US20070018395A1

US20070018395A1 - Memory game piece

Info

Publication number: US20070018395A1
Application number: US11/184,627
Authority: US
Inventors: Dale Scriven
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-19
Filing date: 2005-07-19
Publication date: 2007-01-25

Abstract

The present invention provides a game piece for playing the game Memory. The game piece has a system for customizing, changing, switching or replacing an image by using magnetism. The game piece is made from two components, the metallic cap and magnetic image. The metallic cap has a top portion and bottom portion. The top portion of the metallic cap can be fabricated from any material. The bottom portion of the metallic cap is fabricated from magnetic attractive material. The bottom portion can also be fabricated with an optional write on/wipe off surface laminated to the magnetic attractive material surface. The metallic cap and the magnetic image are magnetically attached to each other. The final result is a magnetic image that can be customized, changed, replaced or removed by simply pealing or lifting the existing magnetic image from the metallic cap.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the game Memory and, more particularly, to the metallic cap on the Memory game piece that has the ability to connect to a magnetic image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Memory is a classic game that has been played for years. Memory is played by all age groups and can be played individually or by groups of people.
The object of the game is to use your memory to match the image on the bottom surface of each game piece by turning over the game pieces in pairs. If you successfully match two images by consecutively turning over two game pieces, you are credited with a match. If you fail to make a match after consecutively turning over two game pieces, your turn is forfeited. The other player or players attempt to use their memory to make a match. The game is finished when all of the game pieces have been successfully matched. The person with the most matches at the end of the game wins.
The Memory game piece has two essential surfaces, the top and the bottom. The top surface is designed with identical markings, which is usually a drawing or design. It is important that the top surface of all the game pieces have identical markings so that the differences in the game pieces can only be identified by the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the game piece has an image that is identical to only one other game piece.
The problem with the present Memory game piece is that the top and bottom surfaces of the game piece are one cohesive unit. The image on the bottom surface of the game piece is permanent and cannot be customized, changed, switched or replaced. As a result of the static nature of the game piece, the Memory game becomes boring, stale and insipid because the player(s) of the game view the same images over and over again. The consumer is forced to purchase new game pieces if they wish to widen or change the variety of images.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a game piece for use in playing the game Memory.
It is an object of the invention to provide a Memory game piece containing an image that can be customized, changed, switched or replaced.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a Memory game piece that uses magnetics to customize, change, switch and replace the magnetic image.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a Memory game piece featuring an optional write on/wipe off surface that can be used to customize, change, switch or replace the image.
It is an object of the invention to provide a Memory game piece that uses a metallic cap to hold the image that can be customized, changed, switched and replaced.
It is an object of the invention to allow the player of the game Memory to customize, change, switch or replace the Memory game piece by simply replacing the existing magnetic image with a new magnetic image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a game piece for the purposes of playing the game Memory. The newly invented Memory game piece has a system for customizing, changing, switching or replacing an image (e.g. color, letters, numbers, pictures, etc.) by using magnetism. Magnetism solves the problem of having to use a Memory game piece containing images that cannot be customized, changed, switched or removed.
The Memory game piece is comprised of two components, the metallic cap and magnetic image. The metallic cap and magnetic image can embody an unlimited range of shapes (e.g. square, rectangle, circle, triangle, star, etc.) or size (e.g. length, width, height, thickness).
The metallic cap consists of two components, the top and bottom portions. The top portion of the metallic cap can be fabricated from any material to include but not be limited to, plastic, wood, metal or paper. The bottom portion of the magnetic cap can be fabricated from magnetic attractive material such as iron, steel or other suitable magnetic attractive material. The bottom portion can be fabricated with an optional write on/wipe off surface that can be used to write or draw an image in lieu of using a magnetic image. The top and bottom portions are attached to each other by using glue or a suitable adhesive. When the top and bottom portions are adhered together, the metallic cap is complete.
The magnetic image is the final component of the Memory game piece. The magnetic image is fabricated by laminating a magnet to the back surface of an image that has been imprinted on paper or other suitable material. Once the image and the magnet are adhered together, the image has the ability to attach to a magnetic attractive surface. The magnetic image thus attaches to the bottom portion of the metallic cap.
Players of the game Memory now have the ability to customize, change, switch or replace the image on the game piece. The players of this game can simply peal off the existing magnetic image from the metallic cap and replace it with an alternate magnetic image. The players of the game Memory can also draw their own matching images on the bottom portion of the magnetic cap, if the optional write on/wipe off surface is used. The final result is a Memory game piece that has a metallic cap with an optional write on/wipe off surface that has a removable magnetic image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a memory game piece in accordance with the invention.
For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a memory game piece in accordance with the invention.
The Memory game piece consists of a metallic cap 1 and magnetic image 5.
The metallic cap 1 has two components, a top portion 2 and bottom portion 3.
The top portion 2 of the metallic cap 1 is the body of the Memory game piece. The top portion 2 functions as the aesthetic expression of the Memory game piece. The bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1 is the component that attracts a magnet or magnetic image 5. It is preferred that the top portion 2 and bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1 not exceed the size or dimension of an average size human hand.
The top portion 2 of the metallic cap 1 can be fabricated from any suitable material, including but not limited to plastic, wood, metal or glass. The top portion 2 of the metallic cap 1 can be formed into to any shape, including but not limited to a square, rectangle, triangle or circle. The top portion 2 of the metallic cap 1 can be fabricated with no limitation to thickness. The top portion 2 of the metallic cap 1 can be fabricated with no limitation to texture or color. The bottom surface of the top portion 2 is to be fabricated so that the surface is able to adhere or connect to the bottom portion 3.
The bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1 is fabricated of ferrous material or other suitable material that attracts magnets. The bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1 can be formed into any shape, including but not limited to a square, rectangle, triangle or circle. It is preferred that the shape or profile of bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1 not exceed the shape or profile of the top portion 2. The bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1 can be any thickness but is preferred to be relatively thin. If preferred, the ferrous material or other suitable magnetic attractive material can be embedded into the top portion 2 of the metallic cap 1. As an option, the bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1 can be fabricated with ferrous material that has a write on/wipe off surface 4 laminated on the bottom side.
The metallic cap 1 is a complete unit when the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 3 are joined together. It is preferred that the top portion 2 and bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1 be joined with adhesive. It may be preferred to use a peal off adhesive to adhere the top portion 2 to the bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1. The top portion 2 and bottom portion 3 of the metallic cap 1 can also be joined by using a mechanical fastener or other suitable means or methods.
The magnetic image 5 is fabricated by laminating a magnet to the back of an image imprinted, etched or stamped on paper or other suitable material. The magnetic image 5 can be fabricated into any shape, including but not limited to a square, rectangle, triangle or circle. It is preferred that the magnetic image 5 be thins although the magnetic image 5 can be any thickness. The magnetic image 5 can be fabricated with no limitation to texture or color. It is preferred that the shape or profile of the magnetic image 5 be the same as the metallic cap 1 and not exceed the profile of the metallic cap 1.
The Memory game piece is complete when the metallic cap 1 and magnetic image 5 are connected magnetically.
The magnetic image 5 can be customized, changed, replaced or removed by simply pealing or lifting the existing magnetic image 5 from the metallic cap 1.
If the optional write on/wipe off surface 4 is used, the magnetic image 5 can be replaced by witting or drawing the image directly on the write on/wipe off surface 4. The image on the write on/wipe off surface 4 can be customized, changed, replaced or removed as long as a suitable dry erasable marker is used to write on the surface.
The optional write on/wipe off surface 4 will not compromise the functioning of the metallic cap 1. The magnetic image 5 can be customized, changed, replaced or removed by simply pealing or lifting the existing magnetic image 5 from the optional write on/wipe off surface 4 on the metallic cap 1.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Claims

1. A memory game piece for the purpose of allowing the players of the game memory to customize, change, switch or replace the image on the memory game piece, comprising:

means for providing the body of the memory game piece when the top portion and bottom portion are adhered together;

means for providing the top portion of the metallic cap and supporting the bottom portion;

means for providing the bottom portion of the metallic cap and connecting to a magnet or magnetic image, adhesively attached to said means for providing the top portion of the metallic cap and supporting the bottom portion; and

means for component to attach to the magnetic cap providing an image for the memory game piece, magnetically connected to said means for providing the body of the memory game piece when the top portion and bottom portion are adhered together.

2. The memory game piece in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing the body of the memory game piece when the top portion and bottom portion are adhered together comprises a sturdy metallic cap.

3. The memory game piece in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing the top portion of the metallic cap and supporting the bottom portion comprises a sturdy top portion.

4. The memory game piece in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing the bottom portion of the metallic cap and connecting to a magnet or magnetic image comprises an ability to attract a magnet or magnetic image, means for having an optional write on/wipe off surface bottom portion.

5. The memory game piece in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for component to attach to the magnetic cap providing an image for the memory game piece comprises a removable, changeable, replaceable magnetic image.

6. A memory game piece for the purpose of allowing the players of the game memory to customize, change, switch or replace the image on the memory game piece, comprising:

a sturdy metallic cap, for providing the body of the memory game piece when the top portion and bottom portion are adhered together;

a sturdy top portion, for providing the top portion of the metallic cap and supporting the bottom portion;

an ability to attract a magnet or magnetic image, means for having an optional write on/wipe off surface bottom portion, for providing the bottom portion of the metallic cap and connecting to a magnet or magnetic image, adhesively attached to said top portion; and

a removable, changeable, replaceable magnetic image, for component to attach to the magnetic cap providing an image for the memory game piece, magnetically connected to said metallic cap.

7. A memory game piece for the purpose of allowing the players of the game memory to customize, change, switch or replace the image on the memory game piece, comprising: