Board game apparatus and system including magnetized self-adhesive foam game board pad unit

Abstract

Board game apparatus includes a self-adhesive foam game board pad unit having a foam top layer formed of high-density closed cell foam having an outer surface with a game board visual representation defining a game board pattern in a magnetic game play zone, a first adhesive layer affixed to an inner surface of the foam top layer at a first adhesive connection zone, a magnetic insert layer formed of magnetic sheet material having a lower surface affixed to a second adhesive layer in a second adhesive connection zone aligned within the periphery of the magnetic insert layer, and the inner surface of the foam top layer affixed to the second adhesive layer in a third adhesive zone aligned outside the periphery of the magnetic insert layer for mounting the unit to a top surface of a support substrate such as the moveable lid unit of an ice chest cooler.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Board game apparatus, comprising:
 a self-adhesive foam game board pad unit comprising:
 a foam top layer formed of foam sheet material consisting of high-density closed cell foam, the foam top layer having an outer surface disposed in parallel opposition to an inner surface spaced therefrom; 
 said outer surface of the foam top layer including a game board visual representation defined thereon, the game board visual representation defining a game board pattern located in a magnetic game play zone in a portion of said outer surface of the foam top layer;
 said inner surface of the foam top layer affixed to a first adhesive layer adjacent to said inner surface at a first adhesive connection zone, the first adhesive connection zone aligned in opposition to said magnetic game play zone; 
 said first adhesive layer adjacent said inner surface of the foam top layer, said first adhesive layer forming an adhesive connection to said inner surface of the foam top layer in said first adhesive connection zone, said first adhesive layer forming an adhesive connection to a magnetic insert layer in said first adhesive connection zone; 
 said magnetic insert layer adjacent the first adhesive layer in spaced opposition to said inner surface of the foam top layer, said magnetic insert layer formed of magnetic sheet material, said magnetic insert layer having a magnetic sheet upper surface affixed to said first adhesive layer in said first adhesive connection zone, said magnetic insert layer having a magnetic sheet lower surface opposite the magnetic sheet upper surface thereof, said magnetic sheet lower surface affixed to a second adhesive layer by an adhesive connection to said second adhesive layer in said second adhesive connection zone; and 
 said second adhesive layer adjacent said magnetic sheet lower surface in said second adhesive connection zone, said second adhesive connection zone coextensive with the magnetic insert layer, said second adhesive layer outside the outer periphery of said magnetic insert layer being adjacent said inner surface of the foam top layer, said second adhesive layer forming an adhesive connection to said inner surface of the foam top layer in a third adhesive connection zone. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . Board game apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 the self-adhesive foam game board pad unit changeable from a first pre-installed, unmounted condition to a second installed, mounted condition;
 in the first pre-installed, unmounted condition the self-adhesive foam game board pad unit comprises: 
   said second adhesive layer forming a releasable protective adhesive connection to a removable adhesive isolation layer opposite said magnetic sheet lower surface within said periphery of said magnetic sheet insert,   said second adhesive layer forming a releasable protective adhesive connection to said removable adhesive isolation layer opposite said inner surface of the foam top layer outside the periphery of said magnetic insert layer.   
     
     
         3 . Board game apparatus according to  claim 2 , and further comprising:
 in the second installed, mounted condition the self-adhesive foam game board pad unit comprises:   said second adhesive layer forming a permanent adhesive connection to a substrate support surface opposite said second adhesive connection zone aligned within said periphery of said magnetic sheet insert, and   said second adhesive layer forming a permanent adhesive connection to the substrate support surface opposite said third adhesive connection zone aligned outside said periphery of said magnetic insert layer.   
     
     
         4 . Board game apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 the high-density closed cell foam selected from polyethylene (PE) foam, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, and cross-linked PE/EVA foam.   
     
     
         5 . Board game apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 said magnetic insert layer formed of magnetic sheet material comprising steel.   
     
     
         6 . Board game apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 said magnetic insert layer formed of magnetic sheet material comprising ceramic magnet material.   
     
     
         7 . Board game apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 said magnetic insert layer producing a magnetic retaining force connection in said magnetic game play zone in said outer surface of the foam top layer.   
     
     
         8 . Board game apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 said self-adhesive foam game board pad unit configured to form to plurality of magnetic retaining force connections with a plurality of magnetized playing pieces positioned on said game board pattern of the foam top layer in said magnetic game play zone, said magnetic retaining force connections formed by magnetic field effects between said magnetic insert layer and the magnetized playing pieces, each magnetic retaining force connection pulling said corresponding magnetized playing piece against the foam top layer in secured retaining relationship with the foam top layer.   
     
     
         9 . A board game system comprising:
 the board game apparatus of  claim 1 ; and   a plurality of playing pieces positionable on said game board pattern of the foam top layer in said magnetic game play zone, each of said playing pieces including playing piece magnetic material configured to form a respective magnetic retaining force connection with said magnetic insert layer by magnetic field effects between said magnetic insert layer and the magnetized playing pieces, each magnetic retaining force connection pulling said corresponding magnetized playing piece against the foam top layer in secured retaining relationship with the foam top layer.   
     
     
         10 . A board game system of  claim 9 , and further comprising:
 the self-adhesive foam game board pad unit mounted to a top surface of a movable lid unit of   an ice chest cooler by the self-adhesive foam game board pad unit further comprising:
 said second adhesive layer forming a permanent adhesive connection to a substrate support surface opposite said second adhesive connection zone aligned within said periphery of said magnetic sheet insert, and 
 said second adhesive layer forming a permanent adhesive connection to the substrate support surface opposite said third adhesive connection zone aligned outside said periphery of said magnetic insert layer.