U.S. patent application number 13/740208 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for teardrop ring tossing game.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joe Arroyo. Invention is credited to Joe Arroyo.
Application Number | 20130127117 13/740208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45934628 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130127117 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arroyo; Joe |
May 23, 2013 |
Teardrop Ring Tossing Game
Abstract
The present invention includes a game of skill and a game piece
generally comprising a single strip having first and second ends,
wherein said first and second ends are attached to one another to
form a single endless ring having a corner on one side of said ring
and a teardrop-shaped opposing side opposite said corner. In some
embodiments the ring is a single continuous piece. Alternative
embodiments of the present invention call for the game piece to be
flexible, and for utilizing attachment mechanisms and curvature
retention mechanisms to further adjust and retain the curvature of
the ring, all for the purpose of affecting the trajectory of the
ring when thrown.
Inventors: |
Arroyo; Joe; (Fresno,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Arroyo; Joe |
Fresno |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
45934628 |
Appl. No.: |
13/740208 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12905926 |
Oct 15, 2010 |
8353792 |
|
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13740208 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/336 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 67/06 20130101;
A63B 65/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/336 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/06 20060101
A63B067/06 |
Claims
1. A method of providing entertainment comprising the step of
throwing a game piece in a lateral direction with the object of
causing the game piece to land in a certain place, said game piece
comprising a single continuous open-ended teardrop-shaped ring
formed from a flat strip that is bendable in a first plane but not
bendable in a second plane perpendicular to said first plane, said
strip having opposite ends that are attached to each other forming
a corner, said piece having an open interior such that said game
piece travels in a non-parabolic trajectory when thrown.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein throwing the game piece comprises
axially rotating the game piece in the first plane.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the axial rotation results in a
sharp downward change in a trajectory of the thrown game piece.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting an angle of
the corner, wherein adjusting the angle of the corner influences a
trajectory of the thrown game piece.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the opposite ends of the strip
are attached by an adjustable joint having an angle that is
adjustable within the first plane.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said strip is deformable to
adjust an interior angle of the corner.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the deformability of said strip
at a side opposite to the corner is greater than the deformability
of the rest of said strip.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said game piece has a generally
piriform cross-sectional shape.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said game piece has a generally
lemniscates cross-sectional shape.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the corner has an interior angle
of less than about one hundred degrees.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of said
game piece is at a different location than the geometric center of
said game piece.
12. A method of providing entertainment comprising the steps of: a.
making a first throw of a game piece at a first velocity with the
object of causing the game piece to land at a targeted place, the
game piece comprising a single continuous tear drop-shaped ring
formed from a flat strip that is bendable in a first plane but not
bendable in a second plane perpendicular to said first plane, said
strip having opposite ends that are attached to each other forming
a corner, the game piece having an open interior such that said
game piece travels in a non-parabolic trajectory when thrown; b.
observing where said game piece lands in comparison to said
targeted place following said throw; and c. making a second throw
of one of said game piece or an identical game piece at a second
velocity to land closer to said targeted place.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein an axial rotation is imparted
to said game piece during said first throw.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein an axial rotation is imparted
to said game piece during said second throw.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein a first axial rotation is
imparted to said game piece during said first throw, and a second
axial rotation is imparted to said game piece during said second
throw.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the same axial rotation is
imparted to said game piece during said first throw, and during
said second throw.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the center of gravity of said
game piece is at a different location than the geometric center of
said game piece.
18. A method of providing entertainment comprising throwing a game
piece with the object of contacting a target, the game piece
comprising a flat strip of material, the ends of which are
connected at an acute angle to form a tear-drop cross-sectional
shape with an open interior, wherein throwing the game piece
includes inducing axial rotation in the first plane and the thrown
game piece travels in a non-parabolic trajectory when thrown.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/905,926, filed Oct. 15, 2010, pending, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a game of skill played by
one or more participants, and more particularly, to an apparatus
and method for playing a game wherein the participants attempt to
throw a ring-shaped object onto or near a designated target.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] A category of games exist wherein the participants attempt
to score points by throwing objects onto, or near, a designated
target. The number of points earned by each participant is
generally determined by the frequency with which his or her objects
contact the target, or in other scenarios, by the proximity of the
objects to the target. After each round of play, the participant or
team best satisfying the scoring rules of the particular game (such
as by having the highest number of points) is deemed the
winner.
[0006] Horseshoes is one example of such a game. The objective of
the game is for the participants to throw a "horseshoe" onto, or
near, a stationary vertically-inclined pole. The "horseshoe" is an
open-ended ring having two legs in close proximity to one another,
with an open distance between the ends of the legs. When thrown,
the shape of the "horseshoe" causes it to travel in a "smooth"
trajectory (generally symmetrical on both sides of a vertical axis
centered at the trajectory apex, and having progressive changes in
altitude along the length of such trajectory), while rotating in a
circular manner around its center point. The greatest number of
points is scored if the "horseshoe" is thrown around the pole,
although points are also scored for touching the pole, or landing
in close proximity thereto.
[0007] Another example is the carnival game of tossing circular
rings and attempting to cause them to encircle the top of one of
many bottles or other upstanding objects. When tossed toward the
target, the spherical shape of the ring causes it to travel in a
smooth trajectory. Points are scored, or prizes are won, if the
ring stays on the upstanding object.
[0008] Other games provide variations of the same concept, wherein
objects thrown by the participants must contact, or land in close
proximity to, the target. Depending upon the particular game, these
objects travel in one of two common trajectories--a trajectory
(such as when balls or beanbags are tossed in an underhanded
fashion) or a generally horizontal trajectory (such as the
projection of arrows and darts, wherein the velocity of the object
and the proximity of the target allow for minimal gravitational
effects).
[0009] However, the limited variations of these trajectories allow
participants of one game to gain a certain level of proficiency in
a similar game within a short period of time. This ease of
proficiency may quickly lead to boredom and a decreased desire to
continue playing such games. In addition, the smooth trajectories
provided by rings or horseshoes often make it difficult to cause
them to land such that they encircle the intended upstanding
object.
[0010] It is therefore desirable to provide new or different
features for such games in order to stimulate or revitalize
interest therein.
[0011] It is also desirable to provide a throwable object that
provides a unique trajectory that is more conducive to landing on
and encircling an upstanding object.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is an endless ring having a generally
teardrop, lemniscates or piriform shape, a point or corner therein,
and an oppositely positioned elliptical shape. Since a single
corner is provided, the angle of this corner is often, but not
always, determined by the length of the ring. The particular
curvature of one side will directly affect the curvature of the
opposite and adjacent sides.
[0013] In its most basic embodiment, the present invention
generally comprises a single elongate strip of material, wherein
the two ends of the strip are attached to one another. The two ends
of the strip form a corner or joint, and the remainder of the strip
forms the elliptical ring. The corner may be secured by any one or
combination of devices for temporarily or permanently securing two
objects to one another, such as a weld or adhesives, or
alternatively, the present invention may be formed from a single,
continuous piece of material.
[0014] One alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizes
an adjustable end attachment mechanism, to which the two ends of
the strip are attached. The adjustable end attachment mechanism may
comprise multi-position interlocking latches or hinges, one or more
interchangeable or interlocking plates, or any other commonly
available mechanism for securing the ends of the strip and
adjusting the angle of the corner formed by said ends. Said
adjustable end attachment mechanism allows participants to adjust
the angle at which the two strip ends meet, and thereby adjust the
shape of the ring.
[0015] Another alternative embodiment of the present invention
utilizes a flexible strip constructed from bendable plastics,
rubber, thin metals or other flexible materials, and a curvature
retention mechanism for adjusting the curvature of one or more
portions of the body, and retaining the curvature once adjusted.
The curvature retention mechanism may comprise a flexible or
inflexible tube, movable or expandable slides, multi-position
interlocking latches or hinges, one or more interchangeable or
interlocking plates, or any other commonly available mechanism for
fixing the curvature of the present invention. Alternatively, said
curvature may be retained without a separate curvature retention
mechanism by utilizing a flexible strip that is capable of
retaining its shape once formed.
[0016] The purpose of these adjustments, either to the angle at
which the two ends of the strip meet, or to the curvature of the
present invention, is to allow participants to affect the
trajectory of the present invention when the present invention is
thrown. This allows participants to utilize trajectories other than
the two traditional trajectories described above. It is to be
appreciated that the present invention may utilize features from
one or both, or none, of the alternative embodiments, as well as
other features.
[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide new or different features for ring-throwing games in order
to stimulate or revitalize interest therein.
[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to allow
players to affect the trajectory of a thrown ring by adjusting the
shape or length of the ring so that its trajectory.
[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
throwable object that flies according to a unique trajectory that
is more conducive to landing upon, and encircling, an upstanding
object.
[0020] Additional objects of the invention will be apparent from
the detailed descriptions and the claims herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1a is an illustration of the basic embodiment of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 1b is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention, utilizing an adjustable end attachment
mechanism.
[0023] FIG. 1c is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention, utilizing a curvature retention mechanism to
fix the curvature of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2a is an illustration of a common trajectory used when
an object, such as a ball or beanbag, is tossed in an underhanded
fashion.
[0025] FIG. 2b is an illustration of one possible trajectory of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
and referring particularly to FIG. 1a, it is seen that the present
invention, in its most basic embodiment, comprises a single strip
of material 10, wherein the two ends of the strip 10a and 10b are
attached to form corner 11. The two ends 10a and 10b forming corner
11 may be secured by any one or combination of methods, such as a
weld or adhesives. The remainder of the strip 10 forms an
elliptical ring with an opposing side 12 opposite the corner 11. In
other embodiments, the game piece of the present invention may be
made of a continuous, integrated piece of material having an open
center and at least one angled corner.
[0027] It should be appreciated that the particular angle of the
corner 11 will affect the curvature of the present invention. For
example, if corner 11 is narrowly angled, as depicted in FIG. 1a,
the opposing side 12 will have a tighter curvature. On the other
hand, if corner 11 is widely angled, the opposing side 12 will have
a broader curvature.
[0028] FIG. 1b depicts an alternative embodiment of the present
invention, comprising a flexible strip 10' and an adjustable end
attachment mechanism 11'. The adjustable end attachment mechanism
11' comprises a multi-position interlocking latch or hinge that
allows participants to adjust the angle of the mechanism 11'. As
with the basic embodiment described above, a narrow angle for
mechanism 11', as depicted in FIG. 1b, will result in a tighter
curvature for opposing side 12' if opposing side 12' has a lower
tensile strength than the remainder of the strip 10', while a wider
angle for mechanism 11' will result in a broader curvature for
opposing side 12'. The flexibility of strip 10', and the use of a
multi-position mechanism 11', will allow the present invention to
take on any number of shapes, e.g., an oval-like shape with various
degrees of curvature along its body if the arms of mechanism 11'
(which receive strip ends 10a' and 10b') are placed at various
acute angles relative to one another, an oval-like shape with a
partially straight side if the arms of mechanism 11' are placed 180
degrees relative to one another, or a heart-like shape if the arms
of mechanism 11' are placed at an obtuse angle relative to one
another.
[0029] FIG. 1c depicts yet another alternative embodiment of the
present invention, comprising a flexible strip 10'', an adjustable
end attachment mechanism 11'', and a curvature retention mechanism
12''. In this particular embodiment, the curvature retention
mechanism 12'' comprises an inflexible tube through which the
flexible strip 10'' is threaded, and which causes the curvature of
the present invention to conform to the shape of the curvature
retention mechanism 12''. Additional or alternate curvature
retention mechanisms 12'' of different shapes and lengths may be
utilized to further define the shape of the present invention. It
should be appreciated that a single flexible or otherwise
adjustable curvature retention mechanism 12'' may be utilized in
lieu of multiple curvature retention mechanisms, or alternatively,
that a curvature retention mechanism 12'' may be unnecessary if the
flexible strip 10' retains its shape once formed.
[0030] The shape of the proposed invention causes it to travel at a
modified trajectory when thrown by the participant. Such
modification is best demonstrated by comparing the trajectory of
the proposed invention to the trajectory of the prior art. FIG. 2a
depicts the trajectory of a softball. A participant stands at
location x.sub.0, and holds the softball at a vertical height of
y.sub.0. When the softball is tossed toward the target T at a
certain angle and trajectory, it travels along a smooth trajectory
(with due consideration for gravity), crossing the vertical plane
y.sub.0 again at location x.sub.2. It maintains a predictable
trajectory until it contacts or falls near the target T.
[0031] FIG. 2b depicts the modified trajectory of the present
invention, wherein the present invention is in the form generally
depicted in FIG. 1a. A participant stands at the same location
x.sub.0, and holds the present invention at the same vertical
height of y.sub.0. The invention is tossed toward the target T,
with or without an axial rotation, at the same angle and velocity
as described with respect to FIG. 2a. It begins its arc along the
same trajectory depicted in FIG. 2a. However, the shape of the
present invention, and its rate of axial rotation, causes it to
fall short partway through the previous trajectory, resulting in an
intersection of vertical plane y.sub.o at location x.sub.1, rather
than at location x.sub.2.
[0032] Thus, in order to contact target T with the present
invention, the participant must adjust his or her throwing
trajectory to compensate for the sudden drop caused by the shape of
the present invention. As the timing and location of the drop will
depend upon the shape of the present invention as it is used during
that particular play, the participants must be able to determine
the timing of the drop based upon the shape of the invention. A
participant skilled with tossing a softball (with the trajectory
generally depicted in FIG. 2a) will not necessarily have an
advantage when tossing the present invention, as there may be many
varying potential trajectories based upon the particular shape of
the invention during that particular play. Furthermore, such a drop
may be advantageous in the playing of carnival or other games in
that the present invention may be thrown such that it neatly drops
over an upstanding object.
[0033] In use, participants in a game utilizing the present
invention as depicted in FIG. 1c, would position the arms of the
adjustable end attachment mechanism 11' at an angle determined in
any number of ways, e.g. randomly, according to a particular
playbook, or by a consensus of the participants. The participants
would also attach a curvature retention mechanism 13 to the
opposing side 12. Upon preparing the present invention in such a
manner, the participants will commence the game using the
particular rules established for that game, which may comprise the
commonly known rules for horseshoes, the carnival ring toss game,
or any other number of games.
[0034] It is to be understood that other variations and
modifications of the present invention may be made without
departing from the scope thereof. It is also to be understood that
the present invention is not to be limited by the specific
embodiments disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the
appended claims when read in light of the foregoing
specification.
* * * * *