WO1992010254A1

WO1992010254A1 - An article

Info

Publication number: WO1992010254A1
Application number: PCT/AU1991/000572
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Gambles; Patrick Gambles; Stuart Browett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-12-12
Filing date: 1991-12-12
Publication date: 1992-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 1993-06-12
Also published as: GB2266058A; GB9312011D0; GB2266058B

Abstract

An article comprising at least two compartments, wherein each compartment includes a number of variables; and selection means for randomly selecting at least one of those variables, the selection of one or more variables providing a constraint for creation of a solution to a problem.

Description

AN ARTICLE

This invention relates to an article that may be used as a travel game or an educational device. In particular the present invention relates to an article that may be used for a word game.

There are numerous games and teaching aids that involve participants to create words or name particular items. For example, games such as "I spy" involves one participant to indicate the first letter of a particular object and another participant to guess that object. These sort of games have no written instructions or formality and are generally based upon improvisation. They are however, and will remain popular games, particularly during travel, but generally require more than one participant.

Educational devices such as books or cards, use a similar principle where the reader may be asked to create words beginning with a certain letter or containing a certain number of letters. Such principles are also utilised in the classroom when teaching primary students the basics of spelling and writing.

These particular games and methods of teaching do provide both entertainment and a degree of thinking that are suitable for educational purposes. Generally, they involve more than one participant and often involve more than one particular article. It would be convenient however if a suitable article provided motivation and impetus to create words while still providing the basis for a game, that may be played alone or with a group and with the convenience of a single article.

The present invention provides an article comprising at least two compartments, wherein each compartment consists of a number of variables; and selection means for randomly selecting at least one of those variables, the selection of one or more variables providing a constraint for creation of a solution to a problem. The article of the present invention is predominantly suitable for use as a game, but may also be used for educational purposes. In a most preferred form, the article provides for a portable self contained article that is convenient for use while travelling. In one form, the article may consist of a sphere having a divider separating the sphere into two substantially equal internal compartments and creating a substantially flat surface, or a "floor" in each compartment. Although a variety of varying configurations may be contemplated, it will be useful by way of example to describe such a sphere in the following description.

Each compartment contains a number of variables and a selection means for randomly selecting one or more of those variables. It will be appreciated that the type of variables and the means for which they may be selected may vary considerably. A most preferred form of selection means for these variables utilizes a number of indentations or segments within a substantially flat surface of each compartment.

An indentation may include either a depression or a hole, within the flat surface of each compartment. The segments may be created by raised ridges in the substantially flat surface to define a space. Each indentation or segment represents a particular variable. To randomly select one or more of the variables, a ball or balls is provided, so in use when the article is shaken and then held still, a ball will randomly fall within one of the indentations or segments. As an alternative, the selection means may consist of a number generator, such as a dice with a plurality of faces. The dice may include numerical, colour or other such variables, or combinations of such variables on a single face. To construct a purposive game, each of the compartments preferably contains distinct but relevant sets of variables. For example, in a compartment that contains indentations, a first set of variables may be letters of the alphabet and each indentation is designated a letter. A second set of variables in a second compartment, may indicate a second topic such as "a boys name", "a girls name", "a vegetable" or any number of like topics. Generally, each set of variables will form some sort of list.

The variables in each of the compartments should be relevant so as to provide constraints that may be used for solution of a problem. For example, a selection from each set of variables should provide constraints with at least two variables such as "a boys name beginning with p ", "a vegetable having 6 letters" or "an adjective to describe a house". It will be appreciated that the limitations on the types of variables are numerous. As a further example, a numerical variable may designate points to be awarded.

Apart from topics that may simply be used as games, various educational topics and uses include foreign language vocabulary, reading skills, grammar, punctuation and mathematical problems by use of symbol card, for example.

To utilize this article in this form, the sphere is shaken and a first variable is selected, and then simply turned over, and shaken if desired to obtain a second variable. More than one variable may be selected to add variation to the use of the article, by use of two or more balls, or selections on the face of a dice.

Preferably, the article is constructed of a plastics material. If in the form of a sphere, the divider may comprise two separable discs, each having indentations or segments on one side such that when formed with the sphere, the indentations or segments face into the compartments formed. The categories for each of the variables may be printed on a separate card or a sheet, that may be inserted between each of the separable discs. By this means the game may be varied by changing the card to vary the categories of the variables. The discs themselves may be removed and replaced so as to vary the number of indentations or segments and hence the number of variables utilised within the game.

A further preferred embodiment includes a hemisphere, having a substantially flat surface, and a tray, attachable beneath the flat surface having means to allow for the insertion and removal of a card. The tray may be formed integral of the hemisphere or be removable such that it may be replaced. A central divider or a plurality of dividers may be included perpendicular to the flat surface. The article in this form simply requires a single shake and each of the variables may be seen and selected at the same time.

The number of compartments and the configuration of the particular article is not limited to what has previously been described. In another form three or more compartments may be used with each compartment having a compatible but different selection of variables. For example, one compartment may have numbers while another has letters and another a various topic, the end result that may be produced is "a boys name beginning with P having 5 letters".

Particularly preferred embodiments are illustrated with reference to the drawings. Again, it should be understood that these are merely illustrative of examples of an article according to the present invention and the scope of the ivention should not be considered to be limited thereto.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sphere embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a hemisphere embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a plan view of a further hemisphere embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a cross section partial view of a hemisphere embodiment.

The article in figure 1 shows a sphere (1) divided into two compartments, shown as hemispheres (2) and (3) by divider (4) . The divider (4) forms a floor in compartment (2) when in the orientation shown in the drawing. A plurality of variables are designated by particular indentations (5) in the floor of the compartment. The subject of the designation of each particular variable is illustrated on a card (8) shown best in figure 2. To select a particular variable, a ball (6) will fall randomly into one of the indentations when the article is shaken and then stopped. To select a second variable, the article may then be turned so that a similar floor in compartment (3) is revealed, the designation of each variable should be different to that of the floor to compartment (2) . The article is probably best illustrated in figure 2 where hemispheres (2) and (3) form each of the compartments. The divider (4) is shown in this embodiment in three separable parts. A first part (7) forms a floor of compartment (2), having indentations (5). The indentations substantially correspond with designated variables that are printed on card (8). A second part (9) forms a floor in compartment (3) when the article is inverted from the orientation shown. The indentations (10) on part (9) substantially correspond with variables that may be printed on the reverse side of card (8).

In practice, each of these parts forming divider (4) may be formed integral with each other or they may be formed separable so that one or more may be changed to alter the nature of the game played. Another form of the invention is illustrated in figure 3. A hemisphere (11) with divider (12) forming two separate compartments. The floor (13) of the hemisphere has indentations (14) and (15) in each of the compartments, the indentations representing a particular variable, the variable being designated by a removable card (not shown) beneath the floor. Notches (19) assist in holding the card in position. Again, the card and floor may be formed either integrally or separable from the hemisphere.

The floor may be formed with a bevel (16) surrounding the circumference of the floor and optionally along the divider to assist in forcing the balls (17) and (18) to roll toward the indentations.

A further embodiment is illustrated in figure 4 where a hemisphere (39) is divided into four compartments. A first compartment (20) consisting of indentations (21), a second compartment (22) consisting of segments 23; a third compartment (24) consisting of segments (25) and a fourth compartment (26) including a dice (27). The segments of the second and third compartments are formed by ridges (37) and (38) respectively. Balls (29) are provided in each of compartments (20), (22) and (24) so that when shaken each will fall in either a segment or an indentation and the dice will randomly select a variable. The substantially flat surface of compartment (26) is roughened to facilitate the roll of the dice. Rods (28) are provided to act to rebound the balls into particular compartments. Each compartment is sealed such that a ball cannot escape from its respective compartment.

Figure 5 illustrates a hemisphere embodiment (30) with tray (31) attached beneath the flat surface. Removable sheets (32) are located within the tray and in use may be removed or replaced to vary the categories.

It will be understood that the above description is merely descriptive of preferred embodiments of the present invention and that amendment or modification thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention is also contemplated.

Claims

1. An article comprising at least two compartments, wherein each compartment includes a number of variables; and selection means for randomly selecting at least one of those variables, the selection of one or more variables providing a constraint for creation of a solution to a problem.

2. An article according to claim 1 wherein at least one or each compartment has at least one flat surface: said selection means comprising a number of indentations or segments located in said flat surface, and a ball, randomly locatable in any of said indentations or segments contained in a specific compartment.

3. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein categories are provided on a card, separable from said article and capable of being inserted beneath said flat surface in use, to indicate specific category selections for each variable.

4. An article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the article is a sphere containing two compartments, each compartment separable by a divider, said divider providing a flat surface for each compartment.

5. An article according to claim 4, wherein said divider is formed by two separable discs, each having indentations or segments on one side, such that when formed with said sphere, the indentations or segments face into the compartments formed.

6. An article according to claim 5, wherein said card is removably locatable between each of said separable discs.

7. An article according to claim 1 wherein the article is a hemisphere having at least one substantially flat surface, said hemisphere being divided into two or more compartments, each compartment including selection means for randomly selecting one or more variables.

8. An article according to claim 7, further including a removable tray, wherein said tray is locatable beneath said flat surface; and said card or cards being removably locatable within said tray.

9. An article according to claim 1, wherein the selection means consists of a dice containing a plurality of faces.

10. An article according to claim 9 wherein said dice includes numerical or colour valves or a combination of both on each face.

11. An article according to claim 1, wherein in use, a problem is created by the selection of a random variable in one, or more compartments, said selection of the variables providing constraints for creation of a solution to a problem.

12. An article according to claim 11, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the drawings.