U.S. patent application number 10/899599 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-02 for portable washer tossing game.
Invention is credited to Thomas J. Zimmermann.
Application Number | 20060022409 10/899599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35731244 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060022409 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zimmermann; Thomas J. |
February 2, 2006 |
Portable washer tossing game
Abstract
A portable washer tossing game is described which includes a
cylindrical carrying case having two ends, a plurality of washers,
and at least two scoring boxes configured for storage within the
carrying case along with the washers and further configurable to
form a plurality of side walls. The game also includes a plurality
of rigid channels configured to engage and stabilize the side
walls. The game also includes two end caps configured to engage
respective ends of the carrying case. The end caps are also
configured for use as scoring cups when attached to the scoring
boxes.
Inventors: |
Zimmermann; Thomas J.;
(O'Fallon, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patrick W. Rasche;Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Suite 2600
One Metropolitan Square
St. Louis
MO
63102
US
|
Family ID: |
35731244 |
Appl. No.: |
10/899599 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/400 ;
273/336 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 67/06 20130101;
A63B 2067/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/400 ;
273/336 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/06 20060101
A63B067/06 |
Claims
1. A washer tossing game comprising: a hollow, cylindrical carrying
case comprising two ends; a plurality of washers; at least two
scoring boxes configurable for storage within said carrying case
along with said washers, wherein said scoring boxes are adaptable
to form a plurality of side walls; a plurality of rigid channels
configured to engage and stabilize the side walls; and two end caps
configured to engage respective said ends of said carrying case,
said end caps also configured for use as scoring cups when attached
to said scoring boxes.
2. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 wherein said scoring
boxes are configured to be rolled into a substantial cylindrical
shape for insertion into said carrying case.
3. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 wherein said scoring
boxes are configured with rectangular slots formed therein allowing
folding of portions of said scoring boxes to form a plurality of
substantially vertical side walls.
4. A washer tossing game according to claim 3 wherein said side
walls comprise at least one of an end tab and an end, said end tab
configured to fold around said end of an adjacent side wall.
5. A washer tossing game according to claim 4 wherein said end tab
and said end are configured with retention devices, said retention
devices configured to cause said end tab to remain in substantial
contact with the adjacent side wall.
6. A washer tossing game according to claim 5 wherein said
retention devices comprise at least one of an adhesive, a snap
fitting fastener, and a hook and loop type fastener.
7. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 wherein said end caps
each comprise a bottom, each said bottom comprising an attachment
mechanism for attaching said end caps to said scoring boxes.
8. A washer tossing game according to claim 7 wherein said
attachment mechanism comprises one of an adhesive, a snap fitting
fastener, and a hook and loop type fastener.
9. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 wherein said scoring
boxes comprise one of a rubber sheet, a woven material, and sheet
plastic.
10. A washer tossing game according to claim 9 wherein said scoring
boxes comprises one of an adhesive, a snap fitting fastener, and a
hook and loop type fastener approximate a center of said scoring
box for engaging one of said end caps.
11. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 wherein said end
caps comprise one of a plastic and a metal.
12. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 wherein said
carrying case comprises one of a plastic and a metal.
13. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 further comprising a
carrying strap configured to engage said carrying case.
14. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 wherein to engage
said ends of said carrying case, said end caps are configured with
an inside diameter that fits snugly around an outside diameter of
said ends of said carrying case.
15. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 wherein an inside
diameter of said end caps and said ends of said carrying case
comprise molded protrusions and indentations providing a snap fit
of said end caps onto said ends of said carrying case.
16. A washer tossing game according to claim 1 wherein an inside
diameter of said end caps and said ends of said carrying case each
comprise threads, said threads on said end caps configured to
engage said threads on said ends of said carrying case.
17. A scoring box for a washer tossing game, said scoring box
comprising: a substantially rectangular sheet material that that be
rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape for storage, said
substantially rectangular sheet comprising: a plurality of slots
formed therein, said slots enabling a user to form side walls, the
side walls each having an end, for said box from said sheet
material; and a plurality of end tabs, said end tabs resulting from
the formation of said slots, said end tabs configured for folding
around the end of the wall, a portion of each said end tab adjacent
a portion of the wall; a plurality of rigid channels configured to
engage and stabilize the side walls; and a plurality of retention
devices configured to retain said end tabs in a position adjacent
the respective wall.
18. A scoring box according to claim 17 wherein said sheet material
comprises one of a sheet rubber, a woven material, and a sheet
plastic.
19. A scoring box for a washer tossing game, said scoring box
comprising a sheet material that that be rolled into a
substantially cylindrical shape for storage and a plurality of
rigid channels configured to engage and stabilize portions of said
sheet material, said sheet comprising: a substantially square
bottom portion having four sides; a plurality of substantially
rectangular side portions, each said side portion comprising a
first end and a second end opposite said first end, one said side
portion extending from each side of said bottom portion, said side
portion configured to be folded upward from said bottom portion to
form walls, said first end configured for attachment to said second
end of an adjacent side portion, said rigid channels configured to
engage and stabilize the walls.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to washer tossing games and
more particularly, to a portable washer tossing game apparatus.
[0002] Traditionally, washer tossing games include two scoring
boxes each having a can or a cup mounted within. The scoring boxes
include an interior portion for capturing tossed washers. At least
some of the known washer tossing games include scoring boxes
constructed from wood pieces attached in a rectangular or square
shape with a bottom piece of wood attached thereto. In the simplest
of forms, the cup attached therein is a paint can or other
container that can be attached to the bottom piece of wood. The
washers tossed into the cans within the scoring boxes are scored at
a higher point level than washers tossed into the scoring
boxes.
[0003] While functional, such home made washer tossing games are
not easily portable to gatherings and events away from the home and
present a bit of a storage problem. Some washer tossing games are
known to exist where the scoring boxes and cup are formed from a
single piece of extruded plastic and are stackable. While
alleviating the portability and storage problems somewhat, it is
believed that another solution to portability and storage would be
beneficial.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, a washer tossing game is provided which
comprises a cylindrical carrying case comprising two ends, a
plurality of washers, and at least two scoring boxes configured for
storage within the carrying case along with the washers. The
scoring boxes are adaptable to form a plurality of side walls and
the game also comprises a plurality of rigid channels configured to
engage and stabilize the side walls. The washer tossing game
further comprises two end caps configured to engage respective ends
of the carrying case. The end caps are also configured for use as
scoring cups when attached to the scoring boxes.
[0005] In another aspect, a scoring box for a washer tossing game
is provided. The scoring box comprises a substantially rectangular
sheet material that may be rolled into a substantially cylindrical
shape for storage. The sheet further comprises a plurality of slots
formed therein enabling a user to form side walls, the side walls
each having an end, for the box. The sheet further comprises a
plurality of end tabs resulting from the formation of the slots.
The end tabs are configured for folding around the end of the wall,
a portion of each end tab configured to be adjacent to a portion of
the wall. The scoring box further comprises a plurality of
retention devices configured to retain the end tabs in a position
adjacent the respective wall.
[0006] In still another aspect, a scoring box for a washer tossing
game is provided which comprises a sheet material that that be
rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape for storage and a
plurality of rigid channels configured to engage and stabilize
portions of the sheet material. The sheet comprises a substantially
square bottom portion having four sides, a plurality of
substantially rectangular side portions, each side portion
comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end. One
side portion extends from each side of the bottom portion, and each
side portion is configured to be folded upward from the bottom
portion to form walls. The first end is configured for attachment
to the second end of an adjacent side portion. The rigid channels
are configured to engage and stabilize the walls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a breakout view of a portable washer tossing
game.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of an unassembled scoring box for the
portable washer tossing game of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a
scoring box for the portable washer tossing game of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a view of the scoring box of FIG. 2, assembled,
and with a cup placed therein.
[0011] FIG. 5 is an end view of a rigid channel for strengthening
side walls of the scoring box of FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a cup for the portable washer
tossing game of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating operation of the portable
washer tossing game of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] FIG. 1 is a breakout view of a portable washer tossing game
10. Game 10 includes a hollow, cylindrical carrying case 12 having
a strap 14 which serves as a handle or shoulder strap, and a
plurality of scoring boxes 16 that are configured to be rolled for
insertion and storage within carrying case 12. Game 10 further
includes two end caps 18 and a plurality of washers 20. In various
embodiments, washers 20 are coated with a plastic, a rubber, a
paint, or a powdered coating which can supply a coloring to washers
20, and therefore enable an ease of recovery of tossed washers. The
various coatings may also lessen a bounce of a tossed washer 20,
improving a quality of the game. End caps 18 are configured to fit
onto and engage ends 22 of carrying case 12. End caps 18 are
further configured to be utilized as cups which are placed in a
center of scoring boxes 16 for reception of one or more well tossed
washers 20 as further described herein. As such, end caps 18 and
cups 18 are referred to interchangeably herein.
[0015] For storage, and as described above, scoring boxes 16 are
configured to be rolled up into a substantial cylindrical shape and
inserted into carrying case 12 for storage. In the preferred
embodiment, the rolling of scoring boxes 16 will result in a bundle
24 of a size that fits snugly within carrying case 12. In one
embodiment, washers 20 are then placed within carrying case 12 at
one or more ends 26 of bundles 24 and end caps 18 are placed onto
ends 22 of carrying case 12. While any number of embodiments exist,
in one preferred embodiment, end caps 18 are configured with an
inside diameter that fits snugly around an outside diameter of
carrying case 12. In another embodiment, outside diameter of
carrying case 12 and inside diameter of end caps 18 are configured
with molded protrusions (not shown) and indentations respectively
that allow for a snap fit of end caps 18 onto carrying case 12.
Still another embodiment incorporates threads on the outside
diameter of carrying case 12 and inside diameter of end caps 18.
Again, many embodiments for end caps 18 and carrying case 12 exist,
and in one particular embodiment both are formed from a plastic,
which allows for easy coloring of the various pieces. The various
pieces may also be formed from a clear material. In another
embodiment, end caps 18 and carrying case 12 are constructed from a
lightweight metal. In one embodiment, strap 14 has an adjustable
length allowing for sizing to the particular person carrying game
10.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of one unassembled scoring box 16 for
portable washer tossing game 10 (shown in FIG. 1). In one
embodiment, scoring boxes 16 are made from a material that is easy
to roll up for storage, also lays out flat easily without
attempting to retain the rolled up configuration. One preferred
material is a sheet rubber. Other materials includes certain sheet
plastics and certain heavier woven materials that can retain a
shape.
[0017] Scoring box 16 is a substantially rectangular sheet with a
plurality of narrow rectangular slots 30 formed therein.
Rectangular slots 30 allow the folding of side walls 32 and side
walls 34 upward to form the walls of scoring box 16. The formation
of narrow slots 30 also result in side walls 34 having end tabs 36
at each end which are then folded around respective ends 38 of side
wall 32 to substantially complete assembly of vertical walls of
scoring boxes 16. In one embodiment, scoring box 16 includes
retention devices 40 near ends 38 of side walls 32 and on tabs 36.
Retention devices 40 are utilized such that end tabs 36 remain in
substantial contact with side walls 32 upon folding. Examples of
retention devices 40 include adhesives which can be easily
separated, hook and loop type fasteners, snap fitting fasteners,
and other similar fasteners. It should be noted that FIG. 2 is one
of many possible configurations for side walls 32 and other
configurations are contemplated, for example, each side wall 32 and
34 can be configured with a single end tab 36 configured to engage
the adjacent side wall 32 and 34. In another embodiment (not
shown), side walls 32 and 34 are respectively configured with a
slot formed therein for insertion of a folded portion of the
adjacent side wall.
[0018] A cup mount 42 is located near the substantial center of
scoring box 16 for placement of one of end caps 18. Cup mount 42 is
also selected from one of the adhesives, and hook and loop type,
snap fitting, and similar fasteners above described. The arrows
indicate one of the directions from which scoring box 16 can be
rolled up into the substantial cylindrical shape.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of a
scoring box 50 for a washer tossing game. Scoring box 50 is also
formed from a sheet material, for example, sheet rubber, that that
be rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape for storage, for
example, within carrying case 12 (shown in FIG. 1). Scoring box 50
includes a substantially square bottom portion 52 having four sides
54. Scoring box 50 further includes a plurality of substantially
rectangular side portions 56, each side portion 56 having a first
end 58 and a second end 60 opposite first end 58. Upon folding,
each side portion 56 extends upward from the respective side 54 of
bottom portion 52 forming walls. First ends 58 are configured for
attachment to adjacent second ends 60 such that the resulting walls
retain their substantially upward fold. A cup mount 42 is located
near the substantial center of scoring box 50 for placement of one
of end caps 18 as described above and utilizing the fastening
methods described above.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a view of the scoring box 16 of FIG. 2, assembled,
and with an end cap 18 placed therein. FIG. 4 illustrates end tabs
36 of side walls 34 wrapped around and affixed to ends 38 (not
shown in FIG. 4) of side walls 32 to form the substantially
vertical walls of scoring box 16. In addition, FIG. 4 includes a
view of an optional accessory which can be utilized with scoring
boxes 16. Specifically, on side wall 42 a substantially rigid
channel 70 is fitted on to a substantial portion of top 72 of side
wall 42. As scoring boxes 16 are fabricated from materials that are
easily rolled for insertion into carrying case 12, for example,
sheet rubber, side walls 32 and 34 tend to be somewhat flexible
when scoring boxes 16 are assembled. Therefore, the striking of
side walls 32 and 34 by a tossed washer 20 may tend to flex the
struck wall, resulting in a less than true bounce off the wall.
Further, the flexible nature of the sheet rubber may result in a
side wall 32 and 34 that is bowed in one or more of the vertical
and horizontal directions upon assembly of scoring box 16. To
provide a solution, individual rigid channels 70 may be inserted
onto respective side walls 32 and 34 to provide an improved shape
and rigidity to the walls of scoring boxes 16.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an end view of one embodiment of a rigid channel
70. As shown, rigid channel 70 includes two substantially parallel
side members 74 connected by an end portion 76 thereby forming
channel 78 which engages portion of side walls 32 and 34 of scoring
boxes 16. In a particular embodiment, channel 78 has a width that
provides for a snug fit with side walls 32 and 34 such that rigid
channel 70 is easily held in place on one of the side walls of
scoring box 16. In a particular embodiment, portable washer tossing
game 10 includes eight rigid channels 70, one for each of side
walls 32 and 34 of the two scoring boxes 16 of game 10. For storage
within carrying case 12, rigid channels 70 are placed within the
substantial cylindrical shape of rolled up scoring boxes 16.
Alternatively, scoring boxes 16 are rolled around the group of
rigid channels 70 and placed within carrying case 12. Rigid
channels 70 are also operable with scoring box 50 (shown in FIG.
3).
[0022] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of cup 18 for portable washer
tossing game 10. FIG. 6 illustrates a retention device 80 which
retains end cap 18 on cup mount 42 (shown in FIG. 2). Retention
device 80 also is one of the adhesives, snap fitting fasteners, and
hook and loop type fasteners above described.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating operation of portable washer
tossing game 10. Scoring boxes 16 are placed a distance apart with
end caps 18 inserted therein. The players toss washers 20 from an
area 90 near or behind one scoring box 16 towards the other scoring
box 16 attempting to land the washers inside the other scoring box
16 and preferably within end cap 18, for a higher point value,
similar to the game of horseshoes.
[0024] Washer tossing game 10 provides a solution to the problems
of storing and portability of known washer tossing games by
providing scoring boxes 16 that can be substantially reduced in
size as compared to known washer tossing game scoring boxes. In
addition, game 10 provides storage for washers 20 and utilizes end
caps 18 as both part of the game and as part of the storage
solution. Embodiments where the retention device utilized for
holding end caps 18 in place are also utilized for attachment to
the carrying strap 14 are also contemplated. Other embodiments of
game 10 are also foreseen, for example, embodiments where cups 18
and rigid channels 70 are formed from a glow in the dark material
or incorporate other lighting methods for playing game 10 after
sunset. It is believed that the portability and storage
capabilities herein described will result in an increased
popularity to washer tossing.
[0025] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the claims.
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