Apparatus for playing a game and method of use thereof

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for playing a game. The apparatus includes a play base having one or more magnets provided thereon and at least a first magnetic member located a pre-determined spaced distance above an upper surface of said play base and movable relative thereto. The movement or the result of the movement of the first magnetic member relative to the play base relates to one or more pre-determined criteria for allowing further playing of the game according to a set of rules.

1 . Apparatus for playing a game, said apparatus including a play base and at least a first member located a pre-determined spaced distance apart from said play base and movable relative thereto, the movement or at least the result of the movement of said at least first member relating to one or more pre-determined criteria for allowing further playing of the game according to a set of rules.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least first member is freely and randomly movable relative to the play base.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least first member is suspended above an upper surface of the play base from a frame and the member is movable relative to the frame and/or play base in use.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the at least first member is pivotally mounted on the frame.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the frame is integrally formed with the play base.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the frame is detachably attached to the play base.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the frame includes two or more arm members detachably attached to each other by any or any combination of clips, adhesive, Velcro, screws or friction fitting.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the frame includes two or more substantially upright members with a further member supported therebetween, the first member attached to the supported further member in use.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least first movable member is provided with magnetic means, the magnetic means interacting with one or more further magnetic means provided on or associated with the play base.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to claims  9  wherein the one or more further magnetic means are provided within the area defined by the frame.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the at least first member includes an elongate portion having a first end attached to the frame and a second free end provided with the magnetic means.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the elongate portion is substantially flexible.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the elongate portion is in the form of at least one string or cord.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the elongate portion is substantially rigid.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the magnetic means of the movable member is provided in, on or with any or any combination of a weight, toy or pendulum.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the one or more further magnetic means of the play base are located under an upper surface of the play base.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the one or more further magnetic means of the play base are provided in one or more housings or compartments on the playbase.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein a plurality of magnetic means are provided at spaced apart intervals on the play base.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the plurality of magnetic means are arranged at spaced intervals around the circumference of a circle.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the movement of the at least first member is determined, at least in part, by the polarities of the respective magnetic means on the play base and first member.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein a user initiates movement of the at least first member, whereafter the magnetic interaction of the respective magnetic means determines any or any combination of the speed, direction and/or degree of further movement of the first member.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein one or more of the plurality of magnetic means on the play base have positive polarity and the other play base magnetic means have negative polarity.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the at least first member will eventually come to rest following movement thereof adjacent one of the plurality of magnetic means on the play base.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the at least first member is positioned at an acute angle to the vertical when the member eventually comes to rest.  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the first movable member will come to rest adjacent magnetic means on the play base of opposite polarity to the magnetic means provided with the member.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein one or more pre-determined criteria for allowing playing of the game are associated with one or more of said play base magnetic means.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the play base includes a plurality of play positions which a user is required to move a play piece therebetween during playing of the game.  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the play positions are defined by any or any combination of an image, shape, text, symbol, photograph or data.  
     
     
         29 . Apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the degree of movement which a user is able to move a play piece between play positions at any particular point in the game is determined, at least in part, by the movement of the first member relative to the play base.  
     
     
         30 . Apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein a number is associated with each magnetic means on the play base and, when the first member comes to rest adjacent a play base magnetic means, the associated number corresponds to the number of play positions which the user can move a play piece between.  
     
     
         31 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the play base includes a plurality of play positions and a user is required to select a play position, determined at least in part by the movement of the at least first movable member.  
     
     
         32 . Apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the play base magnetic means are associated with one or more of the play positions.  
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the play positions are provided outside the area defined by the frame.  
     
     
         34 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein a portion or compartment of the play base on which the magnetic means are located is movable relative to a remaining portion of the play base.  
     
     
         35 . Apparatus according to  claim 34  wherein the portion or compartment of the play base is rotatably mounted relative to the remaining portion of the play base.  
     
     
         36 . Apparatus according to  claim 34  wherein the portion or compartment of the play base is provided within the area defined by the frame.  
     
     
         37 . Apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the distance of the spaced intervals provided between the play base magnetic means is determined by any or any combination of the power, polarity or gauss of the magnetic means.  
     
     
         38 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the toy is in the form of a cartoon character, monster, action hero or person.  
     
     
         39 . A method of using apparatus to play a game, said apparatus including a play base and at least a first member located a pre-determined spaced distance apart from said play base, said method including the steps of a user moving said at least first member relative to said play base, the movement of or at least the result of the movement of said at least first member relating to one or more pre-determined criteria for allowing further playing of the game by the user or one or more further users according to a set of rules.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 39  wherein the movement or the result of movement of the at least first member determines the movement of one or more play pieces by a user between a plurality of play positions on the play base.  
     
     
         41 . Apparatus for playing a game, said apparatus including a play base and at least a first member located a pre-determined spaced distance apart from said play base, one or more playing positions identified on said play base and one or more playing pieces for movement between said playing positions, and wherein the movement of or the result of the movement of the at least first member relates to one or more pre-determined criteria for allowing movement of the one or more playing pieces between the playing positions according to a set of rules.  
     
     
         42 . Apparatus for playing a game, said apparatus including a play base having at least a first magnetic member located a pre-determined distance apart from said play base and movable relative thereto, said play base having further magnetic means associated therewith and the magnetic interaction of the first magnetic member and the further magnetic means determining the movement of the first magnetic member relative to the play base.