U.S. patent application number 09/781608 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-15 for target ball board game.
Invention is credited to Lawrence, Fremont Lester.
Application Number | 20020109291 09/781608 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25123317 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020109291 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lawrence, Fremont Lester |
August 15, 2002 |
Target ball board game
Abstract
A board game device is defined by a rectangular or circular
raised edge placed on a flat surface. Within the borders of the
raised edge, a plurality of game pieces, such as mounds, rings or
goals are deployed in a random or symmetrical pattern as desired by
the participants. Participants propel target balls at the game
pieces using paddles or air devices to urge the target balls in the
desired directions. Optionally an octagon may be superimposed on
the flat surface with a plurality of brightly colored segments to
visually separate the playing area into distinct smaller areas.
Inventors: |
Lawrence, Fremont Lester;
(Brooklyn, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM P. SMITH
223 FOXBURG DRIVE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15205
US
|
Family ID: |
25123317 |
Appl. No.: |
09/781608 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/118R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 7/066 20130101;
A63F 7/2436 20130101; A63F 2009/0089 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/118.00R |
International
Class: |
A63B 067/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A target ball board game comprising: A perimeter ring defining a
two-dimensional area; At least one ball; At least one receptacle
defining a passage way into which said at least one ball may be
propelled; Means of propulsion for moving said at least one ball
about the said two-dimensional area and directing said at least one
ball into a desired position within said two-dimensional area.
2. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein also
comprising; said perimeter ring having a generally rectangular
shape, positioned upon a board, said board having depicted thereon
an octagon, divided in eight equal triangular sectors and having a
center point common to all eight of said equal size triangular
areas.
3. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein also
comprising: The said perimeter ring is a circular ring, which, when
laid upon a flat surface defines a playing field within said
ring.
4. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
at least one ball is a table tennis ball.
5. The target ball board game set forth in claim 1 wherein said at
least one ball is a hollow plastic ball.
6. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
receptacle for defining a passageway comprises a partial
semi-circular hump having a concave depression, cooperative with
said at least one ball such that when said at least one ball is
moved into position above said concave depression, with an
appropriate amount of force, the ball will come to rest within said
concave depression.
7. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 also having a
goal portion formed by a bracket having a rectangular shape open at
one end defining a pair of legs connected by a transverse top
portion and also having a flat projection extending outwardly from
the distal end of each said leg to support said goal in a free
standing manner.
8. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
means of propulsion is a finger paddle.
9. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
means of propulsion is a blower.
10. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
means of propulsion is a hand pump.
11. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
means of propulsion is a wooden paddle.
12. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein
also applying a predetermined set of rules assigning discrete
scores to one of said ball or said receptacle in order to determine
a game victor.
13. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein
also applying a predetermined set of rules assigning discrete
scores to one of said ball or said goal in order to determine a
game victor.
14. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein
also applying a predetermined set of rules assigning discrete
scores to one of said ball or said hump in order to determine a
game victor.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to board games, and more particularly
to board games having targets, goals, balls and accessories that
can be used for various games.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A number of board games are well known for simulating
contests such as billiards, baseball, disc hockey, and the like.
The instant invention provides a new game, in which the rules of
the game are not predefined. The players can enjoy creating their
own set of rules or games, and are able to redefine games using
different configurations of the game pieces.
[0003] A panoply of multi-colored balls and table tennis balls,
wooden paddles and finger paddles, hand pumps and blow pipes are
provided, along with center rings and "volcano" chaped pieces to
create various target shooting games. Game pieces may be arranged
on a colorfully designed planar rectangular board. Alternatively,
game pieces may be used on another flat surface, such as a floor or
grassy surface. The permutations of game choices is intended to
maximize the entertainment options for consumers, by providing more
flexibility than traditionally preconceived board games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention fulfills a need in the art by
providing a target ball board game of skill, including a perimeter
ring defining a two-dimensional area. At least one ball is used by
a player or players, with at least one receptacle defining a
passage way into which said at least one ball may be propelled. A
means of propulsion, such as a paddle or a finger paddle is
provided for moving said the ball or balls about the
two-dimensional area and directing said the ball or balls into a
desired positions within said two-dimensional area. The perimeter
ring has a generally rectangular shape and is positioned upon a
board. The flat board has depicted thereon an octagon, divided in
eight equal triangular sectors and having a center point common to
all eight of said equal size triangular areas. The balls may be
table tennis balls or hollow plastic balls. One of the receptacles
for defining a passageway may comprise a partial semi-circular hump
having a hemispheric depression, cooperative to retain a ball
propelled into position above said concave depression, with an
appropriate amount of force so that a ball will come to rest within
the concave depression. The disclosed invention also has a goal
portion formed by a bracket having a rectangular shape open at one
end defining a pair of legs connected by a transverse top portion
and also having a flat projection extending outwardly from the
distal end of each said leg to support said goal in a free standing
manner.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a game
comprising a variety of different game pieces in order to encourage
creativity and imagination by allowing players to develop new games
as often as they like.
[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
colorful game board with targets to test the relative skill of
players while providing enjoyable entertainment.
[0007] Another object of the present invention to provide a
versatile game board format to invite children and adults to create
various scoring methods.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
versatile and portable game apparatus with a plurality of
interchangeable and variable game pieces.
[0009] Still another object is to provide a detachable ring to
define a playing area apart from the board game, such as no a
floor.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide another means
for development of hand eye coordination and improvement
thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the game pieces arranged
about a perimeter ring defining the playing field;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an alternate configuration with the game pieces
arranged on a rectangular playing board;
[0013] FIG. 3 is yet another plan view of the board game
illustrating an arrangement using goals at various locations on the
board's surface;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a method of propulsion of a target ball
in which a player blows into a pipe directing a stream of air at a
target ball;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate means of propulsion of a
target ball with air compressed by a hand pump directed at a ball;
and
[0016] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the board game set up on a
table top.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perimeter ring 11 defining a
circular playing field 13 within the interior of the circle 11, is
shown. Mounds 16 having dimples 18 are placed about the field 13,
either randomly or in a symmetrical pattern as desired by the
participants. A center ring 22 is placed approximately at the
center of the circle. Center ring 22 also has a dimple 24 or
depression, center ring 22 is distinguishable from individual
mounds 16, in that center ring 22 is visibly larger than mounds 16.
The purpose of the larger center ring 22 is to distinguish it and
set it apart from mounds 16 in order to define a main objective or
goal for the players. A plurality of table tennis balls 14 are
shown in FIG. 1, scattered in various points within and without the
playing field. As illustrated in FIG. 1, those balls within the
defined playing field are indicative of balls which have been
expended or used by the players in attempts to position the balls
into a mound 16 or center ring dimple 18, or 24. Those target balls
14 positioned outside the perimeter of the raised ring 11, are
indicative of balls yet to be used by the participants. In other
words according to rules as agreed between the players, it is
anticipated that each player will receive a number of balls with
which to attempt to score points.
[0018] A plurality of finger paddles 26 are also shown in FIG. 1.
These finger paddles 26 represent one of the means by which players
may strike the balls in order to propel them towards the intended
targets. The intended targets refer to mounds 16 and center ring
22. Dimples 18 in mound 16 and the dimple 24 in center ring 22 are
formed in a concave depression at the top of the semi-spherical
mound. The concavity of dimples 18 is intended to cooperate with
the spherical shape of balls 14 such that the balls will be
retained in position when a player properly rolls or otherwise
propels the ball into the dimple 18. Dimple 24 may be optionally
sized somewhat larger than a target ball in order to make the
seating of the ball in the center ring 22 easier to accomplish than
say the placement of a ball into the dimple 18 of a mound 16.
Alternately, the dimple or depression 24 in center ring 22 may be
large enough even to accommodate several of the target balls if
desired.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, a two-dimensional board panel
generally designated as No. 10 is defined by a rectangular raised
edge 12. The rectangular area of board panel 10 is further
circumscribed by superimposing an octagon 36. Spoke segments 34
define eight separate symmetrical triangular areas. Spokes 34
extend from center point 35 to the intersection of the eight equal
octagon perimeter segments 36, thereby describing a symmetrical
pattern of triangles about the vertical and horizontal axis. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the intersection of each octagon segment 36
is used to define the points for placement of mounds 16. In the
center of the octagon a center ring 22 having center hole 24 is
shown. The portion 37 of the board surface outside of octagon 32 is
indicated as a border area. As the invention is directed towards
leisure and sports activity, to be played by youths or adults, the
board is optionally decorated using bright contrasting colors to
further set off adjacent segments of the pattern. The bright colors
ideally will be attractive to young children, adolescents and
adults alike and entice them to want to play the game.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate arrangement of board
10 is illustrated. Goal brackets 30 are disposed at adjacent four
corners of the rectangular playing area, defined by perimeter
raised edge 12. Spokes 34 and perimeter segments 36 define 8
symmetrical triangular portions of an octagon, having center point
35. Border areas 37 define the individual player's corners and goal
areas and area for storage of balls which have been accumulated for
points, or held in reserve for use in competition. Goals 30 are
shown in FIG. 3 in plan view. These goals 30 are also illustrated
isometrically in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, goals 30 illustrate the
horseshoe shape arrangement of the goal 30 having outwardly
extending projections at the distal end of the horseshoe shape, for
stabilizing the goal 30 and permitting it to set in a free standing
position.
[0021] Referring next to FIG. 4 a side view of a player is shown.
The player has a tube 38 inserted at one end into the player's
mouth. Player blows into one end of tube 38 to force air out from
the opposite end and direct it towards a target ball 20, in order
to propel it towards and through the horseshoe shaped goal 30. The
object of this is obviously to test the relative skills of players
for accuracy and skill in the ability to "score" goals by repeated
successful penetrations of target balls 20 through the goal 30.
[0022] Similarly, in FIG. 5, a hand pump generally designated as
41, includes handle 42, rod portion 44 and blower tip 46. Rod 44
and grip 42 are used to apply forward pressure to a disk (not
shown) integral blower tip 46, thus compressing the air within tip
46 and directing it out of nozzle 47. The force of the compressed
air stream designated as 49 when applied against target ball 20 in
turn causes target ball 20 to roll towards and desirably into the
opening defined by goal 30.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 6, a table 40 is provided on which to
deploy the game components including board 10, having perimeter
raised edge 12, octagon FIG. 32 and goals 30. This particular
configuration of the board game also illustrates a center circle
drawn coaxially with the octagon figure, presumably describing
another target area to which competitors may assign value. Wooden
paddles 48 are shown in various positions on the board. Wooden
paddles 48 are intended as another method by which players may
strike the target balls 20 in the desired direction towards the
goal or mounds or center ring as the players have chosen to employ.
It is noteworthy that the board game while including colorful
designs and geometrically defined areas to which players may assign
points, there are no prescribed set of rules by which the invention
is to be used. In other words, players are free to determine among
themselves in which configuration they will deploy the game pieces,
in what combination they may desire to use the game pieces, and
what point value or other scoring method the players might use in
order to determine a victor. It is also evident that the plurality
of pieces may be used interchangeably and any set of permutations,
including variable number of players, variable number of goals,
variable number of target balls, thus leaving it to the player's
imagination to find an interesting and competitive combination of
rules.
[0024] According to the provisions of patent statutes, I have
explained the principle, preferred construction and mode of
operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I
now consider to represent its best embodiments. However, it should
be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
illustrated and described.
* * * * *