 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to Bingo-type games, and more particularly pertains
to a Bingo-type game that incorporates motifs, symbols, and illustrations
from various holidays, such as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas, in the
play of the game.
The original Bingo game is perhaps one of the most popular games ever
devised. The original Bingo game includes a number of attractive features
which are an essential part of its widespread popularity: 1) it can be
played anywhere, i.e., at home, school, church, firehall, senior citizens
center, etc.; 2) the playing pieces are easy to set up and easy to
transport; 3) the game itself can be quickly learned and mastered, and can
be played by anyone commencing from approximately age 5 and up; and 4) the
game itself can be played in a short amount of time, and depending upon
the setting, at the conclusion of the game there may be some type of
pay-off for the winner.
Obviously, because the game of Bingo has such commendable attributes, the
format and manner of play of the game has been adapted by numerous other
games. For example, the Frischmann et. al. sound Bingo game, U.S. Pat. No.
4,169,601, represents one adaptation. The Frischmann et. al. patent
includes a set of playing cards having the format of Bingo playing cards
except each grid contains a unique picture of a sound-emitting object
instead of a number. Imprinted on a phonograph record are the actual
sounds produced by the various objects pictured on all the playing cards,
and as the record is played, the players cover the pictures of the objects
found on their respective playing cards which correspond to the particular
sound played by the record. The first player to cover the grids on his or
her playing card in a manner similar to conventional Bingo is declared the
winner. The Gernhofer patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,270, utilizes the same
format as the conventional Bingo game but fills each grid with a picture
representing a circus scene or leaves the grid blank so that the player
can insert his or her name within that open grid space.
Despite the ingenuity of the above Bingo-type games, there remains a need
for a Bingo-type game which is directed toward children and which
incorporates motifs from various holidays, such as Easter, Halloween,
Christmas, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprehends a holiday Bingo-type game which
incorporates motifs from popularly celebrated holidays, such as Easter,
Halloween, Christmas, etc., and is directed toward children for play in a
school, church, day care or home setting.
The holiday Bingo-type game includes a plurality of game playing cards with
each game playing card containing a plurality of grids, and each grid
containing a unique symbol or indicium corresponding to symbols commonly
associated with a particular holiday. At least one master calling card is
issued, and the master calling card contains a plurality of grids with
each grid containing a unique symbol or indicium corresponding to symbols
commonly associated with the particular holiday and also to the indicia
contained within the grids of the game playing cards. For an Easter
version of the holiday Bingo-type game, the indicia on the game playing
cards would correspond to the indicia on the master calling card, and
likewise for Halloween or Christmas versions of the game. The master
calling card for each version of the game contains more grids and,
therefore, more symbols than any of the respective game playing cards for
that version of the game. With each version of the holiday Bingo-type
game, a plurality of markers are used that symbolize (or include symbols
placed thereon) the respective version of the game. For example, the
Christmas version of the game may use red and green M&M markers or
disc-shaped markers having a clear face for enclosing a Christmas scene,
such as a reindeer or a snowman, therein and which give a snow-like
illusion when shaken. The Easter version of the game may include
pastel-colored M&M markers and the Halloween version of the game may
include candy corn markers or discs containing symbols or scenes
representative of Halloween, such as a ghost, skeleton, or pumpkin. For
all versions of the holiday Bingo-type game, the markers are used to cover
the grid on each player's game playing card as the indicia of the master
calling card are sequentially called out during play of the game. The
first player to cover a series of grids on his or her game playing card in
a manner similar to the conventional Bingo game is declared the winner.
In addition to the three representative versions of the holiday Bingo-type
game, a Bible story Bingo-type game is also disclosed which includes a
plurality of Bible story playing cards with each Bible story playing card
containing a plurality of grids, and each grid containing a unique
illustration representing a Biblical event. The Bible story Bingo-type
game also includes at least one Bible story master calling card which
contains a plurality of grids, and each grid contains a unique
illustration representing a particular Biblical event corresponding to the
illustrated Biblical events found on the Bible story master calling card.
Also, the Bible story Bingo-type game includes a plurality of Bible story
cards with each Bible story card having a unique written description
thereon of the Biblical event which corresponds to one of the illustrated
Biblical events on the Bible story master calling card. Each player is
given a plurality of markers to cover the appropriate illustrated Biblical
event on his or her Bible story playing card as that illustration is
called out by random selection of the Bible story cards during play of the
game, and the markers may have a Biblical/religious symbol placed thereon,
such as a cross or a torah.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a Bingo-type game
which children can easily learn to play, and which includes colorful
playing cards and markers for aesthetic enhancement and appeal.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a Bible story
Bingo-type game which facilitates the learning of Biblical stories and
events by children in a pleasurable game setting.
These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the
following specification and the accompanying drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a representative master calling card for a Christmas
version of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG.2 illustrates a representative game playing card for a Christmas
version of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 3 illustrates a representative master calling card for a Halloween
version of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 4 illustrates a representative game playing card for a Halloween
version of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 5 illustrates a representative master calling card for an Easter
version of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG.6 illustrates a representative game playing card for an Easter version
of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 7 illustrates a representative Bible story master calling card for the
Bible story Bingo-type game;
FIG. 8 illustrates a representative Bible story playing card for the Bible
story Bingo-type game;
FIG. 9 illustrates a representative marker used with a Christmas version of
the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 10 illustrates a representative marker used with a Christmas version
of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 11 illustrates a representative marker used with a Halloween version
of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 12 illustrates a representative marker used with a Halloween version
of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 13 illustrates a representative marker used with an Easter version of
the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 14 illustrates a representative marker used with the Bible story
Bingo-type game;
FIG. 15 illustrates a representative sample of Bible story cards used with
the Bible story Bingo-type game.
FIG. 16 illustrates a representative game playing card for the alternate
preferred embodiment of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 17 illustrates a representative caller match-up card for an alternate
preferred embodiment of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 18 illustrates a representative sticker sheet containing symbols for
placement on the game playing card first shown in FIG. 16;
FIG. 19 illustrates a representative Christmas stocking used during play of
an alternate preferred embodiment of the holiday Bingo-type game;
FIG. 20 illustrates a representative Christmas ribbon with bells attached
thereto for use during play of an alternate preferred embodiment of the
holiday Bingo-type game; and
FIG. 21 illustrates a representative clear plastic bag used as a container
for the game elements of an alternate preferred embodiment of the holiday
Bingo-type game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 are various elements used in a holiday Bingo-type
game for play by children in various settings, such as home, school,
church, or at day care centers. The game incorporates motifs from various
holidays to enhance its aesthetic appeal and also to increase children's
interest in the game. The motifs incorporated into the games are the
well-known symbols and designs for the various holiday seasons: for
example, Easter bunnies and jelly beans for Easter, pumpkins and
broomsticks for Halloween, candy canes and mistletoe for Christmas. The
rules and method of play of the holiday Bingo-type game are very similar
to the well-known conventional Bingo game. The holiday Bingo-type game can
incorporate motifs from any holiday; in the preferred embodiment of the
game of the present invention the holidays chosen are Easter, Halloween,
and Christmas. In addition to these, other holidays may be included in the
holiday Bingo-type game, such as Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Martin
Luther King's birthday, St. Patrick's Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day,
Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, and New Year's Day.
FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 illustrate representative game playing cards 10, 12, and
14 used with particular holiday versions of the game. There does not need
to be a fixed number of game playing cards although there should be a
plurality of game playing cards to allow all of the children in a typical
schoolroom or day care center to play the game. Generally speaking, thirty
game playing cards for each version would be required to allow play of the
game by all children in a typical elementary school classroom or day care
center. The cards 10, 12, and 14 may be manufactured of cardboard with a
vinyl covering and should have a surface that is easily cleaned. Each card
10, 12, and 14 will contain a plurality of equally-sized, square-shaped
playing card grids 16. The presently preferred arrangement of grids 16 is
a five-row by five-column layout. Each grid 16 contains a representation
of a unique playing card indicium or symbol related to a particular
holiday. The card 10 illustrated by FIG. 2 contains symbols 18 related to
Christmas; the card 12 of FIG. 4 contains symbols 20 related to Halloween;
and FIG. 6 illustrates a card 14 containing symbols 22 related to Easter.
FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 are only representative game playing cards for the
respective version of the game, and the placement of symbols 18, 20, and
22 on each card 10, 12, and 14 will vary from card to card.
FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 illustrate the representative master calling card for
each respective holiday version of the game. At least one master calling
card must be used with each respective version of the game; the master
card 24 of FIG. 1 is paired with 10 the representative card 10 of FIG. 2,
the master card 26 of FIG. 3 is paired with the representative card 12 of
FIG. 4, and the master card 28 of FIG. 5 is paired with the representative
card 14 shown in FIG. 6. Each master card 24, 26, and 28 contains a
plurality of equally-sized, square-shaped calling card grids 30. Each grid
30 contains a representation of a unique calling card symbols 32, 34, and
36 which is related to that respective holiday version of the game. Every
symbol 18, 20, and 22 shown on the collective cards 10, 12, and 14 must be
represented at least once on the master cards 24, 26, and 28, thus the
grid arrangement of the master cards 24, 26, and 28 must be larger than
each respective card 10, 12, and 14. The presently preferred grid
arrangement or layout of the master cards 24, 26, and 28 illustrated in
FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 is a five-column by eight-row grid layout.
In order to enhance the appeal of the game, especially for children, a
unique marker means is utilized for play of each version of the game. The
marker means are used by the players to cover the appropriate grid 16 on
their respective cards 10, 12, and 14 containing the symbol 18, 20, and 22
which corresponds to the respective symbol 32, 34, and 36 called out
during play of the game by the school teacher or the day care center
supervisor. The marker means are designed to relate to the respective
versions of the game. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the marker means used for
the Christmas version of the game. FIG. 9 illustrates a representative
sample of a red or green M&M 38 associated with Christmas; in the actual
game a plurality of red and green M&M's would be used. For a
typically-sized elementary school classroom, several hundred M&M's would
be used. After play of each game, the players have the choice of saving
their M&M's or eating them. In addition, the illustration of FIG. 9 could
also represent a flat disc having the M&M's marking thereon. FIG. 10
illustrates another type of marker that can be used with the Christmas
version of the game. The marker 40 of FIG. 10 is a small clear disc in
which the figure of a snowman is enclosed, and when the disc is shaken, a
snow-like illusion occurs. In place of the snowman, a reindeer, sleigh, or
Santa Claus can be used.
FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate markers 42 and 44 to be used with the Halloween
version of the game. FIG. 11 shows a glow-in-the-dark marker 42 having a
symbol thereon representative of Halloween. In the representative marker
42 shown in FIG. 11, the symbol is of a ghost but any other figure
commonly associated with Halloween, such as a witch, broomstick, or
pumpkin, may be used.
FIG. 12 illustrates a representative candy corn marker 44 which may also be
used with the Halloween version of the game. As with the M&M marker 38
illustrated in FIG. 9, several hundred candy corn markers 44 will need to
be used with the Halloween version of the game and, after the game is
completed, the players may eat the candy corn markers 44.
FIG. 13 illustrates a representative example of a pastel-colored M&M which
is used as a marker 46 for the Easter version of the game. Several hundred
pastel-colored M&M's 46 will be needed for the play of the Easter version
of the game, and as with the green and red M&M's 38 shown in FIG. 9 and
the candy corn marker 4 shown in FIG. 12, the pastel-colored M&M's 46 of
FIG. 13 can be eaten after play of the game by the players. The markers
38, 40, 42, 44, or 46 shown in FIGS. 9-13 will be placed to cover the
symbol 18, 20, or 22 on the card 10, 12, or 14 when that symbol 18, 20, or
22 is called out by the teacher or instructor from the master card 24, 26,
or 28 during play of the game.
In order to play the game, the cards 10, 12, or 14 are distributed to the
players, each receiving at least one card 10, 12, or 14. Depending upon
which version of the game is being played, the respective markers 38, 40,
42, 44, or 46 illustrated in FIGS. 9-13 are distributed to the players for
covering the symbols 18, 20, or 22 within the grids 16 as the
corresponding symbols 32, 34, or 36 on the master calling card 24, 26, or
28 are called out by the teacher.
As the teacher randomly selects and calls out a symbol 32, 34, or 36, the
players subsequently cover the symbol 18, 20, or 22 on their respective
card 10, 12, or 14 that corresponds to the symbol 32, 34, or 36 called out
by the teacher. When a player obtains a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal
line, that player raises his or her hand, or yells out the designation at
the top of the card - "GIFTS", "GHOST", or "CANDY"--and that player is
declared the winner. The cards 10, 12, or 14 are then cleared off and the
players can either eat the markers (if they are candy corn 44 as shown in
FIG. 12 or M&M's 38 or 46 as shown in FIG. 9 and 13) or move the markers
38-46 to the side and prepare to play the next game.
FIGS. 7, 8, 14, and 15 illustrate a Bible story Bingo-type game for play in
various settings, such as at home or at private religious schools, day
care centers, and churches. A plurality of players, primarily children but
not exclusive of adults, can play the Bible story game. The Bible story
game includes a plurality of Bible story playing cards 48 of which FIG. 8
is a representative example. The card 48 of FIG. 8 contains a plurality of
equally-sized Bible scene grids 50, and each grid 50 contains a unique
illustration 52 representing a Biblical event. The events are taken from
both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Bible story game also
includes one Bible story master calling card 54 illustrated in FIG. 7
containing a plurality of equally-sized master card grids 56, and each
grid 56 contains a unique illustration 58 of a Biblical event. The
Biblical events illustrated on master card 54 correspond to the Biblical
events represented on the respective cards 48. The grid layout of the
cards 48 and the master card 54 can vary. In the presently preferred
embodiment, the cards 48 are laid out on four-column by four-row grids and
the master card 54 is laid out on a four-column by five-row grid. In order
to call out the various Biblical events on the master card 54, the Bible
story game includes a plurality of Bible story cards 60. Each card 60 has
a written description thereon which corresponds to one unique Biblical
event 58 illustrated on the master card 54.
Also, the Bible story Bingo-type game includes a marker means for use by
each player in covering the grids 50 on his or her card 48 during play of
the game. In the presently preferred embodiment of the game, the marker
means includes a plurality of Bible game playing discs 62, each containing
a symbol of a cross thereon.
In the play of the game, the teacher will randomly select a Bible story
card 60 and will recite aloud the written description of the Biblical
event contained thereon. The players will cover the illustration 52 on
their cards 48 that corresponds to the recited Biblical event with their
discs 62. When one player has horizontally, vertically, or diagonally
covered the appropriate grids 50 on his or her card 48, he or she will
shout "AMEN". Then the player, or players if they are playing in teams,
will briefly explain to their classmates the nature and importance of the
Biblical events which make up their "AMEN".
An alternative to the holiday Bingo-type game shown in FIGS. 1-6 is
illustrated in FIGS. 16-21. While keeping the essential Bingo-type format
of the holiday Bingo-type game of FIGS. 1-6, the alternative preferred
embodiment of the holiday Bingo-type game whose main playing elements are
shown in FIGS. 16-20 includes features making the game especially
enjoyable for small children around the ages of 3 to 5.
Shown in FIG. 16 is a representative example of a holiday game playing card
64 for the Christmas version of the game. Unlike the symbols on cards 18
and 24 of the Christmas version of the game shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
indicium or symbols 66 of card 64 have been greatly simplified for easy
and quick understanding by 3- to 5-year-olds. Each symbol 66 located
within the grid of card 64 may be a removable sticker with an adhesive
backing for permitting adhesion on the cards, such as card 64 shown in
FIG. 16, and removal therefrom after the game is played, or whenever the
player so desires to remove the stickers. The symbols 66 may also be in
the form of non-removable stickers so that when the symbols 66 are
distributed within the grids of card 64, the arrangement of the symbols 66
on the card 64 thereby becomes permanent.
FIG. 17 illustrates a representative example of a caller match-up card 68
for the Christmas version of the alternative embodiment of the holiday
Bingo-type game. In addition, a caller cut-out card (not shown) is also
used. The caller cut-out card is not shown because it is an exact
duplicate of the caller match-up card 68. Before play of the game
commences, a container appropriate for the particular version (a Christmas
stocking for Christmas, pumpkin jar or jack-o'-lantern for Halloween,
Easter basket for Easter, etc.) will be provided. Each separate symbol
found on the caller cut-out card will be cut out, then all the cut out
symbols will be placed into the appropriate holiday container. During play
of the game, one individual, designated the caller (or, more fancifully,
"Head Elf", "Easter Bunny's Helper", "Pumpkin Leader", etc.) will reach
into the container and pull out one symbol, calling out both the letter
and the symbol.
The caller will then place that symbol over the same symbol 69 as found on
the caller match-up card 68 beginning in the first row and then
progressively filling each row and column until there is a Bingo. If no
player responds with a Bingo, the caller will continue pulling out symbols
from the container and placing those symbols over the same symbols 69
found on the caller match-up card 68. The players can use the markers
illustrated in FIGS. 9-13 to cover their respective playing card 64 during
play of the game.
Moreover, to enhance the appeal of the game for small children in the ages
3-5 group, the holiday Bingo-type game allows each child to design their
own card. This is done by providing sticker sheets which would contain the
stickers such as those that are shown on FIG. 16 and which represent the
symbols 66 placed on the representative card 64. FIG. 18 illustrates one
representative sticker sheet 70. The sticker sheets will contain the same
symbols as the symbols 69 arranged on the caller match-up card 68 shown in
FIG. 17. The symbols 69 represent themes or motifs derived from that
particular version of the holiday Bingo-type game; the symbols 69 are
obviously derived from Christmas. Each young child would be instructed to
cut out or remove two stickers for each symbol from the sticker sheet 70
provided for each child and then randomly place those stickers on the
card, such as on representative playing card 64 of FIG. 16, making certain
that no two stickers are in the same winning Bingo lines either
horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or at the corners. Each child will
be instructed to fill up at least one playing card 64 by randomly
distributing stickers taken from the sticker sheet 70; the playing card 64
illustrated in FIG. 16 is one representative example of a playing card
having randomly distributed symbols 66 that can be created by the children
themselves. If the game utilizes a type of non-removable sticker, then the
distribution of symbols 66 on the card 64 will be permanent; if removable
stickers are used, then the distribution of symbols 66 within the grids of
a playing card, as illustrated in representative playing card 64, can be
changed after the play of each game. Thus, with the use of removable
stickers, each child could create as many unique playing cards as allowed
by the random distribution and placement of the symbols 66 on each
representative playing card 64.
In order to play the Christmas version of the holiday Bingo-type game, one
person (usually an adult) will be designated the caller (or "Head Elf", in
keeping with the seasonal spirit of the game). The "Head Elf" will have
the caller match-up card 68 set before him or herself, and all the symbols
on the caller cut-out card will have already been cut out and placed in a
container, such as a Christmas stocking 72 shown in FIG. 19. Each child
will have created at least one playing card, such as card 64, by applying
the removable or non-removable stickers derived from the several sticker
sheets 70 within the grids of the card 64. Seasonal markers will be
distributed to each child, such as red and green gumdrops or the markers
38 and 40 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.
The caller will pass out approximately 15 markers to each player. Actual
play of the game will commence by the caller randomly selecting a symbol
from the stocking 72. The caller will call out the letter and symbol
selected, and then place that symbol over the matching symbol 69 on the
caller match-up card 68. The players will use the appropriate markers to
cover the symbol 66 on their game playing cards 64 that matches the symbol
selected from the stocking 72 and called out by the caller. The caller
will continue selecting symbols from the stocking 72 until one of the
players calls out the functional equivalent of "Bingo", i.e., in the
Christmas version of the game, the player could call out "GIFTS". In the
alternative, the player whose card shows a winner in any one of the four
standard ways (diagonal, vertical, horizontal, four corners) could shake a
Christmas ribbon 74, illustrated in FIG. 20, tied into a circle and having
several small bells attached to it. Before play of the game, one Christmas
ribbon 74 with bells attached could be distributed to each player. All
other versions of the alternative embodiment of the holiday Bingo-type
game would follow the same game-playing format.
It is also anticipated that other versions of the holiday Bingo-type game
could be developed using a simplified playing card, such as card 64, only
with symbols appropriate to another particular holiday placed thereon. In
addition, the caller match-up cards and the caller cut-out cards would
have a format similar to card 68, only they would include symbols
appropriate to that respective holiday. The markers for use by the players
could be those shown in FIGS. 11--13 as well as others, such as jelly
beans for the Easter version.
The Christmas version of the alternate embodiment of the holiday Bingo-type
game may be packaged and sold in a variety of ways. One preferred form for
selling the Christmas version of the game shown in FIGS. 16-20 is to place
the game playing items in a clear plastic bag 76, which serves as both the
storage and carrying means, as shown in FIG. 21, including: one caller
cut-out card; one caller match-up card 68; six blank playing cards, such
as playing card 64 shown in FIG. 16; two sticker sheets, such as sticker
sheets 70 shown in FIG. 18; and 100 markers, such as markers 40 and 42
illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. A container for the symbols removed from
the caller cut-out card, such as the stocking 72, and also the Christmas
ribbon 74 would be included in the bag 76.
The various other holiday versions of the alternative embodiment of the
holiday Bingo-type game would include the same above-described elements
except that the symbols would be congruent with that particular version of
the holiday Bingo-type game being sold.
Although several embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing
from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *
|
|
 |
|
 |
Description |
|
