Tail Target Toss Game and Method of Play

Abstract

A game system and method of game play. The game system includes a three-dimensional target with an animal motif having a body, a head and a tail. A goal receptacle is formed atop the body in between the head and tail. Projectiles used in the game include point ball projectiles, blocker ball projectiles and special projectiles. During a turn at play, a player propels the point ball projectiles at the target, wherein points are awarded to the player should the point ball projectiles settle closest to the target. The player also has the option to toss a blocker ball projectile. If the blocker ball projectile contacts the target, it can block competitors from scoring. The player also has the option to toss the special projectile at the target. The player automatically wins the game should the special projectile land on the target between the head and the tail.

Claims

1. A method of game play, comprising: providing a three-dimensional target with an animal motif, wherein said target has a body, a head and a tail; providing ball projectiles; providing a special projectile; placing said target in a set position; having a player, during a turn at play, propel said ball projectiles at said target, wherein points are awarded to said player should said ball projectiles settle closest to said target; wherein said player has an option to toss said special projectile at said target during said turn at play, wherein said player wins should said special projectile land on said target between said head and said tail.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said player forfeits said turn at play should said special projectile be tossed and not land on said target.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said ball projectiles include point balls and blocker balls, wherein said player has an option to toss one of said blocker balls during said turn at play, wherein said player blocks others from getting points should one of said blocker balls settle in contact with said target.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing said three-dimensional target includes providing said body with a flat bottom surface that enables said body to stand freely on a flat surface.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing said three-dimensional target includes providing appendages on said body between said head and said tail, wherein said appendages, said head and said tail define a receptacle atop said body.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a special projectile includes providing said special projectile that is the same size as said ball projectiles.

7. The method according to claim 1, further including providing cups at positions adjacent said target, wherein points are awarded to said player should said ball projectiles land in at least one of said cups.

8. A method of game play, comprising: providing a three-dimensional target with an animal motif, wherein said target has a body, a head and a tail; providing ball projectiles; positioning cup receptacles adjacent said body of said target; having a player, during a turn at play, propel said ball projectiles at said target, wherein points are awarded to said player should said ball projectiles settle in one of said cup receptacles; wherein said player has an option to toss one of said ball projectiles at said target during said turn at play, wherein said player wins should one pf said ball projectiles land on said target between said head and said tail.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said ball projectiles include point balls and blocker balls, wherein said player has an option to toss one of said blocker balls during said turn at play, wherein said player blocks others from getting points should one of said blocker ball settle in contact with said target.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein providing said three-dimensional target includes providing said body with a flat bottom surface that enables said body to stand freely on a flat surface.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein providing said three-dimensional target includes providing appendages on said body between said head and said tail, wherein said appendages, said head and said tail define a goal receptacle atop said body.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said appendages, said head, and said tail form at least part of a funnel structure that directs said ball projectiles into said goal receptacle.

13. A method of game play, comprising: providing a three-dimensional target with a bird motif, wherein said target has a body, a head, wings and a tail, wherein a goal receptacle is defined atop said body by said body, said head, said wings, and said tail; providing ball projectiles; having a player, during a turn at play, propel said ball projectiles at said target, wherein points are awarded to said player should said ball projectiles settle closest to said target; wherein said player has an option to toss one of said ball projectiles at said goal receptacle during said turn at play, wherein said player wins should one of said ball projectiles land within said goal receptacle.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said ball projectiles include point balls and blocker balls, wherein said player has an option to toss one of said blocker balls during said turn at play, wherein said player blocks others from getting points should one of said blocker balls settle in contact with said target.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein providing said three-dimensional target includes providing said body with a flat bottom surface that enables said body to stand freely on a flat surface.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein said head, said wings, and said tail form at least part of a funnel structure that directs said ball projectiles into said goal receptacle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a toss game assembly for a lawn that contains a target with a rooster motif and ball projectiles;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the toss game assembly of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a first method of play;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of a toss game assembly that contains a target with a squirrel motif and ball projectiles;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of a toss game assembly for a tabletop that contains a target with a rooster motif and ball projectiles; and

[0016] FIG. 6 is a top view of the toss game assembly of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Although the present invention target toss game can be embodied in many ways, only a few exemplary embodiments are illustrated. The exemplary embodiments are being shown for the purposes of explanation and description. The exemplary embodiments are selected in order to set forth some of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered as limiting when interpreting the scope of the claims.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a target toss game assembly 10 is shown. The target toss game assembly 10 has a target 12 in the shape of a rooster and ball projectiles that are tossed and/or rolled at the rooster target 12. In the shown embodiment, the rooster target 12 is plastic and is formed and decorated to look like a rooster. However, other animal motifs can be used. The exemplary rooster target 12 has a rounded body 16 with a flat bottom 18. The flat bottom 18 enables the rooster target 12 to sit upright on any relatively flat outdoor surface, such as a lawn. The rounded body 16 is generally ball shaped, having a first diameter D1. A head 20, tail 22 and wings 24 extend from the rounded body 16. The head 20 has the appearance of a rooster's head and extends mostly above the rounded body 16 in the front of the rounded body 16. The tail 22 extends way from the rounded body 16 at the rear of the rounded body 16, opposite the head 20. The tail 22 extends both above the rounded body 16 and laterally away from the rounded body 16. As such, segments 25 of the tail 22 are positioned only a short distance D2 above the ground. The wings 24 extend from opposite sides of the rounded body 16 between the head 20 and the tail 22. Each wing 24 has a slight angle of inclination that diverges away from the rounded body 16 as the wings 24 extend away from the rounded body 16.

[0019] The head 20, the tail 22, and the two wings 24 all extend from different sides of the rounded body 16. Furthermore, the head 20, the tail 22 and the two wings 24 all extend above the rounded body 16. The result is that a goal receptacle 26 is formed above the rounded body 16 that is capable of receiving and retaining a ball or other projectile atop the rounded body 16. The angle of inclination of the wings 24 forms a slight cone that can guide a ball or other projectile into the goal receptacle 26. Likewise, the tail 22 can have feather features 28 that form part of the cone. The head 20 can have crown feathers 30 that partially block the goal receptacle 26. Accordingly, a very precise toss is needed to get a ball or other projectile to land in the goal receptacle 26.

[0020] The target toss game assembly 10 includes ball projectiles 14 that are tossed and/or rolled toward the target rooster 12. The ball projectiles 14 come in at least two sets of different colors, wherein ball projectiles 14 of different color schemes are assigned to different players or teams. The ball projectiles 14 provided to each player or team have different subtypes. In the exemplary embodiment, each set of ball projectiles 14 contains a plurality of solid balls 32, at least one striped ball 34, and a special projectile 36. The solid balls 32 and striped ball 34 are preferably weighted balls, such as bocce balls, such that each has the same weight and diameter. The diameter of each of the ball projectiles 14 is less than or equal to the diameter D1 of the rounded body 16. The diameter of each of the ball projectiles 14 is larger than the distance D2 between the tail feather features 28 and the ground. As such, the ball projectiles 14 are unable to roll under the tail 22 and contact the rounded body 16. This adds complexity and strategy to the play of the game.

[0021] The special projectile 36 is preferably a ball, but need not be. The special projectile 36 can be smaller and/or lighter than the other ball projectiles 14. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the special projectile 36 is a ball of the same size as the other ball projectiles 14, but is distinguishable in appearance. It will be understood that the special projectile 36 need not be the same and other projectiles such as plastic eggs or bean bags can also be used. Regardless, the size of the special projectile 36 enables the special projectile 36 to fit into the goal receptacle 26 on the top of the rounded body 16.

First Method of Play

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 2 and FIG. 1, it can be seen that during play, the rooster target 12 is placed or tossed into an outdoor area of play. The rooster target 12 is weighted to stand upon the flat bottom 18 under the rounded body 16. Each player will take a turn tossing and/or rolling a solid ball 32 at the rooster target 12. The solid balls 32 are the point balls and are used solely to score points. The person who gets a solid ball 32 closest to the rounded body 16 of the rooster target 12 scores one or more points. The one striped ball 34 is a blocker ball. The striped ball 34 can be rolled at any time during each round. If a player rolls the striped ball 34 into contact with the rounded body 16, then the opposing players are blocked from tossing any additional solid balls 32 during that round. At the end of the round, the solid or striped ball(s) 32, 34 closest to the rounded body 16 score points. The game is played until a person or team scores a predetermined number of points.

[0023] To enhance play, each player or team is provided with the special projectile 36, which is illustrated as a mesh ball. The special projectile 36 can only be used one time per game by each player or team. If a player or team chooses to use the special projectile 36, they forfeit their chance to toss their remaining ball projectiles 14 for that round. If the special projectile 36 successfully lands on the goal receptacle 26, then that player or team automatically wins the game. Tossing the special projectile 36 into the goal receptacle 26 is difficult. The goal receptacle 26 is protected by the head 20, the wings 24 and the tail 22 of the rooster target that surround the goal receptacle 26. As such, if a player were to aim for the goal receptacle 26 with the slightest inaccuracy, the special projectile 36 is likely to strike the rooster target 12 and bounce away. This adds a layer of complexity to the game play.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4 an alternate embodiment of a target toss game assembly 40 is shown. The target toss game assembly 40 has a target 41 in the shape of a squirrel. The squirrel target 41 has a head 42, a body section 44 and a tail section 46. The squirrel target 41 is weighted so that the squirrel target 41 will stand upright. In the shown embodiment, the squirrel target 41 is plastic and is formed and decorated to look like a squirrel. However, other animal motifs can be used provided such animal motifs include a tail.

[0025] The tail section 46 of the squirrel target 41 defines a goal receptacle 48. The goal receptacle 48 is surrounded by a cone of molded tail features 50. The cone of molded tail features 50 diverge away from the goal receptacle 48 and help guide projectiles into the goal receptacle 48. Ball projectiles 52 and special projectiles 54 are tossed at the squirrel target 41 in the same manner as the was described for the prior rooster target. The illustration of a squirrel target 41 is just to show that the target can be configured into many types of animals.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 6, yet another embodiment of the present invention game assembly 60 is shown. This embodiment is designed for tabletop play or play in other confined areas where the tossing of large weighted balls is impractical. In this embodiment a smaller version of a target 62 is provided. The target 62 is placed in the center of a table, wherein opposing players or teams are seated at the sides of the table. The target 62 has the same components as were described in relation to FIG. 1. However, the scale of the target 62 is smaller.

[0027] The solid balls 64, striped balls 66 and special projectiles 68 are tossed at the target 62 are also smaller and lighter for confined indoor use. Preferably, the solid balls 64, striped balls 66 and special projectiles 68 are colored table tennis balls or other lightweight molded balls with a good ability to bounce. Since the various balls 64, 66, 68 are lightweight, they cannot be rolled against the target 62 without rolling away. Accordingly, a plurality of cups 70 are placed on the sides of the target 62 and in a goal receptacle 72 atop the target 62. The cups 70 can be weighted by adding water or other material to the bottom of the cups 70.

Second Method of Play

[0028] Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 6, it can be seen that during play, the target 62 is placed on a table. The cups 70 are aligned against the target 62 on the sides of the target 62. Each player takes a turn tossing and/or bouncing balls 64, 66 at the target 62. The person who gets the most balls in the cups 70 scores one or more points. The striped balls 64 can be considered to be blocker balls. The striped balls 64 can be used at any time during each round. If a player gets a striped ball 66 into a cup 70, then the opposing players are blocked from tossing any additional balls 64, 66 during that round. At the end of the round, the most balls 64, 66 in the cups score points. The game is played until a person or team scores a predetermined number of points.

[0029] To enhance play, each player or team is provided with a specialty projectile 68, which is illustrated as a uniquely colored ball. The special projectile 68 can only be used one time per game by each player or team. If a team chooses to use the special projectile 68, they forfeit their chance to toss their remaining balls for that round. If the special projectile 68 successfully lands in the goal receptacle, then that player or team automatically wins the game.

[0030] In an alternate simplified method of play, each player or team has to get a ball 64, 66 into each of the cups 70 on their side of the target 62. Once this is done, the player has to get a ball 64, 66 into the goal receptacle 72. The first player or team to accomplish this task wins.

[0031] It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. Likewise, many variations can be made to the rules of play. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.