Other

Paul P Craig

Donald T Beldock

Frank R McLarnon

An improved method for playing a board game consisting of three boards each having 3 rows and 3 columns of squares and the boards stacked on top of one another with each board forming arranged together there are 3 rows by 3 columns by 3 vertical boards for a total of 27 squares. The game is played with two or more players. Each player has a set of normal pieces and a 'star piece' distinguishable from the normal pieces. The goal of each player is to be the first to complete the formation of three straight lines each with three two normal pieces and a 'star piece' randomly selected. The three straight lines can be diagonal, vertical, or horizontal in any direction. The 'star piece' can only be played on the 'star point', which is the middle square of the middle board. Another version of the game has four boards with two possible star points, one which is the middle square of the board next to the top board and one which is the middle square of the board next to the bottom board. Each player would have one star piece. There are a number of variants of the game. One would allow any player to play his star piece on either empty star point. Another variant of the game with only two players, would assign one star point to one player and the other star point to the other player.

Method of playing a three dimensional game

A sealed battery is provided having three or more terminals, with at least one positive terminal on one end of the battery and at least one negative terminal on the other end of the battery. The extra terminal is coupled to a reserve portion of the cathode or anode, with the main and reserve portions of the cathode or anode being separated by insulation. The extra terminal may be located on the top, bottom, or side of the battery according to the various embodiments provided. Battery holders for accomodating the three terminal batteries are also provided. With three terminals, different types of switching may be utilized to bring the reserve into play automatically, or by manual or remote activation, and either in a parallel manner with the main cell, or independently thereof. The sealed batteries having three terminals are designed to be backward compatible so that they may be used in standard battery holders.

Battery having reserve cell and three or more terminals

A sealed battery is provided with a cathode, first and second anodes which are isolated by insulation, first and second current collectors which are separated by the insulation, and an integral switch. The cathode is coupled to a positive terminal of the battery, while the first current collector is coupled to the first anode and to the negative terminal. The second current collector is also coupled to the second terminal via the switch which is easily activated by hand manipulation or by use of a common object such as a ball point pen point. The cathode, first anode, and first current collector provide a large cell. When the large cell is exhausted, as indicated by the failure of the equipment which it is powering to function properly, the reserve cell comprised of the cathode, second anode, and second current collector is readily activated by manipulating the switch. The reserve cell may be smaller than the large cell but provides enough power to properly power the equipment until the batteries can be replaced.

Growing community of inventors

Martinez, CA, United States of America

Paul P Craig