BALL TOSS GAME AND METHOD OF PLAYING

Abstract

A ball toss game and method of playing enables multiple players that form two teams to take turns tossing two sets of uniquely colored or patterned balls into two silos positioned at a predetermined distance from each other, and then award points for a final ball thrown into a top position of the silo. Two sets of balls having unique color or patterns are tossed into the receiving opening of silo. As balls are tossed into the silos, a stacked arrangement forms until final ball is tossed into a top position of stacked arrangement. Points are awarded to the team having the final ball in the top position. The silos have a top funnel forming a receiving opening, a bottom base, and a tube extending between top funnel and bottom base. A restriction member block and releases the balls from falling into the bottom base to be retrieved.

Claims

1. A ball toss game, the game comprising: a plurality of silos defined by a top funnel forming a receiving opening, a bottom base, and a tube having an elongated cavity and extending between the top funnel and the bottom base, the tube comprising a top end joined with the top funnel, the tube further comprising a bottom end joined with the bottom base, whereby the top funnel and the bottom base are in communication; a restriction member disposed between the bottom end of the tube and the bottom base, the restriction configured to selectively regulate the path between the tube and the bottom base; and multiple sets of balls, each set of balls defined by a granular filling, or of a material providing a deadened affect on impact, and an outer skin having a unique color, or pattern, or both, the multiple sets of balls configured to be tossed into the receiving opening of the top funnel of the plurality of silos, whereby the multiple sets of balls form a stacked arrangement in the elongated cavity of the tube, whereby a final ball positions on top of the stacked arrangement, whereby displacing the restriction member between the bottom end of the tube and the bottom base restricts the multiple sets of balls from moving to the bottom base, whereby displacing the restriction member away from the bottom end of the tube and the bottom base enables the multiple sets of balls to move to the bottom base.

2. The game of claim 1, wherein the top funnel comprises a top funnel sidewall, a wide mouth, and a narrow neck.

3. The game of claim 2, wherein the mouth is configured to receive the multiple sets of balls.

4. The game of claim 1, wherein the multiple silos comprise two silos, wherein the multiples silos are positioned at a predetermined distance from each other.

5. The game of claim 1, wherein the tube having the elongated cavity comprises four spaced-apart struts to provide structural support for the silos and to provide a vertically stacked orientation of balls for the purpose of awarding points.

6. The game of claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the tube comprises an aperture configured to enable passage of the restriction member.

7. The game of claim 1, wherein the restriction member is disposed generally perpendicular to the tube.

8. The game of claim 1, wherein the restriction member is a pin, or plate, wherein said pin or plate is displaced after each set of balls has been tossed, whereupon all balls contained in the silos are released into the bottom base.

9. The game of claim 1, wherein the bottom base comprises an open frame that enables access to the multiple sets of balls.

10. The game of claim 1, wherein the multiple sets of balls comprise two sets of balls.

11. The game of claim 10, wherein each set of balls has three balls.

12. The game of claim 11, wherein each ball is defined by a granular filling and an outer skin configured to encapsulate the granular filling.

13. The game of claim 12, wherein the outer skin for each set of balls is defined by a unique color or pattern.

14. The game of claim 13, wherein the outer skin is cotton, polyester, leather, or a nonwoven material.

15. The game of claim 14, wherein the granular filling is corn, rice, beans, or plastic pellets.

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Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a silo for a ball toss game, where a tube contains two sets of balls in a stacked arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the shown in FIG. 1, where the balls are released to a bottom base of the silo, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the top funnel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the bottom base with a restriction member positioned to restrict the path of the balls, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the silo with four vertical struts forming the tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of players tossing balls into two silos, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method for playing a ball toss game, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0043] A ball toss game 100 and method 200 of playing is referenced in FIGS. 1-7. Ball toss game 100, hereafter game 100 is a unique indoor or outdoor game of physical dexterity and recreation that allows two teams having multiple players to take turns tossing two sets of uniquely colored or patterned balls 122a-c, 124a-c into multiple silos 102a, 102b. Balls 122a-c, 124a-c that are tossed into the silos 102a, 102b form a stacked arrangement until a final ball 124c is tossed into a top position of the stacked arrangement in each silo 102a, 102b. Different adaptations of points are awarded to the team that tosses the final ball 124c in the top position.

[0044] In some embodiments, game 100 requires multiple players 144a-b, 146a-b on two teams to take turns throwing two sets of balls 122a-c, 124a-c into multiple silos 102a, 102b. In one embodiment, two silos 102a, 102b are used. Though a single silos may be utilized in other embodiments. Each team has a set of balls 122a-c, 124a-c, which are defined by a unique color or pattern. For example, a first set of balls 122a, 122b, 122c are blue, and a second set of balls 124a, 124b, 124c are red. The teams 144a-b, 146a-b take turns throwing the balls 122a-c, 124a-c into the silo 102a, 102b, with a predetermined number of tosses being allowed for each team.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, balls 122a-c, 124a-c tossed into the opening of silos 102a, 102b form a visible, stacked arrangement in silos 102a, 102b. The final ball 124c tossed into the tube 114 sets on a top position. The team with the final ball 124c at the top position of the silo 102a receives points. Multiple point awarding adaptations of the game 100 determine a total number of points as a winning score for each round of the game 100.

[0046] After each round of play, the team with a final ball 124c in the top position of the stacked arrangement is the winner of the round; and thereby awarded two points for the top position ball, and one point for each of their additional balls 122a-c, 124a-c tossed into the tube 114 in the stacked arrangement. Conversely, the opposing team is not awarded points for the round. At the end of each round, the restriction member is displaced from the path of the tube and the balls fall into the bottom base. FIG. 2 illustrates balls 122a-c, 124a-c released into a bottom base 108.

[0047] As referenced in FIG. 1, silo 102a is generally elongated and vertically disposed. Silo is configured to provide a challenging target for tossing the ball into. Silo 102a also arranges the balls 122a-c, 124a-c in a stacked configuration, including receiving a final ball 124c in a top position that determines the winner for each round of the game 100. In one embodiment of playing the game 100, two silos 102a, 102b are utilized in a spaced-apart relationship at a predetermined distance from each other. Silos 102a, 102b are also configured to mount in a vertical disposition both indoors and on an outdoor surface.

[0048] Looking at FIG. 3, silo 102a, 102b may be defined by a top funnel 104 having a top funnel sidewall 138 that forms a receiving opening 106. Top funnel 104 is generally the upper end of the silo 102a, 102b, above a ground surface and providing the general area of target for tossing balls 122a-c, 124a-c. In some embodiments, top funnel 104 may have a trapezoidal, or conical frustum shape with a wide mouth 132 and a narrow neck 134 that are in communication with each other to receive and allow passage of balls 122a-c, 124a-c. The dimensions of silos 102a, 102b are scalable and may be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of balls and styles of playing.

[0049] The receiving opening 106 that forms in mouth 132 is sized and dimensioned to receive a ball 122a, as described below. Though in other embodiments, different angles may be used.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 4, silo 102a, 102b may further be defined by a bottom base 108 that positions opposite the top funnel 104. Bottom base 108 forms a ground surface for supporting a stacked arrangement of balls 122a-c, 124a-c. Bottom base 108 forms an open base that enables passage of the balls 122a-c, 124a-c dispensed from the tube 114. Bottom base 108 may have a generally trapezoidal shape with a square base.

[0051] Silo 102a further comprises a tube 114 that extends between top funnel 104 and bottom base 108 of the silo. Tube 114 comprises a top end 110 that joins with top funnel 104, and a bottom end 118 that joins with bottom base 108. The attachments may include a friction fit mating relationship, or a plurality of fasteners that couple the components together. Bottom end 118 of tube 114 may form an aperture 120 to enable passage of a restriction member 116, described below.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 5, tube 114 is comprised of four spaced-apart struts 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d that retain the balls 122a-c, 124a-c in a stacked arrangement. The vertically disposed struts 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d are configured to restrain the balls 122a-c, 124a-c in the elongated cavity 142 while also enabling visibility of balls 122a-c, 124a-c. In alternative embodiments, more, or less than four struts may be used, or a different construction design that provides structural support, vertical orientation of the balls within the silo, and ball visibility.

[0053] In one embodiment, tube 114 is generally rectangular in shaped. But in other embodiments, tube 114 is cylindrical. Tube 114 is defined by an elongated cavity 142 that is sized and dimensioned to enable passage and stacking of the balls 122a-c, 124a-c. In one embodiment, tube 114 is about 22 long. In another embodiment, tube 114 has a diameter of about 3.5. Though in other embodiments, other dimensions for the height and diameter of the tube 114, or the ball diameter may be possible, depending on the scale of the game 100 and the type of materials used to fabricate tube 114. Suitable materials for tube 114 may include, without limitation, high density polyethylene, a rigid polymer, wood, glass, silicone, and metal.

[0054] Looking back at FIG. 4, a restriction member 116, such as a pin, is disposed between the bottom end 118 of tube 114 and bottom base 108. Restriction member 116 is configured to selectively regulate the path between elongated cavity 142 of tube 114 and the bottom base 108 by moving in and out of the path between the tube 114 and the bottom base 108 through an aperture 120 that forms in the bottom end 118 of tube 114. In one embodiment, restriction member 116 is a pin. Though in alternative embodiments, restriction member 116 may include a platform or a net. In any case, restriction member 116 regulates arrangement of balls in tube 114.

[0055] Game 100 provides two silos 102a, 102b that are configured to enable playing the ball toss game 100 either indoors or outdoors.

[0056] Game 100 further comprises two sets of balls 122a-c, 124a-c that are configured to be tossed into the wide mouth 132 of top funnel 104. In one embodiment, each set of balls 122a-c, 124a-c has three balls. Balls 122a-c, 124a-c are defined by an outer skin 126 and an inner granular filling that substantially fills the outer skin 126. Outer skin 126 for each set of balls 122a-c, 124a-c is defined by a unique color or pattern. In this manner, each team has a set of balls 122a-c, 124a-c with a unique color to prevent confusion.

[0057] In some embodiments, the balls 122a-c, 124a-c may include a granular filling inside the outer skin 126 that helps to deaden impact with the ground or silo 102a, 102b. For example, granular fillings, such as corn, rice, bean, or pellets may fill a leather, woven or nonwoven outer skin 126 material. In other embodiments, balls may be constructed with any material that provides a deadened affect when contacting the silo or ground.

[0058] In use of the silos and balls 122a-c, 124a-c, a predetermined number of tosses of the balls 122a-c, 124a-c into the receiving opening 106 of the silos are allowed for each team. The balls 122a-c, 124a-c form a stacked arrangement inside the tube 114, with a top position being defined as a final ball 124c that can be tossed into the tube 114. The team that tosses the final ball 124c on the top position of the stacked arrangement of balls 122a-c, 124a-c is awarded points.

[0059] In one exemplary embodiment of the game 100 shown in FIG. 6, two sets of balls 122a-c, 124a-c and two silos 102a, 102b are provided. The two silos 102a, 102b are positioned at a predetermined distance from each other while playing the game 100. There may be three balls 122a-c, 124a-c per set of balls, with each set of balls 122a-c, 124a-c being identified by a unique color or pattern. For example, a first team 144a-b has a blue set of balls 122a-c, 124a-c while a second team 146a-b has a red set of balls 122a-c, 124a-c. The two silos 102a, 102b, are situated at a predetermined distance from each other. Tube 114 extends down vertically from the top funnel 104 to the bottom base 108 of silo 102a, 102b.

[0060] Silos 102a, 102b can also be used outdoors.

[0061] In playing, each team 144a-b, 146a-b has a set of balls 122a-c, 124a-c distinguished by a unique color or pattern. Players 144a, 144b, 146a, 146b from each team alternate tossing the balls 122a-c, 124a-c through the air, attempting to place their ball into the receiving opening 106 in the top funnel 104 of the silo 102a, 102b. Players position at opposite silos 102a, 102b to attempt the tosses. Silos 102a, 102b are situated at a predetermined distance from each other. As balls 122a-c, 124a-c are tossed into the tube 114, a stacked arrangement of balls 122a-c, 124a-c forms.

[0062] At the end of each round the team with a final 124c ball in the top position of the stacked arrangement, is considered the winner of the round and is awarded two points for having the final ball 124c on top, and one point for each of their additional ball tossed into tube 114. The other team is not awarded points for the round. The player or team who earns the total number of points of the winning score first wins the game 100. In one possible embodiment, game 100 continues until one team reaches 25 points, but no more than 26.

[0063] In one alternative embodiment of scoring, the winner of the round is also awarded a point for each one of the opposing team's balls 122a-c in tube 114. In yet another alternative embodiment of game 100, the body of a teammate may be used to ricochet the ball into the opening of tube 114. However the player used as a ricochet cannot hold or guide the ball in its path of travel. Variations of the game 100 can also be created by individual owners of the game 100.

[0064] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method 200 for playing a ball toss game 100. The method 200 comprises an initial Step 202 of providing two silos and two sets of balls 122a-c, 124a-c for playing a ball toss game 100, the two sets of balls 122a-c, 124a-c defined by a unique color or pattern. Another Step 204 may include positioning the two silos at a predetermined distance from each other. Silos are placed at a predetermined position from each other, such as between 10 to 30 feet. Another Step 206 may include selecting multiple players to form two teams. The game is intended to be played by 2-4 players.

[0065] A Step 208 may include positioning a player from each team adjacent to the two silos. Another Step 210 comprises determining a total number of points as a winning score of the ball toss game 100. In one possible scoring version, the team with a final 124c ball in the top position of the stacked arrangement, is considered the winner of the round and is awarded two points for having final ball 124c on top, and one point for each of their additional ball tossed into tube 114. The other team is not awarded points for the round. A Step 212 may include tossing a predetermined number of tosses, alternating tosses by each player, the balls 122a-c, 124a-c into an opening in the silo, whereby a predetermined number of tosses are allowed.

[0066] A Step 214 may further comprise forming a stacked arrangement of balls 122a-c, 124a-c in the silo. Tube is sufficiently sized to enable free passage of balls 122a-c, 124a-c, while maintaining a single linear formation of balls 122a-c, 124a-c. Yet another Step 216 may include tossing a final ball 124c into a top position in the stacked arrangement. Another Step 218 may include awarding points to the team having a final ball 124c in the top position. A final Step 220 comprises displacing a restriction member from path of tube to enable collection of the balls. Restriction member 116 pass through aperture to block path between bottom end 118 of tube 114 and bottom base 108. In one embodiment, pulling restriction member 116 enables balls 122a-c, 124a-c to fall into bottom base 108.

[0067] These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.

[0068] Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.