U.S. patent application number 10/388906 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-16 for tossing game kit and system.
Invention is credited to Fairbanks, John Patrick.
Application Number | 20040178584 10/388906 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32962154 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040178584 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fairbanks, John Patrick |
September 16, 2004 |
Tossing game kit and system
Abstract
A kit and system for a modified "Washers" tossing game are
revealed. The kit includes modular panels with slots, colored
washers, and stakes. Using the kit, a simple or complex course
consisting of different target areas can be constructed. Sample
rules for the new game are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Fairbanks, John Patrick;
(Roseville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DANIEL P. MAGUIRE
423 E ST.
DAVIS
CA
95616
US
|
Family ID: |
32962154 |
Appl. No.: |
10/388906 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 67/06 20130101;
A63B 2208/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/400 |
International
Class: |
A63B 063/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1.) A kit for constructing a target for a tossing game, comprising
panels, said panels having a first end and a second end, with a
first slot on said first end, and a second slot on said second end,
whereby said target may be formed by mating said first slot with
said second slot.
2.) The kit according to claim 1, wherein said panels are
flexible.
3.) The kit according to claim 2, additionally comprising stakes
for securing said panels to form said target.
4.) The kit according to claim 3, additionally comprising playing
pieces for tossing into said target.
5.) The kit according to claim 4, wherein said panels are made of
plastic.
6.) The kit according to claim 5, wherein said panels are
rectangular.
7.) The kit according to claim 6, wherein said panels are all the
same size.
8.) The kit according to claim 6, wherein said panels are different
sizes.
9.) The kit according to claim 7, wherein at least four panels are
provided in said kit.
10.) The kit according to claim 9, wherein said playing pieces are
washers.
11.) The kit according to claim 10, wherein said washers are of
different colors from each other.
12.) The kit according to claim 11, wherein said stakes have a hook
for holding said panels.
13.) A kit for constructing a target for a tossing game, comprising
flexible panels, said flexible panels having a first end and a
second end, with a first means for attachment on said first end,
and a second means for attachment on said second end, whereby said
target may be formed by joining said first means for attachment
with said second means for attachment.
14.) A method for constructing a target for a tossing game,
comprising: providing panels, said panels having a first end and a
second end, with a first slot in said first end, and a second slot
in said second end; mating said first slot of a panel to said
second slot of a panel to form said target.
15.) The method according to claim 14, wherein said panels are
flexible.
16.) The method of claim 15, wherein two panels are mated
together.
17.) The method of claim 15, wherein a single panel is mated to
itself.
18.) The method according to claim 16, additionally comprising
driving a stake into the ground near said panels to secure
them.
19.) The method according to claim 17, additionally comprising
driving a stake into the ground near said panel to secure it.
20.) A course for a tossing game, comprising a first target made
from panels, said panels having a first end and a second end, with
a first slot in said first end, and a second slot in said second
end, wherein said first slot of a panel is mated to said second
slot of a panel to form said first target.
21.) The course according to claim 20, wherein said panels are
flexible.
22.) The course according to claim 21, wherein two panels are mated
together to form said first target.
23.) The course according to claim 22, wherein a single panel is
mated to itself to form said first target.
24.) The course according to claim 22, additionally comprising a
second target circumscribing said first target.
25.) The course according to claim 23, additionally comprising a
second target circumscribing said first target.
26.) The course according to claim 24, additionally comprising
other targets, whereby a course with multiple target areas is
formed.
27.) The course according to claim 25, additionally comprising
other targets, whereby a course with multiple target areas is
formed.
28.) The course according to claim 22, additionally comprising a
stake securing said panels.
29.) The course according to claim 23, additionally comprising a
stake securing said panel.
30.) The course according to claim 22, wherein said panels are the
same size.
31.) The course according to claim 22, wherein said panels are
different sizes.
32.) A tossing game wherein players attempt to toss playing pieces
into multiple targets, comprising: modular panels with two ends,
said panels having slots at each end, said panels forming the
targets by mating said slots together, and said targets arranged to
form a course; playing pieces for tossing into said targets; and a
scoring system for said course, wherein points are awarded for each
target based on the area of the target and its distance from said
players.
33.) The game according to claim 32, wherein said scoring system
provides that points for each target are substantially proportional
to the square of the distance from the target to the player.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to tossing games.
[0003] 2. General Background
[0004] "Washers" is a tossing game in which players try to throw
standard washers into a target area. The target area for Washers
has traditionally been a rectangular, open-ended box, with sand on
the bottom to prevent the washers from bouncing out. The box is
typically made of lumber 2.times.4s attached to a plywood base. An
open-ended coffee can is typically placed in the middle. Higher
points are awarded for landing in the coffee can, lower points are
awarded for landing in the box, and no points are awarded for
landing outside the box. So, for instance, one point can be awarded
for landing in the outer target (the box), and three or five points
can be awarded for landing in the inner target (the coffee can).
Often, the game continues until one player or team scores 21
points.
[0005] Typically, the target area is placed 20 feet from the
launching area. Because traditional Washers is more a game of skill
than chance, teams may be randomly chosen to even up the odds.
[0006] Although traditional Washers is a popular and enjoyable
game, it suffers from certain drawbacks. First, the target
area--and hence the game itself--is not very portable, since it is
composed of 2.times.4s fastened to a piece of plywood forming a
rectangular box, sand, and a coffee can. Second, the sand may
attract neighborhood cats who use the target area as a litter box.
Third, the game is fairly predictable, since players are always
aiming at the same target, over and over again.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for a portable Washers game, without
sand, and with a variety of target shapes and sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is a kit and system for a modified
Washers game. The invention includes both a game and a kit to
construct target areas for the game. The kit includes flexible,
modular panels with slots, stakes, and washers. Using the kit, an
entire course, similar to a golf course, can be constructed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an environmental depiction of a player tossing
washers into a target area according to the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a modular panel according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a modular panel
according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along
line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a modular panel
according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along
line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top view of a modular panel according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a square target
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a two-piece circular target
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a one-piece circular target
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top view of a triangular target according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a top view of a target area comprised of
concentric circular targets, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a top view of a target area comprised of a
circular target within a triangular target, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 12 shows a course with two target areas, according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 13 shows a course with five target areas, according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The present invention is a system and device for a tossing
game. It includes a game, and a kit to construct target areas for
the game. The kit includes flexible, modular panels 10 with slots
12, 14, stakes 20, and washers 30. The kit may be used to construct
an entire "course," similar to a golf course.
[0023] The modular panels 10 are used to create target areas. See
FIGS. 1-12. The modular panels 10 can be made of many materials.
For instance, the modular panels can be constructed of flexible
plastic garden border material, or from ABS
(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) plastic. More preferably, they
can be constructed of polystyrene, a strong plastic material made
from erethylene and benzine.
[0024] The panels are typically rectangular, and can be a number of
different sizes. In one embodiment, the panels are about 4.75
inches high, and about 24 inches long. With panels of this height,
the washers are unlikely to bounce out, and therefore sand is not
needed. To achieve modularity, all panels in a kit will typically
have the same dimensions, although panels of varying sizes could
also be used.
[0025] Each panel has two slots, an upper slot 12 facing one
direction, and a lower slot 14 facing the other direction. See FIG.
2. As explained below, the slots are used to fasten the panels
together.
[0026] The stakes 20 are used to hold the panels together, and also
to hold the target area in the ground. See FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. They
can be placed in any location that will accomplish this function,
and in one embodiment they are placed in the inside of the target
area, at the junction of two panels. See FIG. 7. As shown in FIG.
6, the stakes 20 may have hooks to grab the panels.
[0027] It is preferable to use stakes, but the present invention
can be practiced without the stakes 20, simply by letting gravity
and friction hold the panels down and together or by taping them to
a surface such as carpet.
[0028] The washers 30 can be standard washers, of virtually any
size or grade that can be easily tossed. Other discs or suitable
objects can also be used, and all such tossing objects will be
referred to as "playing pieces" in this patent. In one embodiment,
the washers or discs will be painted different colors, so that
players or teams can easily identify their washers.
[0029] To construct a target, the upper slot 12 of one panel 10 is
mated with the lower slot 14 of another (or the same) panel. See
FIG. 6. Targets of many different shapes can be constructed,
including a one-piece circular target, see FIG. 8, a two-piece
circular target, see FIG. 7, a three-piece triangular target, see
FIG. 9, and a four-piece square target, see FIG. 6.
[0030] Targets can be combined together to form more complex target
areas. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 1, 12, and 13, a circular
target can be placed inside a square target. Or a circular target
can be placed inside a triangular target, as shown in FIG. 11. Or
smaller circular targets can be placed inside larger circular
targets, as shown in FIG. 13. Of course, many other combinations
may be constructed.
[0031] A course can be made by combining target areas. A simple two
target area course is shown in FIG. 12. A more complex "nine hole"
course is shown in FIG. 13. FIGS. 12 and 13 show sample distances
between holes or target areas in these courses.
[0032] There are a number of ways to play the game of the present
invention. In one embodiment, when a number of target areas are
used, points can be assigned according to the difficulty of landing
in the target area. The difficulty of each target area in the
course depends on the ratio between the area inside the target and
the distance from the launching area to the target. For instance, a
two-piece circular target has a little less than half the area of a
three-piece circular target. Thus, two points might be awarded for
tossing a washer into the smaller circular target, and one point
for tossing into the larger circular target.
[0033] Of course, if two targets have the same area, distance is
the only variable. Doubling the distance also results in about
twice the angular accuracy requirement, making the difficulty about
4 times as much. Increasing the distance by 1.414 (square root of
two) doubles the difficulty. Therefore, assigning twice the points
to a 20 foot hole as are assigned to a 14 foot hole is consistent
with the level of difficulty.
[0034] Once it has been decided how many points are to be allocated
to a given target area on the course, the points can be allocated
to the inner and outer targets of the target area in a
discretionary manner. In one embodiment, the product of the points
for a target multiplied by its area in square feet can equal the
points for other targets multiplied by their area in square
feet.
[0035] For a simple game, as depicted in FIG. 12, the target areas
can be spaced between 15 to 25 feet across for teenagers and
adults, and about 15 feet for children. One point is awarded for
landing in the outer target, and five points are awarded for
landing in the inner target. Scores are tabulated based on where
the washer finally lands, so if washer bounces into a target, it is
counted as having landed in the target, and if it bounces out of a
target, it is not counted as landing in the target. If a washer
stops on the top of the wall or slides under the wall of a target,
it is counted as "in" if it is more than halfway inside the
perimeter. The game ends when a team reaches 21 points. In the
event of a tie at 21, a "playoff" is held under which the teams
that are tied continuing playing until one is ahead. Each team
throws four washers per turn, and the winner of a hole throws first
on the next hole. If there is a tie on a particular hole, the
priority remains unchanged for the next hole. Very young children
frequently want to go first, and the rules of the game can be bent
to allow them to do so. Up to four teams can play at one time, with
each team using playing pieces of different colors. Teams can have
one or two players, and for two-player teams, the players will
alternate turns, one tossing into each of the targets.
[0036] The layout and spacing for a more complex course are
provided in FIG. 13. Difficulty is proportional to the square of
the distance, so the same target will score twice as high from 20
feet as from 14 feet. Distances can be scaled to accommodate
preferences or the skill level of the players. When a complex
course is used, the game can continue until all players finish the
course, rather than ending when a predetermined number of points
have been scored.
[0037] The table below provides a sample scoring system for the
course shown in FIG. 13:
1 Middle Hole Distance Outer Target Target Inner Target 1 14' 1 3 5
2 20' 2 -- 10 3 14' 3 -- 5 4 20' 2 -- -- 5 14' 2 -- -- 6 14' 1 --
-- 7 20' 6 -- 10 8 14' 1 -- 5 9 20' 2 6 10
[0038] This scoring scheme purposefully includes a last hole that
is rich with points. By reserving a great number of points until
the end, the game will remain interesting and competitive for the
entire playing period.
[0039] The modified Washers game disclosed herein is appropriate
for people of virtually all ages and abilities. The game reduces
the predictability of traditional Washers, by providing for holes
of varying layout and difficulty. The game kit also is much more
portable than the one used in traditional Washers.
[0040] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present
invention can be practiced by other than the preferred embodiments,
which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of
limitation.
* * * * *