US4014548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Word game having single and multiple letter tiles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-09
•
Granted: 1977-03-29
•
Expires: 1995-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A word game includes multiple-letter tiles as well as single-letter tiles which are placed on successive spaces on a playing board. In order to receive score points, each player attempts to compose words on his own playing board on which is printed a single row of letter spaces. One of the letter spaces, designated as a "master space", has placed thereon a randomly selected multiple-letter tile. Words are composed by locating single-letter tiles in successive letter spaces on the board so that the single-letter tiles merge with the multiple-letter tile. Each of the letter spaces is assigned a score point value, the magnitude of which depends upon distance to the master space. The score point value of a composed word is equal to the sum of the assigned score point values of the starting and ending spaces of the word. Bonus points are awarded when a joker tile used in composing a word falls on a "joker" space. A timer is provided to limit the time permitted a player for composing a word in order to speed up the playing action.
Inventors
- 👤 Minnie Hess Trilling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:47
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/04; A63F3/0423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A word game comprising a first number of single-letter alphabetic tiles; a second number of multiple-letter alphabetic tiles; at least two discrete playing boards located in a playing area, each of said boards having a single row of letter spaces, one of said letter spaces being a multiple-letter space arranged to receive one of said multiple letter tiles and the remaining spaces being single-letter spaces, successive single-letter tiles placed in successive single-letter spaces and said multiple-letter tile placed in said multiple-letter space forming a word, the score value of said word corresponding to the length thereof with respect to said multiple-letter tile, wherein the score values corresponding to said single-letter spaces are printed on the playing boards at respective single-letter spaces, said score values increasing in both of opposite directions with respect to said multiple-letter space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A word game comprising a first number of single-letter alphabetic tiles; a second number of multiple-letter alphabetic tiles; at least two discrete playing boards located in a playing area, each of said boards having a single row of letter spaces, one of said letter spaces being a multiple-letter space arranged to receive one of said multiple letter tiles and the remaining spaces being single-letter spaces, successive single-letter tiles placed in successive single-letter spaces and said multiple-letter tile placed in said multiple-letter space forming a word, the score value of said word corresponding to the length thereof with respect to said multiple-letter tile, wherein the score values corresponding to said single-letter spaces are printed on the playing boards at respective single-letter spaces, said score values increasing in both of opposite directions with respect to said multiple-letter space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The word game of claim 1, wherein a score value is assigned to each of said multiple letter tiles, the score value being related to the frequency of usage in language of the multiple letter combination printed on said each tile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The word game of claim 1 further including a third number of joker tiles, and some of said single-letter spaces being joker spaces, a bonus being added to said score value if a joker tile incorporated in said word is located on a joker space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The word game of claim 1, including a timer for limiting the time permitted a player for forming said word.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
A word game comprising a playing area having at least two rows of successive letter spaces, each of said rows corresponding to an individual player and including only one multiple-letter space and a plurality of single-letter spaces; a first number of single-letter tiles for placement on said single-letter spaces; and a second number of multiple-letter tiles for placement on said multiple-letter spaces, said multiple-letter tiles containing three-letter combinations commonly occuring in words, wherein a word is composed using said one multiple-letter tile with at least one single-letter tile, a score point value being assigned to said composed word according to its length, wherein the score point values corresponding to said single-letter spaces are printed at respective single-letter spaces, said score point values increasing in both opposite directions with respect to said multiple-letter spaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
133 words
A word game comprising a playing area having at least two rows of successive letter spaces, each of said rows corresponding to an individual player and including only one multiple-letter space and a plurality of single-letter spaces; a first number of single-letter tiles for placement on said single-letter spaces; and a second number of multiple-letter tiles for placement on said multiple-letter spaces, said multiple-letter tiles containing three-letter combinations commonly occuring in words, wherein a word is composed using said one multiple-letter tile with at least one single-letter tile, a score point value being assigned to said composed word according to its length, wherein the score point values corresponding to said single-letter spaces are printed at respective single-letter spaces, said score point values increasing in both opposite directions with respect to said multiple-letter spaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The word game of claim 5, wherein some of said single-letter spaces are joker spaces, and said single-letter tiles include a number of joker tiles, bonus points being awarded whenever a joker tile falls on a joker space in a composed word.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The word game of claim 5, wherein a score value is assigned to each of said multiple letter tiles, the score value being related to the frequency of usage in language of the multiple letter combination printed on said each tile.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-28 | 1980-09-27 | 1981-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-28 | 1984-09-27 | 1985-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-28 | 1988-09-27 | 1989-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |