Irregular surface playing board and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A playing board for sliding body games, such as curling and shuffleboard, is herein disclosed. The playing board is formed with irregular surfaces and asymmetrical sides to increase the complexity of the games played on the board. In certain embodiments, various configurations of peaks and valleys can be incorporated that influence a direction, speed, or both of a sliding body that is travelling on the playing board.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A playing board configured for sliding one or more sliding bodies thereon, the playing board comprising a playing surface that defines:
 a first playing surface section on a first half of the playing board, the first playing surface section comprising at least one peak or valley configured to alter a direction of travel or speed of the one or more sliding bodies; and   a second playing surface section on a second half of the playing board, the second playing surface section being asymmetrical to the first playing surface section.   
     
     
         2 . The playing board of  claim 1 , wherein the first playing surface section comprises at least one peak and at least one valley. 
     
     
         3 . The playing board of  claim 2 , wherein the second playing surface section comprises at least one peak and at least one valley, with the at least one peak and the at least one valley of the first playing surface section both being situated asymmetrically relative to the at least one peak and the at least one valley of the second playing surface section. 
     
     
         4 . The playing board of  claim 1 , wherein the second playing surface section comprises at least one peak or valley. 
     
     
         5 . The playing board of  claim 1 , wherein the first playing surface section comprises a first scoring zone proximal a first end of the playing board, and wherein the second playing surface section comprises a second scoring zone proximal a second end of the playing board, with the first scoring zone and the second scoring zone being substantially flat. 
     
     
         6 . The playing board of  claim 5 , further comprising a first goal situated within the first scoring zone and a second goal situated within the second scoring zone. 
     
     
         7 . The playing board of  claim 1 , further comprising a thickness to length ratio of approximately 1:16. 
     
     
         8 . The playing board of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peak or valley has a width that is between approximately twelve to sixteen times a height or depth thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A sliding bodies game system comprising:
 one or more sliding bodies;   a playing board configured for sliding the one or more sliding bodies thereon, the playing board comprising a playing surface that defines:   a first playing surface section on a first half of the playing board, the first playing surface section comprising at least one peak or valley configured to alter a direction of travel or speed of the one or more sliding bodies; and   a second playing surface section on a second half of the playing board, the second playing surface section being asymmetrical to the first playing surface section.   
     
     
         10 . The sliding bodies game system of  claim 9 , wherein the first playing surface section comprises a first scoring zone proximal a first end of the playing board, and wherein the second playing surface section comprises a second scoring zone proximal a second end of the playing board, with the first scoring zone and the second scoring zone being substantially flat and being configured to receive the one or more sliding bodies.