Base frame for game using an electric probe in adaptable configurations

• US 7,988,561 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Inventors: DeCarolis, Joseph, Lenkarski, Lee M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol; Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US11/863,695
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 273236-237, 273/273, 273/455, 446/175, 463/6, 463/46
• US Class Current: 463/46
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00347 the playing surface as a whole being replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00678 with circuits closed by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00908 with clamping means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0492 Medical
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/0668 the shapes falling or being pushed through the holes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• 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 3/0478 concerning life sciences, e.g. biology, ecology, nutrition, health, medicine, psychology

Abstract

A revised universal base structure which is adapted for use in manufacturing various different versions of an electromechanical game using the same base structure. The base structure provides a network or grid of recessed areas above which a ground plate may extend. The recessed areas are formed as small squares and various small playing pieces are receivable in the recesses so that they can be retrieved by players during the course of game play. However, the base structure can be used with various uniquely different ground plates and unique upper boards to form various different embodiments of the differing games.

Claims

1. A game assembly facilitating adaptable configurations for electromechanical game play, comprising:

a frame for receiving one of a first overlay or a second overlay;

a plurality of frame openings in the frame including a plurality of game activity recesses;

said first overlay comprising a first upper board defining a plurality of first upper board openings therein, the first overlay further comprising a first ground plate defining a plurality of first ground plate openings which correspond with two or more of the first upper board openings in positions to align on the frame operable with the first ground plate and with two or more of the game activity recesses on the frame;

said second overlay comprising a second upper board defining a plurality of second upper board openings therein, the second overlay further comprising a second ground plate defining a plurality of second ground plate openings which correspond with two or more of the second upper board openings in positions to align on the frame operable with the second ground plate and with two or more of the game activity recesses on the frame;

one or more modules for being received in one or more of the frame openings positioning the first module into the frame operable with the first ground plate for generating electromechanical game play activity common to both the first overlay and the second overlay; and

said one or more modules received in one or more of the frame openings for generating electromechanical game play activity unique to the first overlay when the first overlay is on the frame.

2. A game assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more modules further comprises a second module received in said one or more of the frame openings positioning the second module into the frame operable with the second ground plate for generating electromechanical game play activity unique to the second overlay when the second overlay is on the frame.

3. A game assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first overlay and said second overlay each comprise an upper board and a graphic design thereon provided respectively in relation to said first and said second ground plate openings and the game activity recesses for the electromechanical game activity.

4. A game assembly facilitating adaptable configurations within an electromechanical game, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of game activity recesses in the frame;

an overlay comprising one of a first overlay or a second overlay, said frame receiving one of said first overlay or said second overlay at said frame, said frame receiving said first overlay when said second overlay is not received at said frame;

said first overlay comprising a first ground plate defining a plurality of first ground plate openings therein which align on the frame operable with the first ground plate and with two or more of the game activity recesses in the frame;

a first module for first electromechanical game activity;

a second module for second electromechanical game activity unique to the overlay;

a first module opening in the frame for receiving the first module under the first ground plate in relation to the two or more of the game activity recesses on the frame, said first module opening positioning the first module within the frame and under the first ground plate; and

a second module opening in the frame for receiving the second module under the first ground plate in relation to the two or more of the game activity recesses on the frame, said second module opening positioning the second module within the frame and under the first ground plate.

5. A game assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the overlay comprises an upper board and a graphic design thereon provided in relation to the first ground plate openings and the game activity recesses for the electromechanical game activity.

6. A game assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said first module opening positioning the first module into the frame operable with the first ground plate for generating electromechanical game play activity common to both the first overlay and the second overlay.

7. A game assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said second module opening positioning the second module into the frame operable with the first ground plate for generating electromechanical game play game activity corresponding with the first overlay when the first overlay is on the frame.

8. A game assembly facilitating adaptable configurations within an electromechanical game, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of game activity recesses in the frame;

a first overlay comprising a first ground plate defining a plurality of first ground plate openings therein which align on the frame operable with the first ground plate and with two or more of the game activity recesses in the frame;

a second overlay comprising a second ground plate defining a plurality of second ground plate openings therein which align on the frame operable with the second ground plate and with two or more of the game activity recesses in the frame;

said frame receiving said first overlay at said frame wherein said second overlay is not received at said frame;

a first module for first electromechanical game activity;

a second module for second electromechanical game activity corresponding with the first overlay;

a first module opening in the frame for receiving the first module under the first ground plate in relation to the two or more of the game activity recesses on the frame, said first module opening positioning the first module within the frame and under the first ground plate; and

a second module opening in the frame for receiving the second module under the first ground plate in relation to the two or more of the game activity recesses on the frame, said second module opening positioning the second module within the frame and under the first ground plate.

9. A game assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said first overlay comprises a first upper board and a first graphic design thereon provided in relation to said first ground plate openings and the game activity recesses for the electromechanical game activity unique to the first overlay and the first graphic design thereon.

10. A game assembly as recited in claim 8, said frame receiving said second overlay at said frame wherein said first overlay is not received at said frame, said second module further comprising electromechanical game activity corresponding with the second overlay with said first module opening positioning the first module within the frame and under the second ground plate.

11. A game assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein said second module opening in the frame receives the second module under the second ground plate in relation to the two or more of the game activity recesses on the frame with said second module opening positioning the second module within the frame and under the second ground plate.

12. A game assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said first overlay and said second overlay each comprise an upper board and a graphic design thereon provided respectively in relation to said first and said second ground plate openings and the game activity recesses for the electromechanical game activity.

13. A game assembly as recited in claim 12, said second overlay comprising an upper board and a graphic design thereon provided in relation to the second ground plate openings and the game activity recesses, wherein the second module comprises a sound effect module for the electromechanical game activity unique to the second overlay.

14. A game assembly as recited in claim 8, comprising a player motivated tool.

15. A method for manufacturing a game assembly facilitating adaptable configurations with an electromechanical game, comprising:

providing a frame for a game assembly;

defining game activity recesses on the frame to be used in game play;

defining a plurality of openings in a ground plate to align with two or more of the game activity recesses on the frame;

positioning a first module into the frame operable with the ground plate;

positioning a second module into the frame; and

applying an overlay to the frame above the ground plate, said second module providing electromechanical game activity unique to the overlay in relation to the ground plate openings and in relation to the two or more of the game activity recesses on the frame.

16. A method for manufacturing a game as recited in claim 15, wherein applying the overlay comprises applying the ground plate to the underside of the overlay.

17. A method for manufacturing a game as recited in claim 15, wherein applying the overlay comprises applying an upper board.

18. A method for manufacturing a game as recited in claim 15, wherein applying the overlay comprises applying a graphic design.

19. A method for manufacturing a game as recited in claim 15, comprising a sound effect module.

20. A method for manufacturing a game as recited in claim 15, comprising a graphic design for the game.