NOVELTY GAME TRAY

The present invention relates to a tray for carrying drinks receptacles, and particularly to a tray for carrying drinks receptacles that is suitable for playing a game.

Games that are simple, quick and fun to play are popular and wide varieties are available. Various games have been developed with drinking as an underlying theme, such as adaptation of card games, coin games and other dice and skill games. The present invention aims to provide an apparatus for playing a game, and in particular a drinking game, that is simple, quick and fun.

According to the present invention there is provided a tray comprising stations for receiving a plurality of receptacles and a selection means for directing attention to a specific station.

Such an apparatus, whilst being relatively simple enables one or more players to play a game.

The tray preferably comprises upturned edges defining a recessed portion. This is particularly beneficial as it enables a plurality of receptacles to be retained within the recess of the tray and as such reduces the possibility of the receptacles being knocked from, or dropped from, the tray. Additionally, the recess is of proportions that the tray can be mounted in a box without the receptacles protruding beyond the effective perimeter of the tray. The recess of the tray is defined by a plurality of side walls, where the side walls are of sufficient height such that when the receptacles are located in the recess they do not protrude beyond the height of the side walls.

Means may be provided to draw attention to the tray beneficially comprising one or more lights and/or means to generate a sound. This will draw attention to the apparatus for potential players of the game.

The tray preferably further comprises a storage means for storing a plurality of cards, as will be described in more detail with respect to the rules of the game.

Each station of the tray preferably comprises a recessed portion arranged to seat a receptacle therein. Again this provides an advantage that the tray may be moved and carried with reduced chance of dropping or spilling of a liquid within a receptacle. A zone is preferably provided and is arranged to light up on activation of the selection means thereby directing attention to a station. Even more preferably, the station comprises the zone arranged to light up on activation of the selection means. The zone is preferably arranged to direct attention to the station. The zone may comprise an indicator arranged to direct attention to the station. The zone may also comprise at least part of the recessed portion. The zone may alternatively or additionally comprise the rim of the recessed portion. It will, however, be appreciated that numerous alternative zones are envisaged, such as the station itself, or via the provision of an indicator such as an arrow pointing towards the particular station. In any event, activation of the selection means preferably causes subsequent attention to be directed towards a station, preferably through an area being lit up. Additionally, a zone may be remote from the station. This will be described in more detail in the specific description with reference to the game itself.

The selection means preferably comprises a switch operable by a user arranged to direct attention to a specific station. The switch preferably includes a user operable push button. The switch is beneficially an electrical switch. The electrical elements are beneficially insulated from the tray surface to ensure liquid from the receptacles cannot migrate to the electrical components.

The selection means is preferably arranged to direct attention to zones on the tray. This is particularly beneficial when the apparatus is operated as a game as described in detail in the specific embodiments.

The present invention beneficially also extends to an apparatus for playing a game as hereinbefore described. The apparatus preferably further comprises a plurality of receptacles, the receptacles being suitable to drink therefrom. Beneficially, the tray

comprises a playing area having stations thereon, the selector means enabled to sequentially direct attention to the stations, the sequence ending with attention being directed to one or more stations.

Preferably, attention is directed to a station by highlighting a zone of the station, the zone beneficially comprising the station itself or a portion thereof. The sequence preferably directs attention to the stations in a non-predetermined sequence. The sequence is even more beneficially random. Attention may also be directed to a zone not arranged to divert attention to a station, as described further in relation to the preferred embodiment.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is generally indicated the apparatus 2 for playing a game. The apparatus comprises a tray for having a recess 6 therein. The recess 6 comprises a plurality of stations 8 which generally each comprise a respective recess 10 arranged for a receptacle 12 to nest therein. The stations 8 are configured to form a generally circular shape about a zone 14. The zone 14 comprises an octagon and a number of segments extend therefrom towards the stations 8 corresponding to the number of stations, which in a preferred embodiment is eight. At the centre of the octogen is an area which may have indicia thereon relating to a player "escaping". This area may be highlighted and will be described in detail in due course. The tray 4 further comprises a push button 16 which may be actuated by a user to begin the playing of the game. The push button 16 which alternatively may be any switch mechanism causes a signal to be sent to a station 8 or zone 14.

The stations 8 comprise a rim 18 surrounding recess 10, the rim being arranged and configured to be lit on receipt of a signal as result of activation of the button 16. Alternatively or additionally, the station and/or recess portion of the station could be lit.

LED lights are provided beneath the surface of the station and are linked to push button 16 and a control program. A power source, preferably a battery, is also provided although hidden from view within the tray.

The apparatus will now be described with respect to the rules of the game which may be carried out using such an apparatus. In a preferred embodiment the game is a drinking game and provides a novelty entertainment game for parties. The receptacles 12 are beneficially supplied with the game and each may hold approximately 12 cl of liquid. Eight receptacles 12 are beneficially provided which locate within the recesses 10 of the stations 8. This enables the tray 4 to be carried around without fear of the receptacles sliding from the tray 4, or accidentally tipping over. Eight drinks are made and poured into receptacles 12 which are then located into stations 8. As an example, two strong drinks, two normal drinks and four weak strength drinks are provided and the rim 18 of the stations 8 are coloured according to the strength of the drink, i.e, receptacles containing strong drinks are placed in red circles, normal strength drinks in yellow circles and weak strength drinks in green circles.

Power means (not shown) such as a battery is provided and the apparatus is turned on. The zone 14 comprises an octagon (assuming there are eight stations) and has corresponding segments extending towards the stations 8. These start flashing creating an advertisement for potential players and furthermore a speaker may be provided to produce some sound effect. The flashing of the zones ends with the rim 18 of the stations 8 all being lit accentuating the colour of the respective rims. At this point the central zone 14 also lights up. LED lights are beneficially provided beneath the surface of the tray (away from potential exposure to liquid) to cause lighting up of the respective areas.

The push button is then actuated by a player which may have the words 'Hit Me' indicated thereon. At this moment one of four types of lighting effects may occur. For example, the rims 18 of the stations or stations themselves may light up randomly, may light up sequentially in a clockwise or anticlockwise order, or may alternatively light up in a clockwise then anticlockwise order. The segments of the octagon corresponding to the nearest station also light up at this time, these segments having any chosen configuration

such as arrows for example. The button 16 is then depressed again and the sequence of lighting effects will get slower and slower until the flashing stops and either a station/rim 18 or the zone 14 and the corresponding segment of the octogon remains lit. There may be a countdown sound effect with each flash and then a further sound effect dependent upon whether a rim 18 of a station 8, or alternatively whether the zone 14 is lit. If the rim 18 of a station 8 or station itself is lit then the player whose turn it is will drink the drink located in the receptacle corresponding to that station.

If the centre light of zone 14 is lit, zone 14 may relate to an alternative outcome and can be termed 'The Lucky Escape' result. If that player is to avoid having another go, they need to correctly answer a multiple choice question, which on the basis on the theme of the game relates to alcohol.

As an example, three possible multiple choice answers are read out and the player selects one answer. If the answer is wrong the player must play again, by depressing the button 16, otherwise, the player may 'escape' without needing to drink a forfeit. The tray holder ensures any forfeit is drunk quickly and does not move on until the drink is finished and the receptacle is returned. A predetermined time after a station has been lit and the corresponding drink drunk, the remaining stations where drinks have not been drunk will all be lit. The game will then carry on however that station at which the drink has been drunk will not be reused until the game is reset. The zone 14 corresponding to the 'lucky escape' light will always be in play during the game and accordingly will be a potential result on each players go.

The above rules as described will continue until all the liquid in the receptacles has been drunk. The drinks are then replenished and the game is reset via a reset button. As the game progresses and the remaining number of drinks decreases, the chance of "escaping" also increases. The apparatus comprises a display that is arranged to indicate to the relative chance of "escaping" as indicated in the table below. This information is available tσ the tray holder and/or potential player such that the potential player can decide on the basis of the odds of escaping whether they want to play.

Cards relating to the multiple choice questions are stored within the apparatus 2. The next card to be drawn is beneficially angled towards the tray holder. The card may be drawn without a player seeing the text on the card. Once the question has been read by the tray holder and answered by the player the card is returned to the card store. In a preferred embodiment, a card may be drawn from the card store and placed into a card slot 20 which may be read by the tray holder. A number of cards may be held in the slot 20 in order that a used card does not have to be returned to the card store after each turn. For example, eight cards may be retained in the slot, and once all have been used up the tray holder can put down the tray, scoop out the deck of cards from the store, and put the recently read cards at the bottom of the tray before putting the card deck back into the card store. A motive means may be provided to cause the card to be drawn into the card slot on activation of a push button and returned to the card store.

The electric elements within the apparatus are beneficially insulated from any potential spillage of liquid.

The present apparatus and game rules have been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be

made to both the rules and apparatus without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.