U.S. patent application number 14/276102 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-19 for toss game.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Prendergast. Invention is credited to Michael Prendergast.
Application Number | 20150328515 14/276102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54537686 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150328515 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prendergast; Michael |
November 19, 2015 |
Toss Game
Abstract
The present invention relates to a toss game, preferably an
American football themed toss game, that challenges players to
throw a projectile through one of a plurality of orifices on a
target board. A game board is also used in the present invention
and tracks a player's progress and scoring.
Inventors: |
Prendergast; Michael;
(Mattituck, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Prendergast; Michael |
Mattituck |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54537686 |
Appl. No.: |
14/276102 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/09 20130101;
A63B 67/06 20130101; A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 2243/0037
20130101; A63B 63/00 20130101; A63B 2243/007 20130101; A63B 43/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/06 20060101
A63B067/06 |
Claims
1. A toss game assembly for playing a toss game comprising: a
frame; a target board secured to said frame, said target board
being a substantially planar member and having a plurality of
orifices for receiving a projectile, wherein said orifices on said
target board have a means for catching said projectile, said
catching means being a net extending from said orifice to a
backing; and at least one game board secured to said frame in a
different location than said target board, said game board
including a game piece on a game play surface of said game board to
track the rewards and penalties of a player, wherein said toss game
is played by a player tossing said projectile at said target board
to attempt to toss said projectile through one of said plurality of
orifices, said player receiving a reward or a penalty for tossing
said projectile through one of said plurality of orifices and a
penalty or no reward for being unable to toss said projectile
through one of said plurality of orifices, said player tossing said
projectile at said target board from a certain distance away from
said target board.
2. The toss game assembly according to claim 1 wherein said frame
comprises: a first base member; a second base member substantially
parallel to said first base member; a cross base member extending
from a second end of said first base member to a second end of said
second base member; a first target board supporting member
extending from approximately a midpoint of the length of the first
base member to a distal end of said first target board supporting
member; a second target board supporting member extending in
substantially parallel alignment with said first target board
member from approximately a midpoint of the length of the second
base member to a distal end of said second target board supporting
member; a bottom cross member extending from a lower portion of the
first target board member to a lower portion of the second target
board supporting member; and a top cross member extending from an
upper portion of the first target board member to an upper portion
of the second target board supporting member, wherein said target
board is secured to said frame in an area of said frame defined by
the connection between the bottom cross member, top cross member,
first target board supporting member and second target board
supporting member, and wherein said game board is secured to the
frame on a front surface of the second target board supporting
member.
3. The toss game assembly according to claim 2 wherein a support
member extends outwardly from a surrounding edge of each of said
plurality of orifices to said backing of each of said plurality of
orifices to prevent said net and/or backing of said orifices from
obstructing one or more of the openings created by the other of
said orifices.
4. The toss game assembly according to claim 1 wherein the target
board is a square shape with nine orifices in a 3.times.3
arrangement.
5. The toss game assembly according to claim 4 wherein each of said
plurality of orifices includes a surrounding colored edge.
6. The toss game assembly according to claim 5 wherein the
3.times.3 arrangement includes a first column of three vertically
aligned orifices, a second column of three vertically aligned
orifices, and a third column of three vertically aligned orifices,
said first and third column orifices having a different colored
surrounding edge than said second column orifices.
7. The toss game assembly according to claim 6 wherein said second
column orifices includes a top, a middle, and a bottom orifice,
said colored surrounding edge of said top and bottom orifices
having the same colored surrounding edge and wherein said colored
surrounding edge of said top and bottom orifices of said second
column being a different color than said surrounding edge of said
first and third column orifices and said middle orifice of said
second column.
8. The toss game assembly according to claim 7 wherein said middle
orifice of said second column has a different colored surrounding
edge than said first and third column orifices and said top and
bottom orifices of said second column.
9. The toss game assembly according to claim 8 wherein said toss
game is an American football themed toss game that is played by at
least two players.
10. The toss game according to claim 9 wherein the first and third
column orifices correspond to the same reward or penalty when said
player tosses said projectile through said first and third column
orifices.
11. The toss game according to claim 10 wherein the top and bottom
orifice of the second column corresponds to the same reward or
penalty when said one of said at least two players tosses said
projectile through said top and bottom orifice of said second
column, said reward or penalty for said second column top and
bottom orifice being different than the reward or penalty for the
first and third column orifices.
12. The toss game according to claim 11 wherein the middle orifice
of the second column corresponds to the same reward or penalty when
said one of said at least two players tosses said projectile
through said middle orifice, said reward or penalty for said middle
orifice being different than said reward or penalty for said top
and bottom orifices of said second column top and said reward or
penalty for said first and third column orifices.
13. The toss game according to claim 12 wherein said game play
surface of said game board resembles the appearance of a miniature
American football field, said game play surface further including
markers on said game play surface that mimic the one-hundred yards
marked on an American football field.
14. The toss game according to claim 13 wherein tossing said
projectile into either of said first and third column orifices
corresponds to a reward of said game piece of said player being
moved five yards on said game play surface of said game board.
15. The toss game according to claim 14 wherein tossing said
projectile into either of said top and bottom orifices of said
second column corresponds to a reward of said game piece of said
player being moved ten yards on said game play surface of said game
board.
16. The toss game according to claim 15 wherein tossing said
projectile into said middle orifice of said second column by said
one of said at least two players corresponds to a penalty, said
penalty being an interception and an immediate change of turns from
said one of said at least two players to said other of said at
least two players.
17. The toss game according to claim 16 wherein said players have
four toss attempts to either score a point or accumulate at least
ten yards, said players being rewarded with another 4 toss attempts
if said players accumulates at least ten yards, wherein said at
least ten yards is measured by said markers on said game board.
18. The toss game according to claim 17 wherein said game board
further comprises at least two directly opposite scoring areas on
said game board and wherein two scoring markers on opposite ends of
said game board mark said two directly opposite scoring areas.
19. The toss game according to claim 18 wherein said players score
a point by accumulating enough yards to move said players'
corresponding game piece into one of said two scoring areas.
20. The toss game assembly according to claim 19 wherein said
projectile is a miniature foam football.
21. The toss game assembly according to claim 1 wherein said toss
game is tic-tac-toe.
22. The toss game assembly according to claim 1 wherein said toss
game is twenty-one.
23. The toss game assembly according to claim 1 wherein said frame
comprises: a first base member; a second base member substantially
parallel to said first base member; a first game board supporting
member extending perpendicularly from a first end of said first
base member to an oppositely situated distal end of said first game
board supporting member; a second game board supporting member
extending perpendicularly and in substantially parallel alignment
with said first game board supporting member from a first end of
said second base member to an oppositely situated distal end of
said second game board supporting member; a first target board
supporting member extending perpendicularly from said first base
member to a distal end of said first target board supporting
member; a second target board supporting member extending
perpendicularly and in substantially parallel alignment with said
first target board supporting member from said second base member
to a distal end of said second target board supporting member; a
bottom cross member extending from a lower portion of the first
target board member to a lower portion of the second target board
member; and a top cross member extending from an upper portion of
the first target board member to an upper portion of the second
target board member, wherein said target board is secured to said
frame in an area of said frame defined by the connection between
the bottom cross member, top cross member, first target board
supporting member and second target board supporting member, and
wherein said game board is secured to said distal ends of said
first and second game board supporting members.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/823,024, filed on May 14, 2013, the
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a toss game and, in
particular, an American football themed toss game that includes a
target board with a plurality of orifices and a game board that
tracks a player's progress along the field.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Encouraging physical activity among people of all ages, and
in particular, children of all ages is very important, especially
when the physical activity occurs with other participants. Not only
does the activity have physical benefits, such as physical
exercise, it also has mental benefits, such as helping to develop
camaraderie and relationships among other individuals. Developing
these relationships and camaraderie plays an important role in an
individual's mental health and development. The present invention
aims to encourage the aforesaid activity among individuals by
disclosing a new and enjoyable toss game that is preferably
football-themed.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a toss
game that allows one or more individuals to participate in a
recreational activity.
[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
new and enjoyable type of toss game that may have an American
football theme.
[0006] It is an even further object of the invention to provide a
toss game that encourages physical activity among individuals.
[0007] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
toss game that permits a user to play a number of different types
of games,
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a toss game assembly having
a target board with a plurality of orifices for receiving a
projectile and a game board for monitoring each player's movement
along the field and/or score. In particular, the toss game of the
present invention preferably has a football theme. The target board
may preferably be supported by frame members wherein the target
board may preferably be in a substantially vertical position such
that it is substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the
frame members rest. However, other angles for the target board are
possible depending on the desires and skill of the users. The game
board may be positioned on any one or more of the frame members.
Other positions, however, for the target board and game board may
alternatively be used. For example, the game board may be supported
by separate frame members than the frame members supporting the
target board. Further, the toss game assembly may include a
scoreboard for tracking the scores of the players. There may also
be a game board that replicates a playing field so that a team's
progress along the field can be visually displayed.
[0009] Each orifice on the target board may be associated with at
least one of either a reward, no reward or a penalty. A player may
have a certain number of turns to obtain a certain amount of
rewards to score a point. A player's turn may be one or more
throws. Further at least one game piece may be in communication
with the game board to track the progress of one or more players.
In order to score points, a player may preferably be required to
move the game piece a certain distance on the game board after each
successful toss attempt. The distance moved on the game board
corresponds to the reward obtained for each turn by the player. The
game piece may be moved in a positive direction on the game board
for a reward and in a negative direction or not moved at all for a
penalty. The player who wins is the player with the most points at
the end of the game. The length of the game may be time based or
may be defined by each player having a certain amount of turns or
throws, or the game may end when a player is first to reach or
exceed a point total.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of
the toss game of the present invention including a player standing
a certain distance away from the toss game assembly, which includes
the frame, target board, and game board.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of a second embodiment of the toss
game of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the toss game of FIG.
2,
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the toss game of FIG.
2,
[0014] FIG. 5 is a first side view of the toss game of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a second side view of the toss game of FIG. 2,
[0016] FIG. 7 is a view of an embodiment of the projectiles that
may be used in connection with the toss game of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
toss game of the present invention. The toss game includes a frame
1 for supporting a target board 2 and a game board 3. The frame 1
includes a first base member 4 and an oppositely situated second
base member 5 that rests substantially parallel to the first base
member 4 and that both act as the supports for the remaining parts
of the toss game assembly. The base members can be adjustable so
that their angle to the ground can vary as can the distance from
the target board surface. This adjustability can permit the
assembly to be used on a variety of surfaces, such as but not
limited to a smooth parking lot, at the beach or on a grassy
field.
[0018] The base members 4 and 5 further include a first end 4a and
5a and a second end 4b and 5b. At the first end of each base member
4a and 5a a first game board supporting member 6 and a second game
board supporting member 7 may perpendicularly extend, respectively.
The game board supporting members 6 and 7 extend to an opposite end
6a and 7a that supports the game board 3. In this embodiment, the
game board 3 is a substantially planar member that resembles a
football field and that has game pieces 3a and 3b corresponding to
the player for keeping the score of the respective player. The game
pieces may be made of any material used in the art for game pieces,
such as but not limited to plastic, metal, composite, etc. There
may be more than two game pieces if more than two players are
playing. Alternatively, there may only be one game piece if only
one player is playing.
[0019] The frame of the first embodiment also includes a first
target board supporting member 8 and a second target board
supporting 9 member that both perpendicularly extend from a point
on the respective base members. The point for extension, as seen in
FIG. 1, is preferably the point between the midpoint of the
respective base members and the first end of the respective base
members but other extension points are also contemplated. There is
also a bottom cross member 10 that extends from a lower portion of
the first target board supporting member 8 to a directly opposite
lower portion of the second target board supporting member 9.
Further, a top cross member 11 extends from an upper portion of the
first target board supporting member 8 to a directly opposite upper
portion of the second target board supporting member 9. The target
board supporting members 8 and 9 and cross members 10 and 11
combine to form the boundaries that receive the target board 2 of
the present invention. Different locations for the cross members to
define different boundaries for receiving the target board are also
contemplated in any and all embodiments of the present invention.
Flags 8a and 9a are situated at the top of each target board
supporting member 8 and 9 in this embodiment but may not be present
in other embodiments, or other decorative items may be used in
addition to or rather than the flags. FIG. 1 also shows a player 12
standing a certain distance away from the toss game assembly. The
distance is the point at which the player is required to throw the
projectile towards the toss game assembly. The distance may be as
desired by the players based on their age, skill, etc. For example,
it can vary when adults are playing with children. An adult may
have to be standing at on location while a child can stand closer
to the target. Alternatively, the distance may be set as anything
from 1-20 yards or anything less than 1 yard or more than 20 yards.
For example, a distance from the toss game assembly may be set as 5
yards, 10 yards, or 15 yards.
[0020] The target board 2 is a substantially planar member that has
a plurality of orifices 2a for receiving a projectile, such as but
not limited to a miniature or regular sized football, a bean bag,
or other projectile-type object that is used in toss games. In the
embodiment of FIG. 1, the target board 2 resembles the shape of a
square and includes nine orifices 2a in a 3.times.3 configuration
but other shapes, configurations, and more or less orifices are
also possible in any and all embodiments of the present
invention.
[0021] The toss game of the present invention may be played by a
player standing a certain distance away from the target board and
attempting to throw a projectile through one of the orifices in the
target board. If the projectile goes through one of the orifices,
the player may move the corresponding game piece a certain distance
that corresponds to the orifice. For example, the game board may
preferably resemble a miniature football field and may have yard
markers corresponding to the yard markers of a regular football
field. An orifice may correspond to a player moving his or her game
piece on the game board a certain amount of yards as measured by
the yard markers on the game board. Further, one or more orifices
may correspond to a different amount of yards or, one or more
orifices may even correspond to an incomplete pass, a penalty, a
turnover, a loss of yards or loss downs, or other football plays.
The middle orifice 2b in this embodiment may have a bull's-eye
effect such that a scoring play results when a player successfully
throws the projectile through the middle orifice or in other
embodiments a turnover may result or the middle orifice may
correspond to a different yardage amount.
[0022] The orifices may be the same size or differently sized
depending on the play that the orifice is associated with. For
example, an orifice corresponding to a play gaining more yardage
may be smaller in size than an orifice corresponding to a play
gaining less yardage, i.e., an orifice for a 50 yard play may be
smaller than an orifice for a 5 yard play, to increase the
difficulty level for obtaining the greater yardage. Furthermore,
plays relating to loss of yards or penalties that are more severe
may also be smaller or larger than penalties or loss of yards that
are less severe. In particular, the orifice for a penalty relating
to a loss of downs or a significant loss of yardage may be smaller
than a penalty relating to a lesser loss of yardage. Even more so,
an orifice for a turnover may be generally larger or smaller in
size compared to the remaining orifices to make it easier or more
difficult to commit a turnover. The orifice for penalties and loss
of downs may also be generally larger or smaller than the remaining
target board orifices to make it easier or more difficult to commit
a penalty or obtain a loss of yards.
[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, a player may have 4
throws in order to accumulate at least 10 yards. If a player
accumulates the 10 yards, the player will be rewarded with another
4 throws to accumulate at least another 10 yards. The throws in
this embodiment represent downs in an American football game. For
example, in an American football game, an offense has 4 downs to
accumulate at least 10 yards to gain a first down. In this
embodiment, a player's game piece may start from the goal line on
the game board every time the player begins a turn and player will
have to accumulate 100 yards, as marked on the game's game board,
to score a touchdown. There may be orifices on the target board
that correspond to plays of more than 10 yards and even orifices
that correspond to scoring plays, such as a touchdown or a field
goal. Even further, there may be at least one orifice that
corresponds to the extra point after scoring a touchdown. Still,
further, at least one of the orifices may have multiple
associations, such as but not limited to for a play gaining yardage
and a play attempting a field goal of a certain yardage. In this
embodiment, a player may have to state which play is being
attempted before the projectile is thrown.
[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the toss game may
mimic a real football game. Here, there may be a kickoff, from, for
example, the 35 yard line of the player kicking off but other
kickoff points may be used as desired by the players. The kickoff
may comprise a player attempting to toss a projectile through one
of the orifices and the length of the kick corresponds to the
amount of yardage in the orifice that the projectile was thrown
through. If a player is not able to toss the projectile through an
orifice, the return of the kickoff may be placed at the 40 yard
line of the return player's half. This is the same as in NFL.RTM.
rules where the football is placed on the kick returning team's 40
yard line if the kickoff is kicked out of bounds. If the projectile
is tossed through an orifice, then the returning player may attempt
to throw the projectile into an orifice. The yardage associated
with the orifice is the yardage of the return. Alternatively, if
the attempt is unsuccessful and the projectile is not thrown
through an orifice, the return may be for no yards. In addition,
the orifice may be associated with a penalty or a loss of
yardage.
[0025] After the kickoff, a player may have four throws to gain at
least 10 yards as was discussed previously herein. By the fourth
down, the player may, in an embodiment, also choose to punt or
attempt a field goal. The orifices may have multiple associations
as discussed above. For example, when relating to a field goal, one
or more of the orifices may correspond to a range of yard amounts
such as but not limited to, 0-20 yards, 20-40 yards, 40-60 yards,
0-10 yards, 10-20 yards, 30-40 yards, 40-50 yards, 50-60 yards,
etc. The longer yardage amounts may have smaller orifices than the
lesser yardage amounts to increase the difficulty level of
successfully attempting a long field goal. On the other hand, the
yardage amounts relating to a kick return, a punt return, a
kickoff, and/or a punt may be fixed yards.
[0026] The target board may have indicia, preferably in the form of
writing, that is next to each orifice to denote how many yards
relates to successfully throwing the projectile through each
orifice, There may be multiple writings for each orifice that may
lead to multiple associations for each orifice as discussed above.
For example, at least one orifice may have a writing that
corresponds to 30 yards and then another writing that corresponds
to 20-40 yards. The range of yards may only be relative to a field
goal attempt and the specific yardage, 30, may be relevant to all
of the other plays, such as but not limited to a kickoff, a punt, a
kickoff return, a punt return, and a play during the game for
gaining yardage.
[0027] In a further alternate embodiment, one or more of the
orifices may be associated with a running play, a passing play,
and/or a special teams play. In this embodiment, a player may first
attempt to throw the projectile into the orifice to attempt to
select the type of play desired, such as a running play, a passing
play, or a special teams play. After the player selects the play,
the player may then attempt another throw to gain yardage. In the
second throw, the player may attempt to throw the projectile
through an orifice that is associated with a gain of yardage, a
loss of yardage, a penalty, and/or a turnover. Also, at least one
of the orifices on the first throw may be associated with a
turnover and/or penalty. Further, if the player is unsuccessful in
his/her attempt in throwing the projectile through an orifice in
any of the two throws, a loss of down may occur. In this
embodiment, the orifices may have multiple associations, such that
on the first throw there may be at least one orifice that
corresponds to a running play and at least one orifice that
corresponds to a passing play; and on the second throw one of the
aforesaid orifices may be a gain of yardage, a loss of yardage, or
no gain of yardage.
[0028] In further alternate embodiments of the gameplay system of
the present invention, each player may be allotted a certain number
of throws, such as but not limited to four, five, six, seven, eight
or more than eight or less than four throws to obtain enough
yardage to score a touchdown. Further, the scoring system may
comprise a touchdown and a successful extra point attempt totaling
7 points, or a touchdown may only be 1 point and there may be no
option for field goals. Even further, in the embodiment where a
touchdown and successful extra point is worth 7 points, a player
may also have the option to attempt a field goal at any point
during his/her turn for 3 points. It is to be noted that other
scoring systems used in the art for toss games may also be used in
the present invention's football-themed toss game.
[0029] The duration of the toss game of the present invention may
be a certain amount of turns a player has to score points. For
example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a player's turn may last
four, more than, or less than four throws to advance the game piece
the length of the game board to score a touchdown or to advance the
game piece a sufficient distance on the game board to attempt a
field goal. Alternatively, wherein two throws are used to
accumulate yardage, the player may have four attempts to accumulate
the yardage which may then represent the player's turn. Even
further, the game may be played until one of the players first
reaches or exceeds a threshold point total.
[0030] In the embodiments where a player has 4 downs to get a first
down or score, the length of the game may be each player having 2
drives a quarter and the game lasting four quarters. Alternatively,
there may be more than or less than 2 drives a quarter, such as but
not limited to 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. Even further, the quarters may
be timed by an individual on a continuous running time, for
example, 5 minutes a quarter or more or less than 5 minutes a
quarter.
[0031] The target board may also be reversible such that there is
indicia on both sides of the target board corresponding to the
orifices. In one embodiment, one side of the target board may
relate to a more complex game playing and scoring system than an
opposite side. Here the opposite side may relate to a quicker
gameplay version of the toss game. In addition, in all or some
embodiments of the invention, each of the orifices may have a net,
pocket, mesh pocket or other catching means secured around its edge
for catching a projectile that is thrown through the respective
orifice. The catching means is preferably made of a flexible
material.
[0032] Further, a support, such as an elongate member, may extend
outwardly from the target board towards the end of the catching
means, such as a net catching means, to prevent the catching means
from interfering with the other orifices. For example, a netting
extending from an orifice may hang down and interfere with an
orifice that is located directly below. When a projectile is
successfully tossed into the above situated netting, the projectile
may cause the netting to hang lower and obstruct the opening of the
below situated orifice thereby preventing a different projectile
from entering the below situated orifice. The support may be used
to prevent the catching means from obstructing with other
orifices.
[0033] The target board may also be removably or non-removably
secured to the frame members that support the target board.
Removable securing means may be slits or openings in at least a
portion of the target board supporting frame members that the ends
of the target board may be inserted through. The slits may be
situated on the side of the frame members that line the opening
that receives the target board. Further, the target board may
additionally or alternatively be removably secured by snap locks or
hook and loop fastening strips. Here, there may be one or more
straps extending from one or more edges of the target board and the
straps may loop around one or more of the target board supporting
frame members and snap locks, hook and loop fastening strips, etc.
may secure the straps around the frame members.
[0034] Further, the game board may also be removably or
non-removably secured to the game board supporting frame members.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the game board may have orifices 3c
and 3d at either end for receiving the respective end 6a and 7a of
the game board supporting members 6 and 7. The game board orifices
3c and 3d in this embodiment extend through the both sides of the
game board and are adapted to receive the respective game board
supporting member ends 6a and 7a and secure them via a friction fit
means or by means of a flange protruding from at least a portion of
the game board supporting members that is close to the support
member ends 6a and 7a. Here, the game board may rest on the
flanges. Alternatively, the inner lining of the game board orifices
may have a flanged portion that rests on top of the ends 6a and 7a
of the game board supporting members and therefore supports the
game board on the supporting members 6 and 7. In further alternate
embodiments, however, there may be a recessed portion at either end
of the game board on the side of the game board that faces the
ground. The recessed portions in this embodiment may be adapted to
receive the respective ends 6a and 7a of the game board supporting
members.
[0035] The frame of the toss game may also be easily assembled and
disassembled. Some or all of the members of the frame may be
removably connected by means known in the art, such as but not
limited to snap lock means, friction fit means, and rib and groove
means. In further embodiments, some or all of the frame members may
be hingedly connected to allow the frame to be easily
collapsible.
[0036] The target board may be made of a lightweight resilient and
flexible material such that it is able to withstand the pressures
associated with projectiles being thrown against it. Suitable
materials may be materials that are currently used for toss games
with orifices, such as but not limited to a breathable nylon or
other plastic material, or a wood, metal or a composite material
thereof. In addition, the game board may be a plastic, rubber,
wood, fiberglass, composite thereof, or other material used in the
art. Further, the frame members may be made of a lightweight yet
resilient material, such as but not limited to plastic, fiberglass,
lightweight metal, a composite thereof or other materials used in
the art for similar type frames.
[0037] A second embodiment of the toss game of the present
invention is shown in FIGS. 2-6. In this embodiment, the game board
3 is positioned on the front surface of the toss game assembly
frame 1 and is not supported by separate frame members as in the
embodiment of FIG. 1. More specifically, the game board 3 is
adhered to the front surface of the second target board supporting
member 9. The game board may be adhered to the second game
supporting member by laminating, by an adhesive, or by other
adhering means used in the art. Further, the game board may be
constructed from paper, plastic, a composite thereof, etc. Even
further, the game board in this embodiment resembles a miniature
football field but sizes, shapes and other sports fields are also
contemplated.
[0038] The frame members in this embodiment and in the embodiment
of FIG. 1 may be PVC piping but other materials used in the art are
also contemplated. Unlike the embodiment in FIG. 1, the frame in
this embodiment has a base cross member 12 that extends from the
second end 4b of the first base member 4 to the directly opposite
second end 5b of the second base member 5. The base cross member 12
connects to the second ends of the first and second base members 4
and 5 preferably by a pipe coupling, such as the elbow pipe
coupling 13 seen in the FIG. 2. In addition, the first and second 8
and 9 target board supporting members perpendicularly extend from
approximately the midpoint of the first and second base members,
respectively. A three-way pipe coupling 14 connects the base cross
members 4 and 5 and the target board supporting members 8 and 9.
The bottom cross member 10 of the frame may also be connected to
the first and second target board members 8 and 9 by a three-way
pipe coupling 14. In addition, the top cross member 11 may be
connected to the top end of each target board support member 8 and
9 by an elbow pipe coupling 13. Even further, the first ends 4a and
5a of the first and second base members 4 and 5 may have caps
15.
[0039] The target board in the embodiment of FIG. 2 may be secured
to the frame of the toss game by tie wraps 16 that extend through
one of a plurality of securing holes 17 on the target board and
then loop around either of the first and second target board
members 8 and 9 or the either of the top and bottom cross members
10 and 11. The tie wraps in this embodiment are plastic tie wraps.
In other embodiments, other tie wraps used in the art may be used
and/or other adhering means used in the art may also be used,
[0040] One or more of the plurality of orifices 2a located on the
target board may be lined by a colored edge 2c on the target board
to distinguish one or more of the orifices. For example, the 3
vertically aligned orifices 2d in columns 1 and 3 of the target
board are the same color, the top and bottom orifices 2e in column
2 are the same color that is different than the column 1 and 3
orifice edge colors, and the middle orifice 2f has a different
color than all of the other target board orifices. In this
embodiment the orifices of the same color may correspond to the
same reward, penalty or instruction when the projectile is tossed
therethrough. For example, throwing the projectile through the
orifices of columns 1 and 3 may correspond to a 5 yard advance,
throwing the projectile through the top and bottom orifices of
column 2 may correspond to a 10 yard advance, and throwing the
projectile through the middle orifice of column 2 may correspond to
an interception and therefore result in a change of turns. In other
embodiments, however, other yardage and/or penalties may be
associated with one or more of the orifices. In even further
embodiments, each orifice may correspond to a different reward or
penalty that the other orifices. Additionally, a penalty may be
incurred when a player misses the target board completely.
[0041] Another game that may be played using the FIG. 1 or FIG. 2
toss game assembly may be a game to a specific number, such as
twenty-one. In this game, the object of each player is to have a
certain amount of successful throws in order to reach the desired
point total of the game. As described above, all or some of the
orifices in this embodiment may correspond to different point
totals when a successful toss is performed. There may also be a
penalty associated with an unsuccessful throw.
[0042] A further game that may be played using the embodiments of
the present invention may be an around-the-world type of game that
is generally used with a basketball hoop. For example, the object
of the game may be to stand a certain distance away from the target
board and start targeting one orifice on the target board while
ultimately aiming to successfully toss the projectile through all
of the orifices in a specific pattern. In one game play pattern, a
player may start tossing the projectile at the bottom left corner
orifice and then proceed to the orifice directly on top of the
bottom left corner orifice once the player successfully throws the
projectile through the bottom left corner orifice. The player may
then proceed in a counter-clockwise direction on the target board
by targeting the peripherally situated orifices. Once all of the
orifices besides the middle orifice has been completed, the last
throw in the game may be to successfully throw the projectile
through the middle orifice. Other desired patterns besides the
counterclockwise pattern may also be used, such as but not limited
to a clockwise pattern. Further, any orifice may be selected as the
starting point besides the bottom left corner orifice.
[0043] An even further game that may be engaged in using the
present invention's toss game assembly may be tic-tac-toe and the
game may be equipped with different colored projectiles to identify
each player.
[0044] Lights may also be included in the present invention's toss
game. For example, lights may be secured to the edges of any or all
of the orifices, target board, and/or frame members to allow the
toss game frame to be seen better. In addition, the lights secured
to the edges of the orifices might be different colored lights to
correspond to the color of the respective orifice. The lights may
be LED bulbs, LED strips, reflectors, other lights used in the art,
a combination thereof, and/or luminescent materials, such as but
not limited to luminescent strips. Further, lights surrounding the
orifices may blink at a certain rate when a projectile is
successfully tossed through the orifice and/or may blink at a
different rate when an unsuccessful toss is attempted.
[0045] Also seen in FIG. 2 is a netting 18 secured around the edge
of each orifice to catch the projectile when it is thrown through
the respective orifice. The netting may extend from the orifice to
a backing 18a for providing extra support for receiving the
projectile.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the toss game shown
in FIG. 3. Here the netting 18 attached to each orifice and the
backing 18a attached to each netting is shown. A support member,
not included in this embodiment, such as an elongate support member
as discussed previously herein, may extend outwardly from the
target board to the backing of the net to prevent the net from
hanging down and obstructing the opening of a lower situated
orifice. The elongate member may be removable or non-removable and
may be designed as such to allow the toss game to retain its
reversible gameplay nature.
[0047] Seen in FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the toss game
of FIG. 2. A better view of the netting 18 and netting backing 18a
is seen.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, seen is a first and second
side view, respectively, of the toss game of FIG. 2.
[0049] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the projectiles 19 that may be
used in the present invention. Here, the projectile is shown as
miniature footballs that are made from a foam material. In other
embodiments, however, the projectile may be any other object that
is used in the art, such as but not limited to a miniature bean
bag, a miniature basketball, etc. The projectiles are preferably
made of a softer material yet resilient material, such as foam, but
other materials may be used such as but not limited to a rubber,
plastic, a composite thereof, etc.
[0050] The toss games played in the present invention may
preferably be played by at least two players; however, in other
embodiments, there may be at least one teams of more than one
player rather than two teams of only one player. For example, in
the embodiment where an American football themed game is being
played, the one team may have one player tossing to accumulate
yardage and another player tossing to attempt a field goal. Even
further, the players on a team may alternate throws or may
alternate series of throws.
[0051] The orifices in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2-6 are all
substantially the same size, but as discussed herein, one or more
of the orifices may be alternate sizes. Further, two or more of the
orifices in the 3.times.3 arrangement may correspond to the same
yardage or range of yardage. For example, the four corner orifices
in the 3.times.3 arrangement may correspond to the same yardage
gain wherein the yardage gain may be anywhere from about no gain to
about a 100 yard gain, preferably from about 1 yard to about 50
yards, more preferably from about 1 yard to about 25 yards, and
most preferably the yardage gain may be 1 yard, 5 yards, 10 yards,
15 yards, 20 yards, 25 yards, 30 yards, 35 yards, 40 yards, 45
yards, 50 yards, 55 yards, 60 yards, 65 yards, 70 yards, 75 yards,
80 yards, 85 yards, 90 yards, 95 yards, or 100 yards. Further, the
yardage gain may also be any yardage in increments of 1 yard from
about 1 yard to about 100 yards. In addition, a scoring play
results if the amount of yardage rewarded to a player exceeds the
amount of yardage required to score. The yardage gain for the
second orifice in columns 1 and 3, and the top and bottom orifices
in column 2 may also be same and may be any amount as discussed
with respect to the corner orifices. Further, the yardage gain for
these orifices may preferably be different than the yardage gain
for the corner orifices but in other embodiments the yardage gain
may be the same. An orifice or orifices, such as a middle orifice,
may result in a turnover, such as an interception or fumble which
leads to a change of possession and preferably the opposing
player's game piece is placed on the game board where the piece of
the player that created the turnover was marked. The opposing
player will then preferably, as in American football rules, aim to
move the corresponding game piece into the scoring area that is
directly opposite the scoring area that the turnover creating
player was targeting. In other embodiments, however, the middle
orifice may not correspond to a turnover and/or one or more of the
other orifices may correspond to a turnover.
[0052] Further, one or more of the orifices may correspond to a
penalty, such as but not limited to, one or more of the four corner
orifices, one or more of the first and third column orifices and
top and bottom orifices in the second column, and/or the middle
orifice. Even further, when a player incurs a penalty, a second
throw may be attempted to determine the yardage loss of the
penalty. Alternatively, the second throw may be attempted to
determine the type of penalty such as whether the penalty results
in a loss of yardage with a loss of a toss attempt and/or a loss of
yardage without the loss of a toss attempt. If the penalty results
in a loss of yardage without the loss of a toss attempt, a third
throw may be attempted to determine the amount of yardage lost, In
this penalty, the player reattempts the throw from the penalized
yardage amount. For example, if a player incurs a penalty of a loss
of 10 yards on the player's second toss attempt, the player will
re-attempt the second toss with the player's game piece being
placed on the game board 10 yards away from the previous spot of
the game piece.
[0053] In the embodiment where a loss of a toss attempt is also
incurred with the loss of yardage, the player's toss attempt at the
penalized yardage will count as the player's next toss attempt. For
example, if a player incurs a penalty of a loss of 10 yards on the
player's second toss attempt as well as incurs a loss of a toss
attempt, the player will attempt the next toss from the penalized
yardage and the toss will count as the player's third toss
attempt.
[0054] It is to be appreciated that other combinations of orifices
may correspond to the same reward or penalty other than the
combinations listed above. For example, the orifices in the first
column may correspond to the same reward and/or penalty, the
orifices in the second column may correspond to the same reward
and/or penalty that is different than the first column, and the
orifices in the third column may correspond to the same reward
and/or penalty that is different than the first and second columns
In further alternate embodiments, the orifices in the first row may
correspond to the same reward and/or penalty, the orifices in the
second row which may or may not include the middle orifice may
correspond to the same reward and/or penalty that is different than
the first row orifices, and the orifices in the third row may
correspond to the same reward and/or penalty that is different than
the first and second row orifices. Even further, each orifice may
correspond to a different reward and/or penalty.
[0055] The distance, in an embodiment of the present invention,
that a player may toss the projectile from may vary. For example,
the distance may correspond to the amount of yardage the player has
to accumulate to obtain a first down. For example, the distance
from the target board may be directly related to the yardage left
to accumulate such that a player stands 9 yards away from the
target board when there is 9 yards left to accumulate. In another
embodiment the distance may be measured in feet rather than yards
such that a player stands 9 feet away from the target board when
there is 9 yards left to accumulate. In addition, other distance
measurements for standing away from the target board may also be
used rather than feet or yards.
[0056] It is to be appreciated by those skilled in the art that all
of the different embodiments discussed herein with respect to the
FIG. 1 embodiment may also be applied to the FIG. 2-6 embodiment
and that all of the embodiments discussed herein with respect to
the FIG. 2-6 embodiment may be applied to the FIG. 1 embodiment.
Further, it is also to be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the orifices on the target board may assume a different
pattern than the square pattern represented in the embodiments of
FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2-6. For example, the patterns may include but are
not limited to a circular pattern, a football shaped pattern, a
dart board shaped pattern, a rectangular pattern, or a triangular
pattern.
* * * * *