# US 5,342,060 A · Board game playing piece and method of play

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- Number: US 5,342,060 A
- Document ID: US5342060A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/091,310
- Filed: 1993-07-14
- Granted: 1994-08-30
- Earliest claimed: 1993-07-14
- Inventors: Steven C. Barkus
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5342060A

## CPC

- A63F 3/00697: {Playing pieces}
- A63F 2003/00794: {Stereometric shapes}
- A63F 2009/064: {opaque, e.g. blindfold, obstructing view}
- A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A game primarily comprised of four sided playing pieces marked with six different patterns of four distinct indicia. Each playing piece will be identical in shape and size and will have the unique property of having a concealed surface on each of the four sides that will be visible to only one player at one time. A challenge is presented when each player attempts to recreate a pattern of indicia visible to them using the same pieces that the other players are also using at the same time on a common playing surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A set of individual four sided playing pieces of identical geometrical shape with a surface recessed within each of the four sides of said playing pieces upon which a single indicia is located, thereby making said indicia visible to not more than one player position at a time when a side of the piece faces a player position, with said single indicia being one of a set of four distinct indicia, with each of said indicia being represented only one time on each of said individual playing pieces, with said set of individual playing pieces being comprised of six different types distinguished by the position of said indicia in relation to one another on said individual playing pieces, thereby creating a unique pattern of said indicia visible to each player when said playing pieces are distributed on a flat surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method of play wherein said set of playing pieces of claim 1 are distributed on a flat surface of sufficient size, said playing pieces being common property to all players, with a different pattern of indicia being visible to each player, with play proceeding in turn and each player attempting to duplicate a distinct and different predetermined pattern of indicia by either rotating one of said playing pieces in increments of ninety degrees or exchanging the position of any two of said playing pieces.