US3558133A

US3558133A - Pickup game elements

Info

Publication number: US3558133A
Application number: US704872A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence Reiner; Philip Scheyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-02-12
Filing date: 1968-02-12
Publication date: 1971-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-26

Abstract

Game device consisting of a plurality of cup-shaped elements placed on a surface with the opening down and in a predetermined configuration. Each cup is marked with a different letter or number. The base of the cup, which faces upwardly in use, is provided with a plurality of circular ribs about its periphery to prevent a user''s foot from slipping. The cups are stepped on by the game player who simultaneously picks up adjacent cups in numerical or alphabetical order.

Description

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Lawrence Reiner One Hickory Lane, Woodbury, l 1797; Philip Scheyer, Spring Valley, N.Y. 704,872

Feb. 12, 1 968 Jan. 26, 1971 said Scheyer assignor to said Reiner PICKUP GAME ELEMENTS 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1965 Neil D44/1 5(16)X 273/1, 273/137 lnt.Cl A63b 71/04 Field ofSearch ..273/1, 1(a), (lnquired), 137, 137(a), 137(ac), 137(ad);

D158,935 6/1950 Correale 273/137X 1,490,20] 4/1924 Brown 273/ 1 2,905,350 9/1959 Edwards 2l5/l(.5) 3,177,278 4/1965 Schilling ..(2l5/l(.5))UX 3,309,448 3/1967 Schilling ..(2l5/l (.5))UX Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Att0rneyLilling & Siegel ABSTRACT: Game device consisting of a plurality of cupshaped elements placed on a surface with the opening down and in a predetermined configuration. Each cup is marked with a different letter or number. The base of the cup, which faces upwardly in use, is provided with a plurality of circular ribs about its periphery to prevent a users foot from slipping. The cups are stepped on by the game player who simultaneously picks up adjacent cups in numerical or alphabetical order.

PATENTEDmzsmn 3558.133

. INVENTORS LAWRENCE REINER Y PHILIP SCHEY R "M ATTORNEYS PICKUP GAME ELEMENTS This invention relates generally to games and, more particularly, to game apparatus and methods of play.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide novel games. 1

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing, is the provision of novel game apparatus.

A yet further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing, is the provision of games providing amusement and aiding in the development of poise, balance, coordination, physical fitness, and general physical well-being.

Another and still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing, is the provision of novel games suitable for play by substantially any number of players of substantially any age and in substantially any location, both indoors and outdoors.

Another and yet still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of novel games which are economical to produce and durable in use.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated in improved games constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and in novel methods of play. The present invention will be better understood and objects and important features other than those specifically enumerated above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following details and description, which when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention and what is presently considered and believed to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an isometric pictorial illustration illustrating one step in the utilization of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration similar to FIG. 1 showing another step in the utilization of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view of one unit of game apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagrammatic illustration of one possible starting pattern or positional orientation of a game in accordance with this invention.

With reference now to the drawing, the present invention relates to a balancing game wherein there are provided a plurality of game devices designated generally by the reference character upon which the contestants are required to stand and move about while performing certain manipulations. For example, the contestants may be required to pick up the game devices in a preselected sequence while supporting themselves only by others of the game devices.

For example, the game devices 20 may be provided with numerals with the contestants balancing and moving only on the game devices picking up the game devices in, for example, numerical order. The game may be played in a series of rounds with the first player to pick up a preselected number of the devices, for example, 25, winning the game. Where l2 devices are utilized, then there would be a maximum of l 1 points to be made by any player per round. The player with the greatest number of points over at the end of a complete round (playing in rotation) would be the winner.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the devices 20 may be of substantially any desired construction which provides a relatively small top surface raised a sufficient distance from the floor or ground.

The devices 20 may, for example, and with reference now particularly to FIG. 3, be molded from plastic, or the like, to a generally hollow cup or bowl-shaped configuration comprising a generally flat support wall portion 22 and a generally curved sidewall portion 24 flaring generally outwardly thereof to a generally circular rim 26. The outer surface of the generally flat wall portion 22 may be provided with a plurality of generally circular raised ridges 28 to aid in preventing a contestants foot from slipping off the surface thereof. Generally interiorly of the ridges 28, the bottom wall portion 22 may be provided with the numeric indicia, as by means of a printed label being secured thereto, by printing the numeric indicia directly thereon, or the like. While the devices 20 may be of substantially any desired dimensions, it has been found that if the rim 26 is approximately 4% inches in diameter and the support wall portion 22 is approximately 3 inches in diameter and the device 20 is approximately 2 inches high, then a reasonable measure of skill and balance is required by the contestants to stand and walk on the devices while performing the manipulative requirements of the game. Similarly, while the devices 20 may be fabricated substantially of any desired material, it has been found that a polystyrene plastic having a thickness of approximately one-sixteenth inch, when molded to the configuration illustrated provides sufficient strength, durability and aesthetic appeal.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the game of the present invention may be played by placing the devices 20in the general configuration diagrammed therein. Each of the devices 20 should be disposed approximately 18 inches from the adjacent devices, increasing or decreasing this distance for older or younger players as required. To start, the first player or contestant would stand on the devices numbered 2 and 7 and would then step from device to device to position himself so that he can stoop, lean or squat and pick up device No. 1 without losing his balance. He then would maneuver on the devices to a position to pickup device No. 2 etc. until only devices No. 11 and 12 remained on the floor. The player or contestant would then be required to balance on one foot on device No. 12, pickup device No. 11 and return to an upright position. A rug or other nonslippery surface is preferred. At no time should any part of the body be permitted to touch the floor. Also, once a device has been picked up or retrieved, it should not again touch the floor. If a player or contestant successfully picks up the 11 devices, his turn would be over and he would receive 11 points. The second player would then reset the devices to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 and proceed in the same manner. After all the players have completed their first turn, round I would be over and round 2 starts. The rounds continue until one or more players or contestants reach or exceed 25 points, for example. After all players have had their turn in the final round the player with the highest number of points would win.

As a variation, the first player might toss'thc devices on the floor, one at a time, so that no device is closer than, for example, 3 feet from him. The player would then turn up the devices so that all of the numbers show, and no devices overlap or touch another device. Then, by standing on any two devices, and using any other of the devices as stepping stones, the player or contestant picks up device No. I, then device No. 2, then device No. 3, etc., until he is left standing on one foot on device No. 12. Should a player touch the floor or any object other than the device he is picking up, with his hands, feet, or any part of his body, his turn would end. If he succeeds in picking up all the cups properly, he steps down onto the floor, tosses the 12 devices again, and continues as before. The contestants would play in rotation and the first player to pickup a total, for example, of 25, would win.

Moreover, it is to be expressly understood that the embodiment or modification of the invention heretofore described, disclosed, illustrated and shown is to be construed and intcrpreted as being illustrative only and for the sole purpose of aiding in the understanding of the present invention, and that the invention is not to be deemed limited thereby but, rather, may many variations may be made from the embodiments or modifications hereinabove described, disclosed, illustrated and shown.

For example, the cups may be provided with other and different identifying indicia, such as, and without limitation. letters, symbols, pictorial matter, groups of symbols, pictures, or the like such as dots, bars, or the like, colors or groups of coiors, and so forth. Moreover, and by way of further example, the cups may be utilized as vehicles enabling other objects to be picked up, such as lettered, numbered or colored tiles or dominoes, or the like.

As further variations, the players could pick up only odd cups, or only even cups, pick up the cups in reverse order, i.e., from No. l2 down to No. 1, or, if the devices are provided in multiple colors, then the players or contestants could pick up color rather than by number. Similarly, if the cups are provided with, for example, letters rather than numbers, the cups may be picked up in alphabetic sequence, reverse alphabetic sequence, or by spelling words from the cups picked up or left down, or the like.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in terms of certain preferred embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosed, illustrated and shown, such other embodiments or modifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and breadth of the claims here appended.

We claim:

1. Game device comprising a base. a plurality of elements placed on said base in a predetermined configuration and adapted to be stepped upon while picking up adjacent elements, said elements being cup-shaped and disposed with the open end facing said base, the base of each of said elements constituting a support wall, said cup-shaped elements being provided with circular raised ridges about the periphery of said support wall for providing nonskid stepping surfaces, each of said elements being provided with different indicia on a surface thereof.

2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein said indicia is provided on said support wall generally radially inwardly of said ridges.

3. The game device according to claim 2, wherein said indicia comprise alpha-numeric symbol means.

4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein said elements comprise 16 elements disposed on said base in the form of a cross comprising two vertical rows and two horizontal rows, and each of said rows having four elements.

Claims

1. Game device comprising a base, a plurality of elements placed on said base in a predetermined configuration and adapted to be stepped upon while picking up adjacent elements, said elements being cup-shaped and disposed with the open end facing said base, the base of each of said elements constituting a support wall, said cup-shaped elements being provided with circular raised ridges about the periphery of said support wall for providing nonskid stepping surfaces, each of said elements being provided with different indicia on a surface thereof.