Symbol game method

Abstract

A game whose object is the formation of words or groupings of symbols utilizing a plurality of multi-faceted playing pieces, such as cubes, each of whose faces bears a single symbol such as a letter. The playing pieces are positioned in a receptacle which is mounted for spring-loaded pivotal movement on a support structure. The receptacle is engaged in cocked position by a latching mechanism attached to the support, and when the latching mechanism is disengaged, the receptacle is rapidly rotated about a horizontal axis, causing the receptacle to forcefully strike an abutment mounted on the support, thus scrambling the pieces. The receptacle then is restored to the cocked position in which the playing pieces are so supported that a single upper symbol is displayed on each piece. A first player utilizes the displayed symbols to form a primary intelligible grouping of symbols, such as a word, and that player, as well as the other players, must then form additional words or groupings of symbols utilizing the symbols in the primary grouping. The formation of the primary word by the first player and the subsequent words by all of the players must be completed within separate predetermined time periods measured by hourglass-type timers.