Abstract
The object toss target game includes a board preferably with holes in gaming regions to provide a gameplay surface. A support is pivotally connected to the bottom of the board in spring-biased fashion to maintain the board in a neutral position level with the ground when there are no gaming objects are on the top surface of the board. When gaming objects of on the surface of the board and there is uneven weighting on the top surface due to the gaming objects on the gameplay surface, the gameplay surface will tilt providing dynamic gameplay. The board may also be two boards hingedly connected to each other so the board may be folded into to a compact size and shape to reveal a handle to facilitate transport and storage.
Claims
1. An object toss target game using objects that can be tossed, comprising: a board having a top surface and a bottom surface; the board having a plurality of gaming regions; a member movably connected to the bottom of the board and being configured and arranged to rest on a support; the board being spring-biased to a neutral position level relative to the surface via the support; whereby, upon tossing of an object onto the top surface of board, uneven weight on the top surface of the board causes the board to tilt to a non-level position relative to the support.
2. The object toss target game of claim 1, wherein the member is at least one leg.
3. The object toss target game of claim 1, wherein the support is connected to the bottom surface of the board at a substantial middle portion thereof dividing the board into two gaming regions.
4. The object toss game of claim 1, wherein the support is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the board.
5. The object toss game of claim 1, wherein the support is spring-biased to the member by a spring.
6. The object toss game of claim 1, wherein the objects are selected from the group consisting of beanbags, balls, and horseshoes.
7. The object toss target game of claim 1, wherein the board is substantially rectangular in shape.
8. The object toss target game of claim 3, wherein the shape of each of the gaming regions of the board are substantial hexagonal.
9. The object toss target game of claim 1, wherein the board includes at least one hole therethrough.
10. The object toss target game of claim 3, wherein the board includes at least one hole in each of the gaming regions.
11. The object toss target game of claim 1, wherein the board is a first board portion having a top surface and a second board portion having a top surface hingedly connected to each other by hinge.
12. The object toss target game of claim 11, further comprising: a lock securing the first board portion to the second board portion whereby the top surface of the first board portion and the top surface of the second board portion are substantially co-planar with each other thereby providing a gameplay surface.
13. The object toss target game of claim 11, wherein the support is connected to the hinge.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The novel features that are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying Figures in which:
[0034] FIGS. 1-2 show the general configuration and arrangement of the object toss game of the present invention in use;
[0035] FIGS. 3 and 4 are bottom perspective views of the object toss game with legs attached and ready for use;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the object toss game with legs attached and ready for use;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view throught the longitudinal line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a top view of the object toss game of the present invention with the legs nested and stored under the half-boards;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a side view of the half-boards folded up with the legs contained therein in preparation for transport; and
[0040] FIG. 9 is a top view of the object toss game in a folded condition ready for transport or storage.
[0041] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the object toss game at rest in a level condition before game play;
[0042] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the object toss game in a tilted condition after gameplay has started with an object resting on the rightmost half-board thereby tilting it to the right;
[0043] FIGS. 12A and 12B show then the gameplay surface is in a neutral position with both left and right pairs of springs maintaining the board in a level, horizontal position;
[0044] FIGS. 13A and 13B show when the gameplay surface that is tilted to the left due to objects present on the left side of the gameplay surface thereby compressing the left pair of springs;
[0045] FIGS. 14A and 14B show then gameplay surface that is tilted to the right due to objects present on the right side of the gameplay surface thereby compressing the right pair of springs;
[0046] FIG. 15 shows a view of the bottom of the gameplay surface with caps removed from the left pair and right pair of springs to reveal the spring members therein; and
[0047] FIGS. 16A-D show various views of another embodiment of the invention with a single unitary board in a rectangular shape to provide the gameplay surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0048] The new and unique invention bag toss game of the present is shown in detail in the attached figures.
[0049] Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a first embodiment 10 of the gaming object toss target game of the present invention is shown. As can be seen in this first embodiment of the present invention, two, preferably hexagonal, half-boards 12a, 12b are hingedly connected to one another to provide a unitary gameplay surface, generally referred to as 12 with two holes 14 located respectively located in each of the half-boards 12a, 12b. As shown in FIG. 13 below, a single board 112, in second embodiment 100, may be employed instead of the multiple connected boards 12a, 12b as in the first embodiment 10 of FIG. 1. Supporting legs 18 are also provided, as will be discussed in detail below. The tilting operation of the embodiment 10 of FIG. 1 and embodiment 100 of FIG. 13 are essentially same and, for ease of discussion, will be addressed together to the extent possible.
[0050] A number of gaming objects 16, bean bags in this example, are shown resting on the top gameplay surface 12 of the present invention where the gaming objects 16 preferably include a PVC grip dot fabric to create better game play by avoiding excessive gaming object sliding across the top surface of the board 12 (whether a unitary single board 112 or two half-boards 12a, 12b assembled together). Also, FIG. 1 shows a rough top surface, which is preferably provided by a pebble grained sticker, for example,
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 2, a top view of the gameplay surface 12 (in this view, two boards 12a, 12b mated together at a central hinge) is shown. The hexagonal shaped half-boards 12a, 12b are mated together to provide a reduced width center landing region surface 12c. Preferably, the holes 14 are 4 inches in diameter and include catch nets 20 therebelow, which can be mesh fabric stapled to the surface underneath the boards or they may be molded plastic netting. FIGS. 13A-D show an embodiment 100 of the invention with the single unitary gameplay board 112 with a leg support 18 mounted to the underside thereof.
[0052] The use of one hole 14 in opposing sides of the gameplay surface 12, 112 (whether one in each of the two half-boards or in two opposing regions of a single unitary board, the present invention provides gameplay that is similar to the known cornhole gameplay. Thus, in this preferred embodiment, gameplay and scoring can be achieved that is similar to typical cornhole along with the unique dynamic tilting gameplay of the present invention. It is also possible, in accordance with the present invention, to provide different configurations and number of holes 14 in the boards 12a, 12b or unitary board 112. For example, more than one hole 14 can be provided in in a single unitary board 112 or in individual boards 12a, 12b are that are connected together to provide the gameplay surface 12. Therefore, regardless of whether the gameplay surface 12 is a single unitary surface 112 or multiple partial boards 12a, 12b are connected together to provide the gameplay surface 12, any number of holes 14 may be provided in the gameplay surface 12. The number of holes 14 can provide different gameplay options. For example, if more than one hole 14 is provided in each board 12a, 12b or more than two holes 14 are provided in a single board 112, additional scoring gameplay and points assigned for the different holes 14. Also, in the embodiment of the invention where there are no holes (not shown) in the boards 12a, 12b, 112, gameplay could be focused on the unique dynamic tilting gameplay and trying to knock the gaming objects 16 of one's opponent off on the gameplay surface 12.
[0053] In FIG. 3, a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment 10 of the present invention with legs 18 attached to the spring-biased leg mount and central hinge structure 22. The two pairs of legs 18a, 18b slide onto the respective free ends 24 on the leg mount on opposing sides of the game device 10. The spring-biased leg mount 26 spring-biases the gameplay surface 12 to a neutral level position. Coil springs, leaf springs and any other spring structures may be used to achieve the spring-biasing of the gameplay surface 12 to the desired neutral level position when at rest. Details of the spring-biasing are shown in FIG. 12 and discussed in detail below.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows another view of the bottom of the attachment of the legs 18a, 18b to the leg mount 22 to prepare the game for use. FIG. 5 shows a further view, namely a bottom view, to the show the attached legs . FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the game through the line 6-6 of FIG. 5. As can be seen, the leg mount 22 enables the half-boards 12a, 12b to be positioned at a substantially level position in preparation for gameplay. Thus, at rest, the half-boards 12a, 12b, collectively together providing a gameplay surface 12, create a substantially level playing surface where the surface is spring-biased to such level position of FIG. 6, namely the gameplay surface is spring-biased to a horizontal position that is parallel to ground or whatever surface the device is resting on.
[0055] A first embodiment 10 of the game of the present invention is very portable because it can be folded up neatly with the legs 18a, 18b snapped into place. The gaming objects 16, such as beanbags, can also be stored inside the compartment 30 defined by the two half-boards 12a, 12b when folded, as in FIG. 7. This figure also shows a bottom view of the object toss target game of the present invention with the half-boards 12a, 12b hingedly expanded and locked into an open condition with the legs 18a, 18b installed thereby providing the equipment into an open gameplay condition. The legs 18a, 18b are preferably provided in pairs with a base 19 connecting the two legs of each pair 18a, 18b together. Each base 19 includes a hole 21 that press-fits over a post 23 located on opposing sides of the center mechanism 22. When installed, the legs 18a, 18b are fixed to an outer portion 22b via the posts 23 of the center mechanism 22 that is connected an inner portion 22a of the center mechanism 22. The rotational movement of the outer portion 22b is rotationally biased by the springs to a neutral center position, as discussed below. The inner portion 22a is fixed relative to the boards 12a, 12b (or board 112 in embodiment 100) while the outer portion 22b rotates relative to the boards 12a, 12b (or board 112 in embodiment 100). Thus, when there is an even distribution of gaming objects 16 resting on the gameplay surface 12 or there are no gaming objects 16 on the gameplay surface 12 of the boards 12a, 12b (or board 112 in embodiment 100), the springs locate the gameplay surface to a level condition. When there is an uneven balance of weight on the top surfaces of the boards 12a, 12b (or board 112 in embodiment 100), the boards 12a, 12b (or board 112 in embodiment 100) will tilt relative to the legs 18a, 18b thereby causing an imbalance and added dynamic gameplay.
[0056] Also, a slide 32 in FIG. 7 can be seen to be engaged with the lock brackets 34 on both of the half-boards 12a, 12b thereby securing the boards 12a, 12b in an open locked condition ready for gameplay. As discussed below in connection with FIGS. 13A-D, no such locking mechanism is required because a single unitary board 112 is employed instead of multiple partial boards 12a, 12b that must be secured together.
[0057] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the half-boards 12a, 12b in an open and unlocked condition where the lock slide 32 is disengaged. The equipment is ready to be folded for transport and storage. Moreover, the legs 18a, 18b are shown nested into their snapping locks for security during transportation. Nets 20 for holes 14 are stapled into, respective, recessed routed out areas to ensure the lock slide 32 can slide over the holes. The slide lock 32 preferably includes a ridged profile so it can slidably through brackets 34 on both of the half-boards 12a, 12b. Thus, the sliding action of the slide lock 32 effectively locks the two half-boards 12a, 12b to each other so they do not collapse. FIG. 7 shows the slide lock 32 in a retracted unlocked position where the slide lock 32 resides in the lower of the lock brackets 34 and not the upper of the lock brackets 34 thereby leaving the half-boards 12a, 12b in an unlocked position so they may be freely folded.
[0058] The latches 36 are shown on opposite ends so that when closed the device is sufficiently secured in that closed condition. The center mechanism 22 is assembled with spring caps trapped so that springs will always be in the correct position. The center mechanism 22 is fastened using grommets 38 to ensure that the plastic parts never separate from the board top.
[0059] FIG. 8 shows an end view of the embodiment 10 of the object toss target game of FIG. 1 now folded up in portable mode. The center hinge mechanism 22 can be seen in which the mounted board arms swivel for closing.
[0060] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the embodiment 10 of the present invention is a folded portable mode with handle 40 exposed. The slide lock 32 can be seen through the hole 14 which illustrates that the half-boards 12a, 12b are in an unlocked position, thereby allowing them to be folded to each other and for the board to close for transport and storage. This lock 32 is essential for keeping the board 12 in a playable position while also preventing damage.
[0061] FIG. 12-15 provide further details of the spring-biasing of the gameplay surface 12 to a level condition. FIGS. 12A and 12B show then the gameplay surface 12 is in a neutral position with left spring-biasing members, generally referred to 42a, 42b, and right pairs of spring-biasing members, generally referred to as 44a, 44b, maintaining the gameplay surface 12 in a level, horizontal position. Left springs 42a, 42b and right springs 44a, 44b are in an extended condition and push substantially equally against the respective shoulders 46a, 46b on the left legs and shoulders 48a, 48b on the right legs. Thus, the leg pairs 18a, 18b are in a neutral rotational position about the transverse pivot axis 50 through the leg pairs 18a, 18b.
[0062] FIG. 15 shows the spring elements 42a′, 42b′, 44a′, 44b′ of spring-biasing members 42a, 42b on the left and spring-biasing members 44a, 44b on the right with protective caps 52 removed for illustration purposes so the spring elements 42a′, 42b′, 44a′, 44b′ therein, such a coil spring, can be easily seen. While a coil spring is preferred any other type of spring element member may be used. Further, the spring elements 42a′, 42b′, 44a′, 44b′ are shown residing in a base cup 54 for added stability and containment of the springs.
[0063] FIGS. 13A and 13B show when the gameplay surface 12 that is tilted to the left due to objects present on the left side of the gameplay surface 12 thereby compressing the left pair of spring-biasing members 42a, 42b. If the weight and position of an object or objects 16 on the left side of the gameplay surface 12 is sufficient, the left spring-biasing members 42a, 42b will compress to maintain the gameplay surface 12 in a position tilted to the left thereby rotating the gameplay surface 12 about the transverse pivot axis 50 in a counterclockwise direction. Once the objects 16 are removed or moved enough, the forces of the left pair of spring-biasing members 42a, 42b will change the level of the gameplay surface 12. For example, if the objects 16 are completely removed, the forces of the left spring-biasing members 42a, 42b will push up on the left side thereby reorienting the gameplay surface 12 to a level condition.
[0064] FIGS. 14A and 14B show when the gameplay surface 12 that is tilted to the right due to objects 16 present on the right side of the gameplay surface 12 thereby compressing the right pair of spring-biasing members 44a, 44b. If the weight and position of an object or objects 16 on the right side of the gameplay surface 12 is sufficient, the right spring-biasing members 44a, 44b will compress to maintain the gameplay surface 12 in a position tilted to the right thereby rotating the gameplay surface 12 about the transverse pivot axis 50 in a clockwise direction. Once the objects 16 are removed or moved enough, the forces of the right pair of spring-biasing members 44a, 44b will change the level of the gameplay surface 12. For example, if the objects 16 are completely removed, the forces of the right pair of spring-biasing members 44a, 44b will push up on the right side thereby reorienting the gameplay surface 12 to a level condition.
[0065] It should be understood that the compression of the spring-biasing members 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b may be full or partial depending on the position and location of one or more objects 16 on the gameplay surface 12. Thus, the resultant tilting of the gameplay surface 12 may also full or partial. For example, a slight imbalance of weight on the gameplay surface 12 on one side may cause the gameplay surface 12 to tilt slightly to that side. Then, if another object 16 lands on the same side, further imbalance may be created to cause a full tilting to that side. On the other hand, if there is a slight tilt to one side and a subsequent object 16 lands on the opposing side, the gameplay surface 12 may level out or tilting to the opposing side, all depending on the location and number objects 16 on the gameplay surface 12.
[0066] The engagement of shoulders 46a, 46b, 48a, 48b of the legs 18a, 18b into releasable engagement with spring-biasing members 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b on the bottom of the gameplay surface 12, other structures may be used to spring-bias the gameplay surface 12 toward a level, horizontal position. For example, the interface of the legs 18a, 18b to the posts 23 may be configured with a rotational spring mechanism (not shown). Any such rotational spring-biasing is envisioned to be within the scope of the present invention.
[0067] FIGS. 16A-D show various views of a second embodiment 100 of the present invention where the gameplay surface 112 is provided by a single unitary board structure instead of multiple boards being connected together. This embodiment 100 also shows a rectangular shaped board 112, as another example of a different shaped configuration that may be used in accordance with the present invention. Such a single unitary board structure 112 may be preferred for rigidity and reduction of cost. However, the nature of gameplay, as discussed below, remains the same. The single board 112 has a top gameplay surface that is essentially the same as the gameplay surface 12 of the first embodiment 10 above. The support, for example in the form of the spring-biasing legs 18, are attached to the bottom surface 112a of the single board 112. As a result, the embodiment of FIGS. 13A-13D operates the same as the first embodiment 10 with multiple partial boards 12a, 12b connected together but does not fold or collapse for even further compact storage and transport. For example, FIG. 13A shows a perspective view that shows a single unitary board 112 with support legs 18 attached to the bottom 112a thereof and holes 14 through different regions of the board 112. FIG. 13B shows a top view of the single unitary board 112 while FIG. 13C shows a bottom view with the spring-biasing leg supports 18 attached to the bottom surface 112a of the single unitary board 112. Still further, FIG. 13D shows a side view of the single unitary board 112 supported by the spring-biasing legs 18 to urge the board 112 to a neutral level horizontal position relative to ground.
[0068] Gameplay is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and is the same for both disclosed embodiments of the present invention. For ease of discussion, gameplay will be shown and discussed in connection with the first embodiment 10 that uses multiple partial boards 12a, 12b connected together but would be applicable to the second embodiment 100 as well that uses a single unitary board 112. FIG. 10 shows the gameplay surface 12, as defined by the two half-boards 12a, 12b locked together (or a single unitary board 112), is substantially level at the start of gameplay. The gameplay surface 12 is spring-biased to the level condition as shown in FIG. 10, however, the gameplay surface 12 may freely tilt back and forth, as indicated by the arrows. As in FIG. 11, when a player throws a gaming object 16 and it lands on the gameplay surface 12 and the weight distribution is uneven, such as with more weight on the right side of the gameplay surface 12, the gameplay surface 12 will tip toward the side with the additional weight and can even tip all the way to the ground. For example, in FIG. 11, a gaming object 16 has landed on the right side of the gameplay surface 12 thereby tilting the entire gameplay surface 12 to the right adding interest to the game. Preferably, the rotational spring-biasing provides a gradual resistance from the springs so it doesn't tip all the way until there are many gaming objects 16 on one side. The gameplay goal could be, for example, to make the opponent's side drop completely down. During gameplay, gaming objects 16 may accumulate in different areas or even fall off of the gameplay surface 12 thereby tilting the gameplay surface 12 back and forth during a given round of gameplay. This further adds to gameplay that is not found in regulation cornhole.
[0069] It should be noted that the single unitary board 112 and half-boards 12a, 12b of the present invention are preferably made of wood but can be made of pressboard, plastic or metal. Also, for retaining multiple partial boards together, the slide lock is preferably made of metal but can be made of other materials, such as plastic. Further the hinge 22 and legs 18a, 18b are preferably made of metal but can be made of other materials, such as plastic.
[0070] While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.
