Board games
Tiles ( 7 ) having significant depth are placed on a gameboard ( 1 ) having projections ( 2 ) on its upper surface. The protrusions ( 2 ) engage recesses ( 8 ) formed on the corners of the tiles ( 7 ) in order to locate the tiles ( 7 ) in position on the game board ( 1 ). The recesses ( 8 ) may extend for only part of the depth of the tiles ( 7 ) so that they are not visible from the top of the tiles ( 7 ), thereby affording visual continuity between the (tiles 7 ). The protrusions ( 2 ) may engage the recesses ( 8 ) as a friction fit, to hold the tiles ( 7 ) firmly in place. Alternatively, they may engage the recesses ( 8 ) as a loose fit, thereby to afford location of the tiles ( 7 ) while allowing their easy removal from the game board ( 1 ).
1. A game board and playing pieces:
a. said game board having a playing surface from which a plurality of protrusions project;
b. each of said playing pieces comprising a tile having length, width and thickness and incorporating at least one recess about its periphery;
c. said recesses engaging said protrusions to inhibit movement of the tiles across the game board when the tiles are placed on the board;
d. said recesses extending for only part of the thickness of the tiles; and
e. said tiles, when placed on the board, covering at least a portion of each protrusion adjacent said tiles; and
f. at least some of said protrusions having a top surface facing a portion of a bottom surface of said recesses of more than one of said tiles.
2. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein said game board comprises a plastics material.
3. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 2 , wherein said game board is injection moulded.
4. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein said game board has graphics printed thereon.
5. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 4 , wherein said graphics comprise a grid of playing squares.
6. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 5 , wherein a protrusion is provided at every intersection point of the grid.
7. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein a label is affixed to said game board to display graphics.
8. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein said tiles are polygons.
9. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein said tiles are square.
10. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein each of said tiles incorporates a said recess at at least two corners of the tile.
11. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein each of said tiles has a said recess at each of its corners.
12. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein each of said recesses extends for a distance of 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% of the thickness of the respective tile.
13. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein said tiles are of injection moulded plastics.
14. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein graphics are provided on said tiles.
15. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 14 , wherein said graphics on said tiles comprise letters of the alphabet.
16. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , adapted for playing the game of Scrabble.
17. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein said recesses engage said protrusions as a friction fit to hold the tiles firmly in engagement.
18. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein said recesses engage said protrusions as a loose fit to afford location of the tiles on the game board.
19. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein each of said tiles has a thickness that is equal to at least 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% of the longest dimension of the tile.
20. A game board and playing pieces according to claim 1 , wherein each of said recesses has a radius in the range 5% to 15% of the longest dimension of the respective tile.