BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a player employing a first embodiment of the gaming apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the first embodiment of the game apparatus introduced in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken about section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing an alternative location of the target relative to the launcher;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing another alternative location of the target relative to the launcher;
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the game apparatus shown in FIG. 2 but having an alternative embodiment of the target;
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the game apparatus shown in FIG. 2 but having another alternative embodiment of the target;
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the game apparatus shown in FIG. 2 but having an alternative embodiment of the target, which has multiple goals;
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the game apparatus shown in FIG. 2 but having another alternative embodiment of the target, which has multiple goals;
FIG. 10 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the game apparatus;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken about section line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 11 but where the ramp portion is parabolic in shape;
FIG. 13 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternative embodiment of the handle;
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the game apparatus showing a sensor, indicator, and a timer;
FIG. 15 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the game apparatus; and
FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the game apparatus similar to FIG. 15 showing an alternative embodiment of the launcher.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a player 1 grasping with his right hand 2 the game apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. With reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the game is played by first placing the projectile 20 into opening 43 of the game apparatus 10. Next, player 1 may launch the projectile 20 from the game apparatus 10 by either throwing his arm or flicking his wrist in order to launch the projectile 20, as is depicted in FIG. 1. After the projectile 20 is launched the player 1 attempts to score a goal on target 30 by maneuvering the apparatus 10 and correspondingly target 30 into position such that projectile 20 passes through hoop 32.
FIGS. 2 and 3 depict the game apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 with greater detail. Here it may be seen that apparatus 10 includes a hand held launcher 40 that supports a target 30. Launcher 40 includes a handle 42 and a ramp portion 44 that is configured such that the player may launch a projectile 20 into the air. The projectile may be, for instance, spherical in shape with a soft covering such as felt to dampen noise and decrease bounce. In this embodiment the launcher 40 is bowl shaped with a rim 41 that encircles and defines opening 43. In this embodiment, target 30 simply consists of a hoop 32 sized and configured such that projectile 20 may pass therethrough. Hoop 32 is supported by an L-shaped arm composed of horizontal member 37 and vertical member 38, which in this case projects upwardly from handle 42.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view about section line 3-3 of FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 3 launcher 40 may be bowl shaped. By way of example and not to be construed as limiting, the inner surface of launcher 40 may extend along the surface of an imaginary sphere defined by radius r1. Accordingly, ramp portion 44 would have a curved shape that also extends along a surface of an imaginary sphere. It should be understood that ramp portion 44 could alternatively be configured as a paraboloid, hyperboloid, or ellipse. At the bottom of the launcher is a base 45 designed to support the apparatus 10 on a support surface. In this embodiment the target 30 has a diameter d1 and is spaced a distance w1 from the rim 41 of the launcher opposite handle 42. Distance w1 is selected such that projectile 20 can pass between rim 41 and target 30 during the step of launching the projectile 20.
The bowl shaped launcher in FIG. 3 includes an upper rim 41, which defines a first plane X. In FIG. 3 target 30 is comprised of a hoop, oriented in a second plane Y. FIG. 3 indicates that second plane Y is spaced relative and parallel to and above first plane X at a distance h1. Alternatively, in FIG. 4, gaming apparatus 310 may have plane X that is, again, defined by upper rim portion 331 and plane Y defined by target 330 in a coplanar relationship. In this case the target has a diameter d2 and is spaced a distance w2 from the rim 341 of the launcher such that the projectile may pass therebetween. FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the game apparatus 410 where target 430 is supported in plane Y that is spaced below and parallel to first plane X a distance h2. Here again target 430 has a diameter d3 and is spaced from the launcher rim 441 a distance w3 such that the projectile may pass therebetween. Target 430 is supported by horizontal member 437 and member 438 that is angled down from rim 441 at an angle a1 to support the target.
FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the game apparatus 110 where target 130 is formed as a small cup 134. Cup 134 is sized and configured such that projectile 120 may be received therein. FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment 210 of the game apparatus. In this embodiment, the target 230 and the projectile 220 are covered with hook and loop material. It should be understood that the hook material may be disposed on either the target or the projectile. For example, target 230 is comprised of a disc 235 that is covered at least partially with hook material 236. Correspondingly, projectile 220 is at least partially covered with loop material 222. Upon launching projectile 220 and thereafter successfully hitting target 230, the projectile 220 will stick to disc 235 as the hook and loop material 222, 236 come in contact with each other.
FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the game apparatus 910 with a multiple goal target 930. In this embodiment the target is a flat disk 962 with a plurality of goals 963, 964, and 965 formed therethrough. Each goal is of a different size relative to the projectile 920. For instance, goal 965 is only slightly larger in diameter than projectile 920 thereby making it difficult to score on goal 925. Conversely, goal 963 is very large in diameter compared to the projectile 920. Goal 964 has a diameter between goal 965 and 963. Various scoring schemes are possible with such a multi-goal target. Points could be allocated based on the difficulty of scoring on a particular diameter goal. Also, the scheme might require that a player score on each goal in succession from easiest to most difficult (i.e. from largest diameter to smallest diameter). FIG. 9 represents an alternative construction of a multi-goal target. In this embodiment 912 the target 933 is constructed of several rings that form multiple goals. Specifically, goals 925, 926, and 927 are formed by rings 952, 953, and 954 respectively. The rings are secured to each other where they meet at tangent points 967. The rings may be secured together by brazing, gluing, or the like. Alternatively, the goals may be formed from plastic by stamping, molding, gluing or the like. While the figures indicate three equal diameter goals, the number and size of the goals can vary. Similarly, the goals can all be of the same diameter but with a color code associated with each goal representing a selected point value.
FIGS. 10 and 11 depict another embodiment of the game apparatus 710 where the launcher 740 is constructed of parallel sidewalls 80 and 82 that are connected orthogonally to end wall 84 and base wall 86. Ramp portion 744 is comprised of planar ramp wall 88 that is disposed between side walls 80 and 82 and angled relative to base wall 86 at a selected obtuse angle a2 which, for example, may be about 135°. Launcher 740 also includes handle 742 and target 730. Target hoop 732 is directly supported by end wall 84 in this example. FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of a game apparatus 810 similar to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11 but with a ramp portion 844 that is parabolic rather than planar.
It should be understood that the handle portion of the launcher may be configured in various different ways. For example, FIG. 13 shows an embodiment 510 where handle 542 is structured to also support target 530 in the form of hoop 532. FIG. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of the game apparatus that includes a sensor 650 that will register when projectile 620 passes through target 630. Sensor 650 may be, for example, a retroreflective LED sensor, which are well known in the art. Upon registering a goal, sensor 650 communicates with indicator 670 to display the score. A timer 660 may also be employed to set a time limit on how long the player has to score goals. Indicator 670 may be simply a series of LED's or it may be a liquid crystal display. Timer 660 may be implemented as either a mechanical wind up timer or preferably in the form of an electronic timing circuit. The interconnection and control of sensor 650, display 670, and timer 660 may be accomplished electronically, as is well known in the art.
In another embodiment of the game apparatus the launcher remains stationary on a surface such as a table. As is illustrated in FIG. 15, the game apparatus 1000 includes a launcher 1040 that is sized and configured such that the player's hand 2 can fit into the launcher 1040 to propel the projectile 1020 along ramp portion 1044. In this embodiment the player attempts to score a goal on target 1030 only by launching the projectile 1020. In contrast to the previous embodiments described above, in this case the player does not maneuver the game apparatus in order to score a goal. The player must rely only on his skill at launching the projectile 1020. FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the game apparatus similar to that of FIG. 15 but with the addition of an opening 1190 in the side of the launcher 1140. Opening 1190 should be sized and configured to allow the player's hand 2 to fit into the launcher 1140 for propelling the projectile 1120 along the ramp portion 1144.
A method is also contemplated for improving a person's hand-eye coordination. This method may include any steps inherent in any of the disclosed embodiments. Broadly, the method includes the step of providing a gaming apparatus that includes a launcher with a ramp portion configured such that the player may launch a projectile therefrom and a target supported in spaced relation relative to said launcher to define a goal for the projectile. The player then places a projectile in the launcher and launches said projectile. In the case of a handheld launcher, once the projectile has been launched, the player maneuvers the apparatus in an attempt to score a goal on the target. The steps of placing the projectile in the launcher, launching the projectile in attempting to score a goal may be repeated numerous times. It should be further understood that each time a goal is scored that the goal may be tallied. In addition, a timer may be employed to add challenge to the game by limiting the amount of time and thereby the number of attempts the player may attempt to score a goal. While it is contemplated that a player can keep score if desired, keeping score is not required to enjoy the challenge and entertainment afforded by the gaming apparatus described herein.
Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to certain exemplary embodiments. Those of skill in the art, though, will recognize that certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof are within the true spirit and scope of the various embodiments.
Patent Application
20070284824
