GB2104256A - Game timer - Google Patents

Abstract

A game timer has at least one pair of chambers 2,3 in communication with one another through a restricted opening 9. Sand or like material in the chambers is able to pass through the restricted opening from one chamber to the other when the game timer is positioned with one chamber positioned above the other. The chambers are preferably different colours so that one chamber may be distinguished from another. In one form of the invention there are two chambers for a game timer for two players and in another form of the invention there are four chambers arranged in two pairs for a game with four players. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Game timer This invention relates to a game timer.

A sand-glass as an instrument for measuring time is well-known, for example an hour glass or an egg-timer. It has also been proposed to use a sand-glass for timing player's turns in a game ie once the sand has all passed from the top section to the bottom section a player's turn is finished.

However, it has never been proposed to use the sand-glass to add a new dimension to games, it has always been used purely as visual time indicator.

According to the present invention there is provided a game timer comprising two chambers in communication with one another through a restricted opening, sand or like material able to pass through the restricted opening from one chamber to the other when the game timer is positioned with one chamber above the other, and one chamber including a feature differentiating it from the other chamber.

In a preferred arrangement the game timer comprises four chambers, a first pair of chambers being in communication with one another through a first restricted opening and a second pair of chambers being in communication with one another through a second restricted opening, sand or like material able in said pairs of chambers and able to pass from one chamber in a pair to the other, and one chamber of each pair including a feature differentiating it from the other chamber in the respective pair.

The differentiating features between chambers may be that the chambers are different colours, alternatively they may be numbered or even different shapes. Preferably the chambers each bear a marking indicating when the sand level is such that the sand is distributed equally between the two chambers.

The invention also includes a method of playing a game in which players' turns are subject to time, the method comprising the steps of: providing a game timer comprising at least one pair of chambers in communication with one another through a restricted opening and including sand or like material able to pass through the restricted opening from one chamber to the other, providing the timer with a feature or features whereby the respective chambers may be differentiated from one another, apportioning the sand or like material substantially equally between the chambers at the beginning of a game, and, on completion of a turn, one moving chamber of the pair into a position in which sand or like material no longer passes to the other chamber of the pair, so that the longer the player with the one chamber takes over his turn the more sand or like material runs into the other chamber thereby providing additional time to the player with said other chamber for his turn.

The game time may have a supporting base on each chamber or may be pivotally mounted on a stand.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A, lBand iC show diagrammatic pers- pective, front and side views respectively of a first embodiment of the invention; Figures2A and 2B show diagrammatic perspective and side views respectively of a second embodiment of the invention; and Figures 3A and 3B show a front view and side elevation respectively of a third embodiment of the invention.

In the first embodiment a game time 1 comprises two rectangular sections 2 and 3 internally partitioned at 4 to define respective chambers 5 and 6 having concave surfaces 7 and 8. The concave surfaces 7 and 8 are connected by a restricted opening 9 so that the two chambers 5 and 6 are in communication with one another. Retained within two chambers 5 and 6 is a quantity of sand 10 just sufficient so that when the sand is equally apportioned between the two chambers the sand level in the upper chamber lies level with the respective indicating line marking 11. In order to differentiate one chamber from the other the sections 2 and 3 are preferably different colours eg: yellow and pink. The game timer is supported on a stand 12 and is pivoted to the sand at 13 so that the respective positions of the chambers can be reversed by moving the sections through 1800.

In Figures 2A and 2B the design of game timer is similar and for simplicity the same reference numerals have been used to indicate corresponding parts.

However, instead of being mounted upon a stand 12, each section 2 and 3 is provided with a flat supporting base 14 upon which the timer rests. Thus, in orderto change the relative positions of the two sections 2 and 3, the game timer is simply turned over and supported upon the other base 14.

In Figures 3A and 3B a third embodiment is illustrated; Figure 3B being a side elevation upon arrow A in Figure 3A. In this embodiment a game time 20 comprises a substantially square frame 21 having a foot 22 positioned centrally on each of the four sides thereof. The actual timing is performed by a central chamber divided into four sections 23,24, 25 and 26: the sections 23 and 25 being in communication with one another through an interconnecting passage and the sections 24 and 26 being similarly in communication with one another. The four sections are preferably individually identifiable by means of colour though other suitable indication means may be provided.

The game timer of the first two embodiments of the present invention used in a game in which the turns of players requires some timing eg: word games. However, instead of the timing being the same for each player, the game timer of the present invention, by the provision of markings 11, means that the timing can be variable thereby adding a further dimension to a game. Thus, at the beginning of a game, players choose their colour section and ensure that the sand is equally divided between the two chambers 2 and 3 (this might be assisted by the provision of the slide closure (not shown) for the restricted opening 9). The 'timing' starts by the first player arranging the timer so that his section is high thereby making the sand, which starts at level marking 11, run through to the chamber belonging to the other player.When that player has completed his move, he immediately reverses the position of the two chambers starting the sand running back down into his own section whilst the other player is then taking his turn. The longer a player takes, the more sand runs out of his chamber, thereby giving additional time to the other player to use when it is his turn.

When a player's sand runs out (there being no more for use for timing his move) the game is lost.

The arrangement of the first two embodiments is designed particularly for two players whereas the third embodiment is used by four players in particulay though it may be used by two or three players if desired.

In a game using his third embodiment a player starting with chamber section 23 upright, upon completion of his move, will then turn the game timer 20 through 90" so that the chamber section 24 is upright. As with the first embodiment the time used by the players having sections 23 and 24 will give more time to the players having sections 25 and 26 respectively and vice versa. Moreover, the duration of a turn is indeterminate such that the completion of the turn by the player with say chamber section 23 and tipping it to the player with chamber section 24 may catch that player not ready to make his move so that this sand flows through the interconnecting passage to the player having chamber section 26. In order to start a game with equal parts, or at least same sand in all the chambers, the sand is apportioned appropriately, using markings on the chamber sections if desired. Alternatively, at the beginning of the game, one of the players apportions the sand by sight.

The game timer is preferably made of plastics material.

Claims (9)

1. A game timer comprising two chambers in communication with one another through a restricted opening, sand or the like material able to pass through the restricted opening from one chamber to the other when the game timer is positioned with one chamber above the other, and one chamber including a feature differentiating it from the other chamber.

2. A game timer according to claim 1 comprising four chambers, a first pair of chambers being in communication with one another through a first restridted opening and a second pair of chambers being in communication with one another through a second restricted opening, sand or like material able in said pairs of chambers and able to pass from one chamber in a pair to the other, and one chamber of each pair including a feature differentiating it from the other chamber in the respective pair.

3. A game timer according to claim 2 wherein the first and second restricted openings define flow paths from the sand or like material in directions perpendicular to one another.

4. A game timer according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein the chambers are different colours so that they are individually indentifiable.

5. A game timer according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein the chambers each bear a marking indicating when the sand or like material level is distribtuted equally between the chambers.

6. A game timer according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein the game timer has a supporting base associated with each chamber on which the timer may rest.

7. A game timer according to claim 1 wherein the chambers are pivoted to a frame so that the respective positions of the two chambers may be reversed by moving the sections through 180 .

8. A method of playing a game in which players' turns are subject to time, the method comprising the steps of: providing a game timer comprising at least one pair of chambers in communication with one another through a restricted opening and including sand or like material able to pass through the restricted opening from one chamber to the other, providing the timer with afeatureorfeatures whereby the respective chambers may be differentiated from one another, apportioning the sand or like material substantially equally between the chambers at the beginning of a game, and, on completion of a turn, moving one chamber of the pair into a position in which sand or like material no longer passes to the other chamber of the pair, so that the longer the player with the one chamber takes over his turn the more sand or like material runs into the other chamber thereby providing additional time to the playerwithsaid otherchamberforhisturn.

9. A game timer substantially as hereinbefore decribed with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1A,1 B and 1 2A and 2B, and 3A and 3B of the accompanying drawings.