BAG TOSSING GAME AND METHOD OF GAMEPLAY

Abstract

A bag tossing game target including a first scoring target including a circular base and a side wall around the circular base. The side wall includes a top edge that is level relative to the circular base to define a planar opening. A second scoring target including a cylindrical cup is centrally located on the circular base, wherein the cylindrical cup comprises a top opening. A first scoring zone is over the circular base exterior of the cylindrical cup, and a second scoring zone is within the cylindrical cup.

Description

FIELD

This application relates to tossing games and, more specifically, to a tossing game target and related game that is usable for indoor and outdoor gameplay.

BACKGROUND

Horseshoes, washers, ladder golf, and cornhole are yard games that are commonly played at social events and gatherings. These yard games are fun but do have some drawbacks and inconveniences. For example, these games often require more than one throwing target that may be heavy, cumbersome, and difficult to transport. Tossing objects such as washers may be difficult to locate after errant throws, especially when the game is played on a lawn or due to the tendency of the objects to roll on a hard surface. Hard tossing objects such as washers may also cause injury or damage gameplay surfaces if errantly thrown. Some tossing games also require a large gameplay surface that makes them only suitable for outdoor use.

Accordingly, there is a need for a tossing game and game target that is challenging, convenient, and fun to play.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a bag tossing game target is provided. The game target includes a first scoring target including a circular base and a side wall around the circular base. The side wall includes a top edge that is level relative to the circular base to define a planar opening. A second scoring target including a cylindrical cup is centrally located on the circular base, wherein the cylindrical cup comprises a top opening. A first scoring zone is over the circular base exterior of the cylindrical cup, and a second scoring zone is within the cylindrical cup.

In another aspect, a bag tossing game is provided. The game includes at least one bag tossing game target. The game target includes a first scoring target including a circular base and a side wall around the circular base. The side wall includes a top edge that is level relative to the circular base to define a planar opening. A second scoring target including a cylindrical cup is centrally located on the circular base, wherein the cylindrical cup comprises a top opening. A first scoring zone is over the circular base exterior of the cylindrical cup, and a second scoring zone is within the cylindrical cup. The game also includes a plurality of tossing bags sized to enable more than one tossing bag to be received in each of the first and second scoring zones.

In another aspect, a method of gameplay for use with at least one bag tossing game target is provided. The method includes instructing a player to position the at least one bag tossing game target on a ground surface, the at least one bag tossing game target comprising a first scoring target comprising a circular base and a side wall around the circular base, wherein the side wall comprises a top edge that is level relative to the circular base to define a planar opening, and a second scoring target including a cylindrical cup centrally located on the circular base, wherein the cylindrical cup comprises a top opening. The method also includes instructing the player to position the at least one bag tossing game target a predetermined distance from a tossing zone, instructing the player to toss a plurality of tossing bags from the tossing zone towards the at least one bag tossing game target, instructing the player to award a first point value when one of the plurality of tossing bags lands in the first scoring zone, and instructing the player to award a second point value when one of the plurality of tossing bags lands in the second scoring zone, wherein the second point value is greater than the first point value.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag tossing game target.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bag tossing game target shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bag tossing game target shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a method of gameplay using the bag tossing game target shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another method of gameplay using more than one bag tossing game target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, a bag tossing game target 100 includes a first scoring target 102 and a second scoring target 104 that are concentric with each other. First scoring target 102 includes a circular base 106 and a side wall 108 around circular base 106. Side wall 108 extends the full circumference of circular base 106. In the example embodiment, side wall 108 extends a uniform distance from circular base 106. Accordingly, side wall 108 includes a top edge 110 that defines a planar opening 112 that is level relative to circular base 106. As will be described in more detail below, this configuration enables players to use bag tossing game target 100 from any direction without providing an angular advantage to any single player.

A second scoring target 104 including a cylindrical cup 114 is centrally located on circular base 106. Cylindrical cup 114 includes a side wall 116 that extends a uniform distance from circular base 106. Accordingly, side wall 116 has a top edge 117 that defines a top opening 118 that is level relative to circular base 106. Similarly to planar opening 112, this configuration enables players to use bag tossing game target 100 from any direction without providing an angular advantage to any single player.

In one embodiment, bag tossing game target 100 may be produced from common household items. For example, first scoring target 102 may be a tossing disc (i.e., a frisbee), and second scoring target 104 may be a canned food can (e.g., 28 ounce size) coupled to first scoring target 102. Alternatively, bag tossing game target 100 may be a unitary structure formed from a common material, such as in a molding process.

The surface area of planar opening 112 is greater than the surface area of top opening 118. In addition, side wall 116 extends from circular base 106 such that top opening 118 is at a greater height from a ground surface 120 (shown in FIG. 2) than planar opening 112. Accordingly, it is more difficult to throw a tossing bag 122 into cylindrical cup 114 than onto circular base 106.

Thus, scoring in the game described herein is based on the difficulty of throwing tossing bags 122 into one of a plurality of scoring zones. For example, a first scoring zone 124 is over and/or on circular base 106 exterior of cylindrical cup 114. First scoring zone 124 extends from circular base 106 to the airspace directly above circular base 106. Accordingly, any tossing bags 122 that land within first scoring zone 124 are awarded a first scoring value. A second scoring zone 126 is within cylindrical cup 114 and may extend to the airspace directly above cylindrical cup 114. Accordingly, any tossing bags 122 that land within second scoring zone 126 are awarded a second scoring value that is greater than the first scoring value. A third scoring zone 128 is exterior of game target 100. For example, third scoring zone 128 may be on an exterior surface 130 of first scoring target 102. That is, a third scoring value may be awarded if any tossing bags 122 land outside of first scoring target 102 and contact at least one of circular base 106 or side wall 108. Alternatively or additionally, the third scoring value may be awarded if any tossing bags 122 land under first scoring target 102. That is, the third scoring value may be awarded if any portion of tossing bags 122 land under circular base 106 or side wall 108 but does not contact first scoring target 102. The third scoring value is less than the first scoring value.

Referring to FIG. 2, circular base 106 has a bottom surface 132 that is planar. Accordingly, when bag tossing game target 100 is positioned on ground surface 120, bag tossing game target 100 is oriented such that planar opening 112 and top opening 118 are level with ground surface 120, thereby enabling players to use bag tossing game target 100 from any direction without providing an angular advantage to any single player.

Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, bag tossing game target 100 includes a layer 134 of buffer material on at least one of first scoring target 102 or the second scoring target 104. Example buffer materials include, but are not limited to, Velcro, rubber, linen, and the like. That is, buffer material is softer relative to the material in which first scoring target 102 and second scoring target 104 are formed, which enables the impact of tossing bags 122 to be mitigated to decrease the difficulty of the game. Thus, layer 134 of buffer material is optional based on the desired difficulty of the game. Layer 134 of buffer material may be on a top surface 136 of circular base 106 and/or on an exterior surface 138 of cylindrical cup 114.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, bag tossing game target 100 includes a platform 140 underneath circular base 106. Platform 140 is sized to elevate first scoring target 102 and second scoring target 104 from ground surface 120. In one embodiment, platform 140 has a height that enables game target 100 to be raised above a grassline, for example. Thus, when raised, access to scoring zones of game target 100 is improved and potentially unobstructed. Platform 140 is also designed to add additional weight to bag tossing game target 100, thereby facilitating immobilization of bag tossing game target 100 when contacted by thrown tossing bags 122.

In some embodiments, a layer 142 of scratch-limiting material is underneath circular base 106. Layer 142 may be coupled to circular base 106 or, when present, to platform 140. The scratch-limiting material is designed to be softer than most, if not all, common interior flooring surfaces, such as hardwood and laminate surfaces. Thus, including the scratch-limiting material enables the game to be played indoors without damaging the interior flooring surfaces. Example scratch-limiting materials include, but are not limited to rubber, linen, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the method of gameplay enables more than one player, such as a first player 148 and a second player 150, to toss one or more tossing bags 122 towards a single bag tossing game target 144. In such an embodiment, the single bag tossing game target 144 is positioned on ground surface 120 (shown in FIG. 2) and a tossing zone 146 is defined at a predetermined distance from game target 144. The predetermined distance may vary based on a desired difficulty of the game and/or the relative skill level of the players (e.g., children versus adults).

Per rules of the game, first player 148 and second player 150 are instructed to stand and/or sit within tossing zone 146 at any angle relative to game target 144. As described above, the design of game target 144 enables players to be positioned at any angle relative to game target 144 without providing any single player with a tossing advantage.

Per rules of the game, first player 148 is instructed to toss a first plurality of tossing bags 152 towards game target 144, and second player 150 is instructed to toss a second plurality of tossing bags 154 towards game target 144. Bags 152 and 154 are visually distinct from one another to enable points to be easily awarded to each player at the end of a tossing round.

A first point value is awarded when one of the plurality of tossing bags lands in first scoring zone 124, a second point value is awarded when one of the plurality of tossing bags lands in second scoring zone 126, and a third point value is awarded when one of the plurality of tossing bags lands in third scoring zone 128 (each shown in FIG. 1). At the end of each tossing round, the point totals for each player are calculated and the difference in respective point totals is determined. In one embodiment, the player with the greater point total is awarded the difference in respective point totals at the end of the tossing round. If the respective point totals are equal then no points are awarded to either player. A winner is determined when an aggregate point total for one of the players after multiple rounds is equal to or greater than a winning point total.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the method of gameplay enables more than one player, such as first player 148 and second player 150, to toss one or more tossing bags 122 towards a respective target of a plurality of targets. In such an embodiment, a first game target 156 and a second game target 158 are positioned a predetermined distance from each other, and each player is positioned at the predetermined distance from their respective target. For example, first player 148 may be within a first tossing zone 160 that is behind the target in which second player 150 is aiming (i.e., second game target 158), and second player 150 may be within a second tossing zone 162 that is behind the target in which first player 148 is aiming (i.e., first game target 156). Per rules of the game, first player 148 is instructed to toss a first plurality of tossing bags 164 towards first game target 156, and second player 150 is instructed to toss a second plurality of tossing bags 166 towards second game target 158.

In an alternative embodiment, both players 148 and 150 toss their bags from the same tossing zone towards the same game target, such as first game target 156. After all the bags have been tossed, the players retrieve their bags and then toss them towards the other game target, such as second game target 158.

The scoring is the same for the different methods of gameplay using a single game target or multiple game targets.

Claims

1. A bag tossing game target comprising: a first scoring target comprising a circular base and a side wall around the circular base, wherein the side wall comprises a top edge that is level relative to the circular base to define a planar opening; anda second scoring target comprising a cylindrical cup centrally located on the circular base, wherein the cylindrical cup comprises a top opening,wherein a first scoring zone is over the circular base exterior of the cylindrical cup, and a second scoring zone is within the cylindrical cup.

2. The bag tossing game target in accordance with claim 1, wherein a third scoring zone is on an exterior surface of at least one of the circular base or the side wall, or is under at least one of the circular base or the side wall.

3. The bag tossing game target in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top opening of the second scoring target is at a greater height than the planar opening of the first scoring target.

4. The bag tossing game target in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a platform underneath the circular base.

5. The bag tossing game target in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and second scoring targets are concentric with each other.

6. The bag tossing game target in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a layer of buffer material on at least one of the first scoring target or the second scoring target.

7. The bag tossing game target in accordance with claim 6, wherein the layer of buffer material on the second scoring target is exterior of the cylindrical cup.

8. The bag tossing game target in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a layer of scratch-limiting material underneath the circular base.

9. The bag tossing game target in accordance with claim 1, wherein the circular base comprises a bottom surface that is planar.

10. A bag tossing game comprising: at least one bag tossing game target comprising:a first scoring target comprising a circular base and a side wall around the circular base, wherein the side wall comprises a top edge that is level relative to the circular base to define a planar opening; anda second scoring target comprising a cylindrical cup centrally located on the circular base, wherein the cylindrical cup comprises a top opening,wherein a first scoring zone is over the circular base exterior of the cylindrical cup and a second scoring zone is within the cylindrical cup; anda plurality of tossing bags sized to enable more than one tossing bag to be received in each of the first and second scoring zones.

11. The bag tossing game in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a plurality of bag tossing game targets that each comprise the first scoring target and the second scoring target.

12. The bag tossing game in accordance with claim 10, wherein a third scoring zone is on an exterior surface of at least one of the circular base or the side wall, or is under at least one of the circular base or the side wall.

13. The bag tossing game in accordance with claim 10, wherein the top opening of the second scoring target is at a greater height than the planar opening of the first scoring target.

14. The bag tossing game in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a platform underneath the circular base.

15. The bag tossing game in accordance with claim 10, wherein the first and second scoring targets are concentric with each other.

16. A method of gameplay for use with at least one bag tossing game target, the method comprising: instructing a player to position the at least one bag tossing game target on a ground surface, the at least one bag tossing game target comprising a first scoring target comprising a circular base and a side wall around the circular base, wherein the side wall comprises a top edge that is level relative to the circular base to define a planar opening, and a second scoring target comprising a cylindrical cup centrally located on the circular base, wherein the cylindrical cup comprises a top opening;instructing the player to position the at least one bag tossing game target a predetermined distance from a tossing zone;instructing the player to toss a plurality of tossing bags from the tossing zone towards the at least one bag tossing game target;instructing the player to award a first point value when one of the plurality of tossing bags lands in the first scoring zone; andinstructing the player to award a second point value when one of the plurality of tossing bags lands in the second scoring zone,wherein the second point value is greater than the first point value.

17. The method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising instructing the player to award a third point value when one of the plurality of tossing bags lands at a third scoring zone that is on an exterior surface of at least one of the circular base or the side wall, or that is under at least one of the circular base or the side wall, wherein the third point value is less than the first point value.

18. The method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising instructing the player to orient the bag tossing game target on the ground surface such that the planar opening and the top opening are level with the ground surface.

19. The method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising instructing more than one player to toss the plurality of tossing bags towards a single bag tossing game target.

20. The method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising instructing a player to toss the plurality of tossing bags towards a first bag tossing game target and towards a second bag tossing game target positioned a predetermined distance from the first bag tossing game target.