U.S. patent application number 15/843966 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-26 for method and apparatus for bag throwing game.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Rivard. Invention is credited to Michael Rivard.
Application Number | 20180207503 15/843966 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62905461 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180207503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rivard; Michael |
July 26, 2018 |
Method and Apparatus for Bag Throwing Game
Abstract
The present application describes a bag throwing game board and
game. Players take a plurality of soft bags that are approximately
round in shape and throw them from a distance towards the game
board, which in various examples is in the shape of a tower, and
has holes. Points are attributed to bags landing in different holes
of the board, depending on the difficulty of landing the bag in
each hole. After a series of throws, the point scores are totaled
and the player earning the most points or the player first to reach
a score goal wins.
Inventors: |
Rivard; Michael; (Cedar,
MN) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rivard; Michael |
Cedar |
MN |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
62905461 |
Appl. No.: |
15/843966 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29610922 |
Jul 17, 2017 |
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15843966 |
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62435763 |
Dec 17, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/02 20130101; A63B
2225/76 20200801; A63B 71/0672 20130101; A63B 63/00 20130101; A63F
2011/0055 20130101; A63B 67/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/06 20060101
A63B067/06; A63F 9/02 20060101 A63F009/02 |
Claims
1. A game comprising a plurality of bags and a substantially
vertically mounted game board with a plurality of apertures defined
by a front panel of the game board, a back panel, the game board
comprising a plurality of shelves between the front panel and back
panel to provide different compartments, and a bottom shelf of the
game board for mounting and to catch bags that fail to enter the
holes.
2. The game of claim 1, wherein the front panel of the game board
is clear.
3. The game of claim 1, wherein the game board includes lighting
for illumination.
4. The game of claim 2, wherein the game board includes lighting
for illumination.
5. The game of claim 2, including advertising on the back
panel.
6. The game of claim 4, including advertising on the back
panel.
7. The game of claim 1, further comprising holes along the sides of
the board to allow for scoring pegs.
8. The game of claim 7, wherein the holes allow lighting from the
game to illuminate pegs placed in the holes.
9. The game of claim 2, further comprising holes along the sides of
the board to allow for scoring pegs.
10. The game of claim 9, wherein the holes allow lighting from the
game to illuminate pegs placed in the holes.
11. The game of claim 3, further comprising holes along the sides
of the board to allow for scoring pegs.
12. The game of claim 11, wherein the holes allow lighting from the
game to illuminate pegs placed in the holes.
13. The game of claim 4, further comprising holes along the sides
of the board to allow for scoring pegs.
14. The game of claim 13, wherein the holes allow lighting from the
game to illuminate pegs placed in the holes.
15. The game of claim 6, further comprising holes along the sides
of the board to allow for scoring pegs.
16. The game of claim 15, wherein the holes allow lighting from the
game to illuminate pegs placed in the holes.
17. A substantially vertically mounted game board comprising a
plurality of circular or round apertures defined by a front panel
of the game board, a back panel, side panels attached to a base and
the front panel and back panel, the game board further comprising a
plurality of shelves to provide different compartments, wherein the
base of the game board extends forward of the plane of the front
panel to catch bags that fail to enter the holes.
18. The game board of claim 17, further comprising peg holes for
receiving pegs.
19. The game board of claim 18, further comprising lighting.
20. The game board of claim 19, wherein the lighting is configured
to provide light to the peg holes so as to illuminate the board and
pegs placed in the holes.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/435,763, filed Dec. 17,
2016, entitled Method and Apparatus for Bag Throwing Game, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, and as a
continuation-in-part to U.S. design application Ser. No.
29/610,922, filed Jul. 17, 2017, entitled Throwing Game Board,
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application relates to a bag throwing game.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present application describes a bag throwing game. It
describes how to make the game components and how to play the game.
Players take a plurality of soft bags that are approximately round
in shape and throw them from a distance towards the board, which is
in the shape of a tower. Points are attributed to bags landing in
different holes of the board, depending on the difficulty of
landing the bag in each hole. After a series of throws, the point
scores are totaled and the player earning the most points or the
player first to reach a score goal wins.
[0004] This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the
present application and not intended to be an exclusive or
exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details
about the present subject matter are found in the detailed
description and appended claims. The scope of the present invention
is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present disclosure are better understood when the following
Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a front drawing view of an example of a game
board according to one embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a perspective drawing view of an example of a
game board according to one embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows a side drawing view of an example of a game
board according to one embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows a front perspective photograph view of an
example of a game board according to one embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective photograph view of an
example of a game board according to one embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a front photograph view of an example of a game
board according to one embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows a detailed perspective drawing view of an
example of a game board according to one embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0013] FIG. 8 shows a detailed front drawing view of an example of
a game board according to one embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0014] FIG. 9 shows a detailed rear view of an example of a game
board according to one embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0015] FIGS. 10 and 11 show detailed side drawings of an example of
a game board according to one embodiment of the present subject
matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following detailed description of the present subject
matter refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which
show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in
which the present subject matter may be practiced. These
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter.
References to "an", "one", or "various" embodiments in this
disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such
references contemplate more than one embodiment. The following
detailed description is demonstrative and not to be taken in a
limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is defined
by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal
equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
[0017] The present application describes a bag throwing game. It
describes how to make the game components and how to play the game.
Players take a plurality of soft bags that are approximately round
in shape and throw them from a distance towards the board, which is
in the shape of a tower. Points are attributed to bags landing in
different holes of the board, depending on the difficulty of
landing the bag in each hole. After a series of throws, the point
scores are totaled and the player earning the most points or the
player first to reach a score goal wins.
[0018] The present subject matter relates to a bag throwing game
that can be played at a number of locations. For example, it can be
played at home, in a gym, at the office, at a bar, at a restaurant,
or other establishment. It includes a plurality of bags and a board
with at least three holes that is mounted vertically (or
substantially vertically). The players stand a distance from the
board, which is mounted at about 3-4 feet from the floor level, and
throw the bags, attempting to have them land within the holes of
the board. Higher point values are attributed to players who
successfully throw a bag into the holes that have a smaller opening
(e.g., smaller cross section). The bags will vary in size and in
filling material. In various embodiments, the bags are about 6-8
oz. and are roughly round in shape and have dimensions
approximating 4.25'' to 4.5'' in diameter. Various filling material
may be used in the bags, such as sand, pebbles, beans, rice, or
other filling material.
[0019] The tower-shaped game board can be made of any rigid
material, such as wood, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof.
The dimensions in each of the drawings may vary without departing
from the scope of the present subject matter. FIG. 1 shows a front
drawing view of an example of a game board according to one
embodiment of the present subject matter. In this example, the
tower has a shelf which is roughly 19''.times.13'' and may be
rectangular in shape. Different shelf sizes may be used without
departing from the scope of the present subject matter. The upper
portion of the tower is roughly 3 feet in height and contains at
least 3 holes of different sizes. In various embodiments, more than
3 holes are used. In various embodiments, the holes can be of
different sizes. In various embodiments, the holes can be of the
same size with more in certain areas of the board to provide more
opportunities for the bag to be thrown into the hole. The hole
sizes can vary from just above the size of the bags used to holes
that are multiples of the bag size.
[0020] In the example of FIG. 1, the holes are progressively
smaller toward the top of the tower design; however, it is possible
that more holes may be employed, and that they need not be
progressively changing in size as demonstrated. Furthermore, in
various embodiments the holes may be staggered or grouped
differently, as desired. Therefore, the hole patterns shown here
are exemplary and not intended to be exclusive or limiting the
board design. Typically point values are higher for holes that are
more difficult to successfully receive the player's bag. FIG. 2
shows a perspective drawing view of an example of a game board
according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. Each
hole of the board may include an internal shelf that holds the bag
if it enters the hole. The internal shelf material can be wood,
plastic, metal or cloth. In various embodiments each internal shelf
can be rigid or flexible.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a side drawing view of an example of a game
board according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. In
the drawing the depth of the tower is roughly 6 inches, but other
depths may be employed without departing from the scope of the
present subject matter. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the
depth may vary across the height or width of both of the tower.
Therefore, the present design is exemplary and not intended to be
exhaustive or limiting.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a front perspective photograph view of an
example of a game board according to one embodiment of the present
subject matter. Bags landing in the bottom hole are given a single
point value. Those landing in the middle hole are given two points,
and those landing in the top hole are three points. Point values
can change, and points may be given to players whose bags land on
the ledge, which extends to roughly 7 to 8 inches.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective photograph view of an
example of a game board according to one embodiment of the present
subject matter. Various mounting approaches may be employed. In
various embodiments, the tower is mounted to a wall. One way that
can be accomplished is with a French cleat. Other brackets, wires
and connectors may be used. Other mounting approaches may be used,
including but not limited to pedestals, table top mounts, or
dedicated stands. Other mounting hardware and approaches may be
employed without departing from the scope of the present subject
matter.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a front photograph view of an example of a game
board according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
The bags in each hole are shown resting on an internal shelf for
each hole. The sides of the tower are perforated to receive scoring
pins so that the players can record their score as the game
progresses. In various embodiments, there are four sets of holes on
each side of the board and eight colored pegs allowing eight
players to record their scores and to play at one time. The front
face can be labeled to make scoring easier and to tally the scores.
Therefore, markings and holes can be aligned for easy scoring and
positioning of markers and pegs of a variety of shapes and sizes.
Other types of scoring may be employed, including other counters,
electronic scoring, and the like.
[0025] The game may be played using a variety of scoring
methodologies. In one example, the players stand behind a line and
each player throws all four bags consecutively trying to achieve as
many points as possible, with a race to get to 22. In some
variations of the game, if the scorer exceeds the score goal, that
scorer may be penalized. For example, in the case where the scoring
goal is 22 points, a player who exceeds the 22 score may have her
score reduced to 15, for example, to attempt again to reach 22. In
various embodiments, the players throw behind a line 6 feet away
from the board. Other distances include 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12 feet. Different distances may be employed without departing from
the scope of the present subject matter. Other point goals, scoring
methodologies, numbers of bags, and scoring concepts may be
employed without departing from the present subject matter.
[0026] In one example, the game is played where each player starts
at zero. The point scoring is 3 for the top smallest hole. 2 for
the center oval, one for the bottom oval, zero for the shelf, and
negative one for the floor. If a player gets to negative 7 it is an
automatic loss and that player is eliminated. The first player to
get to 22 is an automatic win. If a player goes over 22 they are
put back to 16. Other scoring and playing approaches may be
employed without departing from the scope of the present subject
matter.
[0027] In various embodiments, there are four sets of holes on each
side of the board and eight colored pegs allowing eight players to
record their scores and to play at one time. In various
embodiments, the front panel may use a dry erase or chalk board
material to allow for marking of the holes, player names, scoring,
or other uses. In various embodiments, a clear plastic front is
used. In various embodiments, a front panel with lights is
employed. In various embodiments, lights may be activated each time
a score is successful, failed, or may signify both. Automatic
scoring apparatus may be added to sense when points are scored and
to add them to a visual counter. The counter may be digits, or it
may be lights in a progression or pattern, such as lights extending
to the top of the design. One set of lights progresses up the tower
until the winner lights the light at the summit or peak of the
tower. In various embodiments, the bags themselves may be lit to
allow throwing them in the dark. Different forms of lighting the
bags include light emitting diodes, glow in the dark, or
blacklighting may be employed to add excitement to the game. The
tower may also act as a nightlight and be illuminated as such.
Other forms of scoring and illuminating the design may be employed
without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0028] Since the board is vertically mounted, it may be necessary
for players to use more forward velocity on bag throws than what is
used in other throwing games, such as horseshoes. Players may find
it advantageous to throw the bags substantially horizontally to
increase the chance that the bag will enter the openings of the
board. This aspect increases the excitement of the game as it
requires accuracy for each player to successfully land a bag in a
hole of the board.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows a detailed perspective drawing view of an
example of a game board according to one embodiment of the present
subject matter. Game board 700 includes a frame having a base 704
and sides 706, 707 that can include scoring peg holes 702 for
tracking score with pegs or lights. A player can score points by
throwing a bag into holes 710, 720, and 730. The number of holes
and sizes can vary. Front panel 708 can be transparent or may have
designs on it. In various embodiments, the front panel 708 is clear
so that design on the back panel 740 can be viewed from the front.
FIG. 8 shows a detailed front drawing view of an example of the
game board 700 according to one embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a detailed rear view of an example of a game
board 700 with back panel 740 according to one embodiment of the
present subject matter. FIGS. 10 and 11 show detailed side drawing
views of an example of the game board 700 with scoring peg holes
702 according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0031] In various embodiments, scoring is kept using pegs that glow
in the dark and can be advanced along the sides of the game board
as the players score. In various embodiments, the holes in which
the pegs are placed are configured to receive light from inside of
the game board. In various embodiments, scoring pegs are configured
to receive light and light up the remaining portion of the peg so
as to make it easier to see the scoring by the players. This is
especially helpful in low lighting situations such as bars and
restaurants and recreation rooms where such games may be found. In
various embodiments, pegs such as those used in LITE-BRITE.TM.
games may be used because the peg will receive light at one end and
glow at the other end to better indicate score as the pegs are
advanced on the board. In various embodiments, the peg holes for
the board are drilled through. In various embodiments, the peg
holes are translucent to allow light from the game board to
illuminate a plastic peg, such as the pegs described herein. In
various embodiments, the back panel of the board can be replaced
with advertising to allow the game board to be used as advertising.
In various embodiments, the back of the game board is designed to
receive new signage or advertising so that the game can be
configured for different themes. This way a game board can be made
which receives the advertisement or other signage or decorative
design desired.
[0032] The present application provides several examples, including
but not limited to, a game comprising a plurality of bags and a
substantially vertically mounted game board with a plurality of
apertures defined by a front panel of the game board, a back panel,
the game board comprising a plurality of shelves between the front
panel and back panel to provide different compartments, and a
bottom shelf of the game board for mounting and to catch bags that
fail to enter the hole. A game of example 1, wherein the front
panel of the game board is clear. A game of the prior examples
wherein the game board includes lighting for illumination. A game
of the prior examples, wherein the game board includes lighting for
illumination. A game of the prior examples including advertising on
the back panel. A game of the prior examples further comprising
holes along the sides of the board to allow for scoring pegs. A
game of any of the previous examples, wherein the holes allow
lighting from the game to illuminate pegs placed in the holes. A
game of the prior examples, further comprising holes along the
sides of the board to allow for scoring pegs. A game of the prior
examples, wherein the holes allow lighting from the game to
illuminate pegs placed in the holes.
[0033] Another example is a substantially vertically mounted game
board comprising a plurality of circular or round apertures defined
by a front panel of the game board, a back panel, side panels
attached to a base and the front panel and back panel, the game
board further comprising a plurality of shelves to provide
different compartments, wherein the base of the game board extends
forward of the plane of the front panel to catch bags that fail to
enter the holes. The game board of the prior example, further
comprising peg holes for receiving pegs. The game board of of the
prior examples, further comprising lighting. The game board of the
prior examples, wherein the lighting is configured to provide light
to the peg holes so as to illuminate the board and pegs placed in
the holes.
[0034] Other examples are provided herein, and those set forth are
not intended in an exhaustive or exclusive sense.
[0035] This application is intended to cover adaptations or
variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood
that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not
restrictive. The scope of the present subject matter should be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are
entitled.
* * * * *