Accordion folding game board

Abstract

A game board includes an upper surface (playing surface) and a lower surface. The upper surface includes game markings to facilitate a game. A plurality of sections are coupled together by living hinges. The living hinges alternate to fold the plurality of sections in opposing directions forming an accordion fold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A game board comprising:
 an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises game markings to facilitate a game; and   a plurality of sections coupled together by living hinges, wherein the living hinges alternate to fold the plurality of sections in opposing directions forming an accordion fold, wherein   the game board comprises an expanded configuration and a folded configuration, the expanded configuration comprises the plurality of sections pivoting away from one another along the living hinges so that the upper surface is substantially planar, and the folded configuration comprises the plurality of sections pivoting towards one another along the living hinges to the accordion fold.   
     
     
         2 . The game board of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the game board in the folded configuration is equal to a width of one of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
         3 . The game board of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sections comprises a first outer section, a second outer section, and a plurality of inner sections disposed in between the first outer second and the second outer section, wherein a width of the first outer second and the second outer section is greater than the width of each of the plurality of inner sections. 
     
     
         4 . The game board of  claim 3 , wherein a width of the game board in the folded configuration is equal to the width of one of the first outer section and the second outer section. 
     
     
         5 . The game board of  claim 1 , wherein the game markings comprises a checkered pattern to facilitate checkers or chess. 
     
     
         6 . A method of using a game board comprising:
 providing the game board comprising:
 an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises game markings to facilitate a game; and 
 a plurality of sections coupled together by living hinges, wherein the living hinges alternate to fold the plurality of sections in opposing directions forming an accordion fold; and 
   unfolding the game board to an expanded configuration comprising the plurality of sections pivoting away from one another along the living hinges so that the upper surface is substantially planar; and   playing a game on the upper surface.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of
 folding the game board after finishing the step of playing the game, wherein folding the game board comprises pivoting the plurality of sections towards one another along the living hinges back to the accordion fold.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sections comprises a first outer section, a second outer section, and a plurality of inner sections disposed in between the first outer second and the second outer section, wherein a width of the first outer second and the second outer section is greater than the width of each of the plurality of inner sections. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a width of the game board in the according fold is equal to the width of one of the first outer section and the second outer section. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the game markings comprises a checkered pattern and the game is checkers or chess.