Board game apparatus

• US 4,097,051 A
• Filed: 11/11/1976
• Issued: 06/27/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John R O'Connor, Robert M. Goldberg
• Original Assignee: John R O'Connor, Robert M. Goldberg
• Inventors: Goldberg, Robert M., O'Connor, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rose, Arthur S.
• Application Number:
  US05/740,809
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 273/134 AC, 273/134 AA, 273/134 AD, 273/134 C, 273/134 D
• US Class Current: 273/254
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0434 Geographical games travelling A63F3/00088

Abstract

A board game for two or more players combines elements of strategy, knowledge of geography and chance in simulating the action of intelligence agents in performing assigned missions. The board surface is an unlegended map of the principal part of the world with unidentified target sites designated thereon. The map is marked with latitude parallels and longitude meridians at small intervals, e.g., 10°, the intersections forming a grid of spaces along which the playing pieces move. Random drawing of secret mission cards by each player assigns particular target sites to be reached by each player and the particular missions to be performed at the sites. The object of the game is to move the playing pieces to the assigned target sites by roll of dice, carry out the designated mission, and, if required, return to the starting point, at the same time trying to impede the progress of the other players. Forbidden and Danger Zones are designated on the map to further impede movement of the playing pieces and contribute to the importance of strategy in play.

Claims

1. Game apparatus for play by two or more players, comprising:

a game board on which is imprinted an unlegended map of at least a portion of the earth'"'"'s surface, including latitude parallels and longitude meridians at intervals of predetermined indicated degree spacing dividing said map into spaces formed by the intersection of said latitude parallels and longitudinal meridians, and a plurality of indicia on said map designating unidentified preselected target sites within respective ones of said spaces and representing real locations on the earth'"'"'s surface,

a first plurality of mission cards, each of which bears a written clue to the identity of one of said preselected target sites and the nature of a mission to be performed thereat, for distribution of one or more to each of the players at commencement of play,

a plurality of playing pieces for each player, one for each mission card distributed to a player, each of said pieces being employed to designate movement of the player from a starting point to a preselected target site, and

means for randomly governing movement of said playing pieces along paths comprised of the spaces formed by intersection of successive latitude parallels and longitude meridians.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for randomly governing movement of said playing pieces comprises a pair of dice.

3. The game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said game board further includes indicia identifying a first plurality of forbidden zones through which movement of playing pieces of all players is prohibited.

4. The game apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:

indicia on said game board identifying a plurality of danger zones, different from said forbidden zones, and

a plurality of danger zone cards identifying said danger zones, for random distribution to each of said players,

movement of a player being prohibited through the ones of said danger zones identified by the danger cards received by him.

5. The game apparatus of claim 4 further including additional playing pieces for designating those of the danger zones respectively associated with each player.

6. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is provided a plurality of sets of playing pieces for each player, one set for each mission card distributed to a player, each of said sets including at least

one of said pieces employed to designate movement of the player from a starting point to a target site, and

a second piece different in form from said one of said pieces, said second piece being employed to designate arrival of the player at a target site and to identify the nature of the mission to be performed at that site.

7. The game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means fully identifying each of said target sites to which the clues on said mission cards are directed, and which may be availed of by a player upon prescribed penalty.

8. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are provided a plurality of sets of mission cards, each set bearing written clues to the identity of said target sites, the clues in each of said sets of mission cards presenting a different degree of difficulty in identifying the target sites than the other sets.

9. Game apparatus for play by two or more players, comprising:

a game board on which is imprinted an unlegended map of at least a portion of the earth'"'"'s surface, including latitude parallels and longitude meridians at intervals of predetermined indicated degree spacing dividing said map into spaces formed by the intersection of said latitude parallels and longitudinal meridans, said board further including

a plurality of first indicia on said map designating unidentified preselected target sites representing real locations on the earth'"'"'s surface, each of said target indicia being located within the one of said spaces on said map corresponding to its real location,

a plurality of second indicia covering predetermined areas of said map and which designate forbidden zones corresponding in location to areas on the earth'"'"'s surface which are considered virtually impassable; and

a plurality of third indicia visually distinguishable from said second indicia covering predetermined areas of said map different from said second indicia and which designate a plurality of danger zones corresponding in location to areas on the earth'"'"'s surface which are hazardous to passage,

a first plurality of mission cards, each of which bears a written clue to the identity of one of said preselected target sites and the nature of a mission to be performed thereat, for distribution of one or more to each of the players at the commencement of play,

a plurality of danger zone cards, each of which identifies one of said danger zones,

a plurality of playing pieces for each player, one for each mission card distributed to a player, each of said pieces being employed to designate movement of the player from a starting point to a preselected target site,

a plurality of danger zone indicating pieces, each adapted to be placed in one of said danger zones to indicate the relationship of a player to said danger zone, and

means for randomly governing movement of said playing pieces along paths comprised of the spaces formed by the intersection of said latitude parallels and longitude meridians.