Game structure apparatuses
A game structure apparatus includes a plurality of blocks with each block having a plurality of block faces, a first set of block faces of the plurality of block faces collectively have an image thereon and the first set of block faces can be oriented relative to each other to thereby form the image, a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members support the plurality of blocks and permit the plurality of blocks to be moved along and rotated about the support members such that the first set of block faces form the image, and a frame coupled to the plurality of support members.
1 . A game structure apparatus comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of substantially rigid support members that each extend along an axis and are coupled to the frame, wherein each support member in the plurality of support members includes a pair of support member ends coupled to the frame and a length that extends between the support member ends; and
a plurality of blocks with each block in the plurality of blocks coupled to one of the plurality of support members and each block in the plurality of blocks including a plurality of block faces, wherein a first set of block faces of the plurality of block faces of the plurality of blocks can be oriented in the same direction to form an image; and
wherein each block of the plurality of blocks is capable of moving along and freely rotating about the support member to which the block is coupled along the length of the support member until the block is adjacent to another block coupled to another support member.
2 . The game structure apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support members define an offset distance between each adjacent support member in the plurality of support members that is less than a face distance of one of the block faces.
3 . The game structure apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each block has a circular bore and each support member has a circular cross-section such that each block rotates about the support member to which the block is coupled when the block does not contact another block coupled to another support member.
4 . The game structure apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of retention blocks coupled to one of the plurality of support members, and wherein the plurality of retention blocks are nonrotatable.
5 . The game structure apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a second set of block faces of the plurality of block faces collectively have a second image thereon and the second set of block faces can be oriented relative to each other to thereby form the second image.
6 . The game structure apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image can be overlaid with an alternative image.
7 . A method of operating a game structure apparatus, the method comprising:
moving a first block along a first support member until the first block is spaced apart from a second block that is coupled to a second support member adjacent to the first support member such that the first block is rotatable about the first support member;
rotating the first block about the first support member until a desired block face of the first block is oriented in a desired direction; and
moving the first block along the first support member until the first block abuts a third block that is coupled to the second support member or a third support member, the second support member and the third support member being adjacent to the first support member; and
wherein the first block is capable of moving along and freely rotating about the first support member along the length of the first support member until the first block abuts the second block or the third block.
8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the game structure apparatus includes a frame side including a plurality of rows of blocks with each row of blocks spaced apart from each other at an offset distance and the offset distance is less than a maximum radial diameter required for rotation of one of the blocks in each row of blocks.
9 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the first block is rotated subsequent to movement of the first block along the support member.
10 . The method according to claim 7 , further comprising moving a retention block along a second support member.
11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the retention block is nonrotatable.
12 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the first block has a circular bore and the first support member has a circular cross-section such that the first block rotates about the first support member.