Structure building game

Abstract

A structure building game includes a stanchion and a number of curved pieces. Each of the pieces has a curved body in the shape of a half circle, and has a slot. During the game, a first one of the pieces is placed on the stanchion by engagement of the slot, then additional curved pieces are added, one at a time, at any location on any previously added one of the curved pieces. The object is to take turns amongst players coupling the pieces together, wherever and however each player desires. If an added piece causes the structure to fail, whereby one or more pieces comes in contact with the base or with the playing surface, then the game is over. To improve gripping, the pieces can include a coating such as rubber, and/or can have surfaces that are roughened, grooved, and/or ribbed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structure building set, comprising:
 a base;   a stanchion supported by said base; and   a plurality of curved pieces; each of said curved pieces having a body which has a thickness and a width; and each one of said curved pieces respectively having a slot therein; said slot having a width larger than said thickness of said body;   whereby any one of said plurality of curved pieces can be connected to another one of said curved pieces using its slot to engage the body of said another one of said curved pieces.   
     
     
         2 . A structure building set as claimed in  claim 1 , where each of said curved pieces has a generally uniform thickness and extends in a shape of a half circle. 
     
     
         3 . A structure building set as claimed in  claim 1 , where each of said curved pieces has a relatively uniform width and thickness, is relatively thin, and includes a first side edge and a second side edge. 
     
     
         4 . A structure building set as claimed in  claim 3 , where each of said curved pieces has a concave surface, a convex surface, and two free ends. 
     
     
         5 . A structure building set as claimed in  claim 1 , where said slot of each respective one of said curved pieces is disposed substantially closer to one of said two free ends; and wherein said slot is a receiving means for binding and gripping said stanchion as well as other ones of said plurality of curved pieces. 
     
     
         6 . A structure building set as claimed in  claim 1 , where each of said curved pieces has a coating of a resilient material to aid in gripping. 
     
     
         7 . A structure building set as claimed in  claim 1 , where each of said curved pieces has a coating of a rubber material to aid in gripping. 
     
     
         8 . A structure building set as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one insert member, adapted to engage with said slot in any one of said plurality of curved pieces, said insert member conforming to said slot so as to reduce the opening of said slot, whereby gripping is improved when said notch is engaged with another one of said plurality of curved pieces. 
     
     
         9 . A structure building game, comprising:
 a base;   a stanchion supported by said base; and   a plurality of curved pieces; each of said curved pieces having a body which has a thickness and a width; and each one of said curved pieces respectively having a slot therein; said slot having a width larger than said thickness of said body;   whereby any one of said plurality of curved pieces can be connected to another one of said curved pieces using its slot to engage the body of said another one of said curved pieces;   and wherein during a game, a first one of said plurality of curved pieces is placed on said stanchion by engagement with its said slot, and wherein additional ones of said curved pieces are added, one at a time, at any location on any previously added one of said plurality of curved pieces; and wherein the game ends when a player adds one of said plurality of pieces that causes at least one of said plurality of pieces to come into contact with said or with a playing surface.   
     
     
         10 . A structure building game as claimed in  claim 9 , where each of said curved pieces has a generally uniform thickness and extends in a shape of a half circle. 
     
     
         11 . A structure building game as claimed in  claim 9 , where each of said curved pieces has a relatively uniform width and thickness, is relatively thin, and includes a first side edge and a second side edge. 
     
     
         12 . A structure building game as claimed in  claim 11 , where each of said curved pieces has a concave surface, a convex surface, and two free ends. 
     
     
         13 . A structure building game as claimed in  claim 9 , where said slot of each respective one of said curved pieces is disposed substantially closer to one of said two free ends; and wherein said slot is a receiving means for binding and gripping said stanchion as well as other ones of said plurality of curved pieces. 
     
     
         14 . A structure building game as claimed in  claim 9 , where each of said curved pieces has a coating of a resilient material to aid in gripping. 
     
     
         15 . A structure building set as claimed in  claim 9 , where each of said curved pieces has a coating of a rubber material to aid in gripping. 
     
     
         16 . A structure building set as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising at least one insert member, adapted to engage with said slot in any one of said plurality of curved pieces, said insert member conforming to said slot so as to reduce the opening of said slot, whereby gripping is improved when said notch is engaged with another one of said plurality of curved pieces.