Game board for a domino game

• US 20040140619A1
• Filed: 01/21/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fundex Games, Ltd. (Poof Fundex LLC)
• Original Assignee: Fundex Games, Ltd. (Poof Fundex LLC)
• Inventors: Voigt, Carl E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 7,080,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/293
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0069 using a spring
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2473 Devices for imitating a running engine
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00643 Electric board games; Electric features of board games electric word or number games A63F3/0421; computer chess G06F; electric raffle games A63F3/081
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/20 Dominoes or like games; Mah-Jongg games
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/00 Model railways propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track A63H18/00

Abstract

A Mexican Train Dominoes game includes a game board that defines a central recess corresponding to the train station hub of the game. The recess includes a platform on which an “engine” domino tile is placed to commence the game. The platform can be depressed to activate a sound generation component that is operable to produce simulated train sounds. The game board can include a circuit board that carries a resiliently depressible switch that is operably coupled to the platform. The switch can support the platform in its normal position and can restore the platform to that normal position after the “engine” domino and platform have been depressed during game play.

Claims

1. A game board for a domino game comprising:

a housing defining a central recess sized to receive a domino tile therein and further defining a plurality of player locations around the perimeter of the housing;

a sound generation component operable to generate sounds simulating a train;

a switch connected to said sound generation component and operable when actuated to activate said sound generation component; and

a platform mounted within said central recess and having a surface for supporting the domino tile thereon, said platform further having a component for actuating said switch when a player depresses the domino tile supported on said platform.

2. The game board of claim 1, further comprising an indicator light connected to said sound generation component or said switch and operable to illuminate when said switch is actuated.

3. The game board of claim 1, wherein said switch is a resilient depressible switch.

4. The game board of claim 1, wherein:

said platform includes an actuation component projecting therefrom; and

said central recess includes a mounting plate disposed between said platform and said switch, said platform defining an actuation opening sized to receive said actuation component therethrough,

whereby said actuation component is configured to actuate said switch when a player depresses the domino tile supported on said platform.

5. The game board of claim 4, wherein said switch is a resiliently depressible switch.

6. The game board of claim 5, wherein said actuation component is configured to maintain contact with said resiliently depressible switch so that said switch supports said platform above said mounting plate.

7. The game board of claim 4, wherein:

said mounting plate defines a number of retainer openings separate from said actuation opening; and

said platform includes a number of retaining elements, each extending through a corresponding one of said retainer openings, said retaining elements configured to capture said platform on said mounting plate.

8. The game board of claim 4, wherein:

said mounting plate defines a number of guide openings; and

said platform includes a number of guide posts projecting therefrom, each sized to slidably extend through a corresponding one of said guide openings.

9. The game board of claim 1, further comprising means for biasing said platform away from said switch.

10. The game board of claim 9, wherein said means for biasing includes said switch being resiliently depressible.

11. The game board of claim 1, further comprising a speaker associated with the housing and electrically connected to said sound generation component.

12. The game board of claim 11, wherein said speaker is mounted to the interior of said housing and said housing defines a number of speaker openings through said housing adjacent said speaker.

13. A domino game comprising:

a plurality of player markers in the form of miniature train and including front and rear wheels defining a recess therebetween; and

a game board defining;

a central recess sized to receive a domino tile therein;

a plurality of player locations distributed around a perimeter of said housing;

a representation of a train track segment arranged between each of said player locations; and

an upstanding ridge within each train track segment, said ridge configured for engagement within said recess of a corresponding player marker to hold the position of said marker on said train track segment.

14. A game board for a dominoes game comprising:

a housing defining a domino slot structure configured to receive a domino tile therein, said housing further having defined therein a plurality of notches located at a perimeter of said housing, each of said plurality of notches being configured to receive an end portion of another domino tile therein;

a sound generator operable to generate audible sounds; and

a platform movably mounted within said domino slot structure,

wherein movement of said platform from a first position to a second position causes said sound generator to generate audible sounds.

15. The game board of claim 14, further comprising a switch connected to said sound generator and operable when actuated to activate said sound generator,

wherein movement of said platform from said first position to said second position causes activation of said switch.

16. The game board of claim 14, further comprising at least one spring configured to bias said platform into said first position.

17. The game board of claim 14, further comprising an indicator light operable to illuminate, wherein movement of said platform from said first position to said second position further causes said indicator light to illuminate.

18. The game board of claim 14, wherein:

said domino slot structure defines a rectangular-shaped recess, and

said platform includes a rectangular-shaped support member movably mounted within said rectangular-shaped recess.

19. The game board of claim 18, wherein said rectangular-shaped support member is movable between a raised position and a lowered position.

20. The game board of claim 18, wherein said rectangular-shaped support member is spring biased toward said raised position.