BEAN BAG TOSS GAME APPARATUS

Abstract

A bean bag toss game apparatus includes a plurality of bean bags and a frame. The frame has a first leg and an opposing second leg forming an A-shape. The apparatus also includes a playing surface mounted within the frame and the playing surface has a base and an apex, where a width of the playing surface narrows from the base to the apex. The apparatus includes a plurality of ledges spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface and are configured for a bean bag to rest thereon. The plurality of ledges are spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface. In addition, the apparatus includes an open compartment positioned between a top of the frame and the apex of the playing surface, the open compartment configured to receive bean bags tossed therein.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of outdoor games, and, more particularly, to a bean bag toss game apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Cornhole is a bean bag toss game that uses an inclined platform having a single hole. Players take turns in tossing bean bags to the platform. The object of the game is to try and toss the bean bag through the hole or at least land the bean bag on the platform itself. Players earn points for each bean bag that goes through the hole or lands on the platform. The platforms are generally rectangular and the far end of the platform is elevated to create an incline along the platform surface.

While cornhole platforms have been around for many years there is a need for a bean bag toss game apparatus that is for players of all skill levels and also can be played in low light conditions.

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a game that is fun to play for players of all ages and skill levels. This and other objects, features, and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a bean bag toss game apparatus. The bean bag toss game apparatus includes a plurality of bean bags, and a frame. The frame has a first leg and an opposing second leg forming an A-shape. The apparatus also includes a playing surface mounted within the frame and the playing surface has a base and an apex, where a width of the playing surface narrows from the base to the apex. In addition, the apparatus includes a plurality of ledges spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface and configured for a bean bag to rest thereon. The plurality of ledges are spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface, and an open compartment is positioned between a top of the frame and the apex of the playing surface. The open compartment is configured to receive bean bags tossed therein.

The apparatus may also include a rear support secured to a rear of the frame, where the rear support is extendable out from the frame to support the frame in an upright position. A controller may be coupled to a plurality of lights configured to light up selected portions of the playing surface. In addition, the apparatus may include a bean bag detector configured to activate selected lights of the plurality of lights when a bean bag is detected on the playing surface.

A plurality of stakes may also be removably secured to the first and opposing second legs that are configured to hold the frame securely to a ground surface. A visual indicator may be located between each of the plurality of ledges, where a respective visual indicator indicates a value for a bean bag being tossed on a respective ledge.

The apparatus may also include a power source coupled to the controller and a plurality of lights, and a speaker configured to emit a sound when a bean bag is tossed on a respective ledge. Each bean bag may include a bag light coupled to a power source where the bag light is configured to illuminate a respective bean bag. The plurality of bean bags may each include a pocket that is configured to secure the bag light and the power source therein.

In another particular aspect, a method of playing a bean bag toss game is disclosed. The method includes providing a frame, a playing surface mounted within the frame, a plurality of ledges spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface and being spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface, and an open compartment positioned between at a top of the playing surface. The method also includes providing a plurality of bean bags. In addition, the method includes tossing each bean bag of the plurality of bean bags on to the playing surface, and adding a respective value for each bean bag that lands on a respective ledge to calculate a ledge score. In addition, the method includes adding a high value for each bean bag that lands in the open compartment to the ledge score to calculate a total score.

The method may also include activating lights in the plurality of bean bags and activating lights to illuminate the playing surface so that the bean bag toss game can be played in low light conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aspects and the attendant advantages of the embodiments described herein will become more readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bean bag toss game apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the apparatus with a rear support in a retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus with the rear support extended;

FIG. 5 is a right-side elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a rear detail view of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bean bag of the apparatus showing a pocket with a light secured therein;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the apparatus showing a bean bag tossed on to the playing surface and resting on a ledge; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of the apparatus illuminated by lights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a bean bag toss game apparatus of the present invention is shown and generally designated 100. The bean bag toss game apparatus 100 includes a plurality of bean bags 130, and a frame 102. The frame 102 has a first leg 112a and an opposing second leg 112b forming an A-shape. The apparatus 100 also includes a playing surface 120 mounted within the frame 102. The playing surface 120 has a base 113 and an apex 115, where a width of the playing surface 120 narrows from the base 113 to the apex 115.

In addition, the apparatus 100 includes a plurality of ledges 104, 106, 108 spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface 120. The ledges 104, 106, 108 are configured for a bean bag 130 to rest thereon. The plurality of ledges 104, 106, 108 are spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface 120, and an open compartment 110 is positioned between a top of the frame 102 and the apex 115 of the playing surface 120. The open compartment 110 is configured to receive bean bags 130 tossed therein. The open compartment 110 may have a number that is visible to the player and correlates to a number of points a player earns if successfully tossing a bean bag 130 therein.

The apparatus may also include a rear support 118 secured to a rear of the frame 102 as shown in FIGS. 3-5. The rear support 118 is extendable out from the frame 102 to support the frame in an upright position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate, the apparatus 100 may be comprised of plastic, wood, or any other suitable material.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the apparatus may include integrated circuit (C) with controller 132 that is coupled to a plurality of lights 160 configured to light up selected portions of the playing surface 120. The lights 160 may be secured to the rear of the playing surface 120 and can be used to light up the visual indicators 128a, b, c (e.g. numbers) when a bean bag 130 lands on a respective ledge 104, 106, 108 or lands in the open compartment 110.

In addition, the apparatus 100 may include a bean bag detector 162 configured to activate selected lights of the plurality of lights 160 when a bean bag 130 is detected on the playing surface 120. The apparatus 100 also includes an internal power source 136 such as a battery, and a speaker 138.

A plurality of stakes 114 may also be removably secured to the first and opposing second legs 112a,b that are configured to hold the frame 102 securely to a ground surface such as a grassy lawn so it does not move or slide during game playing. A visual indicator 128a,b,c may be located between each of the plurality of ledges 104, 106, 108, where a respective visual indicator indicates a value for a bean bag 130 being tossed on a respective ledge.

The apparatus 100 may also include a power source 136 coupled to the controller 132 and the plurality of lights 160, and the speaker 138 that is configured to emit a sound when a bean bag 130 is tossed on a respective ledge 104, 106, 108.

Referring now to FIG. 7, each bean bag 130 may include a bag light 150 coupled to a power source 152 such as a battery, where the bag light 150 is configured to illuminate a respective bean bag 130. The plurality of bean bags 130 may each include a pocket 154 that is configured to secure the bag light 150 and the power source therein 152 using a closure mechanism 156. The closure mechanism 156 may be hook and loop, a snap, or button for example that allows for the power source to be replaced as needed.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the apparatus 100 with a bean bag 130 resting on ledge 106. The apparatus 100 being used in low light conditions is shown in FIG. 9, where the lights 160 are illuminating the playing surface and the visual indicators 128a,b,c.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the lights 160 may be light emitting diodes (LEDs) or strips of LEDS that are secured along the ledges 104, 106, 108 and that are configured to illuminate at night for visibility, then blink on and off a few times when a bean bag 130 is successfully tossed into the open compartment 110, for example.

In another particular aspect, a method of playing a bean bag toss game is disclosed. The method includes providing a frame 102, a playing surface 120 mounted within the frame, a plurality of ledges 104, 106, 108 spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface and being spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface, and an open compartment 110 positioned between at a top of the playing surface. The method also includes providing a plurality of bean bags 130. In addition, the method includes tossing a bean bag 130 of the plurality of bean bags on to the playing surface 120, and adding a respective value for each bean bag 130 that lands on a respective ledge 104, 106, 108 to calculate a ledge score. In addition, the method includes adding a high value for each bean bag 130 that lands in the open compartment 110 to the ledge score to calculate a total score.

The method may also include activating lights 150 in the plurality of bean bags 130 and activating lights 160 to illuminate the playing surface 120 so that the bean bag toss game can be played in low light conditions.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bean bag toss game apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of bean bags;a frame having a first leg and an opposing second leg forming an A-shape;a playing surface mounted within the frame and the playing surface having a base and an apex, wherein a width of the playing surface narrows from the base to the apex;a plurality of ledges spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface and configured for a bean bag to rest thereon, the plurality of ledges being spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface; andan open compartment positioned between a top of the frame and the apex of the playing surface, the open compartment configured to receive bean bags tossed therein.

2. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rear support secured to a rear of the frame, wherein the rear support is extendable out from the frame to support the frame in an upright position.

3. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled to a plurality of lights configured to light up selected portions of the playing surface.

4. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a bean bag detector configured to activate selected lights of the plurality of lights when a bean bag is detected on the playing surface.

5. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 2, wherein a plurality of stakes are removably secured to the first and opposing second legs and configured to hold the frame securely to a ground surface.

6. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ledges span continuously across the playing surface and the frame.

7. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator between each of the plurality of ledges, wherein a respective visual indicator indicates a value for a bean bag being tossed on a respective ledge.

8. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a power source coupled to the controller and the plurality of lights.

9. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a speaker configured to emit a sound when a bean bag is tossed on a respective ledge.

10. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 1, wherein each bean bag comprises a bag light coupled to a power source and the bag light is configured to illuminate a respective bean bag.

11. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 10, wherein each bean bag has a pocket configured to secure the bag light and the power source therein.

12. A bean bag toss game apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of bean bags;a frame;a playing surface mounted within the frame;a plurality of ledges spanning laterally across a width of the playing surface and configured for a bean bag to rest thereon, the plurality of ledges being spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface; andan open compartment positioned between at a top of the playing surface, the open compartment configured to receive bean bags tossed therein.

13. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a rear support secured to a rear of the frame, wherein the rear support is extendable out from the frame to support the frame in an upright position.

14. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a controller coupled to a plurality of lights configured to light up selected portions of the playing surface.

15. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a bean bag detector configured to activate selected lights of the plurality of lights when a bean bag is detected on the playing surface.

16. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a power source coupled to the controller and the plurality of lights.

17. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a speaker configured to emit a sound when a bean bag is tossed on a respective ledge.

18. The bean bag toss game apparatus of claim 12, wherein each bean bag comprises a bag light coupled to a power source and the bag light is configured to illuminate a respective bean bag.

19. A method of playing a bean bag toss game, the method comprising: providing a frame, a playing surface mounted within the frame, a plurality of ledges spanning laterally across a width of the playing surface and being spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface, and an open compartment positioned between at a top of the playing surface;providing a plurality of been bags;tossing each bean bag of the plurality of bean bags on to the playing surface;adding a respective value for each bean bag that lands on a respective ledge to calculate a ledge score;adding a high value for each bean bag that lands in the open compartment to the ledge score to calculate a total score.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising activating lights in the plurality of bean bags and activating lights to illuminate the playing surface so that the bean bag toss game can be played in low light conditions.