U.S. patent application number 14/067919 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for portable tethered ring toss game apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ryan Vanston. Invention is credited to Ryan Vanston.
Application Number | 20150115530 14/067919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52994510 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150115530 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vanston; Ryan |
April 30, 2015 |
Portable Tethered Ring Toss Game Apparatus
Abstract
A ring and hook game (1) has a number of components that allow
for the construction and disassembly of an apparatus that allows
for play of the game without the use of existing, stationary
structures. The main components of the apparatus structure include
a vertical structural support (2), a horizontal structural support
(3), and a base stand (11). The main components that allow for play
of the game include a string (10), a hook (8), and a hook base (6).
The combination of both the mobile structure and basic components
for play of the game is seen as useful and desirable.
Inventors: |
Vanston; Ryan; (Throop,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vanston; Ryan |
Throop |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52994510 |
Appl. No.: |
14/067919 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/332 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/0208 20130101;
A63B 67/10 20130101; A63B 2067/063 20130101; A63B 67/06 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 71/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/332 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/02 20060101
A63F009/02; A63B 67/10 20060101 A63B067/10 |
Claims
1. A ring and hook game apparatus that provides structural support
for game play and the ability for transformation to allow for
simple transport. The portable ring and hook game apparatus
comprising of: a. Structural supports that allow for attachment of;
b. A string; and c. A base for a hook.
2. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a structure that
is portable by means of collapse or disconnection
3. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a structure that
is collapsible by use of a pivoting mechanism or allow for physical
separation of components.
4. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 can be separated
into components as described in claim 3. The components can be
constructed with instructions by use of a visual system like color
coding connecting pieces or physically by connecting conjoining
pieces with guide string.
5. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a hook base that
is adjustable with respect to the support structure.
6. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a hook base of
claim 5 that can be adjusted without the use of tools.
7. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a hook base of
claim 5 that allows for the connection of a hook.
8. The ring and hook game apparatus of claim 1 has a hook base of
claim 5 that has a surface for decorations or visual art.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional patent application is based on and
herein claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) from its
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/722,199, filed Nov. 4, 2012,
entitled "Portable Tethered Ring Toss Game Apparatus," by the same
inventor.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] This invention relates to a skill game which involves a
portable structure and a "ring-and-hook" methodology.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The game described herein is not unique and has been
commonly known as "Bimini Ring" which has been played for hundreds
of years. The game itself is not new and the basic items required
are a hook, a ring and string. Typically, this game is played
utilizing the existing features of a home, other existing
structure, or features of nature (tree to attach the string and
hook). The object of the game is to direct the ring, that is
attached to a string, onto a hook staged a distance away from the
player.
[0006] Previous ring toss games used existing structures such as a
ceiling and wall arrangements described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,019.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,009,702 describes the same basic premise, but a
support arm is attached to the ceiling and wall.
[0007] Other ring toss games exist which claim a similar game type,
for example, by Hilbert and Parrish in U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,664.
This invention claims arms pivotably mountable and two or more
ring-like members. Issues that arise with this arrangement can
include rings getting tangled during play as well as string lengths
that can hinder game performance. The claimed apparatus consisting
of ball-like joints and telescoping members can be expensive to
construct and allows for mechanisms of failure when used
repeatedly. Furthermore, the apparatus does not provide
adjustability when playing on an uneven surface leaving some
players at a disadvantage. Finally, the use of a fixed hook can
lead to decreased performance because small adjustments in either
the string length or hook position are required for game play. This
is due to the fact that the degree of tolerance for success is
small. Minor misalignments in these two components can reduce
playability.
[0008] The same lack of adjustability is seen in U.S. Pat. No.
4,564,200 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,918.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,918 makes a claim that an open area
behind the target hook is beneficial because it allows for free
movement of the ring. The invention described herein claims to
specify a base be specified behind the target hook to act as a
stopping mechanism and allow for more successful play. Also the
base can be used for the placement of visual graphics.
[0010] A major disadvantage of prior art relating to this ring toss
invention is the lack of portability, design for manufacture, and
lack of marketing ability. The invention described herein allows
for portability when disassembled, basic components for
constructability, and a unique board that allows for the placement
of advertisements, marketing material, logos, trademarks, or other
visual arts.
SUMMARY
[0011] The game apparatus according to the present invention
overcomes the limitation of current game apparatuses and provides a
solution to allow for optimal game play within a transportable
arrangement. This is a vast improvement over the design
characteristics of prior art ring and hook games that limit play to
areas where existing, permanent structures are need for game play.
This system must be easily stored when not in use and be
transportable. The ring toss game apparatus of the present
invention is designed to use a minimum number of required pieces of
equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In order to better understand the invention more clearly,
convenient embodiments will now be described, by way of example
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the components comprised to
allow for play of the game.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the ideal arrangement of the
hook base for adjustability.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows components that comprise the base of the game
apparatus.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a connected game apparatus in an
isometric view.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows the same arrangement and view as FIG. 4 but
with the detachable joints disconnected from each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The game apparatus according to the present invention
overcomes the limitation of current game apparatuses and provides a
solution to allow for optimal game play within a transportable
arrangement. This is a vast improvement over the design
characteristics of prior art ring and hook games that limit play to
areas where existing, permanent structures are need for game play.
This system must be easily stored when not in use and be
transportable. The ring toss game apparatus of the present
invention is designed to use a minimum number of required pieces of
equipment.
[0019] FIG. 1. shows the ring and hook game (1) with multiple
components used to create a structure in order to provide a
stationary connection (9) for a string (10) by which a ring (8)
attached. The ring (8) can then be maneuvered with the intent to
place the ring (8) on the hook (7) attached to a hook base (6) on
the vertical structural support (2) of the game structure. The
attachment between the hook base (6) and the vertical structural
support (2) is made by an adjustable connection or clamp (5). The
vertical structural support (2) is connected to the horizontal
structural support (3) by means of a connecting joint (4). The
connecting joint (4) can either be on a rotating pivot or allow for
detachment from the vertical structural support (2) and horizontal
structural support (3) to allow for the game apparatus to be stored
in a compact arrangement for transportability. The apparatus
contains a base structure (11) from which the vertical support
structure (2) is attached. The base structure (11) shown in FIG. 1
is shown in a perpendicular arrangement with a single connection
location to the vertical support structure (2); however, the base
may be configured in other arrangements possibly with more
supporting members to allow for greater structural integrity.
[0020] In order for the game to be portable, the vertical and
horizontal structural supports (2) and (3) in FIG. 1 could possibly
have either have a telescoping feature, separated pieces, or can be
collapsible with a hinge, as examples. The separated pieces are
shown in FIG. 5. The collapsible hinge or adjustable pivot (4)
connecting the support (2) and (3) is shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] The adjustable pivot (4) would allow the device to remain in
one piece, fold in a tight arrangement for travel, and secure in
place when the game is being played. The adjustable pivot (4) could
be a fixed part if the setup requires that the game be separated
into multiple pieces (24) as shown in FIG. 5.
[0022] The ideal arrangement would allow setup without tools. This
concept is displayed as (24) in FIG. 5 for the overall structure
and as (17) in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2 the hook base (12) is connected to
the vertical structural support (16) by means of a clamp (13). The
clamp (13) is adjusted by a hand-tightening screw (14) and nut
(15). The detensioning of the hand-tightening screw would allow for
vertical adjustment in both directions. The vertical structural
support (16), hook base (12), and clamp (13) in FIG. 2 are the same
components as shown by (2), (6), and (5), respectively, in FIG. 1
with a different view.
[0023] The hook base (12), shown in FIG. 2, can be moved in the
vertical direction. The feature is advantageous because it is
difficult to tie the length of the string to an exact length and
this movement would optimize game setup and performance. It is
ideal that the tip of the hook is located in the middle of the ring
with the string taught and this motion allows for finer tuning
without changing the length of the string. The clamp (13) in FIG. 2
would still create enough frictional force to remain in place
during play of the game.
[0024] The base design (18) in FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of can
be held upright utilizing a few features. This embodiment shows a
base (18) that can also be portable with collapsible legs (20) and
(21). A collapsible feature can also be utilized which can involve
a tripod arrangement. Another arrangement can include a support
that can be inserted into the ground to act as a base. The purpose
of the base would be to support the structure of the game. Because
the game may not be played on flat surfaces, and ideal arrangement
would allow for the user to move the support leg so that it is
upright. This can be accomplished with adjustable legs or a
universal locking joint at the leg attachment with the stand. The
vertical structural support (19) in FIG. 3 is the same component as
shown by (2) in FIG. 1 with a different view. The collapsible legs
(20) and (21) shown in FIG. 3. Are the same components as depicted
by (11) in FIG. 1.
[0025] The connected fixed part arrangement (23) is shown in FIG.
4. The separated fixed part arrangement (24) is shown in FIG. 5.
For ease of construction by the user, the separated fixed part
arrangement may include a method to easily connect the pieces. This
can include a color coding system. This can also include a flexible
piece such as a string to be permanently within the structure that
physically demonstrates adjacent piece connections.
* * * * *