Ring toss game

Abstract

A disc toss game that comprises a ball placed in the center of a ring that can be knocked out of the ring to score points, with additional points and bonuses being awarded if the disc stays within the ring is disclosed in various embodiments of the present invention. The game of the present invention comprises a plurality of parts and can be adapted for indoor as well as outdoor enjoyment.

Claims

1. A method of playing multiple ring toss games using a single game system comprising selecting to play a first ring toss game or a second ball capture game using a single game system comprising 2 metal rings, 4 stakes, 2 balls, and at least three sets of disc-type throwing projectiles, wherein each set of the at least three sets of disc-type throwing projectiles comprises at least 2 metal discs, wherein the discs are optionally colored or marked with a suitable indicia for identification; wherein the first ring toss game comprises the steps of: providing 2 metal rings, securing each of the metal rings are held in place on a surface by 2 stakes, wherein a first stake is placed on a front inside portion of the ring and a second stake is placed on a rear outside portion of the ring; positioning one ball is placed at or about a center of each of the metal rings, wherein the ball may optionally be positioned on a top surface of a tee to be placed at or about the center of the metal ring; placing the 2 metal rings approximately 25 ft. from each other; allowing a first player to stand behind the metal rings; tossing at least one of the at least one discs in a direction of the metal rings; scoring points by one or any combination of the following: throwing the disc and knocking the ball out of the ring to score 5 points; throwing the disc and making it stay or lean inside the ring to score 5 points; throwing the disc and making it lean on the outside of the ring or balance on the edge of the ring to score 3 points; and throwing the disc and having it land within 12 of the edge of the ring or the measurement of the largest player's shoe to score 1 point; summing up the points scored to arrive at an accumulated score for each individual player, wherein an individual player may score a maximum of 15 points by throwing 2 discs into the ring while knocking the ball simultaneously out of the ring; and determining a winner of the first ring toss game by accumulating 21 points; and wherein the second ball capture game comprising the steps of: providing a play area; providing a gaming kit comprising: using at least one ball; using at least one set of a disc-type throwing projectiles, wherein each set of disc-type throwing projectiles comprise 2 discs; and throwing the ball within the play area, wherein the ball is thrown by a first player participating in the game; allowing the first player to throw a disc to capture or get close to the ball; allowing a second player to throw a disc to capture or get close to the ball; allowing any subsequent player to throw a disc to capture or get close to the ball; repeating the step of throwing a subsequent disc until the attempt of the first player has been bested; accumulating points comprise one or any combination of the following: throwing the disc and capturing the ball by being or landing on top of the ball in any manner to score 21 points; throwing the disc and hitting the ball to score 5 points; and throwing the disc and landing within 6 inches of the ball to score 5 points; throwing the disc and landing within 12 inches of the ball to score 3 points; throwing the disc and landing within 24 inches of the ball to score 1 point; and summing up the points scored to arrive at an accumulated score for each individual player, wherein 10 points are deducted from the score of a player if the ball is on top of any part of the disc; and determining a winner of the second ball capture game by selecting the first player to accumulate 21 points.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface on which the metal rings are placed comprises a grass surface, an artificial turf, a sandy surface, a court comprising a vinyl edging, or any combination thereof and wherein the court comprising a edging with a diameter of approximately 72.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each set of disc-type throwing projectiles comprises a specific and distinguishable indicia or a combination thereof selected from a different color, shape, size, and number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of players range from 2-6 split into three teams of 2 players on each team, and each team receives a set of discs with a different color and a different numbering or indicia.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ring tossing game may be played indoors or outdoors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:

(2) FIG. 1A is a schematic showing a top view of the set-up of the ring toss game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 1B is a schematic showing a side view of the ring used on grass;

(4) FIGS. 2A-2C are representations showing the different games a thrower can play within the ring toss game of the present invention: (2A) Liberated, (2B) Vanquished, and (2C) Capture;

(5) FIG. 3A is an illustration showing the different parts of the ring toss game of the present invention; and

(6) FIG. 3B is an illustration of an actual ring toss game in progress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

(8) To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as a, an and the are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.

(9) The present invention describes a disc toss game entitled King of Rings that comprises a ball that is placed in the center of a ring that can be knocked out of the ring to score points, with additional points and bonuses being awarded if the disc stays within the ring.

(10) The disc/ring toss game of the above invention is easier to play than horseshoes. Moreover, like horseshoes the parts comprising the ring toss game of the present invention lasts forever. An added advantage of the present invention is that the ring toss game can be adapted for indoor or outdoor play.

(11) Furthermore, the ring toss game of the present invention encompasses three games within one. These games are listed herein below:

(12) Game I is Vanquished. The object of the game is to knock the ball out of the ring by throwing a disc and having the disc remain in the ring or be closest to the ring.

(13) Game II is Liberator. No ball is used in this game. The object of the game is to throw the disc inside the ring or be closest to the ring.

(14) Game III is Capture. No ring is used in this game. The object of the game is to throw the ball like Bocci Ball, then try to capture the ball with the disc or hit it for points. Leaning on the ball is a Capture.

(15) The design of the rules and the scoring patterns of the above three games are intended to provide unlimited enjoyment and fun to the players. The games are so designed that irrespective of how far behind a player gets during the course of a game the probability for victory always exists.

(16) The different parts (components) involved in indoor/outdoor play are listed in Tables 1 and 2 below:

(17) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Parts for Outdoor Play Part Name Quantity Carrying Case 1 Locating Stakes 4 Metal Tees Rubber-Tipped 2 Metal Rings 2 Balls 2 Silver Disc No. 1 2 Gold Disc No. 2 2 Red Disc No. 3 2

(18) The skilled artisan will know that the disk-type throwing projectiles and metal rings can be made of any material (i.e., wood, metal, plastic, rubber, etc.) and be any shape (disc, square, triangular, etc.) and have any indices/color (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 100, I, II, etc.). For example, the disc-type throwing projectiles may be (Gold Disc No. 2; Red Disc No. 3) or (Silver Hard Rubber No. 1 Disc; Gold Hard Rubber No. 2 Disc; or Red Hard Rubber No. 3 Disc).

(19) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Parts for Indoor Play Part Name Quantity Carrying Case 1 Plastic Position Pins 2 Rubber Tees 2 Metal Ring 1 Balls 2 Silver Hard Rubber No. 1 Disc 2 Gold Hard Rubber No. 2 Disc 2 Red Hard Rubber No. 3 Disc 2 Astro Mats 2

Game I

Vanquished

(20) Object of the Game: To be the first player to score 21 points. A schematic representation of the game is shown in FIG. 2B.

(21) Set-Up (for outside play, for 2-6 players): Two rings placed 25 ft. apart. Each ring is held in place with 2 long locating stakes. One locating stake is placed in the front inside of the ring and the other locating stake is placed on the rear outside of the ring.

(22) Set-Up (for indoor play, for 2-6 players): The Astro mat is used for positioning the 2 rings. The plastic positioning pins are used instead of the locating stakes and the rubber tees are used instead of the metal tees rubber-tipped.

(23) There are 2 balls, during game play, each player places 1 ball in the center of a ring on top of a tee. Two 12 rubber-tipped tees are included. Tees are optional and are used to center the ball and to raise the ball high enough to be seen above the grass where necessary. There are three sets of colored and numbered discs, there are 2 discs in each set. A carrying case may also be included. For tournament play a 72 diameter court of vinyl edging may be used.

(24) Rules and Scoring for Each Player: The object of the game is to be the first player to score 21 points.

(25) 1. Points are scored: By throwing the disc and knocking the ball out of the ring (5 pts.). By throwing the disc wherein the disc stays or leans inside the ring (5 pts.). By throwing the disc wherein the disc leans on the outside of the ring or balances on the edge of the ring (3 pts.). By throwing the disc and having it land within 12 of the edge of the ring or the measurement of the largest player's shoe (1 pt.).

(26) 2. The player throwing the disc is to stand behind the ring.

(27) 3. The player with the lowest numbered disc starts the game.

(28) 4. Each player throws both of their discs during their turn at play.

(29) 5. After the first throw the player that scores last throws first.

(30) 6. Only 1 player's disc counts.

(31) 7. Knocking the ball out of the ring is a bonus and always counts (5 pts.).

(32) 8. When 2 players throw ringers or leaners, no points are scored for anyone except the bonus ball if knocked outside of the ring.

(33) 9. Throwing the disc and having it remain within the ring (5 pts.).

(34) 10. Throwing both of the player's discs inside of the ring, while knocking the ball outside of the ring (15 pts.).

Game II

Liberator

(35) Object of the Game: To be the first player to score 21 points. A schematic representation of the game is shown in FIG. 2A.

(36) Set-Up (for outside play, for 2-6 players): Two rings placed 25 ft. apart. Each ring is held in place with 2 long locating stakes.

(37) Set-Up (for indoor play, for 2-6 players): The Astro mat is used for positioning the 2 rings. The plastic positioning pins are used instead of the locating stakes and the rubber tees are used instead of the metal tees rubber-tipped.

(38) There are 3 sets of numbered discs (each set having 2 discs).

(39) Rules and Scoring

(40) 1. The object of the game is to score 21 points to win.

(41) 2. The player with the lowest numbered disc starts the game

(42) 3. The player throwing their disc is to stand behind the ring.

(43) 4. Each player throws both of their discs during their turn at play.

(44) 5. Points are scored: throwing the disc and having it stay or lean inside the ring (5 pts.). throwing the disc and having it lean on the outside of the ring or balance on the edge of the ring (3 pts.). by throwing a disc and being within 12 of the measurement of the largest players' shoe (1 pt.).

(45) 6. After the first set the player that scores last throws first.

(46) 7. Only 1 player's disc counts.

(47) 8. When 2 players each throw ringers or leaners no points are scored for anyone in that throw.

Game III

Capture

(48) Object of the Game: To be the first to score 21 points. A schematic representation of the game is shown in FIG. 2C.

(49) Set-Up (2-6 players): Area 20-30 ft. wide by 30-40 ft. long, having 1 ball, 3 sets of discs (2 discs in each set), and 1 tape measure.

(50) Rules

(51) 1. The object of the game is to be the first player to score 21 points.

(52) 2. The starting player with the lowest numbered disc takes the ball and throws it to his desired distance.

(53) 3. The starting player then throws only one of his discs to the ball trying to capture the ball or getting as close as possible to the ball.

(54) 4. The next player throws his first disc to the ball trying to capture it or getting closer to the ball than the starting player.

(55) 5. The next player then does the same.

(56) 6. If no one has bested the first player's disc, the first player doesn't throw his next disc until his first disc was bested and so on.

(57) 7. After all throws are at one end, the player that scored last begins play again by throwing the ball and his first disc.

(58) Scoring

(59) 1. Capturing the ball by being on top of it in any manner (21 pts.).

(60) 2. Hitting the ball (5 pts.).

(61) 3. Being within 6 inches of the ball (5 pts.).

(62) 4. Being within 12 inches of the ball (3 pts.).

(63) 5. Being within 24 inches of the ball (1 pt.).

(64) 6. If the ball captures a player by being on top of any part of the player's disc (10 pts.).

(65) FIG. 1A is a schematic 100 showing a top view of the set-up of the ring toss game according to an embodiment of the present invention. The set-up shows a ring 102 held in place with 2 long stakes 106 and 108. The first long stake 106 is placed in the front inside of the ring 102 and the second long stake 108 is placed on the rear outside of the ring 102. One ball 104 is placed in the center of the ring 102 on top of a tee (not shown herein). Tees are optional to center the ball and to raise the ball high enough to be seen above the grass/ground (not shown) where necessary. For tournament play a 72 diameter court ring 112 of vinyl edging may be used. The Ring 110 represents the area 12 around the edge of the ring 102 beyond which point there is no scoring.

(66) FIG. 1B is a schematic showing a side view of the ring 102 used on the grass/ground 120. FIG. 1B shows a ring 102 held in place with 2 long stakes 106 and 108. Long stake 106 is placed in the front inside of the ring 102 and long stake 108 is placed on the rear outside of the ring 102. The ball 104 is placed in the center of the ring 102 on top of a tee 122. Tee 122 centers the ball 104 and raises the ball 104 high enough to be seen above the grass/ground 120 where necessary.

(67) FIGS. 2A-2C are representations showing the different games a thrower 202 can play within the ring toss game of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a representation of Game II, Liberator: No ball is used in this game. The object of the game is for the thrower 202 to throw the disc 208 into the ring 204 or be closest to the ring 204. FIG. 2B is a representation of Game I, Vanquished: The object of the game is for the thrower 202 to knock the ball 206 out of the ring 204 by throwing a disc 208 and to have the disc 208 remain in the ring 204 or be closest to the ring 204. FIG. 2C is a representation of Game III,Capture: No ring is used in this game. The object of the game is for the thrower 202 to throw the ball 206 (like Bocci Ball), then try to capture the ball 206 with any of the discs 208a-d or hit ball 206 for points. The disc 208b leaning on the ball 206 is called a Capture.

(68) FIG. 3A is an illustration showing different parts of the ring toss game of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows 2 metal rings 302 and 304, 2 metal tees with rubber tips 318 and 320, four locating stakes 322, 324, 326, and 328. There are also 2 balls 330 and 332. The discs comprise 2 silver number 1 discs: 310 and 312, 2 gold number 2 discs: 314 and 316, and 2 red number 3 discs: 306 and 308.

(69) FIG. 3B is an illustration of an actual ring toss game in progress comprising the parts described in FIG. 3A comprising 2 metal rings 302 and 304, 2 metal tees with rubber tips 318 and 320, four locating stakes 322, 324, 326, and 328. There are also 2 balls 330 and 332. The discs comprise 2 silver number 1 discs: 310 and 312, 2 gold number 2 discs: 314 and 316, and 2 red number 3 discs: 306 and 308.

(70) The present invention provides a carrying case (not shown) comprising the parts of the ring toss game of the present invention. The case comprises a top flap or a lid, which locks the case via a locking mechanism. The case has handles or straps for ease of carrying and transportation.

(71) It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specification can be implemented with respect to any method, kit, reagent, or composition of the invention, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions of the invention can be used to achieve methods of the invention.

(72) It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

(73) All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

(74) The use of the word a or an when used in conjunction with the term comprising in the claims and/or the specification may mean one, but it is also consistent with the meaning of one or more, at least one, and one or more than one. The use of the term or in the claims is used to mean and/or unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and and/or. Throughout this application, the term about is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

(75) As used in this specification and claim(s), the words comprising (and any form of comprising, such as comprise and comprises), having (and any form of having, such as have and has), including (and any form of including, such as includes and include) or containing (and any form of containing, such as contains and contain) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

(76) The term or combinations thereof as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, A, B, C, or combinations thereof is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, MB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

(77) All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

REFERENCES

(78) U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,590: Pitch Game.

(79) U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,880: Tossing Game Apparatus.

(80) U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,682: Method and Apparatus for Outdoor Tossing Game.

(81) U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,592: Horseshoe Type Game Device.

(82) U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,957: Tossing Game.

(83) U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,780: Disc Tossing Game.

(84) U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,200: Disc Toss Game.