U.S. patent application number 16/665825 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-29 for inflatable pitch board game.
This patent application is currently assigned to BOTE, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is BOTE, LLC. Invention is credited to Corey COOPER, George Robert McAbee, III.
Application Number | 20210121757 16/665825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004439122 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210121757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
COOPER; Corey ; et
al. |
April 29, 2021 |
INFLATABLE PITCH BOARD GAME
Abstract
A pitch board game includes a board made of drop stitch
inflatable material. The board, prior to inflation, is light
weight, compact and easily carried from location to location. When
inflated, the board is comparable in strength and hardness to solid
wooden board. The game itself is played like the game "cornhole,"
as bean bags are tossed by players onto the upper surface of the
board, which is propped up at an acute angle. Bags landing on the
surface count one point, and bags landing in a hole in the board
count three points.
Inventors: |
COOPER; Corey; (Fort Walton
Beach, FL) ; McAbee, III; George Robert; (Fernandina
Beach, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BOTE, LLC |
Fort Walton Beach |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BOTE, LLC
Fort Walton Beach
FL
|
Family ID: |
1000004439122 |
Appl. No.: |
16/665825 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 2225/62 20130101; A63B 67/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/06 20060101
A63B067/06 |
Claims
1. A game comprising: a first board having a rectangular shape, an
upper playing surface, a first end, a second, opposite end, and a
hole formed through the first board near the first end; a leg
connected to the first board at the first end, and supporting the
first board at an acute angle relative to a substantially
horizontal plane of a ground upon which the first board is
positioned; at least one throwing object, sized and shaped to
approximately fit within the hole when tossed at or onto the
playing surface of the first board, wherein the first board and leg
are made of an inflatable drop stitch fabric.
2. The game of claim 1, wherein the leg and the first board are in
fluid communication with each other, and the game further comprises
an inflation valve disposed on one of the leg and the first
board.
3. The game of claim 2, wherein the leg and the first board are
inflatable to a pressure of between 4 and 20 p.s.i.
4. The game of claim 1, wherein the first board has a length of
approximately four feet, and a width of approximately two feet.
5. The game of claim 1, wherein the leg extends substantially
across the width of the first board.
6. The game of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of throwing
objects, shaped and sized to fall through the hole in the first
board when thrown by a player.
7. The game of claim 1, further comprising two sets of throwing
objects, each set having a distinguishing feature which
distinguishes throwing objects from one set from throwing objects
from the other set.
8. The game of claim 6, wherein each throwing object is
approximately six inches by six inches, and contains a loose,
granular material sufficient to provide an overall weight of
approximately one pound.
9. The game of claim 1, further comprising a second board, of
substantially the same construction, size, shape and material as
the first board, and having a rectangular shape, an upper playing
surface, a first end, a second, opposite end, and a hole formed
through the second board near the first end, a leg connected to the
second board at the first end, and supporting the second board at
an acute angle relative to a substantially horizontal plane of a
ground upon which the second board is positioned, wherein the at
least one throwing object includes a plurality of throwing objects
comprising two distinct sets, wherein one set is used by a first
player and the second set is used by a second player.
10. The game of claim 9, wherein the first and second boards are
arranged in substantial axial alignment, and spaced apart by a
predetermined distance with the playing surface of each board
sloping upwardly relative to a direction of throw of a throwing
object, wherein a throwing position for two competing players is
defined by an area of ground to a side or behind each of the first
and second boards.
11. The game of claim 3, wherein the leg and the first board are
inflatable to a pressure of 10 p.s.i.
12. A method of playing a game comprising: forming a first
inflatable board from drop stitch fabric and having a first flat
playing surface and a second opposite surface, a first end and a
second, opposite end, a hole extending through the first board near
the first end of the board, and a support leg disposed near the
first end on the opposite surface of the first board; locating a
substantially flat area of ground; inflating the first board and
leg and placing the first board on the ground with the leg resting
on the ground and propping the first board up at an include, acute
angle; and providing a plurality of throwing objects, each sized,
shaped and weighted to be thrown by a player towards the first
board from a predetermined distance and position, wherein the first
board is sloped upwardly relative to the player throwing objects at
the first board.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the inflating step comprises
inflating the first board and leg to a pressure of between 4 and 20
p.s.i.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising forming a second
inflatable board from drop stitch fabric and having a first flat
playing surface and a second opposite surface, a first end and a
second, opposite end, a hole extending through the second board
near the first end of the second board, and a support leg disposed
near the first end on the opposite surface of the second board;
inflating the second board and leg and placing the second board on
the ground with the leg resting on the ground and propping the
second bard up at an inclined, acute angle; axially aligning the
first and second boards and spacing the first and second boards at
a predetermined distance from each other, wherein the boards are
sloped downwardly towards each other, and upwardly relative to the
position of players throwing the throwing objects.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing a plurality of
throwing objects includes providing two sets of throwing objects,
each set being visually distinguishable from the other set while
having the same size, shape and weight.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the inflating step comprises
inflating the first board and the leg to a pressure of 10
p.s.i.
17. A game of claim 1, wherein the first board includes an upper
layer of plastic material, a lower layer of plastic material, and a
plurality of stitches extending between the upper and lower layers
of plastic material.
18. A method of claim 12, wherein the first board includes an upper
layer of plastic material, a lower layer of plastic material, and a
plurality of stitches extending between the upper and lower layers
of plastic material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to pitch board
games, and more specifically, to games that use inflatable pitch
boards as a way of reducing weight and storage space. Preferably,
the pitch boards are made of inflatable, drop stitch fabric which
allows for high inflation pressures which lead to structures that
are as rigid and strong as wood, but can be stowed in small spaces,
carried easily, and deployed by inflation at the place of use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] "Cornhole" is a lawn game in which players take turns
throwing bags of corn kernels, typically weighing sixteen (16)
ounces, at a raised platform or board with a hole in the far end,
relative to the direction of pitch. The board is slightly inclined
by a leg or brace which gives the board a slight incline towards
the direction of the hole. The incline is designed to slow the bag
once it hits the board, as it slides towards the hole. In some
regions, the game is called "bags," "stack toss," or "bean bag,"
but given that the game has been around for a long time, other
regional names are given for a game which has similar structure and
rules. Generally, a bag tossed into the hole results in a score of
three (3) points, while one landing on the board counts one (1)
point. Play continues until a team or player reaches or exceeds the
score of twenty-one (21).
[0003] Cornhole matches are typically played with two sets of bags,
two boards and two to eight players. Each set has four (4) bags,
although other numbers of bags can be used. Each set of bags has a
distinguishing feature, such as color, so the sets can be
identified. There exists an American Cornhole League with rules
that state for the bags to be made of double seamed fabric
measuring six (6) inches by six (6) inches (or 150 mm by 150 mm),
and to weight between 15.5 and 16.5 ounces (440 to 479 grams).
Although corn kernels were used in the past to fill the bags, hence
the name "cornhole," nowadays the bags are filled with plastic
resin beads or other material that will maintain a consistent
weight and shape. Bags are usually dual sided, with each side of
the bag being a different material that reacts faster or slower on
the board. Faster bags are preferred in humid conditions where bags
will not slide as readily. Additionally, professional players may
use different materials depending on their personal throwing
styles. Players with a lower, harder throw use more rotation and a
slower bag material. Players with a higher, softer throws may throw
with less rotation and prefer a more reactive bag.
[0004] Each board, of regulation size and shape, is typically two
(2) feet wide by four (4) feet long (or 0.61 meter by 1.22 meters).
The hole is six (6) inches (150 mm) in diameter and centered nine
(9) inches (230 mm) from the top, or far end of the board (relative
to the direction of the thrower). The far end of the board is
elevated so that the playing surface is about twelve (12) inches
(300 mm) above the ground, while the playing surface at the near
end is three or four (3 or 4) inches (76 mm-102 mm) above the
ground.
[0005] A court is set up by placing two boards apart so that the
holes are thirty-three (33) feet (10 meters) apart, or twenty-seven
(27) feet (8.2 meters) between the bottoms of the boards. The
boards themselves provide platforms for receiving tossed bags.
Shorter distances can be used when younger players are
participating or there is not sufficient room. The participants
stand in a pitcher's box when throwing or tossing bags. The box is
a rectangular space directing to the left or right of a board. And,
the bottom of each platform provides a foul line.
[0006] Although official rules of play exist, more often than not
the game is played in informal settings such as outdoor gatherings
and parties, such as football game tailgating. In those
environments, rules are less important than fun--distances between
boards are not important, other than to keep the game challenging,
and standing position before throwing can be virtually anywhere,
but often behind the board if not to the side as rules require.
[0007] One problem with playing the game at outside events is that
the boards are typically made of wood, and are thus heavy, bulky
and difficult to transport from a vehicle to a place of play. For
example, in typical tailgating situations, one person may have a
parking spot in the tailgating area, and others attending the party
have to carry coolers, chairs, other games (footballs, frisbees,
etc.), grills, and food, leaving little or no room or capacity to
carry a relatively large wooden board.
[0008] Thus, a need exists to make cornhole games easier to
transport, lighter and more compact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, a game includes a
board having a rectangular shape, an upper playing surface, a first
end, a second, opposite end, and a hole form through the board near
the first end. A leg is connected to the board at the first end to
support the board at an acute angle relative to a substantially
horizontal plane of a ground upon which the board is positioned. At
least one throwing object is sized and shaped to approximately fit
within the hole when tossed at or onto the playing surface. The
board and leg are made of an inflatable, drop stitch fabric.
[0010] Preferably, the game includes an inflation valve on a
reverse side of the board, and is used to inflate the board and
leg, which preferably are in fluid communication with each other so
that they can be inflated through a single valve. Inflation
pressures preferably range from between four p.s.i. and twenty
p.s.i.
[0011] The board is preferably and approximately four (4) feet long
and two (2) feet wide, and the leg extends substantially across the
width of the board.
[0012] The game includes a plurality of throwing objects which are
sized and shaped to fall through the hole when thrown by a player,
either when a toss or throw by the player results in the throwing
object hitting the board and sliding into the hole, or when a toss
or throw by the player results in the throwing object entering the
hole on the fly. The throwing objects are preferably six inches by
six inches, and consist of two sheets of fabric sewn together along
overlapping edges, with a loose, granular material contained
inside. In traditional cornhole games, the loose granular material
would be hard, dried corn kernels, but other materials could be
used so long as a desired weight and consistency is achieved.
[0013] The throwing objects preferably are provided in two sets,
each set having a distinguishing feature which distinguishes
throwing objects from one set from throwing objects 26 from the
other set. One distinguishing feature is color, so that all
throwing objects from one set will be of one color, while the
throwing objects of the other set are of a different color. Another
distinguishing feature, particularly appropriate for football
tailgating, would have a first set having a team identifier, logo
or name on one set, and a second set bearing the team identifier,
logo or name of the other team's opponent, e.g., an Auburn
University set and a University of Alabama set, where those two
teams may be playing on a given day.
[0014] In setting up the game, it is preferable to find a flat area
of ground. A board of the type described herein is inflated,
preferably on site so it can otherwise be easily carried to a
preferred site. Players can take turns throwing objects at the
board from a predetermined position and distance from the board.
Competing players can use different colored objects to throw to
distinguish one player's results from another's. When placed on
flat ground, the leg of the board will prop the board at a slight,
or acute angle, preferably in the range of 10-15 degrees. The
thrown objects are like bean bags, meaning soft, pliable, and
conforming.
[0015] When a bag hits the playing surface of the board, which has
a low frictional coefficient, the bag will slide on the playing
surface. A bag that hits the board in line with the hole, but in
front of the hole, the bag will slide towards and into the hole, so
long as the speed of the bag is not too great or too slow. In
theory, a bag could be thrown into the hole without sliding, but
most often, the players will gauge speed and angle of toss with
point on impact on the playing surface so that the bag passes
through the hole. Under traditional cornhole rules, a bag that
passes through the hole accounts for three points, while a bag that
lands on the playing surface accounts for one point.
[0016] One aspect of the invention is to provide a method of
playing a game which includes forming a first inflatable board from
drop stitch fabric and having a first flat playing surface and a
second opposite surface, a first end and a second, opposite end, a
hole extending through the first board near the first end of the
board, and a support leg disposed near the first end on the
opposite surface of the first board, locating a substantially flat
area of ground, inflating the first board and leg and placing the
first board on the ground with the leg resting on the ground and
propping the first board up at an inclined, acute angle, and
providing a plurality of throwing objects, each sized, shaped and
weighted to be thrown by a player towards the first board from a
predetermined distance and position, wherein the first board is
sloped upwardly relative to the player throwing objects at the
first board.
[0017] The method preferably includes forming a second inflatable
board from drop stitch fabric and having a first flat playing
surface and a second opposite surface, a first end and a second,
opposite end, a hole extending through the second board near the
first end of the second board, and a support leg disposed near the
first end on the opposite surface of the second board, inflating
the second board and leg and placing the second board on the ground
with the leg resting on the ground and propping the second board up
at an inclined, acute angle, and axially aligning the first and
second boards and spacing the first and second boards at a
predetermined distance from each other, wherein the boards are
sloped downwardly towards each other, and upwardly relative to the
position of players throwing the throwing objects.
[0018] While other sizes and shapes of pitch boards can be
envisioned, all embodiments of the present invention employ
inflatable drop stitch fabric material. These materials can be
inflated to higher pressures without distortion of shape, and
result in panel like structures that are as hard and strong as
comparably sized wooden panels or boards, yet by being inflatable,
the boards according to the present invention will be easily
transportable, stowed, and deployed in situ.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an inflatable pitch
board game according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the inflatable pitch
board game of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the inflatable pitch
board game of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a reverse, or underside, view of the inflatable
pitch board game of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a transverse, sectional view of the inflatable
pitch board game of FIG. 1, taken along line V-V of FIG. 4; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is an enlarged, sectional view of a portion of the
inflatable pitch board game of the present invention, showing
details of the drop stitch fabric used to construct the board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a game 10 includes a board 12 having
a rectangular shape, an upper playing surface 14, a first end 16, a
second, opposite end 18, and a hole 20 formed through the board 12
near the first end 16.
[0026] A leg 22 is connected to the board 12 at the first end 16,
and supports the board 12 at an acute angle relative to a
substantially horizontal plane 24 of a ground upon which the board
12 is positioned, At least one throwing object 26 is sized and
shaped to approximately fit within the hole 20 when tossed at or
onto the playing surface 14.
[0027] A key aspect of the present invention is that at least the
board 12, and preferably the leg 22, are made of inflatable drop
stitch fabric. As seen in FIG. 6, a typical construction for
inflatable drop stitch fabric includes an inner PVC layer 28, 30
and an outer PVC layer 32, 34, and a plurality of nylon drop
stitches 36 adhesively or otherwise bonded to the inner PVC layer
28, 30. An inflation valve 38, shown in FIG. 4 on the reverse side
of the board 12, is used to inflate the board 12 and leg 22, which
preferably are in fluid communication so that they can be inflated
through a single valve. Although the inflation valve is located on
the reverse side of the board 12, any location other than the
playing surface 14 can be used. The leg 22 extends substantially
across the width of the board 12.
[0028] Prior to inflation, the board 12 and leg 22 are easily
stowed in a folded, compact space, so it can be easily carried in a
bag, backpack, or similar devices, so it can be moved from place to
place easily. A battery operated portable electric pump (not
shown), which is also easily carried, can be used once the game is
placed in a desired location. Likewise, a non-electric pump could
be used, such as a bicycle or ball pump, so long as the pump is
capable of generating pressures in the range of 4 to 20 p.s.i. A
particularly preferred inflation pressure is 10 p.s.i. give or take
slight variations, for a board having the dimensions of four feet
long by two feet wide, by three inches thick. The thickness of the
board 12 is primarily a function of cost and aesthetics, so while
three inches is preferred, the preferred thickness could range
between two and six inches.
[0029] The game 10 includes a plurality of throwing objects 26
which are sized and shaped to fall through the hole 20 when thrown
by a player, either when a toss or throw by the player results in
the throwing object hitting the board and sliding into the hole, or
when a toss or throw by the player results in the throwing object
26 entering the hole 20 on the fly.
[0030] The throwing objects 26 preferably are provided in two sets,
each set having a distinguishing feature which distinguishes
throwing objects 26 from one set from throwing objects 26 from the
other set. One distinguishing feature is color, so that all
throwing objects 26 from one set will be of one color, while the
throwing objects 26 of the other set are of a different color.
Another distinguishing feature, particularly appropriate for
football tailgating, would have a first set having a team
identifier, logo or name on one set, and a second set bearing the
team identifier, logo or name of the other team's opponent, e.g.,
an Auburn University set and a University of Alabama set, where
those two teams may be playing on a given day.
[0031] A method of playing the game of the present invention is
described as follows. In setting up the game, it is preferable to
find a flat area of ground. A board 12 is inflated, preferably on
site so it can otherwise be easily carried to a preferred site.
Players can take turns throwing objects 26 at the board 12 from a
predetermined position and distance from the board. Competing
players can use different colored objects 26 to throw so as to
distinguish one player's results from another's. When placed on
flat ground, the leg 22 of the board 12 will prop the board at a
slight, or acute angle, preferably in the range of 10-15 degrees.
The thrown objects 26 are like bean bags, meaning soft, pliable,
and conforming, while sized and shaped to fit through the hole 20
if tossed accurately.
[0032] When a bag 26 hits the playing surface 14 of the board 12,
which has a low frictional coefficient, the bag 26 will slide on
the playing surface 14. A bag 26 that hits the playing surface 14
in line with the hole 20, but in front of the hole 20, the bag 26
will slide towards and into the hole 20, so long as the speed of
the bag 20 is not too great or too slow. In practice, a bag 26
could be thrown into the hole 20 without sliding, but most often,
the players will gauge speed and angle of toss with point of impact
on the playing surface 14 so that the bag 26 passes through the
hole 20 when tossed accurately at the right speed. Under
traditional cornhole rules, a bag 26 that passes through the hole
20 accounts for three points, while a bag 26 that lands on the
playing surface 14 accounts for one point.
[0033] Multiple players can use a single board in a more informal
set up of the game. A distance and location from which players
throw the bags at the board can be a function of what space or
section of ground is available. Crowded tailgate areas, for
example, may necessitate a shorter than desirable throwing
distance. If regulation distances are desired, a section of ground
ten meters long will be required. Preferably the ground is flat or
substantially horizontally planar, so that when the leg of a board
is placed on the ground, the board is propped up at an angle
relative to the players throwing objects. Playing with teams or
more than one player, it is preferable to set up two boards at a
distance spaced apart from each other and axially aligned.
Competing players stand behind or to the side of the board which
the opposite team or competing player is throwing towards.
[0034] The use of drop stitch fabric allows for boards to be
portable, stowable and deployable on site, rather than wooden or
solid material boards which are bulky, heavy and difficult to
transport to events like ball games, picnics, or other outdoor
social gatherings. When inflated, the boards take on the hardness
and strength of solid materials. Drop stitch fabric is generally
known and several suppliers are commercially available. The same
materials has been described in my prior patent applications for
inflatable stand up paddleboards (SUPs).
* * * * *