Title:
Cribbage board
United States Patent 3905547
Abstract:
A circular cribbage board having a circular base plate on which a circular counter disc, bearing a circular scale having 122 divisions numbered consecutively from 0, is mounted for rotation. A transparent cover plate which is fixedly mounted on the base plate over the counter plate and through which the counter disc scale can be viewed has an arcuate slot the length of which exposes thirty holes of a row of holes in the counter plate adjacent the circular scale thereon. A circular scale numbered from 0 to 30 is displayed on the cover plate adjacent the slot thereon so that a player to record his score, extends a pointed instrument into a hole of the counter disc adjacent a selected number on the cover plate and rotates the counter disc, until the instrument meets the end of the slot, the cumulative score of the player being indicated by comparing a registration mark on the cover plate with the counter disc scale.
US Patent References:
Game scorer
Paul - January 1938 - 2106466
/2586058.html
Knopke - February 1952 - 2586058
Calorie counter
Hallowell - February 1955 - 2702669
Grade-averaging device
Dawson - October 1966 - 3281072
Game scorer
Paul - January 1938 - 2106466
/2586058.html
Knopke - February 1952 - 2586058
Calorie counter
Hallowell - February 1955 - 2702669
Grade-averaging device
Dawson - October 1966 - 3281072
Inventors:
Cyre, Ronald Eugene (Edmonton, CA)
Cyre, Roger Allan (Fort Nelson, CA)
Cyre, Roger Allan (Fort Nelson, CA)
Application Number:
05/490987
Publication Date:
09/16/1975
Filing Date:
07/23/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
116/223, 235/83, 235/88G, 235/88R
International Classes:
A63F1/18; A63F1/00; G06C3/00; A63F1/18
Field of Search:
235/90,74,80,88,116,83 116/120,135,136 35/31A,74,32
Primary Examiner:
Tomsky, Stephan J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Carver and Company
Claims:
We claim
1. A circular cribbage board comprising:
2. A cribbage board as claimed in claim 1 in which the base plate is provided with a circular recess for fittedly receiving the counter disc, said recess presenting a face for frictionally engaging the undersurface of the counter disc so as to frictionally retarding rotation of the latter.
3. A cribbage board as claimed in claim 1 in which the base plate has an annular groove spaced from and concentric to the recess and an annular counter plate fittedly received by the annular groove for rotation, said annular counter plate displaying a circular scale having 122 divisions numbered from 0 and a row of holes disposed adjacent said scale, a second arcuate slot in the cover plate disposed over the holes of the annular counter plate for enabling a sharp pointed instrument to be inserted in a selected hole of the row of holes of the annular counter plate for rotating the latter, a scale adjacent the second slot having divisions numbered from 0 to 29, and a second registration mark displayed on the cover plate for indicating total score on the scale of the annular counter plate.
4. A cribbage board as claimed in claim 1 in which the cover plate is formed of a transparent material.
1. A circular cribbage board comprising:
2. A cribbage board as claimed in claim 1 in which the base plate is provided with a circular recess for fittedly receiving the counter disc, said recess presenting a face for frictionally engaging the undersurface of the counter disc so as to frictionally retarding rotation of the latter.
3. A cribbage board as claimed in claim 1 in which the base plate has an annular groove spaced from and concentric to the recess and an annular counter plate fittedly received by the annular groove for rotation, said annular counter plate displaying a circular scale having 122 divisions numbered from 0 and a row of holes disposed adjacent said scale, a second arcuate slot in the cover plate disposed over the holes of the annular counter plate for enabling a sharp pointed instrument to be inserted in a selected hole of the row of holes of the annular counter plate for rotating the latter, a scale adjacent the second slot having divisions numbered from 0 to 29, and a second registration mark displayed on the cover plate for indicating total score on the scale of the annular counter plate.
4. A cribbage board as claimed in claim 1 in which the cover plate is formed of a transparent material.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to score tally devices for games and in particular to a cribbage score board.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally cribbage boards are provided with a plurality of rows of holes, each row having 123 holes, which accept pegs which the players move to keep track of their scores. As is well known, the pegs invariably are misplaced or broken which necessitates the provision of replacement pegs. It is very common to use match sticks for this purpose. Replacement pegs, unless they are carefully made, usually have a loose fit in the holes and during a play often are dislodged from the board which frequently results in arguments between players as to the hole in which the dislodged peg should be replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a cribbage board which is compact and which does not require the use of removeable pegs or the like.
In the cribbage board of the present invention, the score can be tallied with the use of any sharp pointed instrument, such as a toothpick or a sharpened pencil or pin, instruments which are always available and thus the board is always readily available for use.
The cribbage board of the present invention has a circular base plate on which a circular counter disc bearing a circular scale having 122 divisions numbered consecutively from 0 and which has a circumferentially extending row of holes, one hole being disposed adjacent each division of the scale. A cover plate which is nonrotatably mounted on the base plate over the counter disc has an arcuate slot which is aligned with the row of holes in the counter plate and which exposes thirty of said holes at one time. The cover plate displays a scoring scale numbered from 0 to 29 running adjacent the arcuate slot so that a player, with the use of a sharp pointed instrument which can be extended into any selected hole through the arcuate slot, can rotate the counter disc. A reference mark on the cover plate indicates, on the circular scale of the counter disc, the player's cumulative score.
A detailed description following, related to the drawings, gives exemplification of apparatus according to the invention which, however, is capable of expression in means other than those particularly described and illustrated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the cribbage board of the invention,
FIG. 2 is a central sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the board shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, of another embodiment of the cribbage board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show one embodiment 10 of the cribbage board of the invention which is designed for use by one player. Cribbage board 10 has a circular base plate 11 on which a counter disc 12 is mounted for rotation. A circular cover plate 13 is nonrotatably mounted on the base plate over the counter disc. The plates and disc are secured against separation by a rivet 14 which extends through suitably sized centrally located openings 15, 16 and 17, in the base plate, counter disc and cover plate, respectively.
The base plate 11 which can be formed of any suitable firm material, such as wood, metal or a stiff thermoplastic, has a central circular recess 18 in which the counter disc has a neat, rotatable fit and has an annular seat 19 on which the cover plate has a neat fit. Both the base plate and cover plate are provided with diametrically opposed peripheral grooves, severally 21, which accept pins, severally 22, which can be glued in place to prevent relative rotation of the cover and base plates. The rivet which can be of a thermoplastic composition has a head 23 which engages the upper surface of the cover plate. The opposite end 24 of the rivet is heated and pressed to fit the counter sunk opening 15 so that the bottom of the rivet is flush with the bottom face of the base plate.
The counter disc 12 displays, adjacent its periphery, a circular scale 26 graduated to provide 122 divisions. The divisions are numbered consecutively in an anti-clockwise direction, from 0 or start division to a finish or 121 division, 121 being the winning score in a game of cribbage. The counter plate is also provided with a circular row of holes 27, one hole being disposed adjacent each of the divisions of the scale. The scale 26 is viewable through the cover plate 13, the latter being of transparent material. A hemispherical detent 27.1 projecting from the base of the recess 18 engaging in the holes 27 retards rotation of the counter disc.
The cover plate has an arcuate slot 28 which is aligned with the row of holes 27. Length of the slot is such that thirty holes are exposed at one time. A scoring scale 29, having thirty divisions corresponding to the divisions of the scale 26. The divisions of the scale 29 are numbered consecutively, in an anti-clockwise direction from 0 to 29, 29 being the largest single hand possible in a cribbage game. A reference mark 31 for the scale 26 is displayed on the cover plate.
In use of the cribbage board, the counter disc is positioned to align the 0 or start division with the registration mark 31. For scoring, a sharp pointed instrument such as a pencil is inserted into one of the holes 27 and the counter disc is rotated in a clockwise direction until the sharp pointed instrument meets the end of the slot adjacent the 0 division of the scale 29. A player's cumulative score is thus always indicated by the numerical value of the division of the scale 26 adjacent the reference mark 31. As in all cribbage games, the game ends when one player's score total reaches 121.
The counter disc 12, it is seen, is not rotatably mounted on the rivet, but rather rests in the recess 18 and is confined by the walls thereof. The counter plate disc thus does not rotate freely due to the resistance developed by friction between the undersurface and edges of the disc and the bottom and walls of the recess and the effect of the detent 27.1. During play, therefore, it is very unlikely that the counter plate will move relative to the base plate should the cribbage counter accidentally be jostled, and will thus in great part, eliminate arguments which quite often result when using a conventional cribbage board.
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show another embodiment 40 of a cribbage counter.
Cribbage counter 40 is designed for use by two players and includes a base plate 41 which has a central recess 42 for fittedly receiving a counter disc 43 and an annular groove 44 for fittedly receiving an annular counter plate 45. An annular step 46 is provided in the base plate in the same manner as is provided with base plate 11 for fittedly receiving a cover plate 47, which like the cover plate 13 is secured against rotation relative to the base plate by means of pins severally 48. The cribbage counter 40 also has a rivet 49 which is secured in the manner described with respect to rivet 14 of counter plate 10.
The counter disc 43 and the annular counter plate 45 display circular scales 51 and 52, respectively, which are similar to the scale 29 of cribbage counter 10 and the cover plate 47 has a pair of diametrically opposed arcuate slots 53 and 54, similar to the slot 28 adjacent to which counter scales 55 and 56, respectively, similar to the scale 29 of cribbage counter 10, are displayed. The counter disc 43 and annular counter plate 45 are independently rotatable and are operated in the same manner as described with reference to cribbage counter 10, that is by the use of a sharp pointed instrument. The cover plate 47 has a pair of diametrically opposed registration marks 57 and 58 which are associated with the scale 53 and 54, respectively, for indicating the total score of each player. Hemispherical detents 59 to 61 project from the base plate for engagement with the rows of holes in the counter disc and annular counter plate.
The counter disc and the annular counter plate of cribbage counter 40 like the counter disc 12 do not freely rotate on the rivet, rotation thereof being frictionally resisted by engagement of the disc and plate with the bottoms and walls of the recess and annular groove.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to score tally devices for games and in particular to a cribbage score board.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally cribbage boards are provided with a plurality of rows of holes, each row having 123 holes, which accept pegs which the players move to keep track of their scores. As is well known, the pegs invariably are misplaced or broken which necessitates the provision of replacement pegs. It is very common to use match sticks for this purpose. Replacement pegs, unless they are carefully made, usually have a loose fit in the holes and during a play often are dislodged from the board which frequently results in arguments between players as to the hole in which the dislodged peg should be replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a cribbage board which is compact and which does not require the use of removeable pegs or the like.
In the cribbage board of the present invention, the score can be tallied with the use of any sharp pointed instrument, such as a toothpick or a sharpened pencil or pin, instruments which are always available and thus the board is always readily available for use.
The cribbage board of the present invention has a circular base plate on which a circular counter disc bearing a circular scale having 122 divisions numbered consecutively from 0 and which has a circumferentially extending row of holes, one hole being disposed adjacent each division of the scale. A cover plate which is nonrotatably mounted on the base plate over the counter disc has an arcuate slot which is aligned with the row of holes in the counter plate and which exposes thirty of said holes at one time. The cover plate displays a scoring scale numbered from 0 to 29 running adjacent the arcuate slot so that a player, with the use of a sharp pointed instrument which can be extended into any selected hole through the arcuate slot, can rotate the counter disc. A reference mark on the cover plate indicates, on the circular scale of the counter disc, the player's cumulative score.
A detailed description following, related to the drawings, gives exemplification of apparatus according to the invention which, however, is capable of expression in means other than those particularly described and illustrated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the cribbage board of the invention,
FIG. 2 is a central sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the board shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, of another embodiment of the cribbage board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show one embodiment 10 of the cribbage board of the invention which is designed for use by one player. Cribbage board 10 has a circular base plate 11 on which a counter disc 12 is mounted for rotation. A circular cover plate 13 is nonrotatably mounted on the base plate over the counter disc. The plates and disc are secured against separation by a rivet 14 which extends through suitably sized centrally located openings 15, 16 and 17, in the base plate, counter disc and cover plate, respectively.
The base plate 11 which can be formed of any suitable firm material, such as wood, metal or a stiff thermoplastic, has a central circular recess 18 in which the counter disc has a neat, rotatable fit and has an annular seat 19 on which the cover plate has a neat fit. Both the base plate and cover plate are provided with diametrically opposed peripheral grooves, severally 21, which accept pins, severally 22, which can be glued in place to prevent relative rotation of the cover and base plates. The rivet which can be of a thermoplastic composition has a head 23 which engages the upper surface of the cover plate. The opposite end 24 of the rivet is heated and pressed to fit the counter sunk opening 15 so that the bottom of the rivet is flush with the bottom face of the base plate.
The counter disc 12 displays, adjacent its periphery, a circular scale 26 graduated to provide 122 divisions. The divisions are numbered consecutively in an anti-clockwise direction, from 0 or start division to a finish or 121 division, 121 being the winning score in a game of cribbage. The counter plate is also provided with a circular row of holes 27, one hole being disposed adjacent each of the divisions of the scale. The scale 26 is viewable through the cover plate 13, the latter being of transparent material. A hemispherical detent 27.1 projecting from the base of the recess 18 engaging in the holes 27 retards rotation of the counter disc.
The cover plate has an arcuate slot 28 which is aligned with the row of holes 27. Length of the slot is such that thirty holes are exposed at one time. A scoring scale 29, having thirty divisions corresponding to the divisions of the scale 26. The divisions of the scale 29 are numbered consecutively, in an anti-clockwise direction from 0 to 29, 29 being the largest single hand possible in a cribbage game. A reference mark 31 for the scale 26 is displayed on the cover plate.
In use of the cribbage board, the counter disc is positioned to align the 0 or start division with the registration mark 31. For scoring, a sharp pointed instrument such as a pencil is inserted into one of the holes 27 and the counter disc is rotated in a clockwise direction until the sharp pointed instrument meets the end of the slot adjacent the 0 division of the scale 29. A player's cumulative score is thus always indicated by the numerical value of the division of the scale 26 adjacent the reference mark 31. As in all cribbage games, the game ends when one player's score total reaches 121.
The counter disc 12, it is seen, is not rotatably mounted on the rivet, but rather rests in the recess 18 and is confined by the walls thereof. The counter plate disc thus does not rotate freely due to the resistance developed by friction between the undersurface and edges of the disc and the bottom and walls of the recess and the effect of the detent 27.1. During play, therefore, it is very unlikely that the counter plate will move relative to the base plate should the cribbage counter accidentally be jostled, and will thus in great part, eliminate arguments which quite often result when using a conventional cribbage board.
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show another embodiment 40 of a cribbage counter.
Cribbage counter 40 is designed for use by two players and includes a base plate 41 which has a central recess 42 for fittedly receiving a counter disc 43 and an annular groove 44 for fittedly receiving an annular counter plate 45. An annular step 46 is provided in the base plate in the same manner as is provided with base plate 11 for fittedly receiving a cover plate 47, which like the cover plate 13 is secured against rotation relative to the base plate by means of pins severally 48. The cribbage counter 40 also has a rivet 49 which is secured in the manner described with respect to rivet 14 of counter plate 10.
The counter disc 43 and the annular counter plate 45 display circular scales 51 and 52, respectively, which are similar to the scale 29 of cribbage counter 10 and the cover plate 47 has a pair of diametrically opposed arcuate slots 53 and 54, similar to the slot 28 adjacent to which counter scales 55 and 56, respectively, similar to the scale 29 of cribbage counter 10, are displayed. The counter disc 43 and annular counter plate 45 are independently rotatable and are operated in the same manner as described with reference to cribbage counter 10, that is by the use of a sharp pointed instrument. The cover plate 47 has a pair of diametrically opposed registration marks 57 and 58 which are associated with the scale 53 and 54, respectively, for indicating the total score of each player. Hemispherical detents 59 to 61 project from the base plate for engagement with the rows of holes in the counter disc and annular counter plate.
The counter disc and the annular counter plate of cribbage counter 40 like the counter disc 12 do not freely rotate on the rivet, rotation thereof being frictionally resisted by engagement of the disc and plate with the bottoms and walls of the recess and annular groove.