Patent Application
20250229148
The present invention generally relates to the field of toss games. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel bean bag toss and board hole game. The game comprises a board having four openings or holes numbered one through four, wherein each number corresponds with the amount of points a player would get upon landing a bean bag therein. A player scoring 11 points is declared as the winner. The accumulated points are reset to 1, 2, or 3 points when a player exceeds 11 points. The reset score is determined and based upon the number of points that a player exceeds 11 points. The game incorporates a cancellation, where points can be nullified by opposing players' successful throws into the same openings. The game provides inclusivity and ensures each player has a strategy for which hole to toss the bean bags into. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, individuals enjoy engaging in playful competitions with friends and family during various social gatherings and events such as backyard parties, tailgates, and family reunions. Often, people play traditional games like cornhole toss game, frisbee, tug-of-war, and various card games for enjoyment and facilitating interpersonal connections across diverse age groups. Outdoor games provide entertainment, foster social bonds, enhance physical coordination, and stimulate strategic thinking.
However, traditional games provide simple rules, limited scoring options, and variations in gameplay. Further, such traditional games have remained largely unchanged for years. For example, in a conventional bean bag and cornhole game, three points are scored when a bag lands in the hole, one point is scored when the bag lands on the target surface, and no points are scored when the bag misses the target surface. As a result, commonly, repeated engagement with the same activities and outdoor games, under the same parameters, diminish the excitement and challenge in the participants.
Another disadvantage of traditional games is the lack of inclusiveness of participants. Many games are designed for a specific number of players, often excluding larger groups, or failing to engage all participants equally. Furthermore, children, who typically have shorter attention spans and who look for newer games are not interested and are disengaged in conventional outdoor games. There is a requirement for a new outdoor social game that enhances engagement and inclusivity to overcome problems associated with conventional outdoor games.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved social game that can accommodate multiple players at social gatherings like backyard parties, tailgates, and family reunions. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a novel outdoor game that has an advanced and novel scoring system which introduces a greater depth of strategy and variability. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel social game that includes a combination of bean bag toss and cornhole. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved bean bag toss and board hole game that includes at least four distinct hole cutouts on each wooden board wherein each cutout is associated with a different score. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a bean bag toss and board hole game that can be customized to match the theme of an event. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved bean bag toss and board hole game that provides a fun and competitive spirit. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved bean bag toss and board hole game that can be used for a wide range of occasions and audiences and offers participants inclusivity, advanced scoring options, and customization.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a bean bag toss and a board hole game for indoor and outdoor activity. The game comprises a planar game board having a top surface and an underside, the game board having at least four holes disposed therethrough, the four holes including a first hole, a second hole, a third hole, and a fourth hole, the first hole is worth 1 point, the second hole is worth 2 points, the third hole is worth 3 points and the fourth hole is worth 4 points, wherein the game is played for three rounds between at least two players, wherein a player scores points by landing a bean bag in at least one hole, wherein the points awarded are equal to the points associated with the hole, a winner of a round is declared when the player's points is equal to 11 points and a winner of the best of three rounds is declared as the winner of the game. A cancellation rule during gameplay can be applied, wherein if a bean bag thrown by a player lands in a hole and is followed by an opponent's bean bag landing in the same hole within the same round, the points for that hole are nullified for both players or for both teams.
In this manner, the bag toss and board hole game of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with an improved outdoor game that provides boards with four individual hole cutouts, and each cutout is associated with a different point value. The game provides a unique scoring system that enables participants to strategize for which hole to toss the bean bags into. The game can be played by multiple people and therefore ensures inclusivity.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a bean bag toss and a board hole game for indoor and outdoor activity. The game comprises a planar game board, the game board having at least four holes disposed therethrough, the four holes including a first hole, a second hole, a third hole, and a fourth hole, the first hole is worth 1 point, the second hole is worth 2 points, the third hole is worth 3 points and the fourth hole is worth 4 points, wherein the game is played for three rounds between at least two players, wherein a player scores points by landing a bean bag in at least one hole, wherein the points awarded are equal to the points associated with the hole, a winner of a round is declared when the player's points is equal to 11 points and a winner of the best of three rounds is declared as the winner of the game.
In yet another embodiment, a bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus to play an outdoor game is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a planar board with a top surface and an underside surface or bottom surface, the board including four openings disposed therethrough, each opening is assigned a specific point value corresponding to the numerical designation thereof, wherein the openings are positioned in a predetermined arrangement on the board to facilitate a strategic gameplay. The game includes a scoring system wherein a player must accumulate exactly 11 points to win, with a reset score set to 1, 2, or 3 points for exceeding the target score of 11 points, wherein the points are accumulated by landing a bean bag in one of the openings. The reset score is determined and based upon the number of points that a player exceeds 11 points.
In another aspect, a game board for playing a strategic board hole game is disclosed. The game board is customizable in shape, size, and design according to user preferences and includes four holes, each with a distinct point value and marked accordingly, with the size and/or shape of the holes being modifiable to influence game difficulty and strategy. The holes can be circular, rectangular, triangular, or any geometric shape, and the hole sizes can be inversely or directly proportional to the assigned point values to accommodate different gameplay styles.
In yet another embodiment, a method for playing a strategic bean bag toss and board hole game is disclosed. The method comprising a game board, the game board includes four holes associated with 1 point, 2 points, 3 points, and 4 points, providing a plurality of players, wherein each player throws a bean bag towards the game board aiming to land the bags in any of the four openings to score points corresponding to the numerical designation of the hole, implementing a scoring rule where the accumulation of points by a player or team must equal exactly 11 points to win the game, with the provision that exceeding this score results in the player's or team's score being reset to 1, 2, or 3 points, applying a cancellation rule during gameplay, wherein if a bean bag thrown by a player or team lands in a hole and is followed by an opponent's bean bag landing in the same hole within the same round, the points for that hole are nullified for both players or teams, adding a defensive strategy component to the game and continuing the gameplay in a sequential manner, with each player or team taking turns throwing bean bags until a player or team successfully accumulates exactly 11 points. The reset score is determined and based upon the number of points that a player or team score exceeds 11 points. The gameplay can be played in a best-of-three format to determine the overall winner.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved social game that can accommodate multiple players at social gatherings like backyard parties, tailgates, and family reunions. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a novel outdoor game that has an advanced and novel scoring system which introduces a greater depth of strategy and variability. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel social game that includes a combination bean bag toss and board hole game. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved bean bag toss and board hole game that includes four distinct hole cutouts on each wooden board wherein each cutout is associated with a different score. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a bean bag toss and board hole game that can be customized to match the theme of an event. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved bean bag toss and board hole game that provides a fun and competitive spirit. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved bean bag toss and board hole game that can be used for a wide range of occasions and audiences and offers participants inclusivity, advanced scoring options, and customization.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus to play an outdoor game. The apparatus comprises a planar board(s) with a top surface and an underside surface or bottom surface, the board including four openings disposed therethrough, each opening is assigned a specific point value corresponding to the numerical designation thereof, wherein the openings are positioned in a predetermined arrangement on the board to facilitate a strategic gameplay. The game includes a scoring system wherein a player must accumulate, for example, exactly 11 points to win, with a reset to 1, 2, or 3 points for exceeding the target score, wherein the points are accumulated by landing a bean bag in one of the openings. The reset score is determined and based upon the number of points that a player exceeds 11 points (i.e., target score).
Referring initially to the drawings,
The board(s) 102 includes at least four holes 108, 110, 112, 114 disposed therethrough. A first hole 108 is worth 1 point and is disposed near the front edge 116 of board 102. The first hole 108 is marked as “1” to indicate the point value of the hole 108. If a player lands a bean bag 115 in the first hole 108, the player scores 1 point. A second hole 110 is worth 2 points and is disposed farther from the front edge 116 of the board 102. The second hole 110 is marked as “2”. The first hole 108 is disposed adjacent to the first side edge 118 of the board 102 and the second hole 110 is disposed diagonally opposite near the second side edge 120 of the board 102. A third hole 112 is worth 3 points, marked as “3”, and is disposed above the first hole 108 along the first side edge 112. A fourth hole 114 is worth 4 points, marked as “4”, and is disposed above the second hole 110, and below the rear edge 122 of the board 102. It is to be appreciated that the holes 108, 110, 112, 114 can have other assigned point values inclusive of multiples of or relative point values as described above to reflect the relative difficulty of landing on the respective holes 108, 110, 112, 114.
The holes 108, 110, 112, 114 can have the same shape and size and alternatively, the shape and size of the holes 108, 110, 112, 114 can vary. In some embodiments, the holes 108, 110, 112, 114 are circular, rectangular, triangular, or can be of any geometric shape (i.e., dog paw shape) to accommodate bean bags 115. In some embodiments, the size of the holes 108, 110, 112, 114 can be inversely proportional to the points associated with the holes such as the hole 108 can have the biggest size and hole 114 can have the smallest size. In other embodiments, the size of the holes 108, 110, 112, 114 can be directly proportional to the points associated with the holes with the hole 108 having the smallest size and the hole 114 having the biggest size.
The rules and gameplay format of the eleven-bean bag toss and board hole game can be as follows for one-on-one competition or between individuals. The boards can be set up and spaced apart from each other. In exemplary embodiments, the boards are set apart between 15 and 25 feet (i.e., measured from the front of the boards).
The objective, for example, in “Eleven” game is to accumulate exactly 11 points to win a game. The precise target of 11 points introduces a strategic challenge for players and overshooting the 11 points results in a penalty where the score of a player/team resets to another reset score (i.e., 1, 2, or 3, et. al. points), and the player must begin accumulation of points from the predetermined point total. The reset score can be determined and based upon the number of points that a player exceeds 11 points. In the preferred embodiment, the game is played in a best-of-three format (winner in 2 out of 3 games). During the turn of a player, the player throws a bean bag 115, or a plurality of bean bags, on the board from a distance to land the bean bag(s) 115 into at least one hole 108, 110, 112, 114. If the player lands the bean bag(s) 115 into the first hole 108, then 1 point is scored or accumulated. Similarly, the player scores 2 points upon landing the bean bag into the second hole 110, the player scores 3 points upon landing the bean bag into the third hole 112, and the player scores 4 points upon landing the bean bag into the fourth hole 114. Landing a bean bag(s) 115 on the board outside any of the holes, or landing the bean bag(s) on the ground, does not yield any points. Overshooting the 11 points results in a penalty where the score of the player/team resets to a predetermined number (i.e., one, two, or three points). For instance, if a player standing at 10 points lands a bean bag in the hole marked “2,” their total would exceed the first target of 11 points (i.e., 12 points), triggering a reset of the score to the predetermined number or second target of one point. The second target is determined and based upon the number of points that a player exceeds 11 points.
The game includes a cancellation rule where points can be nullified by opposing throws. If a player scores in a hole, and an opponent subsequently lands a bean bag in the same hole within the same round, the points are canceled out and not added to either player's total score. The rule does not apply to multiple scoring in other holes within the same turn. The cancellation rule adds a defensive element to the game where players can strategically aim to cancel out the opponent's scoring attempts.
The rules and gameplay format of the eleven-bean bag toss and board hole game can be as follows for teams.
Two to four teams can be formed, preferably of two players for each team. As a result, for example, four teams having two players for each team results in a total of eight players. Other combinations of teams (i.e., 2-4) and players results in total players ranging from four players to eight players. All of the players can play the game and the same rules as the individual rules described above are applied to the team. Cumulative points of all the team members of a team are counted to score 11 points to win a round.
The game board apparatus 300 is preferably made from a noise-reducing material configured for muting noise when the bean bag or any other throwing items are tossed against the game board 300. The board 300 can have a length from about 24″ to about 60″ and a width from about 12″ to about 48″ for use in different social gatherings.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “eleven-bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus”, “bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus”, “game board apparatus” and “game board” are interchangeable and refer to the eleven-bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus 100, 300 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the eleven-bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus 100, 300 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the eleven-bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus 100, 300 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the eleven-bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus 100, 300 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the eleven-bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus 100, 300 are important design parameters for user convenience, the eleven-bean bag toss and board hole game apparatus 100, 300 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/621,010, which was filed on Jan. 15, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63621010 | Jan 2024 | US |
