GB2185691A - A game - Google Patents

Abstract

A game is played by building a tower of blocks (1) and players alternately removing a block (1) from the tower until collapse occurs. The blocks (1) are arranged in tiers (2), each tier (2) having an odd number of blocks (1) and being staggered with respect to adjacent tiers (2). Each block (1) has a slightly different height such that some blocks (1a) may be easily removed from the tower. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A game The present invention relates to a game.

The invention provides a game comprising a plurality of blocks of slightly different height, wherein players alternately remove a block from a tower formed from superimposed staggered tiers of blocks until the tower collapses, either wholly or partially.

An embodiment ofthe invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure lisa side view of part of an assembled tower, and Figure2 is a front view of the part of the tower shown in Figure 1.

In the drawing, a game ("Tumbledown") comprises a plurality, preferably 45, o blocks 1. The blocks have very slightly different heights.

The game is played by first building a tower in tiers 2 of an odd number of blocks (preferably three), the blocks of adjacent tiers being staggered with respect to each other, such that the blocks of each tier are not parallel to the blocks of any adjacent tier and are preferably substantially perpendicular to the blocks of any adjacent tier.

Play is then continued by players alternately removing blocks, one at a time, from any tier below the top tier.

Because the blocks have slightly different heights, the blocks of lesser height may be removed from the tower without difficulty, eg block lain Figure 1 and block1b-1din Figure 2. Clearlyproblemswill arise when attempts are made to remove a block of greater height Play is continued until the tower collapses, eitherwholly or in part, provided at least one blockofthe top tierfalls. The player causing the collapse loses the game. Players are not allowed to touch the blocks of the top tier.

A player may touch any number of blocks during his or her turn. If, however, a block is moved by more than its thickness, it must be completely removed.

When removing a block, no other block may be touched. Any player doing so is deemed to have lost.

The blocks may have any suitable polygonal cross section, e.g. substantially rectangular, square, hexagonal, or even triangular, as long as the heights of the blocks differ slightly. The difference in height should be imperceptible without close examination, soastoallowa random choice of blockswhen building the tower.

The blocks may be formed of any suitable material, e.g. wood, plastics or metal.

Various modifications of the above game may be played as follows.

Knockout tumbledown In this game, a player who causes the collapse of the tower retires from the game. The person who starts the next round is the player seated to the left of the one who started the previous round. As an alternative, each player may be given a number of counters to represent "lives" and he or she retires when all lives have been lost.

Bestoftumbledown In this variation, a number of games is agreed between the players before play starts. The winner is the player causing the least number oftowersto collapse. In the event of a tie, there is a playoff between winners.

Forfeit tumbledown Tumbledown is ideal for games for forfeit. Make upyourown.

Score tumbledown As an alternative to counting the number of times a player causes thetowerto collapse, the number of blocks removed successfully decides the winner.

The number of rounds played should be a multiple of the number of players e.g. 4,8 or 12 to 4 players.

Marathon tumbledown In this variation, a time is agreed between the players prior to the start of the game, e.g. 15 minutes.

Playing on his or her own, each player attempts to remove as many blocks as possible during the time.

Rebuilding the tower counts as part of the players time. The winner is the person who successfully removes the greatest number of blocks. This variation is more exciting when several Tumbledowns are used.

Casino tumbledown Knockout, Best of, Score and Marathon variations are more exciting if each player places a stake atthe beginning of the game. The winner receives all stakes.

Team tumble down All of the above variations may be converted to a team game either by team members taking it in turns to play during the course of a game or by having one team member representing his or herteam in each game.

Skyscrapertumbledown For those requiring a more demanding game, any of the above variations can be modified by a player having to place each block removed from the tower on top of the tower. As each new tier is started, subsequent players may be remove blocks from any tier below it. Of course, the top tier, which must not betoppledcan have 1,2 or3 blocks.

1. A game comprising a plurality of blocks of slightly different height, wherein players alternately remove a blockfrom a towerformed from superimposed staggered tiers of blocks until the tower collapses, eitherwhollyorin part.

2. A game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tiers have an identical odd number of blocks.

3. Agameasclaimed in claim 1 or2,wherein each tier has three blocks.

4. A game as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A game The present invention relates to a game. The invention provides a game comprising a plurality of blocks of slightly different height, wherein players alternately remove a block from a tower formed from superimposed staggered tiers of blocks until the tower collapses, either wholly or partially. An embodiment ofthe invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure lisa side view of part of an assembled tower, and Figure2 is a front view of the part of the tower shown in Figure 1. In the drawing, a game ("Tumbledown") comprises a plurality, preferably 45, o blocks 1. The blocks have very slightly different heights. The game is played by first building a tower in tiers 2 of an odd number of blocks (preferably three), the blocks of adjacent tiers being staggered with respect to each other, such that the blocks of each tier are not parallel to the blocks of any adjacent tier and are preferably substantially perpendicular to the blocks of any adjacent tier. Play is then continued by players alternately removing blocks, one at a time, from any tier below the top tier. Because the blocks have slightly different heights, the blocks of lesser height may be removed from the tower without difficulty, eg block lain Figure 1 and block1b-1din Figure 2. Clearlyproblemswill arise when attempts are made to remove a block of greater height Play is continued until the tower collapses, eitherwholly or in part, provided at least one blockofthe top tierfalls. The player causing the collapse loses the game. Players are not allowed to touch the blocks of the top tier. A player may touch any number of blocks during his or her turn. If, however, a block is moved by more than its thickness, it must be completely removed. When removing a block, no other block may be touched. Any player doing so is deemed to have lost. The blocks may have any suitable polygonal cross section, e.g. substantially rectangular, square, hexagonal, or even triangular, as long as the heights of the blocks differ slightly. The difference in height should be imperceptible without close examination, soastoallowa random choice of blockswhen building the tower. The blocks may be formed of any suitable material, e.g. wood, plastics or metal. Various modifications of the above game may be played as follows. Knockout tumbledown In this game, a player who causes the collapse of the tower retires from the game. The person who starts the next round is the player seated to the left of the one who started the previous round. As an alternative, each player may be given a number of counters to represent "lives" and he or she retires when all lives have been lost. Bestoftumbledown In this variation, a number of games is agreed between the players before play starts. The winner is the player causing the least number oftowersto collapse. In the event of a tie, there is a playoff between winners. Forfeit tumbledown Tumbledown is ideal for games for forfeit. Make upyourown. Score tumbledown As an alternative to counting the number of times a player causes thetowerto collapse, the number of blocks removed successfully decides the winner. The number of rounds played should be a multiple of the number of players e.g. 4,8 or 12 to 4 players. Marathon tumbledown In this variation, a time is agreed between the players prior to the start of the game, e.g. 15 minutes. Playing on his or her own, each player attempts to remove as many blocks as possible during the time. Rebuilding the tower counts as part of the players time. The winner is the person who successfully removes the greatest number of blocks. This variation is more exciting when several Tumbledowns are used. Casino tumbledown Knockout, Best of, Score and Marathon variations are more exciting if each player places a stake atthe beginning of the game. The winner receives all stakes. Team tumble down All of the above variations may be converted to a team game either by team members taking it in turns to play during the course of a game or by having one team member representing his or herteam in each game. Skyscrapertumbledown For those requiring a more demanding game, any of the above variations can be modified by a player having to place each block removed from the tower on top of the tower. As each new tier is started, subsequent players may be remove blocks from any tier below it. Of course, the top tier, which must not betoppledcan have 1,2 or3 blocks. CLAIMS

1. A game comprising a plurality of blocks of slightly different height, wherein players alternately remove a blockfrom a towerformed from superimposed staggered tiers of blocks until the tower collapses, eitherwhollyorin part.

2. A game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tiers have an identical odd number of blocks.

3. Agameasclaimed in claim 1 or2,wherein each tier has three blocks.

4. A game as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tiers are staggered substantially at right angles relative to adjacent tiers.

5. A game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,whereinthe blocks have a substantially square cross-section.

6. A game as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the blocks are formed of wood or plastics material, or metal.

7. A game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having 45 blocks.

8. A game substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.