GAME BOARD WITH A TRANSFORMABLE PLAYING SURFACE

Abstract

Disclosed is a game board that can be transformed during game play to provide alternative playing surfaces to enhance player enjoyment of a game. The game board has at least one mobile section connected to the game board. This mobile section is movable between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position the mobile section displays a first playing surface and when in the open position the mobile section displays a second playing surface that is different from the first playing surface. This enhances gameplay enjoyment and variety to encourage repeated game play. This game board design can be adapted for use in a wide variety of types of board games.

Claims

1. A game board comprising: at least one mobile section connected to said game board, with said at least one mobile section movable between a closed position and an open position; and wherein when in said closed position said mobile section comprises a first playing surface and when in said open position said mobile section comprises a second playing surface that is different from said first playing surface.

2. The game board as recited in claim 1, wherein said game board comprises a plurality of mobile sections, each mobile section comprising a first playing surface when in a closed position and a second playing surface different from said first playing surface when in an open position.

3. The game board as recited in claim 1, wherein said second playing surface comprises one or more hinged sections that are unfolded when said at least one mobile section is moved between said closed position and said open position.

4. The game board as recited in claim 1, wherein said game board further comprises at least one non-mobile section, said at least one non-mobile section connected to said at least one mobile section by a movable joint.

5. The game board as recited in claim 4, wherein said non-mobile section further comprises a third playing surface that is different from said first and said second playing surfaces.

6. The game board as recited in claim 5, wherein when said at least one mobile section is moved between said closed position and said open position said second playing surface covers at least a portion of said third playing surface.

7. The game board as recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one mobile section is rotated about said movable joint when moved from said closed position to said open position.

8. The game board as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile section comprises a book having a plurality of pages, each page having a different playing surface thereon, and wherein in said closed position said book has a first playing surface displayed and when in said open position said book displays one or more of said plurality of pages each having a playing surface that is different from said first playing surface.

9. The game board as recited in claim 8, wherein said book is connected to said game board by a method selected from the group consisting of being received in a slot in said game board, by a friction fit, by a hook and loop connection, by a magnetic connection, by electrostatic adhesion, and by a combination thereof.

10. A game board comprising: a plurality of locations on said game board, wherein each location is configured to receive a mobile section; and a plurality of said mobile sections, each mobile section comprising a playing surface.

11. A game board as recited in claim 10, wherein each mobile section can be connected to each of said plurality of locations by a method selected from the group consisting of by a friction fit, by a hook and loop connection, by a magnetic connection, by electrostatic adhesion, by being placed in an opening in said game board, and by a combination thereof.

12. A game board as recited in claim 10, wherein each of said mobile sections can be removed and replaced by a different mobile section comprising a different playing surface.

13. A method of using a transformable game board comprising the steps of: a. providing a game board comprising at least one mobile section connected to the game board, the at least one mobile section movable between a closed position and an open position wherein when in the closed position the mobile section comprises a first playing surface and when in the open position the mobile section comprises a second playing surface that is different from the first playing surface; b. beginning a game play session with the at least one mobile section in the closed position; and c. upon a triggering event occurring during game play moving the at least one mobile section from the closed position to the open position, thereby transforming the game board playing surface.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein step a. comprises providing a plurality of mobile sections, each moveable between a closed position and an open position wherein when in the closed position each mobile section comprises a first playing surface and when in the open position each mobile section comprises a second playing surface that is different from the first playing surface.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein step c. comprises moving at least one of the plurality of mobile sections from the closed position to the open position following an occurrence of a triggering event.

16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the triggering event is selected from the group consisting of a roll of one or more dice, a spinner spin result, a blind token draw, a card draw, passing of a game play threshold, exceeding a game play time limit or countdown, and a combination thereof.

17. A method of using a transformable game board comprising the steps of: a. providing a game board comprising a plurality of locations on said game board, wherein each location is configured to receive a mobile section having a playing surface thereon and providing a plurality of the mobile sections; b. beginning a game play session with one mobile section in each of the plurality of locations; and c. upon a triggering event occurring during game play removing at least one mobile section from the game board and replacing it with another mobile section having a different playing surface, thereby transforming the game board playing surface.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the triggering event is selected from the group consisting of a roll of one or more dice, a spinner spin result, a blind token draw, a card draw, passing of a game play threshold, exceeding a game play time limit or countdown, and a combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a table showing examples of regular polygon shaped transformable game board configurations and their specifications according to the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2A is a top view diagram of an octagonal shaped game board according to the present disclosure shown in a first configuration, FIG. 2B is the same game board as in FIG. 2A showing additional features, FIG. 2C is the same game board as in FIG. 2A showing features of a mobile section as it is unfolded during a transformation of the game board, and FIG. 2D is the same game board as FIG. 2A shown in a fully transformed state;

[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic of a mobile section of the game board and demonstrates how it is folded to fully expose a plurality of hinged sections;

[0013] FIG. 4A shows a top perspective view and a top view of a mobile section in a closed position, FIG. 4B shows the mobile section in a top perspective view and a top view as the mobile section is unfolded, and FIG. 4C shows a top perspective view and a top view of the mobile section fully unfolded and covering an outer rim of a game board;

[0014] FIG. 5A shows a top view photograph of an octagonal shaped game board according to the present disclosure constructed of greyboard with tape hinges, FIG. 5B1 shows a photograph of the same game board with the eight mobile sections folded down onto the outer rim, FIG. 5B2 shows a photograph of a side perspective view of one of the folded down mobile sections, FIG. 5B3 shows a photograph of a mobile section as it is being unfolded, and FIG. 5C shows a top view photograph of the game board with all of the mobile sections fully unfolded and folded down onto the outer rim of the game board and displaying a new playing surface;

[0015] FIGS. 6A and 6B show embodiments of a game board according to the present disclosure having removable mobile sections; and

[0016] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a game board according to the present disclosure having removable mobile sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] It is to be appreciated that certain aspects, modes, embodiments, variations and features of the invention are described below in various levels of detail in order to provide a substantial understanding of the present invention.

[0018] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

[0019] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and board game terms used herein generally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a board includes a combination of two or more boards, and the like. Generally, the nomenclature used herein are those well-known and commonly employed in the art. All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0020] The definitions of certain terms as used in this specification and the appended claims are provided below.

[0021] Board game means any game played on a game board.

[0022] Game board means any playing surface on which one plays a board game.

[0023] Playing surface means the surface of a game board or any surface imprinted with the game board and design features of the game board.

[0024] Mountain fold means a fold in which parts of a material are bent or pushed down or moved away from the user and the center of the material between the parts moves up or towards to user. From the user's perspective, the result is a peak in the material.

[0025] Valley fold means a fold in which parts of a material are bent or pulled up towards the user and the center of the material moves down or away from the user. From the user's perspective, the result is a valley in the material.

[0026] Stored configuration means the original conformation of the game board and all its components when stored and prior to any transformation of the playing surface. This is not necessarily the same as the configuration of the game board when in its commercial or shipping packaging, which may involve additional folding or disassembly of the game board.

[0027] Triggering event means any occurrence prior to or during game play, after the game board has been placed in play-ready position, that causes the transformation of the game board playing surface by movement of mobile sections of the game board.

[0028] Mobile sections refer to game board subparts that are moved during transformation of the game board or to inserts that are placed into the game board during transformation of the game board to reveal additional playing surfaces with additional game play elements.

[0029] Non-mobile sections refer to game board subparts that are not moved during transformation of the game board.

[0030] Hinged sections refer to mobile sections that have movable joints or hinges with respect to each other and/or to the game board and that during transformation of the game board are moved along the movable joints or about the hinges to reveal additional playing surfaces with additional game play elements.

[0031] The game boards designed according to the present disclosure may be any shape including circles, regular polygons, and irregular polygons. The game boards have an initial configuration wherein they are opened to their play-ready game start position, any movements of the game board or subparts thereof to get the game board into this initial configuration are not considered a transformation of the game board within the present specification or claims. Thus, for example, a typical prior art game board may be packaged in its consumer received box as a smaller square to save space and to play the board game this initial smaller square shape is unfolded along two perpendicular seams to reveal a larger square shape that is the initial configuration play-ready game start position of the game board. These sorts of unfolding manipulations of the game board to get it into its initial play-ready configuration are not considered transformations of the game board in the present specification and claims.

[0032] In the present disclosure the transformable game board has several embodiments. In one embodiment, the game board includes mobile sections that are secured to the game board. These mobile sections are moved from a closed position to an open position during a transformation of the game board to reveal alternative playing surfaces for the game board. The movement takes place along the hinges or movable joints of the mobile sections.

[0033] The signal to move a mobile section from a closed position to an open position may be any triggering event as determined by the rules of the board game or by a game play result. For example, a triggering event could include a certain roll of the die/dice, a spinner spin result, a blind token draw, a card draw, a game play threshold passed, exceeding a game play time limit or countdown, or other events in the context of the individual board game can be used as triggering events and result in the manipulation of the mobile sections to transform the game board to reveal additional playing surfaces and features as described herein.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a table showing examples of regular polygon shaped transformable game board configurations and their specifications according to the present disclosure. All of these examples have an even number of sides, however, regular polygons having an uneven number of sides such as a pentagon can also be used. These may include shapes such as squares to dodecagons or other regular polygonal shapes. The stored configuration center point angle of the mobile sections and the mobile section shapes is as determined when they are closed. The expanded reveal shape is the shape the mobile section has once it is fully expanded into its open position after a transformation. The game board can also be created having an irregular polygonal shape and include transformable mobile sections as described herein.

[0035] As described the game board can be of any shape, in an example for illustrative purposes and as described herein, the game board has an outer octagonal shape and a plurality of mobile sections. FIG. 2A shows a top view of an exemplary octagonal shaped game board generally at 10 and it includes eight triangular sections 12 each of which has a playing surface 14. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2A the game board 10 is in a stored configuration, the default condition of the game board presented before game play has started. In FIG. 2B additional features of the game board 10 and each triangular section 12 are shown. Each triangular section 12 has a fixed outer rim 16 comprising a non-mobile section that has a playing surface on it and the outer rims 16 of adjacent triangular sections 12 are permanently connected to each other. The outer rims 16 are shown as greyed out structures. Interior to the outer rim 16 of each triangular section 12 there is a hinge 18, shown as a dotted line, that connects the outer rim 16 to an interior mobile section 20, shown as clear triangles in FIG. 2B, each interior mobile section 20 also has a playing surface visible on it that is shown when in the closed position as shown in FIG. 2B. The hinge 18 does not have to be a hinge like a door or gate hinge with a pin that secures a pair of flaps to each other in a manner that they can rotate relative to each other, instead it can be a fold line as shown in FIG. 2B. The function of the hinge 18 or fold line is to allow the mobile section 20 to rotate about the hinge 18 or fold line relative to the non-mobile outer rim 16. Thus, in the present specification and claims the term hinge refers to an actual hinge or a fold line or other structure that allows a mobile section 20 to rotate relative to an associated non-mobile section like an outer rim 16. In FIG. 2B each mobile section 20 is shown in a closed position, meaning no triggering event has occurred. Each mobile section 20 can be folded along its hinge 18 or fold line so that its apex 22 touches the outer portion of its respective outer rim 16 as shown in FIG. 2C. In FIG. 2C one mobile section 20 is shown wherein it has been folded along its hinge 18 to lay flat on its outer rim 16 with its apex 22 touching the outer portion of its rim 16. In addition, as shown each mobile section 20 includes a plurality of hinged sections 24 that can be unfolded along their hinges 26, which are also fold lines as shown, which are shown as dotted lines. As described in FIG. 1 since this is an octagonal shaped game board the number of hinged sections 24 in each mobile section 20 is six and the revealed shape when fully expanded is a trapezoid. The portion of the mobile section 20 that was initially visible in FIG. 2B is shown in dotted outline at 28 in FIG. 2C. In FIG. 2D the game board 10 is shown in the fully transformed configuration wherein each mobile section 20 has been folded along its hinge 18 to lie flat on its outer rim 16 and further the six hinged sections 24 of each mobile section 20 have been fully unfolded along their hinges 26 to reveal a new playing surface 30 that fully covers the respective outer rim 16 and its playing surface. In alternative embodiments the fully unfolded mobile sections 20 do not fully cover their respective outer rim 16 and the uncovered portion of the outer rim 16 displays its playing surface, which may also include artwork of the game board 10. In this position each of the mobile sections 20 is in the fully opened position. The game board 10 in the configuration shown in FIG. 2D now has an open central area 32 with no playing surface in it. The central area 32 of the game board 10, which contains the mobile sections 20 when they are closed, has a regular polygonal shape. In other embodiments, the central area 32 may contain additional artwork, playing surfaces, space for game components such as dice, cards, counters, etc. The central area 32 can also be shaped as a faceted cone or other three-dimensional shape so that the plurality of mobile sections 20 lie against this three-dimensional shape when game play is initiated and do not lie flat on a table surface. Such a three-dimensional shape can add unique features to the game board.

[0036] In some game boards 10 the portion of each mobile section 20 shown in FIG. 2B when they are in the closed position can include a playing surface on them for use in game play at the start of the game play. Then once a triggering event occurs one or more of the mobile sections 20 are unfolded to reveal the new playing surface 30. In some game play all the hinged sections 24 of a given mobile section 20 are unfolded at one time and in other game play they may be unfolded in sequential fashion following a series of triggering events.

[0037] Using the same game board 10 as shown in FIG. 2A to 2D one could also envision a form of game play wherein the initial configuration of the game board 10 is that as shown in FIG. 2D with all of the mobile sections 20 in the fully opened position and the outer rims 16 and their playing surfaces 14 are completely covered by the unfolded mobile sections 20 and playing surface 30 is the only playing surface present. Alternatively, the game board 10 outer rim 16 can be expanded so that even when the mobile sections 20 are fully opened there is still visible additional playing surfaces on the outer rims 16. Then following a triggering event players move one or more of the mobile sections 20 in reverse and begin to fold up the hinged sections 24, thus altering the playing surface 30 of one or more triangular sections 12 by revealing the playing surface 14 found on each outer rim 16. Eventually, after a plurality of triggering events the game board 10 will have the configuration shown in FIG. 2A and its playing surface 14 will be significantly different from that shown in FIG. 2D and include the playing surfaces of both the outer rim 16 and the mobile sections 20. Either sequence of movements of the mobile sections 20 as described herein could take place during a game play using this same game board 10, the rules determining which sequence is followed. Thus, the same game board 10 can offer a plurality of playing surfaces and sequences of their exposure.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows more details for a mobile section 20, in this example, from an octagonal shaped game board 10 to illustrate the parts and how one calculates various angles and how one folds and unfolds the hinged sections 24. This further illustrates the features also found in FIG. 1 under the description for an octagon shaped game board. The hinged sections 24 are numbered 1-6 in FIG. 3. As described in FIG. 1 the hinged shape angle 40 is 22.5 degrees and the apex angle 42 is 45 degrees, this is described as the stored configuration center point angle in FIG. 1. The folds/unfolds used to open the mobile section 20 are shown in FIG. 3 from the perspective of a user looking at the mobile section 20. The noted foldings result in the hinged sections 24 of the mobile section 20 being revealed. Thus, to fully reveal the hinged sections 24 of the mobile section 20 hinged sections 24 numbered 3 and 6 are folded forward from behind the mobile section 20. Then hinged sections 24 numbered 2 and 5 are folded backward and then hinged sections 24 numbered 1 and 4 are folded forward. Finally, the now fully unfolded mobile section 20 is folded forward along hinge 18 and then it will cover all or a portion of the outer rim 16. A reverse sequence of folds/unfolds would be used to again hide the hinged sections 24 behind the mobile section 20.

[0039] FIG. 4A to 4C show additional views of a mobile section 20 from an octagonal game board 10. In each of FIG. 4A to 4C the top portion of the figure shows a top side perspective view and the bottom portion show a top view only. As shown in FIG. 4A in the stored configuration the hinged sections 24 are found underneath the mobile section 20. In FIG. 4B as the hinged sections 24 are unfolded they become visible and out from behind the mobile section 20. Finally, in 4C the mobile section 20 is folded along the hinge 18 and the unfolded hinged sections 24 and backside of the mobile section 20 forms a new playing surface 30 that covers all or a portion of the outer rim 16.

[0040] In FIG. 1 through FIG. 4C, only even sided regular polygons up to 12 sides are demonstrated, however, more than 12 sided and odd-sided regular polygons can also be used to form the game board. In all cases where the mobile sections 20 should be of equal size, one determines the stored configuration center point angle, by dividing 360 by the number of mobile sections 20 to be stored and revealed during transformation of the game board 10. For example, a regular 10-sided game board divided into ten equal transformable mobile sections will be made up of ten isosceles triangles each having a center point or apex angle 42 of 36:

[00001]$\mathrm{Center}\mathrm{Point}\mathrm{Angle}=\frac{\mathrm{Total}\mathrm{in}a\mathrm{complete}\mathrm{circle}}{\#\mathrm{sides}\mathrm{in}\mathrm{game}\mathrm{board}\mathrm{polygon}}$

[0041] The hinged section 24 shape is determined by the desired revealed shape with its outer-most edge being limited by the total game board edge shape. This hinged section 24 shape must be divided into some number (n) pieces of a size that can be hidden, these hidden shapes are located behind the stored configuration shape of the mobile section 20. Assuming that the hidden shapes take up or occupy the entire area of the stored configuration shape leaving no gaps, the minimum n is calculated by assuming that all hinged sections 24 have the same hinged shaped angle 40 as the center point angle 42. The maximum n where all hinged sections have the same angle and fold to the center point of the mobile section 20 is calculated using of the center point angle 42.

[00002]$\mathrm{Minimum}\mathrm{Number}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{hinged}\mathrm{pieces}\left(n_{\min }\right)=\frac{180-\mathrm{Center}\mathrm{Point}\mathrm{angle}}{\mathrm{Center}\mathrm{Point}\mathrm{angle}}$$\mathrm{Maximum}\mathrm{Number}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{hinged}\mathrm{pieces}\left(n_{\max }\right)=\frac{180-\mathrm{Center}\mathrm{Point}\mathrm{angle}}{0.5.Math.\mathrm{Center}\mathrm{Point}\mathrm{angle}}$

[0042] In the case where all hinged section 24 shapes are of the same angle, their angle is calculated by subtracting the center point angle 42 from 180 (assuming an approximately straight-line edge, not an angled edge) and dividing the result by the number of pieces required to be hidden by the stored configuration shape of the mobile section 20. An example of a 10-sided board is calculated here:

[00003]$\mathrm{Hinged}\mathrm{Shape}\mathrm{angle}=\frac{\left(180-\mathrm{Center}\mathrm{Point}\mathrm{angle}\right)}{n_{\max }}=\frac{\left(180-36\right)}{8}=18$

[0043] The hinged sections 24 can be designed to fold from both edges of the stored configuration of the mobile section 20 shape or from a single edge. In this decagon example, n.sub.max=8 assuming the hinged sections 24 are attached to both sides of the mobile section 20 and meet in the middle when in storage mode. If all hinged sections 24 are attached to one side of the mobile section 20, n.sub.min=4 hinged sections are required, each of 36. The octagon example in FIGS. 2 through 4 demonstrates the case with equal hinge shape angles 40 being unfolded from both edges of the stored configuration of the mobile section 20. In this case, the hinged sections 24 meet in the exact middle of the stored configuration shape of the mobile section 20 when stored.

[0044] It is possible to envision the case where the hidden shapes do not occupy the entire area under the stored configuration shape. In this case, there is no requirement that the hinged sections 24 meet at the center point or anywhere else when in the stored configuration and could leave a gap under the stored configuration shape. The n.sub.min is still 1, however, the n.sub.max is calculated using any number in the denominator. As n.sub.max becomes large, then the number of layers being stored also becomes large and eventually becomes impractical for commercial production, packaging, and for game play.

[0045] Multiple layers are folded under the game board 10 in the stored position as shown in FIG. 4A. Therefore, for the game board 10 to lie flat, it is preferable that compensating layers are included under the non-mobile areas of the game board 10. Alternatively, the mobile section 20 and associated hinged sections 24 can be made of thinner stock material than the non-mobile outer rim 16 of the game board 10.

[0046] FIG. 5A shows a top view photograph of an octagonal shaped game board 110 according to the present disclosure constructed of greyboard with eight triangular sections 112 each showing a playing surface 114 and tape hinges 118 securing the mobile sections 120 to the outer rim 116 of the game board 110. FIG. 5B1 shows a photograph of the same game board 110 with the eight mobile sections 120 folded down onto the outer rim 116 and the apex 122 of each mobile section 120 touching the outer edge of its respective outer rim 116. The view also shows the folded hinged sections 124 of each mobile section 120 in the closed position. FIG. 5B2 shows a photograph of a side perspective view of one of the folded down mobile sections 120 and the hinged sections 124. FIG. 5B3 shows a photograph of a mobile section 120 as the hinged sections 124 are being unfolded. Finally, FIG. 5C shows a top view photograph of the game board 110 with all of the mobile sections 120 fully unfolded and folded down onto the outer rim 116 of the game board 110 and showing a new playing surface 130 and the open central area 132. In asymmetric game board embodiments, the mobile sections 120 could meet anywhere from a central point to one edge and the angles for these cases must be calculated by Piece 1+Piece 2=central point angle. Further, some value between n.sub.min and n.sub.max can be used for the number of mobile sections 120 and the angles adapted accordingly.

[0047] Embodiments can also be envisioned wherein the center point of the mobile sections are not positioned in the exact center of the polygonal shaped game board creating a non-center-point angle, or wherein the mobile sections are of variable shapes, or embodiments where the folding properties and reveal shapes can be asymmetric shapes that cover some or all of the playing surface that was visible when the mobile sections were in the closed configuration. These cases represent a continuum of configurations that can be used to design transformable game boards with variable playing surfaces.

[0048] FIG. 6A shows an embodiment wherein a game board 200 has an outer rim 202 with a playing surface 208 and includes a mobile section 204 in the form of a book with a plurality of pages 206 each of which includes a different playing surface 210. The game board 200 is shown as a square but could have any desired shape as can the mobile sections 204. The mobile section 204 can be attached to the game board 200 in any desired fashion. It could be attached in a non-permanent releasable manner by being received in a slot, not shown, within the game board 200, there could be a magnetic connection between the game board 200 and the mobile section 204, or a hook and loop connection, or an electrostatic adhesion as well as other connection mechanisms known in the art. Alternatively, the mobile section 204 could be permanently attached to the game board 200. Prior to a triggering event occurring the mobile section 204 is in a closed position and a first playing surface is shown. Upon a triggering event occurring the mobile section 204 could have a page 206 turned to put it in an open position and to reveal another playing surface 210 different from the first playing surface. This can continue as triggering events occur during game play, each new revealed page 206 having a different playing surface 210. The pages 206 can be constructed of any material including but not limited to paper, greyboard, plastic, wood, cardstock, cardboard, or a combination thereof. The pages 206 of the mobile section 204 may be bound by spiral, comb, adhesive or other flexible bindings such that they can lay flat when opened. The maximum number of pages in this type of mobile section is only limited by the board game context and/or the practical limitations of the page materials and binding. As shown in FIG. 6B a single game board 300 may have an outer rim 302 with a playing surface 308 and include a plurality of mobile sections 304, of any shape, each having any number of pages 306 each offering a playing surface 310. The mobile sections 204, 304 may be of any shape and as described they can be attached to the game board 200, 300 in a permanent fashion or in a releasable fashion. A feature of these game boards 200, 300 can be that a game board 200, 300 may comprise several mobile sections 204, 304 that can be interchanged on a single game board 200, 300. This can be a mechanism to introduce game phases, levels, character abilities, chapters, new editions, and/or expansions among other attributes. In use of these game boards 200, 300 it could be that individual players could bring their own mobile sections 204, 304 into a game play session, thereby increasing variations on the game board 200, 300 and increasing player interest

[0049] In FIG. 7 an alternative embodiment is shown wherein the game board 400 has an outer rim 402 with a playing surface 406 and a plurality of mobile sections 404 each of which has a playing surface 408. The mobile sections 404 can be fitting into mating indentations in the game board 400, or they can be raised from the game board 400 surface, or the game board 400 can have cutouts that are filled by the mobile section 404. The mobile sections 404 can be secured as discussed herein by a friction fit, magnetic attachment, electrostatic adhesion, hook and loop connection, or other means known in the art. The mobile sections 404 can have any shape and the game board 400 may have a plurality of mobile sections 404 for each location where one can be secured to the game board 400 to provide more variety. In this embodiment, mobile sections can be fitted into the playing surface before play and/or, upon a triggering event, mobile sections may be exchanged for alternative mobile sections during game play. Thus, the initially inserted mobile sections 404 can be removed and replaced by other mobile sections 404 having different playing surfaces 408 on them during game play in response to triggering events occurring. This can be a mechanism to introduce game phases, levels, character abilities, chapters, new editions, and/or expansions among other attributes to the game play. The game board 400 can be of any shape and mobile sections 404 can be integrated into the game board 400 at any point before game play begins as determined by the rules of that game.

[0050] Numerous embodiments have been disclosed for a transformable game board according to the present disclosure. A game board can also include combinations of the various disclosed embodiments wherein both hinged mobile sections secured to the game board as well as removable mobile sections as shown in FIG. 6A-7 are present on the same game board.

[0051] The present invention is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the invention. Many modifications and variations of this invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the invention, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present invention is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.