GAMES WITH MOVABLE SURFACES AND METHODS FOR PLAYING THE SAME

Related Applications

[001] This application is based upon and claims priority under 35 U. S. C. § 119(e) to the Provisional Patent Application No. 60/686,762 entitled "Game With Movable Surfaces" and filed on June 1, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Technical Field

[002] The present disclosure is directed to board games, and more particularly to board games in which the game board apparatus includes one or more superimposed surfaces that are configured to be selectively movable relative to each other to form a changeable pathway. In some embodiments, one surface may be configured for movement among a plurality of predetermined positions relative to another surface, wherein visible pathway indicia of the surfaces in each position align to define a continuous pathway from one surface to the other, such that the pathway is changeable by moving the movable surface from one position to another position. In some embodiments, support structure configured to support the multiple surfaces may also be configured for use as a game container.

Background

[003] Examples of game board apparatus with at least one movable surface can be found in the disclosures of U.S. Patent Nos. 1,903,226; 2,460,563; 3,601,403; 3,672,674; 3,762,714; 3,809,405; 4,188,034; 4,212,459; 4,231,571; 4,234,185; 4,298,202; 4,575,094; 5,749,575; 6,533,281, and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2003/0111791. Examples of

game board apparatus with multiple surfaces can be found in the disclosures of U.S. Patent Nos. 4,232,864; 4,236,713. Examples of game board apparatus with a changeable surface can be found in the disclosures of U.S. Patent Nos. 4,236,713; 5,087,052; 5,732,947, and in the "Settlers of Catan" board game system produced by Mayfair Games. Examples of board games in which the board game container is used as part of the game board structure can be found in the disclosures of U.S. Patent No. 5,244,212 and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2004/0007814.

Summary

[004] The present disclosure is directed to board games, and more particularly to board games in which the game board apparatus includes one or more surfaces that are configured to be movable relative to each other to form a changeable play surface.

[005] Embodiments of the game board apparatus may include separate upper and lower board elements each including a surface with pathway indicia indicated thereon, the surface of the upper board element superimposed above the surface of the lower board element, with one of the surfaces being selectively movable among a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the other. In each position, some of the pathway indicia of the surface of the lower board element may be concealed from view by the surface of the upper board element, and the visible pathway indicia of both surfaces may align to define, or distinctly delineate, one or more continuous pathways for movement of player movers on the surfaces, each continuous pathway leading from one surface to another. The one or more continuous pathways defined by the visible pathway indicia of both surfaces may be changeable by moving the selectively movable surface from one predetermined position to another.

[006] In some embodiments, the pathway indicia include movement spaces, such that the defined pathway consists of a plurality of adjacent movement spaces. In some embodiments, the surface of the upper board element may include at least one opening through which pathway indicia of the lower board element are visible.

[007] In some embodiments, the surfaces of the upper and lower board elements may be substantially planar, and disposed to be substantially parallel to each other. In such embodiments, one surface may be configured for translational or rotational movement relative to the other, such as in a direction, or plane of rotation, parallel to the other surface.

[008] An exemplary embodiment in which one surface is configured for translational movement may include a lower board element consisting of a strip of material that is marked with an array or pattern of movement spaces and placed underneath an upper board element consisting of a shorter piece of material also marked with an array of movement spaces. The visible movement spaces of the surfaces are arranged to align in each of a plurality of predetermined relative positions of one surface to the other, to define one or more continuous pathways, such as for movement of player movers on the surfaces. As such, sliding or otherwise moving the upper board element along the lower board element, or pulling the lower board element underneath the upper board element, changes the visible pathway indicia and thus one or more of the defined pathways.

[009] An exemplary embodiment in which one surface is configured for rotational movement relative to the other may include a lower board element in the form of a flat disk configured for rotational movement beneath a flat upper board element. Rotation of one board element to the other may be effected by means of a vertically extending knob or other device attached to the movable surface, or board element, that may be manipulated during

game play. For example, a player may turn a knob to rotate the lower board element relative to the upper board element, changing the visible game pathway indicia and thus one or more of the defined pathways.

[0010] In either of these and other exemplary embodiments, one or more continuous pathways from one surface to the other may be defined by the visible pathway indicia within a predefined area. The predefined area may be the entirety of visible pathway indicia on both surfaces, such as the pathway indicia of the upper board element and the pathway indicia of the lower board element surrounding the upper board element and that visible through any openings in the surface of the upper board element. Or, a peripheral edge of one surface, or boundary indicia indicated thereon, may indicate a predefined area. Optionally, a set of game rules may provide that only the continuous pathways formed by the visible pathway indicia within a predefined area is available for movement of player movers during game play.

[0011] In some embodiments, the game board apparatus may further include support structure configured to support the upper and lower board elements relative to each other, and/or to enable or allow movement of the selectively movable surface relative to the other. For example, in an embodiment in which the surface of a lower board element is configured to be selectively movable relative to the surface of an upper board element, the lower board element may be fabricated from a flexible material arranged in an endless loop or belt, which may be trained around rollers or other end members configured to guide rotation of the lower board element beneath the upper board element. In such an embodiment, the upper board element may in turn consist of a rigid board held securely in place relative to the support structure, such as by means of brace members or other suitable components.

[0012] In some embodiments, a game container may be shaped or otherwise configured to be used as supporting structure as described above, such as to allow a flexible lower board element to be wrapped around the container for movement beneath a rigid upper board element clipped or otherwise securely held to the game container above the lower board element.

[0013] The pathway indicia may be shaped, arranged, or otherwise configured in any suitable manner such that the visible pathway indicia in each predetermined position of one surface to another collectively define one or more continuous pathways. For example, pathway indicia in some embodiments may consist of spaces arranged in a generally grid-like array, with some of the spaces indicated as movement spaces. In such an embodiment, one or more continuous pathways from one surface to the other may be defined by the visible movement spaces within the rows and columns of a predefined area. The predetermined positions may be those in which the rows and columns of the surfaces collectively align to form a contiguous grid.

[0014] In this (and other) embodiments, the game board apparatus may further include a movement device operable to move the movable surface with respect to the other in measured increments, such as by incorporating a key register or other incremental measurement device. A measured increment may be the extent of movement sufficient to move from one predetermined position to the next in series, such that repeated operation of the movement device may move the movable surface among each of the predetermined positions. In embodiments in which the predetermined positions are those in which the rows and columns of the surfaces collectively align to form a contiguous grid, one surface may be movable in a direction described by the columns of movement spaces, such that a measured increment between one position and the next may be determined by the width of one row.

[0015] Methods suitable for use with the embodiments briefly described above may include placing one or more player movers on a pathway, such as on a designated "start" space, changing the one or more continuous pathways by moving the selectively movable surface from one position to another, and moving a player mover along one of the continuous pathways from one surface or board element to the other. For example, a set of rules incorporating such methods may provide that each player's turn includes both moving the movable surface to change the continuous pathways defined by the pathway indicia, and moving the player's player mover along one of the pathways.

[0016] Further, such methods may include moving the player mover off of a pathway by the action of moving the movable surface, and then placing the player mover on a predetermined location on the pathway indicia of the upper board element. For example, a player mover on a movement space on the surface of a lower board element may be "pushed" from the movement space, and thus off of the continuous pathway, if the surface is moved underneath a superimposed upper board element, and if the clearance space or offset between the two surfaces does not allow the player mover to pass underneath the upper board element.

A set of rules incorporating this method may specify that a penalty is assessed if this occurs during game play, and may require the player mover to be placed on a predetermined space.

[0017] Optionally, some methods may further incorporate use of an enemy mover, which may be placed on a pathway, such as on a designated "enemy start" space, moving the enemy mover along the continuous pathway toward a predetermined destination, and moving a player mover to a predetermined location upon moving the enemy mover to the destination. Some methods may incorporate use of a plurality of tokens, which may be placed on one or more predetermined locations on the pathway indicia of the upper board element, moving a player mover to one of the predetermined locations, and removing the token upon moving the

player to the location, such as to award the token to the player whose player mover "collected" the token.

[0018] The board games and methods of the present disclosure will be understood more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a game board apparatus having separate upper and lower board elements each including a surface with pathway indicia indicated thereon, the upper board element further including a plurality of openings through which pathway indicia of the lower board element are visible. In this embodiment, the lower board element is shown as a strip of material disposed beneath a substantially square-shaped upper board element.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a top view of the game board apparatus of Fig. 1 , showing how the visible pathway indicia of both surfaces align to define continuous pathways for movement of player movers on the surfaces.

[0021] - Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views of the game board apparatus of Fig. 1, illustrating movement of the surface of the lower board element from one predetermined position to another predetermined position relative to the surface of the upper board element, thereby changing the continuous pathways defined in each position.

[0022] Fig. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a variant of the game board apparatus of Fig. 1, showing the upper board element directly superimposed and supported above the lower board element, shown as a strip of material of fixed length. The surface of the lower

board element is configured for translational movement beneath the surface of the upper board element in a direction parallel to the surface of the upper board element.

[0023] Fig. 6 is a three-dimensional view of another variant of the game board apparatus of Fig. 1, showing the lower board element as a belt trained about a support structure, in the form of two cylindrical end members, for rotation beneath a stationary upper board element.

[0024] Fig. 7 is a three-dimensional detail view of another variant of the game board apparatus of Fig. 1, showing the lower board element as a belt trained about support structure, in the form of a shaped guide member affixed to a game container. The shaped guide member is also shown to secure the upper board element to the game container, and is adapted to guide rotation of the lower board element beneath the upper board element.

[0025] Fig. 8 is a three-dimensional exploded view of components of the game board apparatus of Fig. 7, showing a pair of shaped guide members, part of the game container, and part of the upper board element.

[0026] Fig. 9 is a top view of a second exemplary embodiment of a game board apparatus having separate upper- and lower board elements each including a surface with pathway indicia indicated thereon, the upper board element further including a plurality of openings through which pathway indicia of the lower board element are visible. In this embodiment, a substantially square-shaped upper board element is shown superimposed over a disc-shaped lower board element.

[0027] Fig. 10 is a three-dimensional view of a variant of the game board apparatus of

Fig. 9, in which the peripheral edge of the lower board element protrudes beyond the

peripheral edge of the upper board element, so that the surface of the lower board element may be rotated relative to the surface of the upper board element by urging the protruding peripheral edge in either direction.

[0028] Fig. 11 is a three-dimensional view of another variant of the game board apparatus of Fig. 9, showing a movement device in the form of a knob vertically extending from the surface of the lower board element operable to rotate the surface of the lower board element relative to the surface of the upper board element.

[0029] Fig. 12 is a top view of a third exemplary embodiment of a game board apparatus having separate upper and lower board elements each including a surface with pathway indicia indicated thereon, the upper board element further including a plurality of openings through which pathway indicia of the lower board element are visible. In this embodiment, the lower board element is shown as a strip of material disposed beneath a substantially rectangularly-shaped upper board element. The pathway indicia of the surface of the upper board element also includes a variety of different designations indicating different types of movement spaces.

[0030] Fig. 13 shows various exemplary game components suitable for use with the game board apparatus of Fig. 12, including a plurality of player movers, two dice, an enemy mover, and a plurality of reward tokens.

[0031] Figs. 14-16 show three-dimensional detail views of part of the game board apparatus of Fig. 12, in which a player mover is pushed off of a movement space as the surface of the lower board element is moved relative to the surface of the upper board element.

Detailed Description

[0032] Referring to Fig. 1, a first exemplary embodiment of a game board apparatus

10 is shown to include separate upper and lower board elements 12, 14. Each board element 12, 14 includes a surface 16, 18 with pathway indicia 20 indicated thereon and shown as an array of movement spaces 22. Additionally, surface 16 of upper board element 12 includes several openings 24 through which pathway indicia of surface 18 of lower board element 14 are visible when surface 16 of upper board element 12 is superimposed over part of surface 18 of lower board element 14, as also shown in Fig. 2.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a top view of game board apparatus 10 illustrating that some of the pathway indicia 20 of the surface of lower board element 14 are concealed from view by the surface of upper board element 12. Fig. 2 also illustrates that the visible pathway indicia of both surfaces align to define, or distinctly delineate, one or more continuous pathways of movement spaces 22 from one surface to the other, for movement of player movers on the surfaces of the board elements.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2, the continuous pathways from one surface to the other may be defined by the visible pathway indicia within a predefined area, such as that within the peripheral edge of the upper board element 12. Within such a predefined area, some of movement spaces 22 may be designated and/or indicated as start or end locations, such as a start space 220 and an end space 222. Thus, in a method of game play suitable for use with the game board apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2, players may attempt to move tokens or markers from start space 220 to end space 220 by traversing the one or more continuous pathways of movement spaces 22 within the predefined area within the peripheral edge of upper board element 12.

[0035] In other embodiments, the predefined area may be the entirety of visible pathway indicia on both surfaces, such as the pathway indicia of the upper board element and the pathway indicia of the lower board element surrounding the upper board element as well as that visible through any openings in the surface of the upper board element. In still other embodiments, instead of a peripheral edge of one surface (or board element) or the other, a predefined area may be indicated by boundary indicia indicated on a surface or board element. Still other embodiments may include any suitable manner of structure and/or indicia to indicate a predefined area. Moreover, the pathway indicia may take any appropriate form, such as movement spaces as shown, movement spaces shaped differently than as shown, discrete groups of adjacent movement spaces, discrete pathway segments, and so forth.

[0036] Referring again to Fig. 2, the continuous pathways defined by the visible pathway indicia of both surfaces within a predefined area may be changeable by moving a selectively movable surface from one predetermined position to another. As indicated by the directional arrow in Fig. 2, the lower board element 14 (and its surface 18) of game board apparatus 10 is selectively movable relative to the upper board element 12 (and its surface 16) in either of two opposing directions. However, the directions indicated are exemplary for the illustrated embodiment. Other embodiments may include surfaces or elements configured for movement in one or more directions as desired, in which the pathway indicia align to define one or more continuous pathways in each of a plurality of predetermined relative positions. Also, either surface or board element may be configured for movement relative to the other. Thus, in some embodiments, the upper board element may be configured to be slidable or otherwise movable along the lower board element, to change the visible pathway indicia and thus the defined pathway.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-2, a predefined area is indicated by the peripheral edge of the upper board element. However, other embodiments may include a predefined area indicated by any appropriate means, such as a boundary indicia on one or both surfaces. Optionally, a predefined area may consist of all of the visible indicia of both surfaces.

[0038] Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the effect of moving the lower board element 14 from a first predetermined position, indicated in Fig. 3, to a second predetermined position, indicated in Fig. 4, within a section of the predefined area. In each position, the continuous pathways from one surface to the other, consisting of the visible movement spaces of each surface, are indicated by dashed lines for clarity. As such, the one or more continuous pathways defined are changeable when the lower surface 18 is moved relative to the upper surface 16.

[0039] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the pathway indicia 20 are arranged on surfaces 16, 18 such that the visible pathway indicia in each predetermined position of one surface to another collectively define one or more continuous pathways. More specifically, the movement spaces are arranged on the surfaces in identifiable rows and columns. The surface of the lower board element is configured for movement in a direction parallel to the columns of movement spaces, so the predetermined positions in this exemplary game board apparatus are those in which the rows of movement spaces align from one surface to the other. However, in other embodiments, each predetermined position may be indicated in any suitable manner, and may be determined to some extent by factors such as the arrangement of the pathway indicia on one or more of the surfaces, the structural configuration of the surfaces and/or the game board elements, and so forth.

[0040] The game board apparatus may further include support structure configured to support the upper and lower board elements relative to each other, and/or to enable or allow movement of the selectively movable surface relative to the other. Fig. 5, for example, shows game board apparatus 10 that includes separate upper and lower board elements 12, 14, each of which includes a surface 16, 18 marked with pathway indicia 20 shown as movement spaces 22. Lower board element 14 is shown to be a strip of fixed length, movable beneath upper board element 12. Game board apparatus 10 is shown also to include support structure 30 in the form of a plurality of short legs 32 extending from upper board element 12, which are adapted to space the upper board element sufficiently above a surface so that lower board element 14 may move freely beneath, such as by manually pushing or pulling the lower board element in one direction or the other. Legs 32 may optionally be configured to guide movement of the lower board element by constraining shifting of the lower board element in a direction transverse to the direction(s) in which the lower board element is configured for selective movement.

[0041] Support structure 30 may take any desired form, which may in some embodiments be determined by the configuration of one or more board elements and/or surfaces, the pathway indicia, and so forth. Fig. 6 shows game board apparatus 10 that includes separate upper and lower board elements 12, 14, each of which includes a surface 16, 18 marked with pathway indicia 20 shown as movement spaces 22. Lower board element 14 is shown to be an endless belt fabricated from a flexible material and configured for movement beneath a comparatively rigid upper board element 12, and support structure 30 is shown to include a pair of end members 34 in the form of rollers 36 rotatable about axes 38. In this configuration, movement of the surface 18 may be effected by rotating one or both rollers 36 in a desired direction, moving lower board element 14 relative to upper board element 12 and surface 16, about the rollers 36. As in the configuration illustrated in Fig. 5,

legs 32 may be configured to constrain lateral movement of the lower board element relative to support structure 30.

[0042] Figs. 7 and 8 show another exemplary configuration of support structure 30 suitable for use with game board apparatus 10 in which lower board element 14 takes the form of an endless belt. In Figs. 7 and 8, end members 34 are shown as corresponding pairs of shaped guide members 40 attached to a central support member 42. As shown in detail in Fig. 8, each guide member 40 includes a support edge 44, a brace member 46, a plurality of studs 48, and a foot 50. Central support member 42 includes corresponding holes 52. When support structure 30 is assembled with game board elements 12, 14, support edges 44 are configured to receive and slidably support the endless belt of lower board element 14, brace members 46 clip to the edges of upper board element 12 and hold it securely relative to lower board element 14 and central support member 42, and feet 50 allow sufficient clearance for the downwardly-facing surface of the lower board element to rotate beneath support structure 30. Studs 48 fit within corresponding holes 52 to secure the guide members to the central support member while allowing the flexible lower board element to slide around the guide members and central support member.

[0043] Optionally, the central support member may be adapted to contain the board elements and the rest of the support structure, and any game components, when the game board apparatus is not in use. In other words, a game container may function as part of the support structure for the game board apparatus.

[0044] Thus, although the various configurations of support structure 30 are shown to include the configurations illustrated in Figs. 5-8, embodiments of game board apparatus 10 may include any suitable form of support structure configured to support the upper and lower

board elements relative to each other, and/or to enable or allow movement of the selectively movable surface relative to the other.

[0045] Optionally, game board apparatus 10 may further include a movement device

(not shown) operable to move the selectively movable surface with respect to the other. Such a movement device may further be configured to move the selectively movable surface in measured increments, such as by incorporating a key register or other incremental measurement device. A measured increment may be the extent of movement needed to move from one predetermined position to the next in series, such that repeated operation of the movement device may move the movable surface among each of the predetermined positions.

[0046] One example of a movement device suitable for use with the game board apparatus as shown in Fig. 6 may be a handle or crank member coupled to one of the rollers 36, such that operation of the crank member may advance the surface of the lower board element from one predetermined position to the next. In some methods of game play, a set of rules may incorporate use of a random number generator such as a die to indicate a number of increments by which a surface (such as the surface of lower board element 14) may be moved relative to another (such as the surface of upper board element 12).

[0047] Figs. 1-8 illustrate various configurations of a first exemplary embodiment of a game board apparatus 10 in which one surface is configured for translational movement relative to another. Figs. 9-11 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of a game board apparatus 60 in which one surface is configured for rotational movement relative to another.

[0048] An exemplary embodiment of a game board apparatus 60 in which one surface is configured for rotational movement relative to the other is shown in Fig. 9 to include separate upper and lower board elements 62, 64. Each board element 62, 64 includes a

surface 66, 68 with pathway indicia 70 indicated thereon, shown as an array of movement spaces 72. Additionally, surface 66 of upper board element 62 includes several openings 74 through which pathway indicia of surface 68 of lower board element 64 is visible when surface 66 of upper board element 62 is superimposed over part of surface 68 of lower board element 64.

[0049] In game board apparatus 60, lower board element 64 is shown in the form of a flat disk configured for rotational movement beneath the fiat upper board element. However, analogous to game board apparatus 10, other embodiments may include upper and lower game board elements both configured for relative rotational movement, or an upper board element configured to be rotatable with respect to the lower board element. Also analogous to game board apparatus 10, a predefined area for game play may be the one or more continuous pathways formed by the visible pathway indicia within the peripheral edge of the upper board element 62. Thus, in a method of game play suitable for use with game board apparatus 60, players may attempt to move tokens or markers from a start space 720 to an end space 722 by traversing the one or more continuous pathways of movement spaces 72 within the predefined area within the peripheral edge of upper board element 62.

[0050] Rotation of one board element to the other may be effected by any suitable means. For example, a variant of game board apparatus 60 is shown in Fig. 10 to include a disk-shaped lower board element with a peripheral edge 80 that protrudes beyond a peripheral edge 82 of the upper board element, so that the surface of the lower board element may be rotated relative to the surface of the upper board element by urging the protruding peripheral edge 80 in either direction, as shown by the directional arrows.

[0051] Optionally, as mentioned above with regard to game board apparatus 10, game board apparatus 60 may include a movement device operable to move the selectively movable surface with the respect to the other. For example, Fig. 11 shows a variant of game board apparatus 60 in which a movement device 84 is shown as a knob 86 that vertically extends from the surface of lower board element 64, through an opening 88 in the surface of upper board element 62. Knob 86 may be configured to be manipulated during game play. For example, a player may turn the knob to rotate the lower board element relative to the upper board element, changing the visible game pathway indicia and thus the defined pathway. Optionally, as mentioned above with respect to game board apparatus 10, a movement device may further be configured to move the selectively movable surface in measured increments, such as by incorporating a key register or other incremental measurement device. A measured increment in game board apparatus 60 may be the extent of rotation sufficient to move the surface of the lower board element from one predetermined position to the next, such that repeated operation of the movement device may move the movable surface among each of the predetermined positions. For example, knob 86 may be configured to selectively pause in each predetermined position, and/or include components to emit output such as an audible "click" or suitable signal to indicate that the surfaces have been moved into one of the predetermined position.

[0052] The concepts and components of two exemplary game board apparatus 10, 60 are described and illustrated herein in specific terms, but several variations may be made within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. For example, the disclosed embodiments are shown and described to include two game board surfaces, one superimposed on the other, but other embodiments may include any number of superimposed surfaces, each of which may include pathway indicia. Also, the upper board element of each embodiment is shown to include a number of openings through which pathway indicia on the surface of the lower

board element are visible, but other embodiments may include an upper board element having no openings, such that the continuous pathways may be formed by the pathway indicia of the surface of the upper board element and that of the lower board element surrounding the upper board element.

[0053] The game board apparatus of the described embodiments may be provided as part of a board game or game set, which may further include player movers and any manner of additional game components suitable for game play, such as game play according to one or more of the exemplary methods described below. As such, a board game may include a game board apparatus, a plurality of player movers adapted for movement along a continuous pathway of the game board apparatus, means for randomly indicating movement of a player mover along a pathway, and means for randomly indicating movement of one of the surfaces from one predetermined relative configuration to another. Such means may be provided as dice, spinners, cards, other devices, or any combination thereof, suitable for randomly indicating movement of a mover and/or one of the surfaces.

[0054] Exemplary methods of game play utilizing the components and concepts discussed above are outlined in the paragraphs below, with specific reference to a third exemplary embodiment of a game board apparatus 100, illustrated in Fig. 12, and an exemplary set of game components, illustrated in Fig. 13, although the described methods are suitable for use with any of the embodiments of game board apparatus described and illustrated herein.

[0055] A third exemplary embodiment of a game board apparatus 100 is shown in

Fig. 12 to include separate upper and lower board elements 112, 114. Each board element 112, 114 includes a surface 116, 118 with pathway indicia 120 indicated thereon. Surface 116

of upper board element 112 includes several openings 124 through which pathway indicia of surface 118 of lower board element 114 is visible when surface 116 of upper board element 112 is superimposed over part of surface 118 of lower board element 114.

[0056] Like game board apparatus 10, the lower board element is shown as a long strip of material positioned underneath an upper board element that is comparatively shorter in length. As such, game board apparatus 60 may further include support structure analogous to that indicated in Figs. 5-8. For example, lower board element 114 may be an endless belt configured to rotate around a support structure (not shown) underneath upper board element 116. Game board apparatus 100 may further include a movement device (not shown) adapted to move the surface of the lower board element relative to the surface of the upper board element from one predetermined position to another, and may further include a key register or other incremental measurement device operable to advance the surface of the lower game surface in increments equal to the distance necessary to move from one predetermined position to the next.

[0057] Like game board apparatus 10, the pathway indicia 120 of game board apparatus 100 are shown to be arranged on surfaces 116, 118 such that the visible pathway indicia form identifiable rows and columns. The surface of the lower board element is configured for movement in a direction parallel to the columns of movement spaces, so the predetermined positions in game board apparatus 100 are those in which the rows of movement spaces align from one surface to the other. A measured increment may thus be the width of a row.

[0058] Unlike pathway indicia 20 or 70 of the previous embodiments, however, pathway indicia 120 of the surface of the upper board element in Fig. 12 are shown as a grid

that overlays the surface 116 such the entire area of the surface 116 surrounding the openings 124 is divided into a plurality of movement spaces 122. Like the previous embodiments, however, the surface of the lower board element is only partially covered with movement spaces 122.

[0059] Some of the movement spaces on the surface of the upper board element are shown to include a variety of game indicia adapted to indicate that the movement spaces have a special designation during game play. As explained in more detail below, several players may each move player movers from corresponding start spaces to an end destination, while attempting to collect a predetermined number of tokens that are initially placed at different locations around the board. A commonly controlled enemy mover also moves from an enemy start space toward a destination on its own pathway. As such, the game indicia of the various movement spaces on the game board apparatus include four start spaces 1220, an end space 1222, an enemy start space 1224, an enemy destination 1226, and a plurality of token spaces 1228. Each of these types of movement spaces are shown with differentiable symbols, but any suitable indicia may be used. Optionally, in embodiments suitable for use with other game methods, the game indicia may be adapted as appropriate to game play.

[0060] A set of game components suitable for use with game board apparatus 100 in the game methods described below are shown in Fig. 13 to include a plurality of player movers 130, an enemy mover 132, a plurality of tokens 134, and a pair of dice 136. Player movers 130 may be differentiable by color or otherwise, to allow players of the game to track each player's progress in game play. Enemy mover 132 is shown to include appearance characteristics resembling a stylized monster creature, but may include any suitable indicia to designate the enemy mover as distinct from a player mover 130. Tokens 134 are shown as

two-sided tiles, one side of which may include a stylized or thematic representation of a creature.

[0061] Dice 136 are shown as standard six-sided dice 1360, 1362, both including various numerical indicia 140, and being differentiable by color. As explained in more detail below, one die (1360) may be used to indicate movement of movers on the pathways, and the other die (1362) may be used to indicate movement of the surface of the lower board element. Die 1362 is shown also to include enemy mover indicia 142 which, when rolled, may indicate that the enemy mover is moved the number of spaces indicated on die 1360 instead of a player mover.

[0062] Although the various game components are illustrated in a particular form and configuration, numerous variations are possible and considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. For example, spinners or any suitable random number generating devices may be used instead of dice, and so forth. The nature and configurations of the various game components may be determined to some extent by the nature of the game method, a theme or backstory, and so forth.

[0063] Methods suitable for use with the game board apparatus and game components of the exemplary embodiments may include placing one or more player movers on a pathway, such as on a designated "start" space, changing the one or more continuous pathways by moving the selectively movable surface from one position to another, and moving a player mover along one of the continuous pathways from one surface or board element to the other. For example, a set of rules incorporating such methods may provide that each player's turn includes both moving the movable surface to change the continuous

pathways defined by the pathway indicia, and moving the player's player mover along one of the pathways.

[0064] Further, such methods may include moving the player mover from the pathway by the action of moving the movable surface, and then placing the player mover on a predetermined location on the pathway indicia of the upper board element. For example, a player mover on a movement space on the surface of a lower board element may be "pushed" from the movement space, and thus off of the continuous pathway, if the surface is moved underneath a superimposed upper board element, and if the clearance space or offset between the two surfaces does not allow the player mover to pass underneath the upper board element. A set of rules incorporating this method may specify that a penalty is assessed if this occurs during game play, and may require the player mover to be placed on a predetermined space.

[0065] Optionally, some methods may further incorporate use of an enemy mover, which may be placed on a pathway, such as on a designated "enemy start" space, moving the enemy mover along the continuous pathway toward a predetermined destination, and moving a player mover to a predetermined location upon moving the enemy mover to the destination. Some methods may incorporate use of a plurality of tokens, which may be placed on one or more predetermined locations on the pathway indicia of the upper board element, moving a player mover to one of the predetermined locations, and removing the token upon moving the player to the location, such as to award the token to the player whose player mover "collected" the token.

[0066] The various indicia of the game components and the game board apparatus may be consistent with a game theme or backstory. Incorporating a theme or backstory into game components may enhance player enjoyment of such a game, by allowing players to

role-play in a setting known to players familiar with the theme. Also, incorporating a theme may assist players in understanding a set of rules for the game, by associating game actions and rules consistent with thematic elements. Such a theme may be based on a piece of popular media, such as an animated film, a series of fictional works, and so forth. In the exemplary embodiment described below, the theme may incorporate aspects of the animated film "ICE AGE 2" in which several talking mammals overcome personal differences and embark on a series of adventures. The player movers thus may incorporate character indicia to provide each player with an opportunity to role-play a favorite character from the film. The enemy mover may incorporate character indicia of a villain or enemy creature from the film. The tiles may represent a number of different creatures to be rescued.

[0067] Game board apparatus 100 may also include thematic elements. For example, the surface of the lower game board element 114 may represent a river that may move or "flow" relative to the surface of the upper game board element 116, which may correspondingly represent a riverbank or shore. As such, the movement spaces 122 of the "river" may be stylistically represented as miniature icebergs, such as to give players the impression that their movers are jumping from iceberg to iceberg in an attempt to move between opposing shores of a moving river.

[0068] Games may be played by multiple players, each of which may choose a player mover for movement on the game board. Aspects of the exemplary methods may be articulated in a set of rules or other printed matter that may accompany a game. For example, an exemplary method of game play suitable for use with game board apparatus 100 and the set of game components of Fig. 13 is explained in detail below, and is followed by an exemplary set of rules for an embodiment of the game.

[0069] Prior to beginning play, each player chooses a player mover 130 and places it on its corresponding start space 1220. The enemy mover 132 is placed on the enemy start space 1224. Each token 134 is placed on a token space 1228. Play then proceeds with players taking turns rolling a mover die 1360 to move their movers generally towards end space 1222. In this method, river die 1362 is provided for movement of the surface of the lower board element or "river" relative to the top surface or "shore." Thus, both dice are rolled on a player's turn, to indicate the extent of movement of the river as well as how many spaces the player's mover may be moved. River die 1362 also includes enemy mover indicia 142 which, if rolled on a player's turn, indicates that the enemy mover is moved the number of spaces indicated on movement die 1360, instead of the player's player mover.

[0070] In this method, a player's mover may traverse the river, but only on spaces indicated to be movement spaces 122. In other words, player movers may not be moved on the water (the unmarked areas surrounding movement spaces 122), but may only move on the river from one movement space to an adjacent movement space or from a movement space to an adjacent space on the shore. Thus if, on any player's turn, movement of the river causes a player's mover to be pushed from an "iceberg" space into the water, that player may be penalized, such as by being required to move his mover to a designated space on the shore. For example, the player's player mover may be moved back to the start space 1220 corresponding to the mover, the closest token space 1228, or any other predetermined space.

[0071] Figs. 14-16 illustrate this concept in greater detail. In Fig. 14, the surface of lower board element 114 is shown to be in a predetermined position relative to the surface of upper board element 116. A player mover is shown to be positioned on a movement space 122 on the surface of lower board element 114, adjacent to a movement space 122 on the surface of upper board element 112.

[0072] In Fig. 15, the surface of lower board element 114 is being moved relative to the surface of upper board element 112 in the direction indicated by the arrow. The movement space 122 upon which the player mover is placed is also being correspondingly moved. However, upper board element 112 is shown to be directly superimposed on lower board element 114 such that the clearance space between the two surfaces does not allow the player mover to pass underneath the upper board element. As such, the edge of the upper board element obstructs movement of the player mover as the lower board element is moved, in effect pushing the player mover off of the movement space.

[0073] In Fig. 16, the movement of the surface of lower board element 114 relative to upper board element 112 is complete, and the player mover is not positioned on a movement space 122. In terms of the "river" theme, the mover has been pushed off of an iceberg into the water, and must be replaced on a space on the "shore," such as the start space 1220 corresponding to the mover, the closest token space 1228, or any other predetermined space.

[0074] The method also provides that each player must move his mover to a predetermined number of token spaces 1228. To keep track of how many of such spaces each player has visited, tiles or other tokens may be used. In other words, each player may be required to collect a predetermined number of tokens by moving his mover to that number of token spaces and removing the token from each token space visited. Once a token is removed from a designated space, no other player may collect a token from that space, requiring each player to visit different spaces in order to satisfy this aspect of the game. The tiles or tokens may represent various animals to be rescued, or treasure to be collected, and so forth. The designated spaces may correspondingly represent safe zones, or treasure burial locations, and so forth, as desired. The rules may specify only that each player is required to collect a predetermined number of tokens, or that each player is required to collect a

predetermined set of tokens (or visit a predetermined set of token spaces), and so forth, as appropriate to achieve a desired level of game complexity or difficulty. As such, the tokens and/or token spaces may further include differentiable indicia, and/or may be randomly placed face-down on the token spaces, such that a player needing to collect a predetermined set may have to visit a number of token spaces to collect the required tokens.

[0075] In the exemplary method, the enemy mover is initially placed in a specially- designated area on the play surface relative to the enemy destination space 1226, specifically, the enemy start space 1224. If the enemy mover is moved to the designated space on any player's turn, such as by movement of the river and/or by movement of the enemy mover as indicated by a die roll or some other game event, that player may be penalized, such as by being required to move his mover to a designated space on the shore, returning a collected token to a token space, or otherwise.

[0076] A set of rules of game play articulating the first exemplary method of game play as described herein is presented below. As mentioned above, the rules are exemplary and are intended for use with an embodiment of the game, aspects and components of which incorporate the theme of the animated film "ICE AGE 2." Thus, the rules may employ a game lexicon different from, but not inconsistent with, the terminology and concepts as set forth in the disclosure above.

[0077] General Description:

For 2-4 players.

Each player chooses a character, then players takes turns attempting to navigate their way across a river divide saving stranded animals along the way. Remember, it's a race. By utilizing an ever-changing iceberg flow, a player can jump from iceberg to iceberg, choosing their best route across the game board. But wait! Ellie is in trouble. She's stuck on an iceberg island and Maelstrom and Cretaceous are coming straight for her. Make the serpents fight the river current. The constantly changing board game allows players to control the river flow by rolling a river die. Stay on an iceberg and risk being pushed into the water. If you choose the safe route by jumping off the river flow you could end up in last place. Be the first mammal to get to the other side of the river with three animals and win.

[0078] Contents: • Game board (112)

• Vinyl river sheet complete with iceberg graphics (114)

• 4 Mammal movers (Sid, Manny, Diego, and Eddie and Crash) (130)

• 1 Maelstrom and Cretaceous mover (132) 16 Creature tiles (134) • 1 Six-sided movement die (1360)

• 1 Six-sided river die (1362)

• Instructions

[0079] THE OBJECT

Be the first mammal to get to the other side of the river with three animals and win.

[0080] GAME SET-UP • Open the game board ( 112) in the center of the playing area

• Slide the vinyl river (114) underneath

• Randomly place all Creature tiles (134) face down at each safe zone (1228)

• Place all Mammals (130) at their indicated start space (1220)

• Place Maelstrom and Cretaceous (132) at indicated start space (1224)

[0081] LET'S PLAY!

[0082] Mammal Movement

• Youngest player moves first.

• Roll both dice (136) at once. Move the number indicated on the movement die (1360). (You may only move on icebergs on the river. Only one mover may occupy an iceberg or safe zone at a time)

• Then move the river (114) the amount shown on the river die (1362).

(See "River Movement.") You may choose to move the river before you move your mover (130). However, you may not split up your moving into halves, (i.e. once before river movement, and once after).

• You may only move forward, backward, or sideways. No diagonal movement.

[0083] Safe Zones and Collecting Creatures • You must collect three Creatures before reaching the finish (1222). Creatures are located beneath tiles (134) located on 16 different safe zones (1228) around the river's edge (116). When you are on the river's edge, the current will not affect you.

• You may only land on safe zones (1228) if the amount on the movement die (1360) allows it.

• If you land on a safe zone (1228) with a tile (134), you may pick up that tile placing it in front of you face up. The Creature on the tile is added to the sum of the three Creatures you are required to collect.

• When a tile (134) is taken, it does not negate the safe zone (1224), however, that zone only acts as a safe zone (1224). A new tile (134) may not be placed there.

[0084] River Movement • The river flow helps move you down the river (118).

• Move the river (118) the amount of spaces indicated on the river die (1362).

• If your mover (130) is pushed into the water while the river movement occurs, you must place your mover (130) to the nearest safe zone (1228) located up stream or backwards. If another mover (130) is occupying that space (1228), move to the next space up.

[0085] Serpent Movement

• The serpents (132) are constantly trying to reach Ellie (1226). • If a serpent icon (142) appears on the river die (1362), then you must move the serpents (132) the amount of spaces indicated on the movement die (1360) toward Ellie (1226).

• If the serpents (132) reach Ellie (1228) during your turn, then you must either move your mover (130) to the nearest safe zone (1228) behind you, or give up one of your Creatures (134).

[0086] Winning the Game

The game ends when any one mammal reaches the end and has a total of three animals in front of them.

[0087] Several aspects of this exemplary method of game play may be modified from that disclosed above, and may be reflected in the set of rules to accompany the game. The rules may thus be configured to provide a game with a desired degree of complexity or difficulty, for example to adapt the game to players of a predetermined age range.

[0088] It is believed that the disclosure set forth herein encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a specific form, the embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions components, concepts, and/or properties disclosed herein. Also, where the claims recite "a" or "a first" element of the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

[0089] It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, components, actions, and/or properties that may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.