The present invention relates to an assembly for a game, in particular a game of skill in the manipulation of components of the assembly.

Games involving skill and dexterity in moving or removing components of an assembly are known in the art. Games of this type are also widely available on a commercial scale. Examples of games involving constructing an assembly and then manipulating components of the assembly include pick-up games, such as pick-up sticks, and jenga.

US 4,215,858 discloses a game apparatus having a plurality of blocks arranged in a plurality of layers forming a pyramid. US 8,720,897 discloses a game comprising a plurality of blocks arranged to form a tower during play.

However, there is a need for an improved assembly for use in a game of manual dexterity and manipulation.

According to the present invention there is provided, in a first aspect, an assembly for playing a game of manual manipulation, the assembly comprising: a base assembly having a first support surface;

a support member having a second support surface; and

a plurality of blocks, the blocks being in an arrangement for commencing the game, wherein the blocks are arranged in a plurality of rows with a first row of blocks contacting the first support surface and wherein each block is in contact with the second support surface;

wherein the arrangement of the blocks is self-supporting when all blocks are present in the arrangement and the support member is removed, the arrangement being able to collapse under the action of gravity when a number m of blocks are removed from the arrangement, the number m being less than the total number of blocks. In a second aspect, the present invention provides an assembly for playing a game of manual manipulation, the assembly comprising:

a base assembly having a first support surface; and

a plurality of blocks, the blocks being in an arrangement for commencing the game, wherein the blocks are arranged in a plurality of rows with a first row of blocks contacting the first support surface;

wherein the arrangement of the blocks is self-supporting when all blocks are present in the arrangement, the arrangement being able to collapse under the action of gravity when a number m of blocks are removed from the arrangement, the number m being less than the total number of blocks.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a kit of parts for forming an assembly for playing a game of manual manipulation as hereinbefore described, the kit comprising:

a base assembly having a first support surface;

a support member having a second support surface; and

a plurality of blocks.

In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method for forming an assembly for playing a game of manual manipulation, the method comprising: providing a base assembly having a first support surface;

providing a support member having a second support surface;

arranging a plurality of blocks in a plurality of rows with a first row of blocks contacting the first support surface and wherein each block is in contact with the second support surface to produce an arrangement of the blocks that is self- supporting when all blocks are present in the arrangement and the support member is removed, the arrangement being able to collapse under the action of gravity when a number m of blocks are removed from the arrangement, the number m being less than the total number of blocks; and

optionally removing the support member.

The assembly of the present invention comprises a base assembly. In use of the assembly, the base assembly supports the arrangement of blocks. As noted above, the assembly comprises a support member, which is removed from the assembly before the game is commenced. The base assembly is preferably provided with an opening through which the support member may be removed, for example by lifting the base assembly and the blocks supported thereon from the support member.

The base assembly may consist of a single base member. Alternatively, the base assembly may comprise two or more base members. The two or more base members may be interconnected or spaced apart in the completed assembly. The base assembly may have any suitable configuration. In one preferred embodiment, the base assembly is generally ring-shaped, having a generally circular opening therein to allow removal of the support member.

The base assembly comprises a support surface. In use, the plurality of blocks are arranged on the base assembly so as to be supported by the support surface of the base assembly. In particular, a first row of blocks is arranged on the support surface of the base assembly. In embodiments in which the base assembly comprises a plurality of base members, two or more of the base members may be provided with a support surface.

The support surface may have any suitable configuration that allows the arrangement of blocks to be supported. In one preferred embodiment, the support surface of the base assembly is ring-shaped. The support surface may be plain. More preferably, the support surface is provided with one or more facets for engaging with the opposing surfaces of the blocks comprised in the first row arranged on the support surface. The facets may comprise one or more protrusions and/or indentations in the support surface. In this way the blocks in the first row of the arrangement may be more securely retained in contact with the support surface.

The base assembly is preferably provided with one or more handle portions for gripping by a user, in particular to allow the base assembly and the arrangement of blocks to be removed from the support member. The one or more handle portions may form features of the design of the base assembly. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the base assembly and the arrangement of blocks is in the pattern of an igloo, with the base assembly being provided with a handle portion in the form of an entrance to the igloo.

The base assembly is preferably provided with a facet to engage with the support member, in particular to hold the support member in position relative to the base assembly. Examples of facets for this purpose include one or more ridges and/or recesses and/or indentations in the base assembly.

The assembly of the present invention may also employ a support member. In use, the support member is used to provide a support surface to act as a guide and support the blocks as they are arranged by a user into the arrangement for commencing the playing of the game. Once the arrangement of blocks has been completed, the support member may be removed from the assembly and the game may be commenced. Alternatively, the support member may be left in place and the game commenced. In general, the game will be more difficult to play with the support member removed than with the support member in place. In some embodiments, the blocks may be assembled into the arrangement without the need for the support member. However, generally, this is more difficult to achieve than when using the support member. Accordingly, for the majority of users, the support member is advantageous to use. The support member has a second support surface. In use, the blocks are arranged with a first row of blocks in contact with the first contact surface of the base assembly and subsequent rows of blocks arranged thereon. The blocks are arranged to contact the second support surface, whereby the arrangement is supported until all the blocks are in place and the arrangement completed.

The support member may have any suitable configuration. The configuration of the support member is such as to provide the second support surface of a suitable shape and configuration to support the arrangement of blocks. It follows that the general form of the second support surface is the same as the general form of the arrangement of blocks. The second support surface is preferably convex and is provided by an outer surface of the support member. In one preferred arrangement, the second support surface is curved in at least one direction, for example as an arch, or, more preferably curved in two orthogonal directions. One particularly preferred configuration for the second support surface is generally as a spherical cap, in particular generally dome-shaped. In one embodiment, the support surface is generally dome-shaped, with its uppermost portion flattened.

The support member may consist of a single support member portion or may comprise a plurality of support member portions. In one preferred embodiment, the support member comprises a first support member portion and a second support member portion. Each support member portion may comprise a portion of the second support surface. In embodiments in which the support surface is generally dome-shaped, for example, the support member may comprise an upper support member portion and a lower support member portion. In use, the support member portions are connected to form the support member, in particular to form the second support surface.

The support member is preferably provided with facets to engage with the base assembly. Examples of facets for this purpose include one or more ridges and/or recesses and/or indentations in the support member. In one embodiment, the support member is provided with a flange portion for extending beneath the base assembly. The aforementioned facets are preferably provided in the flange portion. The second support surface may be plain. Alternatively, the second support surface may be provided with markings, such as lines, characters and/or figures, to act as guide for correct positioning of the blocks in the arrangement during assembly.

The assembly comprises a plurality of blocks. The blocks are components that are placed together to form a self-supporting arrangement, as described in more detail below. The arrangement is formed from the blocks prior to the game commencing. The blocks may be of any configuration that allows a self-supporting arrangement to be formed. In particular, each block should have a configuration that allows it to be placed in combination with a plurality of adjacent blocks to form the self-supporting arrangement. The assembly may comprise blocks of a plurality of different general configurations. More preferably, the blocks in the plurality of blocks have the same general configuration. The blocks may be of the same size or of different sizes, depending upon the form of the self-supporting arrangement.

Examples of suitable configurations for the blocks include blocks having polygonal faces, for example one or more faces having three, four, five sides or more. A preferred configuration is for the blocks to have at least one face with four sides, preferably a plurality of faces having four sides. It is particularly preferred that the blocks have all faces with four sides. In this embodiment, the faces are preferably generally rectangular.

The blocks in the plurality of blocks may have the same dimensions. More preferably, the blocks are provided in a plurality of different sizes. In one preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a plurality of blocks of a plurality of different sizes. In the assembly, the blocks are arranged in rows, with a first row contacting and supported by the first support surface on the base assembly. It is preferred that the number of different sizes of blocks is equal to the number of rows of blocks required to form the arrangement of blocks in the assembly. More preferably, the plurality of blocks comprises sufficient blocks of a first, largest size to form the first row, and sufficient blocks of each smaller size to complete a respective further row of blocks.

The blocks may be considered to have an outer face, that is a face that is outermost and facing away from the second support surface of the support member. The blocks may also be considered to have an inner face, that is the face that is innermost and facing towards the second support surface of the support member. The blocks may have a configuration in which the opposing faces of the blocks are parallel. In this configuration, the area of the outer face is equal to the area of the inner face. More preferably, the blocks are tapered in the inward direction, that is the blocks have their inner and outer faces parallel, but with the area of the inner face smaller than the area of the outer face. The blocks may each be considered to have an upper face, that is a face facing away from the base assembly, and a lower face, that is a face facing towards the base assembly. The blocks may each also be considered to have opposing side faces extending between the upper and lower faces. The blocks may be tapered in the upwards direction, that is the upper face is smaller in area than the lower face.

In one preferred embodiment, each block is tapered in both the inwards respect and in the upwards respect. The angle of the tapered faces of each block may be selected to correspond to the row occupied by the block in the arrangement of blocks. For example, in embodiments in which the arrangement is generally dome-shaped, the blocks in each successive row from the first row on the base is more tapered than the row below, that is the angle of the tapered faces of the blocks in each successive row extending from the first row is increasingly acute.

The blocks may be solid. More preferably, the blocks are hollow, for example having an outer wall providing the outer face, an inner wall providing the inner face, an upper wall providing the upper face, a lower wall providing the lower face and opposing side walls providing the side faces. In embodiments where the blocks are hollow, the inner wall of the blocks may be omitted, such that the block opens into the interior of the arrangement.

As described in more detail below, the assembly is used in a game, during which users in turn remove blocks from the arrangement. To facilitate removal of the blocks from the assembly, it is preferred to provide each block with a removal feature. The removal feature may be any feature that allows a user to hold and remove the block from the assembly. The feature may a protrusion extending from the block, for example from the front face of the block. More preferably, the front face of the block is provided with an opening therein. The opening may be engaged by a suitable removal tool held by the user. The opening may be any shape and is preferably a slot. To ensure the removal tool is correctly oriented with respect to the block, the block is preferably provided with a cavity within the block, with the opening in the outer face extending into the cavity. The cavity is preferably formed with a cylindrical wall extending around the opening. In embodiments in which the blocks are hollow, the cavity may be formed by a tube extending within the block, preferably a tube extending from the inner surface of the front wall. The faces of the blocks may be plain. Preferably, one or more of the faces of the blocks are provided with facets to engage with the base assembly and/or with adjacent blocks in the arrangement. Preferably, the upper and/or the lower faces of the blocks are provided with facets to engage with the base assembly and/or with adjacent blocks in the arrangement. Examples of facets for this purpose include one or more ridges and/or recesses and/or indentations.

To allow the arrangement of blocks to be self-supporting, the assembly may further comprise one or more locking blocks. Generally, the or each locking block is placed in the arrangement at the farthest point from the base assembly. For example, in embodiments in which the arrangement is generally dome-shaped, a locking block is provided in the topmost location in the arrangement. The locking block in this embodiment has a generally circular outer face.

As noted above, in the assembly of the present invention, the plurality of blocks are positioned in an arrangement. The arrangement of the blocks is self- supporting. In this respect, the term 'self-supporting' is a reference to an

arrangement of blocks in which the blocks are placed into the arrangement and rest on one another and each block may be freely removed from the arrangement without affecting the adjacent blocks, and the arrangement being able to support itself on the first support surface of the base assembly under the action of gravity, when the support member is not in place. Further, the arrangement of the blocks is such that a plurality of blocks may be removed from the arrangement without the arrangement collapsing under the action of gravity. In particular, if the assembly comprises a total of n blocks in the arrangement, m blocks may be removed from the arrangement without the arrangement collapsing under the action of gravity, where n and m are both integers, with m being an integer greater than 1 and less than n. The value of m may vary for a given arrangement of the blocks according to such factors as the position in the arrangement blocks are removed and/or the order in which blocks are removed from the arrangement. The value of n and m may vary according to the arrangement of the blocks and aspects of the game required when the game is played. In particular, as described in more detail below, the closer the value of m is to the value of n, that is the total number of blocks, the longer the game can be made to last.

In addition, the value of m that can be realised in a given game, that is the maximum number of blocks that may be removed before the arrangement collapses, is dependent upon the particular blocks removed from the arrangement. For example, a less-skilled player may only be able to remove a few blocks before the arrangement collapses, while a more experienced player may be able to remove far more blocks before a collapse occurs. In addition, the value of m achievable by a player in a given game may depend upon the blocks removed by the other players or players during the game.

The maximum value of m is preferably at least 10% of the value of n, that is the self-supporting arrangement of blocks does not collapse when less than 10% of the blocks are removed from the arrangement. More preferably, the maximum value of m is at least 15% of the value of n, still more preferably at least 20%, more preferably still at least 25%, for example at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%. The maximum value of m is less than the value of n and may be up to 90% of the value of n, that is the self-supporting arrangement collapses under the action of gravity when more than 90% of the blocks are removed. More preferably, the maximum value of m is up to 85% of the value of n, still more preferably up to 80%, more preferably still up to 75%, in particular up to 70%, more preferably up to 60%.

The maximum value of m may be selected in order to provide a game of sufficient length to allow players to enjoy the game, while not being over long.

Preferably, the maximum value of m is between 40 to 60% of n, more preferably about 50%.

The self-supporting arrangement of the plurality of blocks may be of any suitable form and configuration. The arrangement is formed by placing blocks in a plurality of rows. A first row of blocks is placed to rest on the first support surface of the base assembly. A second row of blocks in placed with the blocks resting on the blocks of the first row. Subsequent rows of blocks are assembled with the blocks resting on the blocks of the row below. It is preferred that the blocks are arranged in an interlocking pattern, that is with a block in a given row resting on two or more blocks in the row below.

Preferably, the blocks are arranged in a plurality of rows in the arrangement such that the lower row of the plurality of rows comprises larger blocks and the successively higher rows of the plurality of rows comprise blocks of successively smaller size. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the largest blocks are disposed in the first row resting on the first support surface of the base assembly.

The arrangement of blocks comprises one or more outer surfaces formed by the outer faces of the blocks. Most preferably, the outer faces of adjacent blocks are substantially contiguous, so as to form one or more faces having a substantially larger area than the area of the outer face of any of the blocks.

The arrangement may comprise a plurality of flat, planar outer surfaces. Alternatively, the arrangement may comprise one or more curved outer surfaces. In one preferred embodiment, the arrangement comprises a single, curved outer surface. For example, the arrangement of blocks may be in the form of an arch. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the arrangement of blocks is in the form of a dome, with the outer faces of the blocks forming an outer surface of the arrangement that is dome-shaped.

As noted above and as described in more detail below, in use of the assembly, blocks are removed from the arrangement by the users. As indicated above, in a preferred embodiment a tool is provided for the user. The tool may be engaged with a selected block to allow the block to be pulled from the arrangement. One preferred tool comprises a handle portion to be gripped and held by the user and a block-engaging portion. The block-engaging portion may have any suitable form to engage with and hold a selected block for removal from the arrangement. In one embodiment, the block-engaging portion is formed to engage with an opening in the outer face of the selected block. Preferably, the block-engaging portion is generally T-shaped.

The components of the assembly may be formed from any suitable material. Most preferably, the components are formed from a material that is easily moulded. Polymers are particularly preferred materials for forming the components. The polymers may comprise a single monomer or be a copolymer of two or more monomers. Preferred polymers include polyolefins, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and polystyrenes. Polystyrene is a preferred polymer, in particular copolymers of polystyrene with one or more comonomers, in particular butadiene. High impact polystyrene (HIPS) is a particularly preferred material to form the components of the assembly.

To increase the friction between the components of the assembly when assembled, in particular the friction between the contacting surfaces of the blocks, one or more surfaces of the components may be provided with a layer of material to increase friction. It is particularly preferred to provide at least one face of each of the blocks with a layer of friction material thereon covering at least a part of the area of the face, more preferably at least one of the upper face, the lower face, and/or the side faces, still more preferably at least one of the upper face and the lower face.

The layer of friction material may be applied in any suitable manner. In one preferred embodiment, the layer is applied by providing a sheet of the friction material coated on one major surface with an adhesive for securing the layer of friction material to the component. A layer of friction material of this form is preferably applied to a surface of one or more, more preferably all, of the blocks.

In another embodiment, one or more surfaces of a component may be coated with a friction material, for example by spraying. Friction materials that may be applied as a coating, for example by spraying, include rubber coatings. In one preferred embodiment, the first support surface of the base assembly is coated with a rubber friction material. This aids in keeping the blocks in the first row in position on the first support surface of the base assembly. Any suitable friction material may be employed, provided that its coefficient of friction is higher than that of the surface of the components of the assembly. One preferred material to increase friction is paper. Advantageously, the layer of friction material may be used to provide a marking for the components and their position in the assembly. For example, each block may be provided with a layer of friction material, such as a layer of paper, with printing indicating the number of the row in which the block is to be placed in the assembly. This can aid in assembling the components.

Alternatively, or in addition, one or more surfaces or faces of the components, for example the blocks, may be provided with contours or features to increase the coefficient of friction thereof.

The assembly of the present invention is used in the following manner.

First, the base assembly is assembled, as required. Thereafter, the support member, if being used, is assembled as required. The support member is placed in position with respect to the base assembly. Blocks are placed on the first support surface of the base assembly in a first row, with the second support surface of the support member acting as a guide and support for the blocks. A second row of blocks is placed on the first row of blocks, preferably in an interlocking pattern, again with the support member acting as a guide and support. Subsequent rows are placed in succession on the second row in like manner. Finally, depending upon the form of the arrangement, a locking block is placed in position.

If used, the support member may then removed. For example, the base assembly and the arrangement of blocks may be lifted from the support member. The assembly is now ready to be used in a game. Alternatively, the support member may be left in place and the game commenced.

In use, a user selects a block to be removed from the arrangement and slides the selected block from the arrangement, for example using a tool as described above. Provided the block is removed from the arrangement with sufficient care, the arrangement will remain standing. Further blocks are selected and removed in like manner. After the removal of a certain number m of blocks, the arrangement of blocks will collapse under the action of gravity. The number of blocks that may be removed from a given arrangement before collapse occurs will be determined in large part by the blocks selected for removal and their position in the arrangement. The value of m achieved in a given game may be the maximum value of m possible for the arrangement. In many cases, the actual value of m achieved in a given game will be less than the maximum value of m possible for the arrangement.

To indicate a collapse of the arrangement, one or more of the blocks may be provided with a marker. In such embodiments, a collapse is indicated when the block with the marker is caused to fall under the action of gravity. In arrangements in which a locking block is employed, the marker is most preferably provided on the locking block.

Embodiments of the assembly of the present invention and its components will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the

accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a base assembly of the assembly of Figure

1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a support member for use in the assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the outer surface of one block for use in the assembly of Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the outer surface of a second block for use in the assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the inside of the block of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a locking block for use in the assembly of Figure 1

Figure 8 is a plan view of a tool for use with the blocks of Figures 4 to 6;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the base assembly of Figure 2 and the support member of Figure 3 in position;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 9 with a plurality of blocks in position;

Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 in a partially completed condition; Figure 12 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 12 along the line XII - XII with the support member in place; and Figure 14 is the cross-sectional view of Figure 13 with the support member removed.

The construction and function of the assembly of the present invention will be illustrated by way of an embodiment having an assembly in the form of an igloo. It is to be understood that the igloo form is merely a matter of design choice and is not limiting. The assembly may employ different design elements, as desired.

Turning first to Figure 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an assembly of the present invention. The assembly is generally indicated as 2. The assembly comprises a base assembly 4, as shown in more detail in Figure 2. The base assembly 4 comprises a generally ring-shaped base member 6. The base member 6 is formed with a first handle portion 8 and a second handle portion 10 on opposing sides of the member. The first handle portion 8 is formed to represent a doorway into the igloo.

The base member 6 is provided with a first support surface 12 extending around the upper surface of the ring-shaped base member. The first support surface 12 has a faceted surface comprising a plurality of spaced apart, generally rectangular protrusions 14. In use, the protrusions 14 serve to locate the blocks of the first row of blocks, as described hereinafter. In addition, the first support surface 12 is coating with a rubber material to increase the friction between the blocks and the support surface.

A lower surface portion 16 of the base member 6 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart recesses 18. In use, the recesses 18 serve to locate the support member with respect to the base assembly 4. A support member for use in the assembly 2 is shown in exploded view in

Figure 3. The support member, generally indicated as 30, comprises a lower support member portion 32 and an upper support member portion 34. The lower support member portion 32 has a ring-shaped base portion 36. A first wall portion 38 extends substantially perpendicular from the inner edge portion of the base portion 36. A plurality of spaced apart protrusions 40 are arranged on the lower support member portion 32 at the junction between the base portion 36 and the lower wall portion 38. In use, the protrusions 40 engage with the recesses 18 in the lower surface portion 16 of the base assembly 6 to locate the support member 30 with respect to the base assembly. An upper wall portion 42 extends upwards from the lower wall portion 38. The upper wall portion 42 is curved in the upwards direction.

The upper support member 34 is generally dome-shaped and has a flattened upper portion 44. The upper support member 34 has a lip 46 around its lower edge portion, whereby the upper support member 34 sits on the upper free edge of the upper wall portion 42 of the lower support member 32. When assembled in this manner, the lower support member 32 and the upper support member 34 form a substantially dome-shaped second support surface 48. In use, this second support surface 48 acts to support and guide the blocks of the assembly, as described hereinafter.

The second support surface 48 is provided with a plurality of numbered, rectangular regions. These regions indicate the correct positioning of

correspondingly numbered blocks in the assembly.

One form of block 60 of the assembly 2 is shown in Figure 4. The block 60 is hollow and is generally of a tapered rectangular form. The block 60 has an outer face 62, side faces 64, a lower face 66 and an upper face 68. The block 60 is tapered from the outer face 62 inwards, that is the cross-sectional area of the block decreases in the inwards direction. The block 60 is also tapered from the lower face 66 to the upper face 68, such that the area of the upper face 68 is less than the area of the lower face 66.

Each of the lower and upper faces 66, 68 is provided with a plurality of ribs 70. The ribs 70 serve to locate the block 60 when in the arrangement of the assembly 2.

The front face 62 of the block 60 is provided with a slot 72 opening into the interior of the block 60.

A second form of block 80 of the assembly 2 is shown in Figure 5. The block 80 is hollow and is generally of a tapered rectangular form. The block 80 has the same general configuration as the block 60 of Figure 4, but is of a larger size. As a result, the block 80 is positioned in a lower row in the arrangement of the assembly 2 than the block 60, as described in more detail below. The block 80 is positioned in the first row of the arrangement of the assembly 2 and is seated on the first contact surface 12 of the base assembly 4. The block 80 has an outer face 82, side faces 84, a lower face 86 and an upper face 88. The block 80 is also tapered from the outer face 82 inwards, that is the cross-sectional area of the block 80 decreases in the inwards direction. As with the block 60, the block 80 is also tapered from the lower face 86 to the upper face 88, such that the area of the upper face 88 is less than the area of the lower face 86. Each of the lower and upper faces 86, 88 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart ribs 90. The ribs 90 serve to locate the block 80 when in the

arrangement of the assembly 2. The portion of either the lower face 86 or the upper face 88 between the ribs is provided with a layer of paper secured to the block by an adhesive. The layer of paper provides increased friction between the block and an adjacent contacting block. The layer of paper is advantageously printed with a number to indicate the row in which the block is positioned in the arrangement.

Alternatively, one or more faces of the block, such as the upper face 88 or the lower face 86, may be coated with a friction material, such as rubber. The front face 82 of the block 80 is provided with a slot 92 opening into the interior of the block 80.

The block 80 is open at its inner side and the interior view of the block is shown in Figure 6. As can be seen, a ring 94 is provided around the inside of the slot 92 in the outer face. The ring 94 acts to locate the engaging portion of a tool inserted into the slot and help retain the block on the tool, in turn facilitating removal of the block from the arrangement of the assembly using the tool.

The inner surface of the block 80 bears an integer 96, indicating the row in which the block is positioned when installed in the assembly 2.

A locking block 1 10 is shown in Figure 7. The locking block 1 10 has a generally circular outer face 1 12. A curved side face 1 14 extends around the edge of the outer face 1 12 and tapers in the downwards direction, as shown in the figure. The side face 1 14 is provided with a plurality of space apart ribs 1 16. The ribs 1 16 engage with the corresponding ribs on adjacent blocks when in the assembly 2.

The outer face 1 12 is provided with an elongate slot 1 18. The slot 1 18 accommodates the lower end portion of a marker 120, shown in place in Figure 1 . A tool 130 for removing blocks from the assembly 2 is shown in Figure 8. The tool 130 has a handle portion 132 disposed at one end for holding by a user. The opposing end of the tool has a block-engaging portion 134 comprising a T-shaped end 136. A flange 138 is positioned on the block-engaging portion 134 proximal of the T-shaped end 136. In use, the T-shaped end 136 is inserted into a slot in the outer face of a block selected for removal from the assembly. The flange 138 limits the distance the tool can be inserted into the block. The components of the assembly 2 are put together as shown in Figures 9 to

1 1 . In a first step, shown in Figure 9, the base assembly 4 is arranged around and engaged with the support member 30. Thereafter blocks are positioned on the base assembly 4, guided and supported by the support member 30. The positions of a plurality of blocks of different sizes are shown in Figure 10, from the largest block 80 resting on the first support surface 12 of the base assembly 4, through the intermediate block 60, to the locking block 1 10 holding the marker 120.

The blocks are positioned on the base assembly 4 to form a dome-shaped arrangement 200 comprising a plurality of blocks. The blocks are arranged in rows. A first row 202 of blocks 80 is placed on the first support surface 12 of the base assembly 4. A second row 204 of blocks is placed on the first row 202, as shown in Figure 1 1 . A third row 206 of blocks 60 is placed on the second row 204. Fourth, fifth and sixth rows 208, 210, 212 of blocks are positioned on the third row 206 in like manner. Finally, the locking block 1 10 may be positioned in the top of the arrangement 200. The positions of the rows of blocks in the arrangement 200 is shown in Figure 12.

A cross-sectional view of the completed assembly 2 with the support member 30 in position is shown in Figure 13. The base assembly 4 and the arrangement 200 of blocks is lifted from the support member 30 using the handle portions 8 and 10. The resulting assembly is shown in cross-section in Figure 14. The game may then commence. Once the assembly 2 has been completed, it may be used in a game. In use, blocks are removed from the arrangement 200 using the tool 130. Each user in turn selects a block for removal. The arrangement 200 is self-supporting. A plurality of blocks may be removed from the arrangement 200 without the arrangement collapsing under the action of gravity. Blocks are removed until the arrangement 200 collapses, indicated by the marker 120 on the locking block 1 10 falling.