A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new and improved game apparatus for setting up elongated objects, such as dominos, in predetermined configurations.
B. Description of the Prior Art
Both children and adults enjoy setting up objects such as dominos in predetermined configurations and then through a chain reaction, causing the dominos to fall over sequentially and while falling over, to initiate an entertaining series of events. Not only are dominos set up in this manner for pleasure at home, but there are also contests and groups of people that get together to set up large chains of dominos over a large area and in many different configurations. Apparatus for use in conjunction with such play is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,283,439, 3,283,440, 3,315,404, 3,621,601, 4,047,322 and 4,248,433.
One problem, however, is that often times an individual does not have the ability or the patience to place the dominos in very long, unusual and entertaining configurations. Often the tedium involved in setting up the dominos, an operation which is extremely delicate and often requires repeated efforts to set up an array without accidentally initiating a chain reaction, may exceed the potential enjoyment. Moreover, it would be desirable to have mechanical means for starting and signaling the finish of the chain reaction of falling dominos. It is also desirable to have several different devices in the path of the falling dominos to create different actions and then to continue the chain reaction of the falling dominos onto another chain of dominos. Such items are lacking in the prior art.