Plasma illuminated game pieces

Abstract

A board game whose game pieces contain a gas or mixture of gases. The gas inside the game pieces is electrically excited to illuminate the game piece. This illumination is achieved by inductive coupling the game piece to a high-voltage radio-frequency source located in or in the vicinity of the game board.

1 . A game piece movable on, across or over a game board by a player comprising a translucent, sealed envelope from which air has been substantially evacuated and replaced with a gas capable of being excitable to a visible plasma state wherein the envelope of the game piece is shaped to correspond to the shape of game pieces which complement the rules of the game board on which it is to be used. 
     
     
         2 . The game piece of  claim 1  wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting essentially of argon, neon, krypton, and combinations thereof 
     
     
         3 . The game piece of  claim 1  wherein the envelope comprises glass. 
     
     
         4 . The game piece of  claim 1  wherein the envelope of the game piece is formed in the shape of a classic chess piece. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The game piece of  claim 1  wherein the gas within the envelope is capable of being excited to an illuminated plasma state by an electromagnetic field. 
     
     
         7 . The game piece of  claim 6  wherein the electromagnetic field is directed to the vicinity of the game piece by an antenna. 
     
     
         8 . The game piece of  claim 6  wherein the electromagnetic field is generated in an area below the game board and in general proximity to the game piece. 
     
     
         9 . The game piece of  claim 7  wherein the visible effect of the excited plasma is changeable by movement of the game piece relative to the position of the antenna. 
     
     
         10 . The game piece of  claim 6  wherein the excitation of the gas within the envelope to a plasma state and resultant light created thereby is intensified when a player touches the game piece. 
     
     
         11 . The game piece of  claim 9  wherein the game piece remains illuminated as it moves across the game board from one designated location to another. 
     
     
         12 . A board game comprising
 a game board having a playing surface overlying a source of electromagnetic energy, and   one or more game pieces moveable on, across or over the game board comprising a translucent, sealed envelope from which air has been substantially evacuated and replaced with a gas capable of being excitable to a visible plasma state by the source of electromagnetic energy.   
     
     
         13 . The board game of  claim 12  wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting essentially of argon, neon, krypton, and combinations thereof.