GAME BOARD HOLDER AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A method of stabilizing a cornhole board on a support surface, comprising providing a cornhole board including an inclined board have a front, a rear, and a top with a target hole, one or more rear supports that support the rear of the inclined board at a height above the front of the board, and one or front supports that support the front of the inclined board; providing one or more stabilizing units for the one or more front supports that support the front of the inclined board and the one or more rear supports that support the rear of the inclined board, wherein the one or more one or more stabilizing units include one or more adhesion members that adhere to and stabilize the cornhole board relative to the support surface.

Claims

1. A method of stabilizing a cornhole board in place on a support surface upon impact of the cornhole board by a tossed cornhole bag, the cornhole board including an inclined board have a front, a rear, and a top with a target hole therein, one or more rear supports that support the rear of the inclined board at a height above the front of the board and include corners, and one or front supports that support the front of the inclined board and include corners, comprising: providing a pitch pad and four corner brackets that securably receive the four support corners, the four corner brackets including a 90-degree angle corner vertical support; stabilizing the cornhole board in place relative to the support surface with the four corner brackets by receiving the four support corners within the 90-degree angle corner vertical supports of the four corner brackets, and preventing the cornhole board from moving relative to the support surface, keeping the cornhole board in place, upon impact of the cornhole board by the tossed cornhole bag.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a pitch pad and four corner brackets comprises providing the four corner brackets integrated with the pitch pad.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a pitch pad and four corner brackets comprises providing the four corner brackets separate from the pitch pad.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein providing a pitch pad and four corner brackets comprises providing the pitch pad with four holes therein configured to receive the four corner brackets, the four corner brackets each including a bottom and a stick gel member, and the method further comprising securing the bottom of the four corner brackets to the support surface with the stick gel members to stabilize the four corner brackets relative to the support surface; disposing the pitch pad so that the four corner brackets are received within the four holes and the 90-degree angle corner vertical support extends upwardly from the pitch pad; stabilizing the pitch pad and the cornhole board in place relative to the support surface with the four corner brackets within the four holes of the pitch pad by receiving the four support corners within the 90-degree angle corner vertical support of the four corner brackets and the four corner brackets secured to the support surface, preventing the cornhole board and pitch pad from moving relative to the support surface, keeping the cornhole board and pitch pad in place, upon impact of the cornhole board by the tossed cornhole bag.

5. A cornhole board stabilizing unit for stabilizing a cornhole board in place on a support surface, the cornhole board including a front, a rear, and a top with a target hole therein, one or more rear supports that support the rear of the cornhole board at a height above the front of the board and include support corners, and one or more front supports that support the front of the cornhole board and include support corners, the cornhole board stabilizing unit comprising: a pitch pad; four corner brackets with 90-degree angle corner vertical supports extending upwardly from the pitch pad and configured to receive the four support corners.

6. The cornhole board stabilizing unit of claim 5, wherein the four corner brackets are integrated with the pitch pad.

7. The cornhole board stabilizing unit of claim 5, wherein the four corner brackets are separate from the pitch pad.

8. The cornhole board stabilizing unit of claim 7, wherein the four corner brackets include one or more stick gel members configured to secure the four corner brackets to the support surface, and the pitch pad includes four holes therein configured to receive the four corner brackets so that the 90-degree angle corner vertical supports extend upwardly from the pitch pad and receive the four support corners of the cornhole board, preventing the cornhole board and the pitch pad from moving relative to the support surface, keeping the cornhole board and pitch pad in place, upon impact of the cornhole board by the tossed cornhole bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cornhole board using a plurality of game board holders in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective and top plan views of one of the game board holders shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one of the game board holders shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the game board holder shown in FIGS. 1-3, and illustrates leveling blocks or shims that snap-into the game board holder, other leveling blocks/shims to compensate for play areas that are not level.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the game board holder of FIGS. 1-3, and shows alternative anchors for the game board holder/cornhole board.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a cornhole board using a pair of game board holders in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a rear exploded perspective view of one of the game board holders illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a game board holder.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the game board holder of FIG. 8, and shows how the game board holder is removed from a support surface.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the game board holder of FIG. 8.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a snap-in leveling block or shim of the game board holder of FIG. 8.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the snap-in leveling block or shim of FIG. 11.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative underside of a game board holder to secure the game board holder to a support surface such as carpet and/or artificial turf.

[0032] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a cornhole pitch pad including a plurality of game board holders for holding a cornhole board in place during play.

[0033] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the pitch pad of FIG. 14 shown without the cornhole board;

[0034] FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the pitch pad of FIG. 14;

[0035] FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view of the pitch pad of FIG. 14;

[0036] FIG. 18 is a left side elevational view of the pitch pad of FIG. 14;

[0037] FIG. 19 is a right side elevational view of the pitch pad of FIG. 14;

[0038] FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the pitch pad of FIG. 14;

[0039] FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the pitch pad of FIG. 14;

[0040] FIG. 22 is an exploded front perspective view of another embodiment of a cornhole pitch pad with holes therein that receive a plurality of game board holders for holding a cornhole board in place during play.

[0041] FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of the pitch pad of FIG. 22 with the game board holders shown received through the holes of the pitch pad.

[0042] FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a game board holder similar to the game board holder shown in FIGS. 8-10, but with a curvilinear base.

[0043] FIG. 25 is a top plan view of a game board holder similar to the game board holder shown in FIGS. 8-10, but with a curvilinear and rectilinear base.

[0044] FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a game board holder similar to the game board holder shown in FIGS. 8-10, but with a rectilinear base other than substantially rectangular.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of a game board holder or game board stabilizing member 100 for a cornhole board 110 and method of using the game board holder will be described after first describing cornhole and a cornhole board.

[0046] Cornhole (also known as bags, sack toss, or bean bag toss) is a game in which players take turns throwing weighted bags (e.g., traditionally of corn kernels) at a raised platform/board 115, which includes a target hole 120 in a top/far/rear end 130. A cornhole board 110 is 2 by 4 feet (0.61 by 1.22 m) with a 6-inch (150 mm) hole centered 9 inches (230 mm) from the rear end 130. The board 110 is angled with a top/far/rear edge 140 of the playing surface 12 inches (300 mm) above the ground, and a bottom/near/front edge 150 3-4 inches (76-102 mm) above the ground. The board 110 includes a top surface 160, opposite side surfaces 170, a front surface/support 180, a rear surface 190, and a pair of rear legs or rear support 200. The bottom of the pair of rear legs 200 and the bottom of the front surface 180 of the board 110 form four corner feet/support corners 210 that support the board 110 on a support surface (e.g., floor, turf) 220.

[0047] Four game board holders/corner brackets/securement devices 100 receive the four corner feet/support corners 210 of the board 110 to keep the game board 110 in place during play. The game board holders 100 are preferably made of polypropylene or related plastics, but in alternative embodiments, may be made of metal, steel, or other strong materials the adhesive gel technology may stick to. Each game board holder 100 includes a flat substantially rectangular base 215 and a plurality of vertical supports 230 that are interconnected by lateral supports/rails 240 that join together at a 90 degree angle at a corner vertical support 250 that together form a bracket. The supports 230, 240, 250 and a top 260 of the base 215 receive the corner feet/support corners 210 of the board 110. An underside 270 of the game board holder 100 includes an anti-slip/skid adhesion member (e.g., double-sided/double rubber gel pad/member) 280 with a top side 285 that adheres to the underside/bottom 270 of the game board holder 100 and a bottom side 290 that adheres to the support surface 220 to secure the game board holders 100, and, hence, the board 110 in position. The adhesion/gel member 280 is a sticky silicone gel pad made of pure PU material and provide extreme adhesion, super sticky effect. When the adhesion/gel member's viscidity is weakened by dust, it is rinsed with water and, after air drying, the stickiness is restored. A removable cover 300 is used to cover the underside 270 of the game board holder 100 when the game board holder 100 is not in use.

[0048] The base 215 includes a central recessed anchor hole 310 and one or more additional anchor holes 320 that receive one or more nails 324, light tent stakes 328, or other anchors to secure the game board holder 100 to dirt, grass. The recessed anchor hole 310 includes a recessed opening 329 so that a nail head does not interfere with leveling blocks 340.

[0049] The base 215 further includes one or more anchor holes 330 for receiving snap-in leveling blocks/shims 340. The snap-in leveling blocks 340 are flat rectangular plates 350 with snap-in protrusions on an underside 370 and recessed holes 380 on an upper side 390. The snap-in protrusions of an upper leveling block 340 snap into the recessed holes 380 of a lower leveling block 340, and the snap-in protrusions of the lowest leveling block 340 snap into the anchor holes 330 of the base 215 in order to stackably secure the leveling blocks 340 to the game board holder 100 to compensate for play areas that are not level.

[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates the cornhole board 110 secured to the support surface (e.g., floor, turf) 220 using a pair of game board holders game board holders/brackets/securement devices 400 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

[0051] With reference additionally to FIG. 7, each game board holder 400 is preferably made of polypropylene or related plastics, but in alternative embodiments, may be made of metal, steel, or other strong materials the adhesive gel technology may stick to. Each game board holder 400 includes a flat substantially elongated base 415 and an elongated front rail support 430 that form a bracket, and one or more rear vertical supports 440. The game board holder may include a removable graphics/advertising member/insert 445 that is removably insertable with respect to elongated front rail support 430, and allows for branding (e.g., white labeling/external branding) of the product where inserts or stickers can be used to promote brands. The front surface/support 180 and the rear support(s) 200 of the cornhole board 110 are received and secured between the elongated front rail support 430 and the rear vertical support(s) 440, as shown in FIG. 6. The rear vertical support(s) 440 includes one or more (or one or more sets) of removable elastic spacer(s) 450 that removably mount onto/off of the rear vertical support(s) 440 to accommodate and secure the front surface/support 180 and the rear support(s) 200 of the cornhole board 110 between the elongated front rail support 430 and the rear vertical support(s) 440. An underside 470 of the game board holder 400 includes one or more adhesion members (e.g., double-sided/double rubber gel pad/members) 480 with a top side 485 that adheres to the underside 470 of the game board holder 400 and a bottom side 490 that adheres to the support surface 220 to secure the game board holders 400, and, hence, the board 110 in position. One or more removable covers 495 are used to cover the underside 470 of the game board holder 400 when the game board holder 400 is not in use.

[0052] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate another embodiment of a game board holder game/bracket/securement device 500, which is similar to the game board holder 100, but with a few differences enumerated below. Like elements to the game board holder 100 may be shown with the same reference number, but with an a suffix. The above description of the game board holder 100 is incorporated herein. The game board holder 500 includes a finger handle 510 and finger hole 520 that receives one or more fingers as shown in FIG. 9 to facilitate, via the finger handle 510, the pulling/removing of the game board holder 500 secured to the support surface 220 from the support surface 220. The finger handle 510 extends from the corner vertical support 250a to a rear corner 530 of the base 215a. A removable graphics/advertising member/insert 540 is removably insertable with respect to corner bracket 550, and allows for branding (e.g., white labeling/external branding) of the product where inserts or stickers can be used to promote brands.

[0053] The game board holder 500 does not include the central recessed anchor hole 310, but does have a single anchor hole similar to and instead of a pair of anchor holes 330.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the game board holder 500 may receive one or more leveling blocks 340a to compensate for play areas that are not level. The leveling blocks 340a are similar to the leveling blocks 340 shown and described above, but include a single recessed hole 380a and a single snap-in protrusion 360a.

[0055] With reference to FIG. 13, an alternative underside 600 of a securement member 610 and/or game board holder 100, 400, 500 includes a plurality of cones/spikes/hooks/anchors 620 to secure the game board holder 100, 400, 500 to a support surface such as carpet and/or artificial turf. A corner tab 630 may be provided on the member 610 and/or the covers 300, 300a to facilitate grabbing the member 610 and/or covers 300, 300a.

[0056] Accordingly, the game board holder 100 can be secured to the support surface 220 (e.g., floor, turf) by adhesion, cones, spikes, hooks, anchors to accommodate almost any surface. In addition to keeping the game board 110 in place, the game board holders 100, 400, 500 have the ability to compensate for play areas that are not level by attaching/adding the snap-in leveling blocks or shims 340, 340a. When using adhesion to anchor the board 110 to the support surface 220 (e.g., floor), the weight of the board 110 aids with the adhesion. The game board holder 100 prevents the cornhole board 110 from moving. The game board holder 100, 400, 500 allows the board 110 to stay at a desired distance without the board sliding backwards, forwards, or side to side. The adhesive technology (e.g., adhesive double-sided stick gel member) adheres to the support surface 220 to secure the game board holders 100, and, hence, the board 110 in position. The removable cover(s) 300, 495 is/are removed from the adhesive double-sided stick gel member before adhering the double-sided stick gel member 480 to the support surface 220. After use, the adhesive double-sided stick gel member 280, 480 is rinsed with water and the removable cover 300, 495 is adhered back onto the adhesive double-sided stick gel member 280, 480. The adhesive of the double-sided stick gel member 280, 480 enables the board 100 to stick to, but not limited to, concrete, asphalt, tile, carpet, wood, linoleum, gymnasium flooring, matts, rugs, etc.

[0057] The game board holder 100, 400, 500 is portable, removable, universal, and reusable. In alternative embodiments, the game board holder 100, 400, 500 and/or the adhesive gel member 280, 480 is removable, portable, and/or permanently attached to the boards 110. The game board holder 100 uses the nail(s) 324 and/or stakes 328 for anchoring the game board holder 100 to the grass. Once the adhesive gel pad 280, 480 becomes dirty and begins to lose it stickiness/adhesive qualities, the adhesive gel pad 280, 480 is simply cleaned by running warm water on the adhesive gel pad 280, 480, returning it to its original stickiness. The game board holder 100 allows the boards 110 to be leveled utilizing shims 340, which are removably secured in the game board holder 100, 400, 500, which prevents the board 110 from moving. The shims 340 snap together to increase the desired height of the unleveled board 110. The adhesive gel pads 280, 480 also provide a buffer between the floor and board 110, negating the need for mats, rugs or expensive protective coatings or covers. The game board holder 100, 400, 500 not only stops the cornhole board 110 from moving, but it levels the board 110 and protects the flooring or surface 220 whether the game is played indoors or outdoors. The game board holder 100, 400, 500 also does not leave any residue on the flooring 220 when removed, which is especially important for rented facilities used at the professional level. The game board holder 100, 400, 500 allows for branding (e.g., white labeling/external branding) of the product where inserts or stickers can be used to promote brands. Although the base 215, 215a, 415 has been shown and described as substantially rectangular or substantially elongated base, the base 215, 215a, 415 may have a variety of configurations. For example, but not by way of limitation, the base 215a of the game board holder 500 may be curvilinear (FIG. 24), curvilinear and rectilinear (FIG. 25), or rectilinear (FIG. 26) other than substantially rectangular.

[0058] With reference to FIGS. 14-21, an embodiment of a cornhole board stabilizing unit 645 includes a cornhole pitch pad (pitch pad) 650 with a plurality of game board holders (or stabilizing units or corner brackets) 660 will be described. The corner brackets 660 include 90-degree members (90-degree angle corner vertical supports) 670 that are integral (e.g., sewn, adhered, molded) with a mat 675 of the pitch pad 650. The corner brackets 660 are spaced on the mat 675 to receive the support corners 210 of the cornhole board 110 in the manner described herein, preventing the cornhole board 110 from moving. The 90-degree angle corner vertical supports 670 of the corner brackets 660 extend upwardly from the pitch pad 650 and allow the board 110 to stay at a desired distance without the board 110 sliding backwards, forwards, or side to side.

[0059] With reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, another embodiment of a cornhole board stabilizing unit 695 includes a cornhole pitch pad 700 with a mat 710 having 90-degree L-shaped holes 720 therein that receive a plurality of game board holders (or stabilizing units or corner brackets) 730 for holding the support corners 210 of the cornhole board 110 in place during play. The corner brackets 730 are a simplified version of the game board holders 100, 400, 500 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-21, which is incorporated herein, and include a base 740 with 90-degree angle corner vertical supports 750 extending upwardly from the base 740 and allow the board 110 to stay at a desired distance without the board 110 sliding backwards, forwards, or side to side. Similar to that described above, securement devices such as, but not limited to, adhesive gel (or stick gel) members may be used to secure the corner brackets 730 to the support surface 220, which in turn causes the overlying mat 710 to be secured into position. In alternative embodiments, other securement devices (adhesion members, cones, spikes, hooks, anchors) may be used to secure the corner brackets 730 to the support surface 220, which in turn causes the overlying mat 710 to be secured into position. In an alternative embodiment, the 90-degree L-shaped holes 720 are recesses on a top of the mat 710 that plurality of corner brackets 730 are received/sit within without extending all the way through the mat 710 for holding the cornhole board 110 in place during play.

[0060] In use, to stabilize the cornhole board 110 in place on the support surface 220 upon impact of the cornhole board 110 by the tossed cornhole bag, the cornhole board stabilizing unit 645, 695 including the pitch pad 650, 700 and four corner brackets 660, 730 securably receive the four support corners 210 of the cornhole board 110. The cornhole board 110 is stabilized in place relative to the support surface 220 with the four corner brackets 660, 730 by receiving the four support corners 210 within the 90-degree angle corner vertical supports 670, 750 of the four corner brackets 660, 730. This prevents the cornhole board 110 from moving relative to the support surface 220, keeping the cornhole board 110 in place, upon impact of the cornhole board 110 by the tossed cornhole bag. In the cornhole board stabilizing unit 645 shown in FIGS. 14-21, the four corner brackets 660 are integrated with the pitch pad 650 and a friction surface on a bottom 755 of the large-area pitch pad 650 and/or one or more securement devices (e.g., stick gel member(s), adhesion member(s)) secured to the bottom 755 and the support surface 220 prevent the pitch pad 650, and, hence, the cornhole board 110, from moving on and relative to the support surface 220. In the cornhole board stabilizing unit 695 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the four corner brackets 730 are separate from the pitch pad 700, which includes the four holes 720 therein configured to receive the four corner brackets 730. The four corner brackets 730 each include a bottom and a stick gel member similar to the bottom 270 and the stick gel member 280, 280a shown and described with respect to FIGS. 3, 10, which is incorporated herein. The bottoms of the four corner brackets 730 are secured to the support surface 220 with the stick gel members to stabilize the four corner brackets 730 relative to the support surface 220. The pitch pad 700 is disposed so that the four corner brackets 730 are received within the four holes 720 and the 90-degree angle corner vertical support 750 extends upwardly from the pitch pad 700. The combination of the pitch pad 700 and the cornhole board 110 is stabilized in place relative to the support surface 220 with the four corner brackets 730 within the four holes 720 of the pitch pad 700 by receiving the four support corners 210 within the 90-degree angle corner vertical support 750 of the four corner brackets 730 and the four corner brackets 730 secured to the support surface 220. This prevents the cornhole board 110 and pitch pad 700 from moving relative to the support surface 220, keeping the cornhole board 110 and pitch pad 700 in place, upon impact of the cornhole board 110 by the tossed cornhole bag.

[0061] The figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention, especially in the following claims, should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0062] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term including should be read as mean including, without limitation or the like; the term example is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as conventional, traditional, standard, known and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction and should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as and/or unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction or should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as and/or unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as one or more, at least, but not limited to or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.