WO2010003099A2

WO2010003099A2 - Interconnecting dominoes

Info

Publication number: WO2010003099A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/049590
Authority: WO
Inventors: Megan Beth Blume
Original assignee: US Playing Card Co
Current assignee: US Playing Card Co
Priority date: 2008-07-02
Filing date: 2009-07-02
Publication date: 2010-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-02
Also published as: WO2010003099A3

Abstract

An interconnecting domino tile is provided, comprising universal ends and sides each comprising a plurality of notches and tabs which may be connected at a plurality of locations on other tiles to facilitate the interconnection and retention of individual domino tiles in an abutting relationship with other domino tiles.

Description

Interconnecting Dominoes

FIELD OF TΗE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a game and related game piece, namely, dominoes, and more particularly to an interconnecting domino tile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A domino tile typically is generally rectangular in overall shape, having smooth, planar sides. The conventional game of dominoes is played by laying the smooth tiles end to end or end to side such that the individual tiles lie abutting each other, but are not connected in any fashion. Such an arrangement works well when the game of dominoes is played on a hard, flat surface such as a table or wood or tile floor. Difficulties arise, however, in attempting to play the game of dominoes on a soft or uneven or rough surface such as carpet, upholstered furniture, vehicle seats and the like. These types of surfaces do not allow the individual domino tiles to remain in close abutment, making it difficult to determine where individual tiles have been played.

[0003] A further disadvantage of using conventional domino tiles is the ease with which the game pattern of individual tiles can be disturbed, even when the game is being played on a hard, smooth surface. For example, tables can be bumped, resulting in a shifting of the domino tiles and disruption of the game due to movement of the tiles. Additionally, simple movement by a player's fingers when adding an additional tile to the game pattern can also result in movement of the individual tiles and game disruption. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. [0005] The present disclosure provides an interconnecting domino tile having a universal end such mat a first tile may be connected to one or more other tiles at either end of the first tile and to either end or either side of the one or more other tiles. The tiles comprise a plurality of notches and tabs located on the ends and sides of the tiles which are capable of interlocking with respective notches and tabs located on other tiles to connect the individual domino tiles together. The connectability of the domino tiles allows various games of dominoes to be played on hard, smooth surfaces as well as on softer, uneven surfaces such as carpet and the like. The connectability of the domino tiles further prevents disruption of the game as a result of inadvertent movement of the playing surface (such as a table) or the tiles (such as by bumping the tiles when playing an additional tile or the like) and maintains the game pattern in which the tiles have been played by keeping the individual tiles in an interconnected relationship.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more aeadily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007} FlG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an individual, interconnecting domino of the present disclosure; and

[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of 5 interconnecting dominoes of the present disclosure, connected together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009} In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. [0010] The present disclosure provides an interconnecting domino tile 10 that is generally rectangular in shape. Tile 10 comprises a top and bottom surface and is generally planar in cross sectional shape. As shown in FIG. 1, tile 10 comprises two ends 12, 14 and two longer sides 16, 18. Ends 12, 14 are preferably parallel to each other and sides 16, 18 are preferably parallel to each other and perpendicular to ends 12, 14. It is within the scope of the present invention, however, for tile 10 to be other than generally rectangular in shape and, thus, for ends 12, 14 and sides 16, 18 to be other than parallel in orientation to each other. It is also within the scope of the present invention for tile 10 to be other than generally planar in cross sectional shape. Similarly, while ends 12, 14 and sides 16, 18 are depleted in FIGS. 1 and 2 as generally linear, it is within the scope of the present invention for other shapes, such as curvilinear and the like, to be acceptable.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, tile 10 has universal ends and sides such that the end 12 of any tile 10 may be connected to the end 14 or side 16, 18 of any other tile. Ends 12, 14 each comprise a notch 20, 20' and a tab 22, 22'. Sides 16, 18 each comprise three notches 24, 26, 28, 24', 26', 28'. Notch 20, 20' and tab 22, 22' extend the entire thickness of tile 10 from the top surface to the bottom surface. Notch 20, 20' and tab 22, 22' are shaped to accommodate each other as a mate and female fitting to facilitate the interconnection and retention of separate tiles 10 in an abutted relation. As shown in FIG. 2, notch 20 is preferably fairly shallow in the indentation inward into tile 10 and comprises flat end 20a and angled sides 20b, 20c. Other notches 20' 24, 26, 28, 24', 26' 28' on all remaining tiles are similarly shaped. As shown in FIG. 2, tab 22 is preferably fairly shallow in the length extending outward from tile 10 and comprises flat end 22a and angled sides 22b, 22c. Other tabs on alf remaining tiles are similarly shaped. It is also within the scope of the present invention for notches and tabs to have shapes other than as described herein above provided that notches and tabs are shaped such that tiles are interconnected and retained utilizing a notch and tab-type structure where tab flat end 22a is tapered such that it is wider than the widest part at the entry point 20d to notch 20 to facilitate retention of fab 22 within notch 20. For example, notches and tabs could be rounded to resemble jig-saw puzzle tabs or the like. It is also not necessary that the tabs and notches be symmetrical within their individual shape and, thus, could comprise a design that is larger on one side of the notch or tab than on the other, [0012] The plurality of notches and tabs are preferably spaced apart from each other in an equidistant manner on the ends and sides such that tabs and notches on either end or side of the tiles may be accommodated on the ends and sides of any other tile, resulting in correct placement of the domino tile in relation to other tiles for appropriate play in the respective game. It is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize other patterns of notches and tabs while providing universal ends and sides. For example, a tile may comprise one notch and one tab on each end and three tabs on each side. A tile may also comprise more or fewer notches and tabs on ends and sides than depicted in the figures herein.

[0013] It another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), tile 10 may utilize ends and sides which are not universal and which limit the placement of the individual tiles, based on the rules of a particular game.

[0014] In operation, tab 22 of a first tile may be inserted info notch 20, 20'

24, 24', 26, 26', 28, or 28' of a second tile and subsequent tiles (depending, on the rules of the specific game). In an embodiment, the first tile 10 may be connected at eight different points of a second tite and subsequent tiles. For instance, the end 12 of the first tile 10 may be connected at either end 12, 14 of a second tile or may be connected at either side 16, 18 of a second tite at either the right, center or left portion of the sides 16, 18. As shown in FIG. 2, tiles may be connected at connections A, B, C or D (not shown) on each end 12, 14 and each side 16, 18. Connection A is an end- to-end connection wherein tab 22 of a first tile is received within notch 20' of a second tile and notch 20 of the first tile receives tab 22' of the second tile. Connection B is an end-to-middle side connection wherein tab 22 of a first tile is received into notch 26' located at the center portion of side 18 of a second tile. Connection C is an end-to-right side connection wherein tab 22 of a first tile is received into notch 24' located at the right portion of side 18 of a second tile. Connection D (not shown) is an end-to-left side connection and would be accomplished in the same manner as described herein, wherein tab 22 of a first tile is received into notch 28' located at the left portion of side 18 of a second tile. [0015] The tiles of the present invention may comprise any indicia 30 and not merely the dot patterns utilized in conventional domino play. For instance, the tiles 10 may comprise pictures, numbers or other shapes as well as include colors other than black. The indicia may be printed on the tile 10 surface, molded into or onto the tile 10 surface, or otherwise affixed to or made a part of the tile 10 surface such that the indicia of one tile may be distinguished from the indicia of another tile. Similarly, it is within the scope of the present invention for the indicia to be raised, flat or indented with respect to the surface of the tile 10. FlG. 2 should not be considered to be limiting in terms of which tiles can: be connected to other tiles based on the printed indicia. The tiles in FIG. 2 are shown with the indicia depicted for reference only and such indicia will vary depending on the type of indicia depicted on the tile and the specific rules of the game being played.

[0016] Tlte 10 may be made of any material that is known in the industry for use with domino tiles. Preferably, the material utilized will sufficiently retain its shape to that the notches and tabs will function properly to retain the tiles in an abutted relationship even when an external pressure or force is applied. [0017] The tiles 10 of the present invention may be used with the conventional game of dominoes or variations such as Mexican Train, Draw Dominoes and others. [0018] Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[0019] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0020] The use of the terras "a" and "an" and ''the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even it there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. [0021] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A domino tile, comprising: at least one end; at least one side, wherein said at least one side is longer is length than said at least one end; and a plurality of reciprocal notches and tabs located on the at least one end and the at least one side.

2. The tile of claim 1, said tile further comprising a first surface and a second surface, said first surface comprising a visible indicia.

3. The tile of claim 2, wherein said plurality of reciprocal notches and tabs are capable of releasable attachment wherein said tabs of one tile are releasably retained within said notches of another tile.

4. The tile of claim 3, wherein said at least one end further comprises two ends, said at least one side further comprises two sides, said two ends being generally parallel to each other and said two sides being generally parallel to each other, said ends and sides generally forming a rectangle, wherein said plurality of notches and tabs further comprise one tab located on each of said two ends, one notch located on each of said two ends, and three notches located on each of said two sides.

5. The tile of claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of notches is open on one side of said notch, defining an open cavity therein within said tile, said open cavity capable of releasably retaining one of the plurality of tabs located on another tile.

6. The tile of claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of notches further comprises a generally trapezoidal shape and each of said plurality of tabs farther comprises a corresponding generally trapezoidal shape wherein said tab is capable of retention within any of said notches.

7. A game tile, comprising: at least one side; and a universal connection mechanism enabling said game tile to be releasably connected to at least one other such game tite at any of said at least one sides.

8. The tile of claim 7, wherein said universal connection mechanism further comprises at least one notch and one tab.

9. The tile of claim 8, wherein said universal connection mechanism further comprises a plurality of reciprocal shaped notches and tabs capable of releasable attachment wherein said at least one tab of one tile is releasably retained within said at least one notch of another tile.

10. The tile of claim 9, wherein said tite further comprises at least four sides wherein a first side and a second side each comprise at least one of said plurality of reciprocal shapes notches and a third side and a fourth side each comprise at least one of said plurality of reciprocal shaped tabs.

11. The tile of claim 9 wherein each of said plurality of notches comprises a closed end located at the inner-most point of said notch relative to the edge of said tile and further comprises an open end located at the outer-most point of said notch relative to the edge of said tite, defining an open cavity therein within said tile wherein said closed end is wider than said open end such that a reciprocal shaped fab of another tile is releasably retained therein.

12. The tile of claim 11, wherein said plurality of reciprocal shaped notches and tabs are generally trapezoidal in shape.

13. The tile of claim 11, wherein said plurality of reciprocal shaped notches and tabs are generally rounded in shape. The tile of claim 8, said tile further comprising a first surface and a second surface, said first surface comprising a visible indicia.