US3889953A

US3889953A - Solitaire tic-tac-toe game

Info

Publication number: US3889953A
Application number: US276253A
Authority: US
Inventors: James A Grasham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-28
Filing date: 1972-07-28
Publication date: 1975-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-17

Abstract

A TIC-TAC-TOE type game where moves for one of the players can be computed. In the game there are counters for each player to mark his position on a playing board. In addition, there is a series of counters used to mark positions on the board not occupied by the players. All counters have grooves on them and there is a stylus for travel over the grooves. A player''s moves are computed by moving the stylus over the grooves until it stops on one of the counters that belongs to none of the players.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Grasham 1 1 SOLITAIRE TlC-TAC-TOE GAME [76] Inventor: James A. Grasham, PO. Box 207,

Eugene, Oreg. 97401 [22] Filed: July 28, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 276,253

[52] US. Cl. 273/130 B; 273/109; 273/136 E; 273/137 R [51] Int. Cl. A631 3/00 [58] Field of Search 273/153 R, 160, 130, 131, 273/134,132,136 R, 136 E, 136 F, 136 R,

136 11,136 G, 136 GB, 136 Z, 137 R, 137 C,

137 D, 137 B,109,110,113,1l5,156, 157

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 471,666 3/1892 Doty 273/130 R 2,162,876 6/1939 Barton 273/131 B 2,585,268 2/1952 Olsen 273/131 B 3,309,092 3/1967 Hardesty et al.... 273/134 GA 3,586,333 6/1971 Abney 273/137 R X June 17, 1975 3,706,455 12/1972 Meyer 273/110 3,727,916 4/1973 Miller 273/131 B X 3,731,934 5/1973 Shoptough 273/131 BA X 3,741,545 6/1973 Weisbecker 273/131 BA FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,174,676 12/1969 United Kingdom 273/134 GA 694,880 7/1953 United Kingdom 273/134 GA X Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello [57] ABSTRACT A TlC-TAC-TOE type game where moves for one of I the players can be computed. In the' game there are counters for each player to mark his position on a playing board. In addition, there is a series of counters used to mark positions on the board not occupied by the players. All counters have grooves on them and there is a stylus for travel over the grooves. A players moves are computed by moving the stylus over the grooves until it stops on one of the counters that belongs to none of the players.

20 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures SOLITAIRE TIC-TAC-TOE GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a game device capable of solving a series of problems, as for example a sequence of problems encountered in the playing of a game to permit a game such as Tic-'Iac-Toe to be played in a solitaire manner.

While previous efforts toward solitaire devices have included problem solving devices, these efforts have been very complex for the most part utilizing involved mechanical or electrical devices. Examples of such efforts are found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,811,359 to R. C. Haufc; 2.877,()l9 to Keister; and 3,145,993 to Archer.

Devices ofthe above type are of a complex nature and as such have limited appeal to the public by reason of the high original cost and maintenance effort required. Further, their complex nature renders them unsuitable for use by all age groups.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is embodied within a device wherein a first set of counters, in three-by-three disposition, is replaced one by one by alternating operator and opponent' moves. Opponent moves are determined by the relationship of a stylus and solution means on one of the counters in the stylus path. More particularly, one form of the invention concerns a Tic- Tac-Toe game of the solitaire type wherein the plays of the opponent are determined by the particular arrangement of counters in place on a playing surface and the resulting path of a stylus thereover. The stylus path above referred to will be varied by the alternate counter substitutions of the operator and opponent.

Common to the basic form of the invention are a plurality of counters with the operator and his opponent" having individual counters which are played during alternate moves by substituting same for counters initially in place. The playing surface may vary from simply a suitable supporting surface of a size enabling a three-by-three counter arrangement at the game start with other variations including a recessed matrix or board to receive the counters.

An object for guided travel from one counter to the next is utilized. one such object being a hand-held stylus while such an object may take the form of a rolling object. Solution means are provided on each of the initially placed counters which cooperate with the moving stylus, or other moving object. to indicate where the opponents next move will be. The interaction between stylus and solution means, indicating the opponent" moves, will be later described in detail.

The counters. and playing board if used, include cator means on the counters insuring proper counter orientation of operator and opponent counters to one another. For example, the counters may be provided with recessed areas engageable with occupying projections of the board or, as an alternative, the counters may be provided with indices to insure proper orientation.

The device may be constructed so as to provide differing degrees of challenge, i.e., embodiments wherein the operator will most often win ranging to those wherein the opponent chances of winning are increased. A modified form of the device will permit a further variable in that the stylus guiding means may include a provision for the operator to exercise a choice in the course of the stylus to vary the outcome of the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view ofa matrix or game board of one form of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a composite plan view of a typical set of counters,

FIG. 3 is a stylus,

FIG. 3A is a ball member which may be used in place of the stylus,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the matrix supporting nine B counters initially in place at the start of a problem solv ing sequence,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a partially completed sequence.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of the FIG. 5,-showing transfer groove formation,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an almost completed problem solving sequence,

FIG. 7A is a fragmentary plan view of a matrix with a modified form of transfer grooves thereon, and

FIG. 8 is a view of a modified form of counter wherein a solution indicator is provided thereon with each counter being coded for proper orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With continuing reference to the drawings wherein applied reference numerals indicate components similarly identified in the following specification. the reference numeral 1 indicates a matrix in the nature of a counter holder of a thickness permitting the formation of counter receiving recessed areas 2.

In the first described form of the invention, each area 2 has counter positioning means in the form of a projection 3 for engagement with a corresponding recessed area in each counter as later described. An alternative manner of properly orientating the counters is indicated in FIG. 8 wherein a plus (-I-) symbol on a counter is matched with a second symbol.

Provided for placement into each of the recessed areas are a quantity of counters, each desirably of a thickness so as to define stylus guiding grooves constituting guide means and also to project somewhat above the surrounding matrix surface (FIG. 6) to facilitate finger-tip removal from said areas. The counters, in one form of the invention, are in three groups: starting counters indicated by the letter B thereon, opponent counters indicated by the letter X thereon, and operator counters indicated by the letter O thereon all as viewed in FIG. 2. The counters B, X and O are provided respectively with grooves 8, 9 and 10 shown as lines in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7 and 7A for guidance of the stylus or other moving object. With reference to FIG. 2, nine B counters are shown which are initially set in place in the nine recessed areas 2 at the start of a sequence. Also shown are five X counters and four 0 counters such constituting a minimum number of counters for the playing of one game. Each counter bears a starting point indices S in the form of an arrowhead marking both a groove and direction of stylus travel. 3

The matrix 1 includes what may be termed transfer areas at 1B, whichare areas intermediate adjacent recessed areas 2. Each transfer area defines stylus guiding transfer grooves at 4 with the exception innermost transfer area 18 which has but a single groove. Accordingly. guide means are provided on the matrix I for directing a moving object. such as a stylus. from a specific groove 8, 9, or 10 on one counter across a transfer area 18 to a specific groove on a second counter. In a modified form of the device wherein matrix I is disposed with such transfer such transfer occurs directly from counter to counter. Further the transfer grooves 4 may be located other than as shown. for example they may extend along the margin of the matrix 1.

In FIG. 3 a stylus is indicated at 5 for use by the operator in the following of the counter defined grooves. Another form of movable object accomplishing the same function may be a ball member 6 as in FIG. 3A which is propelled along the grooved courses by tilting of the hand held matrix 1. i

With attention to FIG. 6, the grooves 4defined by the transfer areas 1B of matrix 1 are desirably inclined along their bottom walls to insure obstruction free stylus travel. The bottom wall at 4A of each transfer groove 4 is inclined to permit free stylus travel in one direction. such direction being from the centrally located counter outwardly and thence initially in a clockwise direction about the remaining counters. In traversing a transfer groove 4 a stylus tip will initially drop into the groove 4 with said tip traveling along bottom wall 4A and departing the same at a point above the next counter defined groove. In the later stages of a problem solving sequence. a reversal in the direction of the stylus travel may occur whereby the travel will be in a counter clockwise direction with the groove wall being oppositely inclined from the groove wall 4A.

With attention again being directed to the B counters and more particularly to the grooves 8 therein. some of said grooves are open ended permitting the stylus tip to travel across the counter and intothe communicating transfer groove 4 while other of the counters grooves terminate on the counter, such grooves hereinafter referred to as close-ended grooves and constitute one embodiment of solution means. Solution means may be defined as means indicating to the operator which of the initially in place B counters is to be replaced with an opponent X counter. Accordingly stoppage of the stylus. or other moving object, by the close-ended groove of a B counter indicates to the device operator the next move or placement of an X counter. In a modifled form of counter at 13 in FIG. 8, instead of using close-ended grooves as the solution means I provide an indicator mark or indices 14. All of the grooves indicated at 15 on counter 13 are of the open-ended type. With this type of solution means it is permissableto form all of the counters with the same groove pattern with the only difference therebetween being the B, X, or O indices thereon and the location of the stylus starting point mark S.

At all times the operator will initiate stylus travel during the opponent turn, within a groove of the center counter. The specific groove and direction of stylus travel is indicated by the arrowhead S on all counters since either an X. 0 or modified counter 13 could, during a game. be the centrally located counter. Similarly all B counters are provided with an arrowhead S.

The nine B counters indicated in place in the nine recessed areas 2 of the matrix are shown in FIG. 4 with the projections 3 insuring proper counter orientation.

To determine the first counter substitution in the playing of a game a stylus or other moving object is placed into the arrowhead indicated groove of the centrally located B counter with subsequent stylus movement being terminated by the closed end thereon. Accordingly the device operator would substitute an X counter for the center B counter. In the present description the opponent" will go first and will be represented by the X counters.

In a typical game the first move of the operator may. for example. be the substitution of the operators 0 counter for a corner located B counter. however. any of the eight remaining B counters may be removed and an 0 counter substituted therefor. With attention to FIGS. 4 and 5. the former shows matrix 1 occupied entirely by B counters at the start of a game while FIG.

5 discloses a partially completed sequence wherein an opponent' X counter and an operators 0 counter have each been substituted or played for B counters.

The next placement of an opponent X counter on the matrix as shown in FIG. 5 will be determined as follows: The stylus tip is placed on the arrowhead of the centrally located X counter with subsequent travel of the stylus tip being initially in a left-hand direction onto a B counter. thence upwardly onto the 0 counter. thence in a right-hand direction with the stylus guiding grooves terminating on the B counter located at the upper right-hand corner of the matrix I.

The operator for his turn, upon noting that two X counters are in diagonal alignment would place an 0 counter at the lower left-hand corner of the matrix. The operator of the present device will depart from using the stylus in determining X counter placement when. prior to the opponent" turn. one of the eight possible rows of counters contains two X counters and a B counter. such automatically requiring the placement of an X counter resulting in a win for the opponent." Similarly, if there are two 0 counters and a B counter in a row the stylus is not used but rather the opponent turn consists of an X counter being exchanged for the single B counter in said row. The foregoing as well as all moves are with the operator taking alternate turns substituting X and O counters for the initially placed B counters.

With attention again being directed toward the playing of-a typical game as started in FIG. 5 and substantially completed in FIG. 7, the operator next takes the lower left-hand corner. As there are now two 0 counters and a B counter in the vertical left-hand row the opponent turn consists of placement of an X counter intermediate the O counters in said row. The operator now plays by placing his 0 counter immediately to the right of the center counter. For the opponent" turn the stylus is again started at 5 on the center counter with travel subsequently being stopped at the lower right-hand corner for placement thereat of an X counter. The operator, for his turn. places an 0 counter immediately below the center counter. The matrix is now as viewed in FIG. 7 with the last move being an opponent" move with the stylus traveling about the counters counterclockwise, reversing its direction on the X counter immediately left of the center counter and thence being stopped on the remaining B counter immediately above the center counter.

The foregoing described device in instances where the opponent" turn is first will never lose (ties being possible) while in the event the operator goes first the device may lose. In the latter case the operator to win must for his first move place his counter in other than the center location.

With attention to FIG. 7A. modified transfer grooves of the intersecting type are indicated at 4' to enable the operator to exercise a degree of choice in the path of the stylus during the opponent turn.

The foregoing description relates to a game device arranged in typical Tic-TaoToe fashion but is not intended to obviate the arrangement of counters in other than a three-by-three format. For example the counters may be arranged in a single row with the recesses being coded to represent corresponding squares on a typical Tic-Tac-Toe game board. In such instance the placement of counters in consecutive rows is not required to win. I

While I have shown but a few embodiments of the present invention the scope of the present coverage is not accordingly limited but rather is to be defined under the appended claim coverage.

What I claim is:

l. A game device comprising:

a plurality of counters;

a game board having discrete areas thereon, said board areas for receiving said counters;

said counters and said game board having thereon means for uniquely orienting said counters in said board areas;

said counters having first markings thereon. said first markings being in the form of a plurality of different indicia, each counter having only one of said indicia thereon;

said counters having second markings thereon, said second markings being in the form of pathways, the counters located in said board areas having certain pathways on different counters in communication.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

an object for travel over said pathways, certain of said pathways having a starting point indicator for initiating travel of said object;

means for ending pathway travel of said objectv 3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said unique orienting means are defined by the respective shapes of said counters and said board areas.

4. The device claimed in claim 2 wherein said unique orienting means are defined by indicia on said counters and said board.

5. A game device comprising:

a plurality of counters;

means for uniquely orienting said counters in said board areas;

said counters having first markings thereon, said first markings being in the form of first, second, and third indicia, each counter having only one of said indicia thereon;

6. The device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:

means for ending pathway travel of said object.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein certain of said counters have said starting point indicator thereon.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said ending means are located on certain of said counters.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said object is in the form of a stylus.

10. The device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:

an object for travel over said pathways, certain of said pathways having a starting point indicator for initiating travel of said object, and certain of said counters having a pathway which ends part of the way across the counter.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said object is in the form of a stylus.

12. A game device comprising:

a plurality of counters;

a game board, said board having discrete areas thereon, said areas for receiving said counters; means for uniquely orienting said counters in said board areas;

said counters having first markings thereon, said first markings being in the form of first. second. and third indicia. each counter having only one of said indicia thereon;

said counters having second markings thereon, said second markings being in the form of pathways, the

counters located in said board areas having certain pathways on different counters in communication; an object for travel over said pathways;

starting point indicators located on certain of said counters. said starting point indicators for initiating pathway travel of said object;

means for ending pathway travel of said object, said ending means being in the form of pathways which end part of the way across a counter.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said object is in the form of a stylus.

14. A game device comprising:

a plurality of counters:

a game board, said board having discrete areas thereon, said areas for receiving said counters; means for uniquely orienting counters in said board areas;

certain of said pathways having a starting point indicator for initiating travel of said object;

certain of said counters having a direction indicator thereon, said direction indicator for indicating desired direction of pathway travel for said object; and

means for ending pathway travel of said object.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein certain of said counters have said starting point indicator thereon.

16. A game device comprising:

a plurality of counters;

said counters having first markings thereon, said first markings being in the form of pathways:

an object for travel over said pathways;

a game board having first and second areas thereon, said first areas for the reception of said counters, said second areas interposed between said first areas and having pathways thereon, said second area pathways for transferring said object during its travels from a pathway on one counter to a pathway on another counter. said second area pathways being in the form of grooves, said grooves and object having dimensions appropriate for allowing, during groove travel of said object, contact of said object with the bottom wall of said grooves. and said grooves having the bottom wall inclined for unhindered unidirectional travel of said object.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising: means for ending pathway travel of said object;

certain of said pathways having a starting point indicator, said starting point indicator for initiating travel of said object. 18. The device as claimed in claim 17 further comprising:

means for uniquely orienting said counters in said first board areas. 19. The device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising: V

second markings located on said counters, said second markings being in the form of first, second, and third indicia, each counter having only one of said indicia thereon. 20. The device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising:

means for uniquely orienting said counters in said first board areas.

Claims

1. A game device comprising: a plurality of counters; a game board having discrete areas thereon, said board areas for receiving said counters; said counters and said game board having thereon means for uniquely orienting said counters in said board areas; said counters having first markings thereon, said first markings being in the form of a plurality of different indicia, each counter having only one of said indicia thereon; said counters having second markings thereon, said second markings being in the form of pathways, the counters located in said board areas having certain pathways on different counters in communication.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: an object for travel over said pathways, certain of said pathways having a starting point indicator for initiating travel of said object; means for ending pathway travel of said object.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said unique orienting means are defined by the respective shapes of said counters and said board areas.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said unique orienting means are defined by indicia on said counters and said board.

5. A game device comprising: a plurality of counters; a game board having discrete areas thereon, said board areas for receiving said counters; means for uniquely orienting said counters in said board areas; said counters having first markings thereon, said first markings being in the form of first, second, and third indicia, each counter having only one of said indicia thereon; said counters having second markings thereon, said second markings being in the form of pathways, the counters located in said board areas having certain pathways on different counters in communication.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising: an object for travel over said pathways, certain of said pathways having a starting point indicator for initiating travel of said object; means for ending pathway travel of said object.

10. The device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising: an object for travel over said pathways, certain of said pathways having a starting point indicator for initiating travel of said object, and certain of said counters having a pathway which ends part of the way across the counter.

12. A game device comprising: a plurality of counters; a game board, said board having discrete areas thereon, said areas for receiving said counters; means for uniquely orienting said counters in said board areas; said counters having first markings thereon, said first markings being in the form of first, second, and third indicia, each counter having only one of said indicia thereon; said counters having second markings thereon, said second markings being in the form of pathways, the counters located in said board areas having certain pathways on different counters in communication; an object for travel over said pathways; starting point indicators located on certain of said counters, said starting point indicators for initiating pathway travel of said object; means for ending pathway travel of said object, said ending means being in the form of pathways which end part of the way across a counter.

14. A game device comprising: a plurality of counters; a game board, said board having discrete areas thereon, said areas for receiVing said counters; means for uniquely orienting counters in said board areas; said counters having first markings thereon, said first markings being in the form of first, second, and third indicia, each counter having only one of said indicia thereon; said counters having second markings thereon, said second markings being in the form of pathways, the counters located in said board areas having certain pathways on different counters in communication; an object for travel over said pathways; certain of said pathways having a starting point indicator for initiating travel of said object; certain of said counters having a direction indicator thereon, said direction indicator for indicating desired direction of pathway travel for said object; and means for ending pathway travel of said object.

16. A game device comprising: a plurality of counters; said counters having first markings thereon, said first markings being in the form of pathways; an object for travel over said pathways; a game board having first and second areas thereon, said first areas for the reception of said counters, said second areas interposed between said first areas and having pathways thereon, said second area pathways for transferring said object during its travels from a pathway on one counter to a pathway on another counter, said second area pathways being in the form of grooves, said grooves and object having dimensions appropriate for allowing, during groove travel of said object, contact of said object with the bottom wall of said grooves, and said grooves having the bottom wall inclined for unhindered unidirectional travel of said object.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising: means for ending pathway travel of said object; certain of said pathways having a starting point indicator, said starting point indicator for initiating travel of said object.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17 further comprising: means for uniquely orienting said counters in said first board areas.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising: second markings located on said counters, said second markings being in the form of first, second, and third indicia, each counter having only one of said indicia thereon.

20. The device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising: means for uniquely orienting said counters in said first board areas.