IP Library Granted Patent US 6,899,333
Granted Patent B2
US 6,899,333 · App. 10/243,980 · Granted May 31, 2005

Game piece and method of playing a game and supplying the game piece

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,899,333
App. No.
10/243,980
Granted
May 31, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and an apparatus by which rules and record-keeping in games employing miniature figures as game pieces are incorporated onto the base of the miniature figures themselves. Printed information relating to the characteristics of a character are inserted into the base of the figure to customize the values for each character. The base is adapted to keep track of how the characteristics of a character change as a game progresses. Also, a method for playing a game using such game pieces and printed information.

Claims (22)

1. A game piece for use in a game, the game piece comprising:

a base; and

printed information relating to a character in the game, insertable into and interchangeable with the base, wherein the printed information includes variable information, and wherein the base adjustably displays the variable information, wherein the base includes additional variable information and wherein the base adjustably displays both the variable information and the additional variable information, wherein the base includes a selector disk, a base disk, and a label between the base disk and the selector disk, the label including the additional variable information and cut-out windows randomly arranged in a plurality of groups, such that when the printed information is inserted into the base, the variable information shows through the cut-out windows, and wherein the base disk limits viewing to one group at a time.

2. A game piece for use in a game, the game piece comprising:

a base; and

printed information relating to a character in the game, insertable into and interchangeable with the base, wherein the printed information includes variable information, and wherein the base adjustably displays the variable information, wherein the base includes additional variable information and wherein the base adjustably displays both the variable information and the additional variable information, wherein the base includes a selector disk and a base disk, wherein the selector disk has the additional variable information and cut-out windows arranged in a plurality of groups, such that when the printed information is inserted into the base, the variable information shows through the cut-out windows on the selector disk, and wherein the base disk limits viewing to one group at a time.

3. The game piece of claim 2 , wherein the base includes a mechanism to limit viewing of the information.

4. The game piece of claim 3 , wherein the base includes a selector disk and a base disk having an aperture therein.

5. The game piece of claim 4 , wherein the base disk is rotatable relative to the selector disk between a plurality of indexed positions.

6. The game piece of claim 4 , wherein the variable information is arranged in a plurality of groups, and wherein the base disk limits viewing to one group at a time in the indexed positions.

7. The game piece of claim 6 , wherein the printed information is a trading card.

8. The game piece of claim 6 , wherein one of the base disk and selector disk has an edge including a plurality of indentations, and the other of the base disk and selector disk has a button interactable with the plurality of indentations defining the plurality of indexed positions.

9. A game piece for use in a game, the game piece comprising:

a figure;

a base coupled to the figure; and

printed information that contains variable information relating to the game, the variable information being arranged in a plurality of groups, wherein the base is adapted to receive the printed information, and wherein the base selectively displays the variable information, wherein the base includes a base disk and a selector disk, wherein the base disk is rotatable relative to the selector disk between a plurality of finite indexed positions, wherein the base further includes a label between the base disk and the selector disk, the label including the additional variable information and cut-out windows arranged in a plurality of groups, such that when the printed information is inserted into the base, the variable information shows through the cut-out windows, and wherein the base disk limits viewing to one group at a time in the indexed positions.

10. A game piece for use in a game, the game piece comprising:

a figure;

a base coupled to the figure; and

printed information that contains variable information relating to the game, the variable information being arranged in a plurality of groups, wherein the base is adapted to receive the printed information, and wherein the base selectively displays the variable information, wherein the base includes a base disk and a selector disk, wherein the base disk is rotatable relative to the selector disk between a plurality of finite indexed positions, wherein the selector disk includes the additional variable information and cut-out windows arranged in a plurality of groups, such that when the printed information is inserted into the base, the variable information shows through the cut-out windows on the selector disk, and wherein the base disk limits viewing to one group at a time in the indexed positions.

11. The game piece of claim 10 , wherein the figure represents a character in the game.

12. The game piece of claim 11 , wherein the character has characteristics related to the game, and wherein the variable information represents the characteristics.

Assignments (8)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2015
From: NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT COLLECTIBLES ASSOCIATION, INC.
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 036305/0122 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2015
From: SUNTRUST BANK
To: NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT COLLECTIBLES ASSOC., INC.; WIZKIDS/NECA, LLC
Reel/Frame 036267/0824 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2014
From: NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT COLLECTIBLES ASSOCIATION, INC.; WIZKIDS/NECA, LLC
To: SUNTRUST BANK
Reel/Frame 032680/0678 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2009
From: WIZKIDS, INC.
To: WIZKIDS/NECA, LLC
Reel/Frame 023220/0790 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2009
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: WIZKIDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023196/0150 →
CONVERSION FROM A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO A CORPORATION Recorded Aug 26, 2009
From: WIZKIDS, LLC
To: WIZKIDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023148/0141 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2007
From: THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC.; WIZKIDS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 020083/0292 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2003
From: WEISMAN, JORDAN K.
To: WIZKIDS LLC
Reel/Frame 014004/0018 →