US2572412A - Game piece simulating a sailboat - Google Patents

Description

J. S. L- WHARTON, JR

GAME PIECE SIMULATING A SAIL BOAT Filed NOV. 8, 194? Oct. 23, 1951 34 INVENTOR. Jo S-L. mint 4...

0000000 0 0,. v 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M 0 w xugv Patented Oct. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a game piece simulating a sail boat for use in a game designed to enable the players to maneuver sailing yachts under condition approximating those encountered in actual sailing races.

The chief object of the invention is to provide a game piece in the form of a miniature boat to serve as a model sailing yacht and be capable of assuming upright and heeling positions.

A feature of the invention consists in providing a game piece in the form of a model hull with a pivoted sail and a stationary rudder. A projecting element integral with the mast and protruding under the hull enables the yacht to be retained in upright position when the sail is cross-wise to the hull and in heeling position when the sail is at a lesser angle thereto.

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference will be had to the following detailed description to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 illustrates, in part in perspective, a game board with which the game piece of the present invention may be employed;

Fig 2 illustrates, in perspective, one of applicants game pieces shown in upright position;

Fig. 3 shows, in perspective, said game piece in heeling position; and

Fig. 4 shows said game piece in an exploded view.

Considering the drawings, similar designations referring to similar parts, numeral I I designates a playing surface, which may be in the form of a board, made of wood, plastic or other suitable material, covered by a cork or similar mat adapted easily to receive pins or the like. If desired, an unbacked sheet material may be employed to act as the playing surface.

lhe surface bears a plurality of paralle lines l2, diagonally disposed at an angle to the sides l3, shown at 45 degrees in the drawings, each space bounded by such lines being a progression area.

The surface shown in the drawings illustrates (as by any suitable decorative or photographic means) a shore-line M, with various land masses I5 positioned in and about a water area, generally designated l6. An island I! is suitably located in the water area and harbor entrances [8 are provided as shown.

A compass rose I9 is preferably positioned on the island although it may be placed in any other suitable point on the surface. This not only shows the compass points but also indicates other conditions bearing upon the progress of the game. A pointer 20 may be whirled in the usual way, during the course of play, to designate wind direction, squall conditions, etc. of employing a compass rose, applicant contemplates the use of cards or other devices to designate similar playing conditions.

Buoys 2| may be fixed in position, as by imprinting or aflixing of markers, or may be removably positioned as by separate markers equipped with pins or the like, to designate one or more desired channels. The buoys are colored as in actual maritime use, to indicate the navigatable channels.

Starting and course markers 22 may be fixed or removable placed in position to indicate a prescribed racing course.

A game piece in the form of a power boat 23, of wood, metal, or other material, is provided, as shown, and may initially be positioned at a starting point as, for example, dock 24, shown at the yacht club-house in the illustration.

A game piece in the form of a tow boat or other commercial vessel 25, also made of suitable material, is provided, as shown, and normally is positioned at the entrance to channel 26, to be moved therethrough, as the play progresses.

Game pieces in the form of sailing yachts 2'! consist of a hull 28, with an orifice therethrough in which is fitted a rotatable mast 29 having one or more sails integral therewith. At the bottom of the mast 29 is a heeling member 30, transverse to the center line of the mast. The heeling member is attached to the mast in any desired manner so that it rotates therewith. Rudder 3| is fixed to the stern of the hull.

As shown in Fig. 2, the heeling member 30 is substantially in the same plane as the sails 32. As a result, when the sails are in before the wind position, that is, transverse to the center line of the boat, 33, then heeling member 3!! will be transverse to the bottom or support point 34 of rudder 3|. Thus, the sailing yacht will assume an upright position. However, when the sails, as shown in Fig. 3, are set in a reaching or close haul position, away from the wind, then heeling member 30 is relatively at a small angle to the hull and will not support the sailing yacht in an upright position. Yet, because the member is sufi'iciently long to afford support, it will enable the sailing yacht to assume a heeling position, as illustrated.

While two or more players normally engage in a sailing contest in playing the game, each using one or more boats, it may also be played by one person.

Instead While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood my invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A game piece in the 'form of a sailing yacht comprising a hull, having an orifice therethrough, a rotatable mast member fitted in the orifice, a sail mounted on the mast member above the hull and rotatable with the mast member, and a heeling member attached to and rotatable with the mast placed below the hull, rotation of the mast varying the angle of the sail and the heeling member with respect to the keel of the hull whereby the yacht may assume a heeling position at one time and an upright position at another.

time.

2. A game piece in the form of a sailing yacht the sail, said heeling member'being placed below the hull, manipulation Of'thesail varying the angle of the-heeling member Withrespect' to the keel of the hull whereby the yacht may'assume a heeling position at one time and an upright position at another time.

JOSEPH S. L. WHARTON, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 798,750 Sinclair Sept. 5, 1905 1,440,794 Rayder Jan. 2, 1923 1,500,782 Vegiard July 8, 1924 1,564,458 Whiting Dec. 8, 1925 1,628,412 Lesavoy May 10, 1927 1,681,666 Higgins Aug. '211, 1928 1,918,543 Hofiman July 18, 1933 2,007,791 Burns July 9, 1935 2,028,543 Goldberg Jan. 21, 1936 2,277,301 Channer Mar. 24, 1942 FOREIGN. PATENTS Number Country Date 328,109 Great Britain Apr. 24,4930

Great Britain May 10, 1935

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