Game board with a transformable playing surface

Abstract

Disclosed is a game board that can be transformed during game play to provide alternative playing surfaces to enhance player enjoyment of a game. The game board has at least one mobile section connected to the game board. This mobile section is movable between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position the mobile section displays a first playing surface and when in the open position the mobile section displays a second playing surface that is different from the first playing surface. This enhances gameplay enjoyment and variety to encourage repeated game play. This game board design can be adapted for use in a wide variety of types of board games.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A game board comprising:
 at least one mobile section connected to said game board, with said at least one mobile section movable between a closed position and an open position; and   wherein when in said closed position said mobile section comprises a first playing surface and when in said open position said mobile section comprises a second playing surface that is different from said first playing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The game board as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said game board comprises a plurality of mobile sections, each mobile section comprising a first playing surface when in a closed position and a second playing surface different from said first playing surface when in an open position. 
     
     
         3 . The game board as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said second playing surface comprises one or more hinged sections that are unfolded when said at least one mobile section is moved between said closed position and said open position. 
     
     
         4 . The game board as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said game board further comprises at least one non-mobile section, said at least one non-mobile section connected to said at least one mobile section by a movable joint. 
     
     
         5 . The game board as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said non-mobile section further comprises a third playing surface that is different from said first and said second playing surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The game board as recited in  claim 5 , wherein when said at least one mobile section is moved between said closed position and said open position said second playing surface covers at least a portion of said third playing surface. 
     
     
         7 . The game board as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one mobile section is rotated about said movable joint when moved from said closed position to said open position. 
     
     
         8 . The game board as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one mobile section comprises a book having a plurality of pages, each page having a different playing surface thereon, and wherein in said closed position said book has a first playing surface displayed and when in said open position said book displays one or more of said plurality of pages each having a playing surface that is different from said first playing surface. 
     
     
         9 . The game board as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said book is connected to said game board by a method selected from the group consisting of being received in a slot in said game board, by a friction fit, by a hook and loop connection, by a magnetic connection, by electrostatic adhesion, and by a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A game board comprising:
 a plurality of locations on said game board, wherein each location is configured to receive a mobile section; and   a plurality of said mobile sections, each mobile section comprising a playing surface.   
     
     
         11 . A game board as recited in  claim 10 , wherein each mobile section can be connected to each of said plurality of locations by a method selected from the group consisting of by a friction fit, by a hook and loop connection, by a magnetic connection, by electrostatic adhesion, by being placed in an opening in said game board, and by a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A game board as recited in  claim 10 , wherein each of said mobile sections can be removed and replaced by a different mobile section comprising a different playing surface. 
     
     
         13 . A method of using a transformable game board comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a game board comprising at least one mobile section connected to the game board, the at least one mobile section movable between a closed position and an open position wherein when in the closed position the mobile section comprises a first playing surface and when in the open position the mobile section comprises a second playing surface that is different from the first playing surface;   b. beginning a game play session with the at least one mobile section in the closed position; and   c. upon a triggering event occurring during game play moving the at least one mobile section from the closed position to the open position, thereby transforming the game board playing surface.   
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein step a. comprises providing a plurality of mobile sections, each moveable between a closed position and an open position wherein when in the closed position each mobile section comprises a first playing surface and when in the open position each mobile section comprises a second playing surface that is different from the first playing surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein step c. comprises moving at least one of the plurality of mobile sections from the closed position to the open position following an occurrence of a triggering event. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the triggering event is selected from the group consisting of a roll of one or more dice, a spinner spin result, a blind token draw, a card draw, passing of a game play threshold, exceeding a game play time limit or countdown, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a transformable game board comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a game board comprising a plurality of locations on said game board, wherein each location is configured to receive a mobile section having a playing surface thereon and providing a plurality of the mobile sections;   b. beginning a game play session with one mobile section in each of the plurality of locations; and   c. upon a triggering event occurring during game play removing at least one mobile section from the game board and replacing it with another mobile section having a different playing surface, thereby transforming the game board playing surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the triggering event is selected from the group consisting of a roll of one or more dice, a spinner spin result, a blind token draw, a card draw, passing of a game play threshold, exceeding a game play time limit or countdown, and a combination thereof.