Transformable game

Abstract

A hand-held electronic game with audio directions has a center with two connected elongated ends for bending and rotating relative to the center by a player. Position sensing switches provide input to a control module. Various pre-programmed games may be played according to directions from the control module. In one, players are given “hot”/“cold” directions as they attempt to transform the game into a predetermined, but undisclosed, configuration. For another, there are directions, such as “bend it”, which have a number of correct responses. There is a “bend it back” direction which requires recall of the prior “bend” move for the one correct response. Another variation gives a sound that must precede a direction to authorize the player to follow the direction. Each particular configuration may also be identified by a sound effect requiring the player to recall the shape associated with the sound.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:  
     
         1 . A transformable game comprising: 
 a body segment;    two extension segments;    a joint connecting each of the extension segments to the body segment for articulation relative to the body segment;    a position sensing switch carried by each joint;    an electronic control module;    a power source for the electronic control module;    an audio component operated by the electronic control module;    circuitry connecting each position sensing switch with the electronic control module and providing input from each position sensing switch to the electronic control module; and    preprogrammed directions included in the control module for a game responsive to input from the position sensing switches.    
     
     
         2 . The transformable game of  claim 1  in which each joint connects the respective extension segment for articulation by bending relative to the body segment.  
     
     
         3 . The transformable game of  claim 2  in which each of the body segment and the two extension segments are elongated, each of the extension segments has a free end, and the game is transformable into one of the following configurations: 
 straight in which the three elongated segments are generally aligned;  
 an L in which the elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment;  
 a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension segments generally oriented in the same direction; and  
 an S shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension segments are substantially parallel to each other with their respective free ends oriented in opposite directions;  
 
     
     
         4 . The transformable game of  claim 1  in which at least one extension segment is rotatable relative to the body segment.  
     
     
         5 . The transformable game of  claim 1  in which each joint connects the respective extension segment for articulation by bending and at least one extension segment is rotatable relative to the body segment.  
     
     
         6 . The transformable game of  claim 5  in which each of the body segment and the two extension segments are elongated, each of the extension segments has a free end, and the game is transformable into one of the following configurations: 
 straight in which the three elongated segments are generally aligned;  
 an L in which the elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment;  
 a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension segments generally oriented in the same direction;  
 an S shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension segments are substantially parallel to each other with their respective free ends oriented in opposite directions; and  
 a twist shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at substantially a right angle to the elongated body segment and with each of the elongated extension segments lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the other elongated extension segment lies.  
 
     
     
         7 . A method of playing a game with a transformable game device having an electronic control module with an audio component and a plurality of segments connected for articulation with respect to each other by physical manipulation by the player, comprising the steps of: 
 activating the game device;    responding to directions from the audio component of the electronic control module by physically manipulating at least one segment of the game device to reconfigure the game device into the following configurations in accordance with audio directions from the game:    straight in which the three elongated segments are generally aligned;    an L in which the elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment;    a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension segments generally oriented directed in the same direction;    an S shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension segments are substantially parallel to each other with their respective free ends oriented in opposite directions; and    a twist shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at substantially a right angle to the elongated body segment and with each of the elongated extension segments lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the other elongated extension segment lies.    
     
     
         8 . A method of playing a game of  claim 7 , including: 
 assigning a non-verbal sound to each of the shapes.    
     
     
         9 . A method of playing a game of  claim 7 , including: 
 assigning a non-verbal sound that must precede directions from the audio component in order to authorize a player to follow such instructions; and    randomly issuing directions without the authorizing sound.