Alphanumeric Game System And Pieces

Abstract

A system of educational word games and number games that combines, for the first time: (i) mental/alphanumeric skills, with (ii) physical/eye-hand coordination skills that are used in target-and-missile games, with (iii) substantially flattened game tiles that are shaped as squares or as the letters and numbers themselves. The tiles can be used as missiles and/or as targets in various, easy-to-grasp games, and these games can be enjoyed by players of a wide range of ages and physical ability. Also provided are simple means to removably attach various accessories to the tiles to expand their use in games and non-game applications. When compared with previous alphanumeric games that combine mental and physical activities, the present invention has advantages in cost, simplicity, compactness, convenience, packaging, ease of play, the strength and likelihood of verbal/mathematical learning, and in versatility.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of playing an alphanumeric game, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a plurality of game tiles that incorporate alphanumeric indicia; and   b) providing a game format in which players attempt to hit at least one target with at least one missile, and in which said game tiles comprise at least part of said target and/or at least part of said missile; and   c) specifying that players build alphanumeric expressions with said tiles that were part of successful attempts by the players to hit said target with said missile,   whereby said players perform and learn both target skills and alphanumeric skills in the same game, using substantially flattened tiles that have various functional and commercial advantages over other game missiles and targets.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said tiles are imprinted with said indicia and/or said tiles are shaped as alphanumeric symbols. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said indicia is verbal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said indicia is mathematical. 
     
     
         5 . An appendage for an alphanumeric game tile comprising:
 a) an accessory for use in combination with said tile, and   b) means for removably appending said accessory to said tile with at least enough adherence so that mild shaking will not break the bond between said tile and said accessory,   whereby said tile is endowed with additional capacities of various natures.   
     
     
         6 . The appendage of  claim 5  wherein said tile is used in games involving targets and missiles. 
     
     
         7 . The appendage of  claim 5  wherein said means for removably appending said accessory to said tile wherein said tile and said accessory are both endowed with ferromagnetism, and thereby stick to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The appendage of  claim 5  wherein said means for removably appending said accessory to said tile is selected from the group consisting of:
 a. said tile contains at least one hole and said accessory contains at least one peg that is pushed into said hole and held therein; 
 b. said tile contains a slot into which at least part of said accessory can be pushed and held therein; 
 c. said tile and said accessory are both endowed with velcro material, and thereby stick to each other; 
 d. said accessory is endowed with a cavity into which at least part of said tile can be removably inserted and held; 
 e. said accessory is affixed with a block, and said block contains a slot that allows said tile to be removably pushed into said slot and held therein; and 
 f. said accessory is endowed with a clamp, or a loose clamp is provided, and said accessory is thereby clamped to said tile. 
 
     
     
         9 . The appendage of  claim 5  wherein said accessory comprises means for removably affixing said tile to other objects,
 whereby said tile can be attached to various game missiles, and can be displayed as a game target, and can be used in various functions beyond the playing of games. 
 
     
     
         10 . The appendage of  claim 9  wherein said accessory is selected from the group consisting of hooks, clamps, magnets, velcro material, harnesses, collars, strings, straps, and tethers. 
     
     
         11 . The appendage of  claim 9  wherein said other objects are game missiles. 
     
     
         12 . The appendage of  claim 11  wherein said game missiles are selected from the group consisting of darts, arrows, frisbees, flying disks, horseshoes, shuttlecocks, knives and other hand weapons, bean bags, curling stones and other sliding objects, and balls. 
     
     
         13 . The appendage of  claim 5  wherein said accessory comprises means for containing things. 
     
     
         14 . The appendage of  claim 13  wherein said accessory is selected from the group consisting of pouches, bags, envelopes, nettings, cages, and sacks. 
     
     
         15 . The appendage of  claim 5  wherein said accessory comprises means for facilitating the standing of said tile on at least one its narrow sides. 
     
     
         16 . The appendage of  claim 15  wherein said accessory is selected from the group consisting of wires, bases, legs, caps, and braces. 
     
     
         17 . A method for removably appending an alphanumeric game tile to an accessory that is used in combination with said tile, with at least enough adherence so that mild shaking will not break the bond between said tile and said accessory, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing said tile and said accessory, and   b) providing a means of appending said tile to said accessory.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said tile and said accessory are both endowed with ferromagnetism, and thereby stick to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the means of appending said tile to said accessory is selected from the group consisting of:
 a. said tile contains at least one hole and said accessory contains at least one peg that is pushed into said hole and held therein; 
 b. said tile contains a slot into which at least part of said accessory can be pushed and held therein; 
 c. said tile and said accessory are both endowed with velcro material, and thereby stick to each other; 
 d. said accessory is endowed with a cavity into which at least part of said tile can be removably inserted and held; 
 e. said accessory is affixed with a block, and said block contains a slot that allows said tile to be removably pushed into said slot and held therein; and 
 f. said accessory is endowed with a clamp, or a loose clamp is provided, and said accessory is thereby clamped to said tile. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said tile is used in games that involve at least one target and one missile.