Suspension game

• US 4,071,244 A
• Filed: 04/21/1977
• Issued: 01/31/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Marvin David Richards
• Original Assignee: Marvin David Richards
• Inventors: Richards, Marvin David
• Primary Examiner(s): Shapiro, Paul E.
• Application Number:
  US05/789,572
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 273/1 R, 273/1 E, 273/1 M, 273/135 F, 273/130 R, 273/130 A, 273/130 AB, 273/130 AC, 46/28
• US Class Current: 273/275
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/06 Patience; Other games for self-amusement

Abstract

A construction game that employs two separate game boards, each depicting the games'"'"' goals and providing the main support for the assemblying of the two completely independent structures. The completed structure will be a bridge abstraction, or more specifically a suspension system that is capable of being extended the length of the game board while maintaining a particular height requirement. The suspension system is achieved by a plurality of building elements that, except for duplication, are infinitely varied and diverse in their configurations and methods by which they connect one to another. The first building element connects to the game board'"'"'s starting edge; and each subsequent element is connected with the former element until the construction is high enough and long enough to reach the winning line at the opposite end of the game board.

The players use game money in a competitive bidding process to obtain each building element.

Claims

1. A suspension game comprising:

at least one game board having playing zones indicated thereon;

a plurality of building block elements arranged to be interconnected to each other and to said board to form a bridge-like suspension structure;

interconnecting means formed on the ends of said building-block elements;

a ballast block arranged to be connected to any one of said building-block elements to provide structural support to said suspension structure; and

a height-metering means to be located on said game board to indicate height of said suspension structure during game play.

2. A suspension game as recited in claim 1, wherein said building-block elements include a block base including means to secure said block base to said game board.

3. A suspension game as recited in claim 2, wherein said building-block elements comprise:

a main body having at least two free ends on which said interconnecting means are formed, and wherein each block element includes individual design configurations.

4. A suspension game as recited in claim 3, wherein a plurality of said block elements include a main body having laterally extending leg members, said leg members having free ends formed with said interconnecting means thereon.

5. A suspension game as recited in claim 4, wherein said game includes two game boards positioned in a side-to-side relationship during game play, whereby two separate suspension structures are created during game play.

6. A suspension game as recited in claim 4, wherein said interconnecting means comprises:

a male connecting end; and

a female connecting end.

7. A suspension game as recited in claim 6, wherein a plurality of block elements include all male connecting ends.

8. A suspension game as recited in claim 7, wherein a plurality of block elements include all female connecting ends.

9. A suspension game as recited in claim 8, wherein a plurality of block elements include a combination of male and female connecting ends.

10. A suspension game as recited in claim 9, wherein said ballast block comprises:

an elongated curvilinear main body having oppositely disposed free ends;

a connecting means formed at one free end thereof; and

a weighted member formed at the opposite free end thereof.

11. A suspension game as recited in claim 10, wherein said height-metering means comprises:

a rod having metering zones marked thereon to indicate the height of said suspension structure during game play; and

a support means arranged to position said rod in a vertical manner adjacent said suspension structure.

12. A suspension game as recited in claim 10, wherein said female connecting end comprises a substantially "C"-shaped configuration wherein said male end is held in a binding arrangement therein.

13. A suspension game as recited in claim 12, wherein said male and female connecting ends include a plurality of tongues and grooves, whereby said connecting ends are provided with positive locking connections.

14. A suspension game as recited in claim 12, wherein said securing means of said block base comprises:

a foot member formed at one end of said main body thereof; and

an angularly extending leg member arranged adjacent to said foot member, wherein said foot member is formed to be positioned under said game board, and said leg member is arranged to engage the surface of said game board.