Patent Application
20110266744
The present invention pertains to the field of drinking game devices, and more specifically to the field of sports related drinking game devices.
The prior art has put forth several designs for sports related game devices. Among these are:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,635 to Randolph M. Hopkins describes a game involving the tossing or pitching of a marker onto a board having numbers marked thereon and representing possible pin counts in the game of bowling.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,138 to William B. Faith describes a game unit having a skill game combined with a prize dispenser.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,821 to Sming Huang describes a gaming apparatus in which a player rolls a coin or token down a chute and across a playing field to a jackpot opening. The closer the coin or token gets to the jackpot opening the greater the reward.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sports related drinking game device.
Drinking games are games that involve drinking alcoholic beverages. The point is either simply to drink, or to make your opponent drink more than you do, so that they become drunk and drink even more, and so forth. It is not immediately obvious whether the person with the highest intoxication level at the end of the game is the winner, the loser, or both. It largely depends on whether each player has to provide their own beverages or if they share beverages from a common pool. Perhaps the simplest drinking games are the ones in which players compete to out-drink each other. Players take turns taking shots, and the last person standing is the winner. Some games have rules involving the “cascade” or “waterfall”, which encourages each player to drink constantly from their cup so long as the player before him doesn't stop drinking. Such games can also favor speed over quantity, in which case players, for example, race to drink a beer the fastest. Games that involve creative thinking, such as naming a sports player whose name begins with a particular letter, for example, are played under a “drink while you think” rule in which a player consumes his beverage until he comes up with an answer. Some drinking games, such as Quarters, involve performing certain skills, which are more difficult as the level of intoxication increases. A variation of Quarters using ping pong balls, as well as memory games involving cards and dice, are some of the most popular drinking games today, particularly among the college set.
The present invention, hereinafter referred as the Flip Coin Bouncer, is a variation on the classic game of Quarters. The object of the Flip Coin Bouncer is to flip a coin toward a specially designed goal in an effort to force opponents to take a drink. The game's playing unit is fashioned from a durable wood, cardboard, or plastic material, and measures approximately five and one-half inches in length, three and one-half inches in width, and one to one and one-half inches in depth. The base consists of an angled incline, culminating in an attached goal post. Shaped as a rectangle or, in another embodiment, as a pennant, the goal contains a centrally positioned hole for coins to pass through. The goal, as well as the base, is decorated with various sports themed logos. To support the goal within the base, a pen or similar object is attached and reflects the goal post.
Simple in design yet brimming with fun possibilities, use and play of the Flip Coin Bouncer is straightforward. First, two to four players are needed for the game. A standard coin flip determines which player goes first, with “Heads” being the deciding factor. The first participant then aims a coin, likely a quarter, but smaller denominations are also used, toward the goal, using the thumb and forefinger to shoot. Should he make it, he chooses another player to take a drink. Of course, if he misses, he takes a drink. Yet, if he makes the goal and his opponent(s) do not, the first player also keeps the coins. Incorporating the Flip Coin Bouncer as a sports bar game, a player pays one dollar for a chance at the goal. If the player scores two out of four goals, he wins a free shot from the bar. If he does not make two goals, the bar keeps his dollar.
Created with spirited fun in mind, a game such as the Flip Coin Bouncer combines a love of sports with the enjoyment of libations. While primarily conceived for adults, children enjoy the game as a simple goal game with small rubber balls. Additionally, when not in use, the Flip Coin Bouncer makes an attractive, decorative paper weight, pen holder, or piggy bank.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/343,095 filed Apr. 23, 2010, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Flip Coin Bouncer.”
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61343095 | Apr 2010 | US |
