Dart Game Using Beverage Cans

Abstract

A dart game has two target arrangements that are placed on a ground surface a substantial distance apart from each other. Each of the target arrangements includes a frame, a target panel, and a leg arrangement that inclines the target panel at an angle of less than 45 degrees. The target panel includes at least two apertures therein for receiving a beverage can and at least two can holders to support and hold the beverage cans. In play, opposing players or teams throw darts at the target panels in an attempt to score points by piercing the top surface of the target panels or beverage cans disposed in the apertures.

Claims

1. A dart game comprising: two target arrangements being configured to be placed on a ground surface a substantial distance apart from each other; each of said target arrangements comprising a frame, a target panel being connected to said frame, and a leg arrangement; said target panel having essentially the same outer dimensions and shape as said frame; said leg arrangement being attached to one end of said frame or said target panel to prop up said frame and incline said target panel at an angle relative to the ground surface; said target panel comprising at least two apertures therein; each of said at least two apertures being substantially round and configured to receive a beverage can therein; at least two can holders being attached to the bottom surface of said target panel and at said at least two apertures; each of said at least two can holders being configured to support and hold a beverage can inserted in its corresponding aperture; and two sets of darts configured to be thrown by two opposing players or teams at said target panels in an attempt to score points by piercing the top surface of said target panels or beverage cans disposed in said at least two apertures.

2. The dart game according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least two can holders is configured to receive and hold a first type of beverage can and a second type of beverage can that is taller and thinner than the first type of beverage can.

3. The dart game according to claim 2, wherein: each of said at least two can holders comprises: a first leg; a second leg parallel to said first leg; and a crosspiece disposed to connect said legs at the ends thereof; said crosspiece having a width essentially similar to the diameter of the first type of beverage can to thereby space said first leg and said second leg apart a distance sufficient to permit insertion of the first type or the second type of beverage can therebetween; said first leg comprises a first projection and said second leg comprises a second projection; each of said first projection and said second projection is disposed a distance from said crosspiece and to project inwardly toward one another; and said first and second projections are disposed apart from one another a distance sufficiently small to permit insertion of the second type of beverage can therebetween and to provide a bottom support to the first type of beverage can.

4. The dart game according to claim 3, wherein: each of said first leg and said second leg having a length essentially similar to the height of the second type of beverage can such that said crosspiece supports the bottom of the second type of beverage can with the top portion of the second type of beverage can at or essentially flush with the top surface of said target panel; and each of said first projection and said second projection is disposed such that said first projection and said second projection together support the bottom of the first type of beverage can with the top portion of the first type of beverage can at or essentially flush with the top surface of said target panel.

5. The dart game according to claim 4, wherein each of said at least two can holders is pivotably attached to said target panel to permit: said at least two can holders to freely pivot to a vertical orientation regardless of inclination of said target panel; and said at least two can holders to be pivoted flat against the bottom surface of said target panel in a storage position.

6. The dart game according to claim 5, wherein each of said two target arrangements comprises at least two retaining pieces disposed on the bottom surface of said target panel and configured to hold said at least two can holders in the storage position.

7. The dart game according to claim 6, wherein each of said leg arrangements comprises two legs pivotably attached to the bottom surface of their target panel to permit said legs to be pivoted toward said target panel and into a storage position within their frame.

8. The dart game according to claim 7, wherein: each of said two target arrangements comprises a locking structure disposed on an outer surface of said frame; and said locking structures are configured and disposed to releasably lock said two target arrangements together to form a single portable unit to be carried by a single user.

9. The dart game according to claim 8, wherein: each of said two target arrangements comprises a handle structure disposed on an outer surface of said frame; and said handle structures are configured and disposed to be manually gripped by a user to facilitate carrying by a single user.

10. The dart game according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least two can holders is pivotably attached to said target panel to permit: said at least two can holders to freely pivot to a vertical orientation regardless of inclination of said target panel; and said at least two can holders to be pivoted flat against the bottom surface of said target panel in a storage position.

11. The dart game according to claim 10, wherein each of said two target arrangements comprises at least two retaining pieces disposed on the bottom surface of said target panel and configured to hold said at least two can holders in the storage position.

12. The dart game according to claim 1, wherein each of said leg arrangements comprises two legs pivotably attached to the bottom surface of their target panel to permit said legs to be pivoted toward said target panel and into a storage position within their frame.

13. The dart game according to claim 1, wherein: each of said two target arrangements comprises a locking structure disposed on an outer surface of said frame; and said locking structures are configured and disposed to releasably lock said two target arrangements together to form a single portable unit to be carried by a single user.

14. The dart game according to claim 1, wherein: each of said two target arrangements comprises a handle structure disposed on an outer surface of said frame; and said handle structures are configured and disposed to be manually gripped by a user to facilitate carrying of said two target arrangements.

15. A method of playing a dart game according to claim 1 comprising the steps of: placing said two target arrangements on a ground surface a substantial distance apart from each other; extending said leg arrangement and propping up one end of said frame and thereby inclining said target panel at an angle relative to the ground surface in a range of 5-45 degrees or 5-30 degrees; placing a beverage can through each of said apertures into each of said at least two can holders; and each opposing player or team standing adjacent one of said two target arrangements and then taking turns throwing darts at said target panel of the opposing one of said two target arrangements in an attempt to score points by piercing the top surface of said target panels or beverage cans.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said step of placing a beverage can through each of said apertures into each of said at least two can holders comprises placing one of: a first type of beverage can and a second type of beverage can that is taller and thinner than the first type of beverage can.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: said step of placing a first type of beverage can comprises inserting the first type of beverage can into one of said at least two can holders until the bottom of the first type of beverage can rests against at least two projections projecting inwardly from the sides of its can holder and disposed a distance from a corresponding aperture that is similar to the height of the first type of beverage can to place the top of the first type of beverage can at or essentially flush with the top surface of said target panel; and said step of placing a second type of beverage can comprises inserting the second type of beverage can into one of said at least two can holders past said at least two projections until the bottom of the second type of beverage can rests against the bottom of its can holder to place the top of the second type of beverage can at or essentially flush with the top surface of said target panel.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said method further comprises switching between the first type of beverage can and the second type of beverage can during a dart game and thereby altering the characteristics of the dart game for the opposing players or teams.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said method further comprises: completing use of said dart game; preparing each of said two target arrangements for transport by: pivoting said at least two can holders against the bottom surface of said target panel in a storage position; clasping said at least two can holders in said storage position using at least two retaining pieces disposed on the bottom surface of said target panel; and pivoting two legs of said leg arrangement toward said target panel in a storage position.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said method further comprises: aligning said frames of said two target arrangements with the bottom surfaces of said target panels facing one another to form a single portable unit with said legs and said at least two can holders stored therein; releasably locking said two target arrangements together using locking structures disposed on an outer surface of each of said frames; and manually gripping and carrying said single portable unit using a handle structure disposed on an outer surface of at least one of said frames.

Description

(I) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a dart game according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a target arrangement of the dart game.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the target arrangement.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the target arrangement.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the target arrangement.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the dart game in use.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the dart game in a stored or transport position.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of a beverage can holder according to at least one possible embodiment.

(J) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new dart game embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0021] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the dart game 10 generally comprises two target arrangements 12 and a set of darts 56. The target arrangement 12 includes a frame 14, a target panel 16 connected to the frame 14, and legs 18. The target panel 16 has essentially the same outer dimensions and shape as the frame 14, such as a rectangular or square shape. The legs 18 are attached to one end of the frame 14 or the target panel 16 to prop up the frame 14 and incline the target panel 16 at an angle relative to the ground surface. The target panel 16 includes two apertures 20 therein, though more could be included in at least one other possible embodiment. Each of the apertures 20 is substantially round and designed to receive a beverage can 22 therein. There are two can holders 24 attached to the bottom surface 26 of the target panel 16 and at the apertures 20. Each of the can holders 24 is designed to support and hold a beverage can 22 inserted in its corresponding aperture 20. There are also two sets of darts 56.

[0022] Each of the can holders 24 is designed to receive and hold a first type 36 of beverage can 22 and a second type 38 of beverage can 22 that is taller and thinner than the first type 36 of beverage can 22, as seen in FIG. 1. In the beverage industry, beverage cans may have different dimensions, such that, for example, a beverage can 22 of a first type 36 is shorter in height but wider in diameter than another beverage can 22 of a second type 38, which is taller in height and thinner in diameter, which is particularly true if the beverage cans are of the same volume. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, in accordance with at least one possible embodiment, each of the can holders 24 includes a first leg 30, a second leg 32 parallel to the first leg 30, and a crosspiece 34 to connect the legs at the ends thereof. The crosspiece 34 has a width essentially similar to the diameter of the first type 36 of beverage can 22 to thereby space the first leg 30 and the second leg 32 apart a distance sufficient to permit insertion of the first type 36 or the second type 38 of beverage can 22 therebetween. Each of the first leg 30 and the second leg 32 has a length essentially similar to the height of the second type 38 of beverage can 22 such that the crosspiece 34 supports the bottom of the second type 38 of beverage can 22 with the top portion of the second type 38 of beverage can 22 at or essentially flush with the top surface 27 of the target panel 16. However, since the first type 36 of beverage can 22 is shorter, the crosspiece 34 cannot support such a beverage can 22 by the bottom and still maintain the top portion at or essentially flush with the top surface 27 of the target panel 16. Accordingly, the first leg 30 includes a first projection 40 and the second leg 32 includes a second projection 42. Each of the first projection 40 and the second projection 42 is disposed a distance from the crosspiece 34 and to project inwardly toward one another. Each of the first projection 40 and the second projection 42 is disposed such that the first projection 40 and the second projection 42 together support the bottom of the first type 36 of beverage can 22 with the top portion of the first type 36 of beverage can 22 at or essentially flush with the top surface 27 of the target panel 16. The first projection 40 and the second projection 42 are disposed apart from one another a distance sufficiently small to permit insertion of the second type 38 of beverage can 22 therebetween and to provide a bottom support to the first type 36 of beverage can 22. In other words, the distance between the first projection 40 and the second projection 42 is such that the thinner second type 38 of beverage can 22 can pass between them, but the thicker first type 36 cannot.

[0023] In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, each of the can holders 24 is pivotably attached to the target panel 16. This permits the can holders 24 to freely pivot to a vertical orientation regardless of inclination of the target panel 16, as well as permits the can holders 24 to be pivoted flat against the bottom surface 26 of the target panel 16 in a storage position. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the two target arrangements 12 12 includes retaining pieces 44, such as clasps or brackets, disposed on the bottom surface 26 of the target panel 16 and designed to hold the can holders 24 in the storage position. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the legs 18 is pivotably attached by a hinge 46 to the bottom surface 26 of their target panel 16 to permit the legs 18 to be pivoted toward the target panel 16 and into a storage position within their frame 14.

[0024] Each of the two target arrangements 12 includes a locking structure 48 disposed on an outer surface of the frame 14. The locking structures 48 are designed to releasably lock the two target arrangements 12 together to form a single portable unit to be carried by a single user. In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, the single portable unit includes a handle arrangement for carrying. In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, each of the two target arrangements 12 includes a handle structure 50, such as a rope or strap, disposed on an outer surface of the frame 14. The handle structures 50 are designed and disposed to be manually gripped by a user to facilitate carrying by a single user.

[0025] To use the dart game 10, as shown in FIG. 6, at least two users 52 place the two target arrangements 12 on a ground or floor surface 54 a substantial distance apart from each other. The users 52 extend the legs 18 and prop up one end of the frame 14 to thereby incline the target panel 16 at an angle relative to the ground surface 54, such as in a range of 5-45 degrees or 5-30 degrees, depending on the design of the legs 18, which can be varied in ways that are contemplated by the disclosure. The users then place a beverage can 22 through each of the apertures 20 into each of the can holders 24, as shown in FIG. 5. Each opposing player or team standing adjacent one of the two target arrangements 12 then takes turns throwing darts 56 at the target panel 16 of the opposing one of the two target arrangements 12 in an attempt to score points by piercing the top surface 27 of the target panels 16 or beverage cans 22. The players can play according to a predetermined scoring system or can make up their own rules, such as different points for hitting the cans 22 or different parts of the target panels 16. For example, the target panel 16 could include a marking, such as a diamond shape as shown in FIG. 1, which could be used to mark different scoring areas. Such rules could also include a baseball-style dart game using the diamond shape for hits and the beverage cans 22 for home runs, or possibly a drinking game in which the opposing team must drink the punctured beverage can 22.

[0026] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0027] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.