rear edges 66, 67.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] As noted above, game 5 includes location token holders 50 into which item tokens 20 are placed and removed, as illustrated in FIG. 1a. Location token holders 50 are configured with cavities 52 as shown in FIGS. 1d, 1e, and 6a, which allow tokens 20 to be easily and quickly added and removed. For example, a user can easily grasp a desired token and remove it from the interior of a token holder using cutout 52. Additionally, the bottom surface 4 of each token holder comprises an elevated and angled platform 51 sized and shaped to allow for the easy removal of the tokens held therein by players. Specifically, the angled characteristic of the platform, allows a user to efficiently grasp a desired token. In addition, the elevated characteristic of the platform provides for improved token access. Location token holders 50 are not limited to any particular size or shape, so long as they can hold tokens 20.

[0084] The platform can be angled relative to the lower surface of the token location holder in any suitable angle (e.g., at least/no more than about 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, or 80 degrees relative to horizontal). The platform can include a height of about 0.1-0.5 inches in some embodiments (e.g., at least/no more than about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 inches). The platform height is configured to remain within the interior of the token location holder (e.g., does not extend above the holder). The platform can include an approximately horizontal top surface 3 that enables tokens 20 when placed within the interior to securely be stacked.

[0085] As noted above, game 5 includes a token base plate 40 as shown in FIG. 1a. The token base plate 40 holds the game's allotment of location token holders 50. When assembled, base plate 40 and the location token holders 50 fit together in a tight and concise fashion, as illustrated in FIGS. 1b and 1c. The base plate 40 is not limited to any particular size or shape, so long as it can removably retain the location token holders 50. In some embodiments, each token base plate 40 can retain 4 token holders. However, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited and any number of token holders can be housed within an associated base plate (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more).

[0086] Any method can be used to releasably attach a token holder to the base plate. For example, the use of magnets, snap fit closure, pressure fit closure, grooves, and the like are contemplated.

[0087] As noted above, game 5 includes a lost and found mound token holder 35, as illustrated in FIG. 1a. The lost and found mound token holder 35 is configured with a cutout 37 as shown in FIGS. 1f, 1g, and 6b, which allows tokens 20 to be easily and quickly added and removed. Additionally, the bottom surface of the lost and found mound token holder includes an elevated and angled platform 38 sized and shaped to allow for the easy removal of the tokens held therein by players. The lost and found mound token holder can also include die holder 36 configured to hold one or more dice 25. The lost and found mound token holder 50 is not limited to any particular size or shape, so long as it can hold tokens 20.

[0088] As described above, the game also includes scavenger cards 15 as shown in FIG. 12. Scavenger cards are used to track the progress of each player during the game. Specifically, each players' scavenger card 15 includes one or more graphics 16 representing various items that each player must collect via item tokens 20 as shown in FIG. 13. Players will place item tokens 20 they collect during game play on their scavenger cards 15 to win the game. Graphic elements 16 on the scavenger cards 15 match the graphic elements on the item tokens 20 allowing players to place item tokens 20 picked up during game play on top of the corresponding graphic element 16 on the scavenger card 15. In some embodiments, items are arranged on the scavenger card 15 in such a geometric way that placing item tokens 20 on it will result in completing prescribed patterns or shapes as shown in FIGS. 14a-14i, which determines the winner of the game. Graphics on the scavenger cards 16 and/or the item tokens 20 are not limited to any specific elements and can vary as desired (e.g. persons, places, things). Although depicted as square or rectangle shape in the figures, the Scavenger cards 15 are not limited and can be configured in any desired size or shape, such as rectangular, square, oval, round, triangular, abstract, and the like.

[0089] The game also includes a plurality of tokens 20. As explained above, item tokens 20 are used by players as representations of various items found during the game, which are then placed on the player's scavenger cards 15 or discarded into the lost and found mound 35. As explained above, backpack tokens 111 are used during game play by giving the players who possess one the ability to have a greater number of item tokens 20 on their scavenger card at one time. Tokens 20 can take any suitable shape, such as flat discs as shown in FIGS. 1a and 13, 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 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60.

[0090] 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. 7. 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.

[0091] 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 starting point 98, as illustrated in FIG. 8. 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.

[0092] 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. However, each space 95 is not always an action space. The action spaces are associated with a particular action a player must take when landing on that space (e.g., start the game, take one token 20, advance to a different action space 95a, choose which side of the die to use, rearrange item tokens, etc.). Certain activity spaces are associated with a player taking an item token 20 and placing it on their scavenger card, as explained in detail herein.

[0093] In some embodiments, one or more spaces 95 can include scavenger themed images, locations, words, and/or numbers, as shown in FIG. 8. 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. Similarly, any theme can be used.

[0094] To set up the game, the game board 10 is opened and placed on a level playing surface, such as the ground or a table, as set forth in FIG. 9. One non-limiting example of a game board is illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 8, the game board 10 can include graphics and a path of travel 90 that comprises individual playing spaces 95. One game piece 30 associated with each player is positioned on the assigned game board where indicated.

[0095] A Location Token Holder Base Plate 40 is then positioned on a designated area of the game board (e.g., the Token Pond area of the game board) where indicated, as illustrated in the non-limiting schematic of FIG. 3. The Location Token Holders 50 are then placed inside the Base 40, matching the colors to the nearest matching-color spaces on the game board 10.

[0096] Item tokens 20 are shuffled using any standard technique. A designated number (e.g., 6) tokens 20 are chosen at random and placed face down in each Location Token Holder 50. The game is then ready for play.

[0097] To initiate game play, each player rolls one die 25 and the player with the highest roll is assigned as Player 1 in some embodiments. Player 1 will select a scavenger card 15, and then will select a player pawn 30 and position the pawn on the start space of the game board 98. In some embodiments, the colors of the game pieces 30 correspond to the border colors of the scavenger cards 15, indicating which scavenger card a player will choose based on the color of the game piece chosen. The remaining players repeat the same steps, in a predetermined order from Player 1 (e.g., clockwise from Player 1), as set forth in the schematic of FIG. 10.

[0098] Player 1 rolls the start die only 20 (e.g., which can be brown in color in some embodiments). After Player 1 rolls the start die 20, it is placed face up into the Lost & Found Mound's square die holder 36. The start die will remain in the holder for the entirety of the game.

[0099] Player 1 then rolls the Playing die 20 and moves their Player Pawn 30 the corresponding number of spaces along the track 90 game board 10. Play repeats with Players 2, 3, and so forth rolling the Playing Die 20 and moving their assigned pawns 30 along the game board. There is no limit to the number of players that can occupy a single space along the game board at one time.

[0100] The game board includes a number of action spaces 95a. The term action spaces refers to a space that corresponds to a particular action that must be taken when a player lands on that space. Examples of various action spaces 95a that can be included in the game are set forth below:

[0101] A first action space 101 Take 1 corresponding card (e.g., Backpack Card) 111 and the player's turn is over, as illustrated in FIG. 11. Only 1 Backpack is given per player.

[0102] A second action space 100 (e.g., roller skate space): Roll ahead to the next colored space on the board 96 and take 1 Item Token 20.

[0103] A third action space 102 (e.g., compass space): On the player's next turn, they may use either the top or bottom of the rolled die 25 to move.

[0104] A fourth action space 103 (Dustpan & Broom space): Remove all Item Tokens 20 from the Lost & Found Mound 35, then put them back into any selected Location Token Holders 50 in any desired order. A maximum of 6 tokens can be put into a holder. The player's turn then ends.

[0105] Fifth action spaces 96 and 97 (e.g., colored spaces): These spaces can be any desired color or colors, such as blue, red, yellow, and green. A player will take one Item Token.

[0106] Each time a player lands on a colored space 96, that player will take one Item Token from the top of the Location Token Holder 50 of the same color (e.g., the colored space will be the same color as the Location Token Holder). The player will then place the Item Token 20 on the matching picture on that player's Scavenger Card 15. If the Item Token fails to match a picture on that player's board, the item token is discarded face up into the Lost & Found Mound 35.

[0107] A player may not take an Item Token 20 from the same colored Location Token Holder 50 on two consecutive turns.

[0108] If a player lands on sixth action space 97 (a Magnifying Space), that player can remove all Item Tokens 20 from the matching Location Token Holder 50 and select any one token as desired. The remaining Item Tokens are then replaced in any desired order by that player in the same token holder 50 from which they were removed.

[0109] On any turn, if a player rolls the same number as the die showing in the Lost & Found Mound's die holder 36, which was placed at the beginning of the game, the player may choose to take any one Token 20 from the Lost & Found Mound 35 instead of moving their Player Pawn 30. The player's turn then ends.

[0110] Each player can have a maximum of 3 Item Tokens 20 on their Scavenger Card 15 at any one time, unless or until the fourth token allows that player to complete one of the prescribed winning patterns as shown in FIGS. 14a-14i, thereby giving that player a win. However, Players with a Backpack Card 111 may have 4 Item Tokens 20 on their Scavenger Card 15 at any one time. An example of a representative Scavenger Card comprising a series of item images is illustrated in FIG. 15.

[0111] Once a player reaches the maximum allowed number of Items Tokens 20 on their Scavenger Card 15, they continue selecting Item Tokens as required, but must discard extras of their choosing into the Lost & Found Mound 35.

[0112] The first player to complete any of a variety of winning patterns anywhere on their Scavenger Card 15 is deemed the winner of the game. Representative, non-limiting examples of winning patterns are illustrated in FIGS. 14a-14i. As shown, winning patterns can include left and right diagonals, columns, rows, boxes, and L-shape variations.

[0113] 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.