Patent Application
20190381393
The present invention relates to a bean bag football gaming system, and more particularly to a game board to be used in combination with a scoreboard, down indicator, projectiles, and marking sticks and a method of using the same.
Games involving bean bags or similar projectile pieces have been a popular and long standing fixture in the lawn games industry. One of the most common bean bag games is cornhole. Traditionally, cornhole involves two boards of identical size with one target opening on each board. The ease of play is typically the draw of such game, but lack of strategy and limitations involved with scoring make for a game that is repetitive and predictable.
With the increasing popularity of bean bag and projectile games, more and more alternatives to the traditional cornhole game have been introduced. Many of these alternatives have focused around football, one of the most popular American sports of our time. For years cornhole has been a fixture at football tailgating events, and more recently as the interest in cornhole has surged, many cornhole games have been introduced that incorporate the rules of football into the game itself.
One such game is a traditional cornhole board with multiple target openings and alternative game play styles as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,525 to Stayer et al. (“Stayer”), which is herein incorporated by reference. Stayer discloses a manual game which simulates American football with points earned or lost by hitting a target opening that represents outcomes or advancements as seen in a real football game. Such target openings include “−10 yd. sack”, “fumble”, “+35 yd. deep out” etc. However, because points are only earned by successfully passing a projectile through a target opening, there is no way to gain or score points if a projectile lands on the board itself and not through an opening. Further, there are no rules indicating starting positions for tossing the projectiles. Therefore, essentially all players, regardless of age or height, start as equals.
More recent games have attempted to include additional football rules and point scoring opportunities by adding target openings for a “hail mary,” “turnover,” or “−5 yd. foul.” Such a game is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/380,109 to Wolters (“Wolters”). Similar to Stayer, the game board in Wolters includes multiple target openings that correspond to a play losing or gaining points. Wolters discloses a bean bag tossing game incorporating kickoffs, punts, and gains and losses of yardage. However, like Stayer, there is not opportunity to gain or lose points unless a projectile successfully passes through an opening.
An alternative to a game incorporating target openings is a game described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,530 to Roop (“Roop”). Roop discloses a football game apparatus comprising a game board having thereon a visual representation of a football field including spaced lines representing 10 yard intervals. The game consists of a cork board and projectiles, such as darts, used in game play and, unlike Wolters and Stayer, there are no target openings. Instead, the game board in Roop is divided to represent scoring opportunities for players, with the field goal being a two and one-half inch by two inch section, not goal posts as typically used in real football or the football cornhole games disclosed by Stayer.
The games previously disclosed all incorporate the traditional rules of football in a lawn game type format. However, one of the major pieces of football is scoring. Scoring involves first through forth downs, gains and losses of yardages for catches, interceptions or penalties. Additionally there are scoring opportunities with touchdowns, field goals, touchback, and two-point conversions. Representing accurate movement of the football on the field according to the rules of football can present a challenge. Ability to easily track each “team” or “player” movement can present a challenge when incorporating the nuances of the game to a lawn game such as cornhole.
One such proposed solution is disclosed in a display for a simulated football game in U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,679 to Kircher (“Kircher”). Kircher discloses a display including an elongated main panel having indicators arranged to mark yards and clips that are alignable with selected yard indicators. The scoring mechanism disclosed in Kircher is to be used with a dart game similar to that of Roop, but with far less complexity and rules for game play. Therefore the scoring mechanism itself does not include or account for all possibilities of football, such as punting.
The present invention is directed to a kit and method of play for a game comprising projectiles and a simulated football field. More specifically, the invention is directed to a kit comprising a game board that can be folded up to store all pieces of the game, instructions for use, a scoreboard with a ball and down indicator, bean bags, and marking sticks for different players. The invention is also directed to a method of play comprising the kit as and rules that are adapted from American football.
According to embodiments, game play closely resembles the scoring and rules of traditional American football. The game comprises the use of beanbags and a game board with graduated spaced field markers resembling a football field. According to an embodiment, the board can have an inclined surface with uniformly spaced yardage lines. The yardage lines include distance indications the resemble distance indications as seen on a real football field. According to an additional embodiment, the game board can also comprise yardage lines that are unevenly spaced to simulate difficulty of play. The smaller the distance between yardage lines, the more yardage earned. In some embodiments the board can also comprise defined spaces that correspond with yardage losses or penalties to make game play more difficult.
According to the method of play, each player uses a marking stick to position him- or herself at an appropriate distance from the board; this distance remains that player's tossing position for the duration of the game. Each player has four beanbags, three of one color and one of a different color. In a preferred embodiment a player has three brown projectiles and one red projectile. According to one embodiment for a method of play, after each player is in position, a coin is flipped to determine who begins the game. The winning player chooses whether he or she would like to “kick off” or “receive.” The player who chooses to kick off “punts,” or tosses, a bag on to the board to determine the starting yardage for the receiving player. This yardage is marked on a scoring stick and the game begins.
The player who chooses to the “punt” begins by tossing one brown bag at a time on to the board. With each toss, points or yards are gained or lost and the score indicator is moved accordingly to indicate the loss or gain for each toss. The first down indicator on the scoring stick is moved each time a player achieves a gain of ten yards or more. Game play continues in this manner until a player scores a touchdown or a player is unable to score after a forth down.
According to embodiments, the game board can additionally be configured to fold in half, providing a space to store all the pieces of the game. The scoring piece and measuring stick are configured to fold into smaller segments, allowing for easy storage within the game board. The projectile pieces are also sized for convenience of storage in the game board. After all pieces have been placed in the game board, the board folds in half and locks to prevent accidental opening during transport. In some embodiments the game board can also comprise a carrying handle for easier totability.
The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments.
Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:
While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.
The lawn games previously described in the Background all attempt to incorporate the rules of football into a type of lawn game; however, none of the games include the ability to account for all aspects of the game such as punting or two-point conversions. More specifically, there remains a need for a game that can incorporate a point system for a game in which a projectile is not completely in a target point area. Assigning points to a projectile that is on a line, over a target point area, or off the board incorporates scoring that is more realistic to the game of football itself. Such a scoring system should also accurately account for all gains and losses of yardage, including punts.
There also remains a need for a system that accounts for variances amongst players of the game. Because cornhole games are dependent on a player's ability to successfully throw a projectile onto the board, there are many variances that can impact a successful toss. Often, players of a game are different heights and ages, and these factors can impact the ability of a player to successfully toss a projectile onto a game board. Therefore, a system for positioning players at an initial tossing line is also desirable for creating a game where all players are positioned fairly.
Furthermore, there remains a need for a game that is easily transportable. Current cornhole games, and those as described in Stayer, Wolters, and Roop, consist of large and bulky game boards that are hard to store, tote around or travel with. Further, these games lack the ability to store projectiles and/or additional game pieces, often leading to game pieces being lost. Therefore there still remains a need for a game that comprises a comprehensive scoring system and ability to account for player variances, while also having the ability to be compacted for easy storage and totability.
According to embodiments a gaming system comprises a game board, a field position indicator, a line of scrimmage stick, projectiles, and a method of play involving these components. Components can be configured to hinge at a location that is conducive for compaction and storage.
According to embodiments, the method of play consists of two halves, each half made up of two fifteen minute quarters and incorporates two or more users and rules and point scoring that resembles that of traditional American football. To begin play, each player picks and end zone corresponding to each of the users and one player flips a coin to determine the receiver and punter for the initial kick off. To kickoff, the first player throws the projectile from his or her tossing line. The starting position of the receiver is determined by the landing position of the most distal portion of the projectile thrown by the punter. For example, a projectile that crosses a yardage line is allotted points according to the landing position of the most distal portion the projectile touches. The initial starting position for the receiver is then marked on the game positioning board and the receiver takes control of all four projectiles.
The second player then tosses the first projectile. The score is determined by the landing position of the first projectile and points are allotted accordingly. Points scored, yardage achieved, and ball location are all marked on the ball positioning board and the projectile is then removed from the board. This process is repeated for the next two projectiles. With the last projectile, the user must call out his or her intention for play, wherein the options consist of kicking a field goal, going for a fourth down, or punting the projectile. Points are only awarded if the user achieves his or her stated intention of throwing the projectile. The steps of tossing a projectile assigning yardage and scoring points is repeated until a user was unsuccessful in scoring a first down, the user was unsuccessful in completing the stated intention of the fourth projectile, or a touchdown was scored. These steps are repeated for the first half of the game. At the beginning of the second half, the opposite user kicks off and receives. The steps for scoring and tossing are repeated according to the first half and the winner is determined by the user with the highest total points at the end of the four fifteen minute quarters.
According to an embodiment of the invention as depicted in
As depicted in
According to embodiments, the game broadly comprises a hollow, generally wedge-shaped body as depicted in
Game board 200 as depicted in
Game board 200 can also include hinge 214. Hinge 214 is located centrally between the two game board ends. In one embodiment hinge 214 is preferably located 1′ 11½″ from each end of game board 200. Game board 200 can be hinged shut at hinge 214. In this embodiment game board 200 measures 1′ 11″ by 1′ 11½″ when hinged closed.
According to an embodiment, game surface 202 comprises two ends, proximal end 216 and distal end 218, and a series of yard lines 204. According to this embodiment, the spaces between yard lines 204 assign point values to common American football plays such as “runs” or “passes.”
According to preferred embodiments, the spacing between yard lines 204 decreases from proximal end 216 to distal end 218. For example, according to a preferred embodiment, the space between proximal end 216 and first yard line 204 represents “sacked loss 5 yards” and is 6¼″ wide. According to this embodiment the first yard line 204 represents a 10 yard punt. The second space on game surface 202 represents a “5 yard run.” The distance between the first yard line 204 and second yard line 204 is 5″ and the second yard line 204 represents a 20 yard punt. The third space on game surface 202 represents a “3 yard run.” The distance between second yard line 204 and third yard line 204 is 5″ wide and the third yard line 204 represents a 30 yard punt. The forth space on game surface 202 represents a “2 yard run.” The distance between the third yard line 204 and forth yard line 204 is 5″ wide and the forth yard line 204 represents a 40 yard punt. The fifth space on game surface 202 represents a “1 yard run.” The distance between forth yard line 204 and fifth yard line 204 is 5″ and the fifth yard line 204 represents a 50 yard punt. The sixth space on game surface 202 represents a “2 yard pass.” The distance between fifth yard line 204 and sixth yard line 204 is 5″ and sixth yard line 204 represents a 40 yard punt. The seventh space on game surface 202 represents a “5 yard pass.” The distance between sixth yard line 204 and seventh yard line 204 is 4⅜″ and the seventh yard line 204 represents a 30 yard punt. The eighth space on game surface 202 represents a “10 yard pass.” The distance between seventh yard line 204 and eighth yard line 204 is 3¾″ and eighth yard line 204 represents a 20 yard punt. The ninth space on game surface 202 represents a “15 yard pass.” The distance between eighth yard line 204 and ninth yard line 204 is 3⅛″ and the ninth yard line 204 represents a 10 yard punt. The tenth space on game surface 202 represents a “20 yard pass.” The distance between ninth yard line 204 and tenth yard line 204 is 2½″. The eleventh space on game surface 202 represents a “Hail Mary Pass.” The distance between the tenth yard line 204 and distal end of the board 218 is 1⅛″.
According to embodiments, game surface 202 also can comprise goal posts 208. Goal posts 208 are positioned 7¼″ inches from each side of game board 200 and are 7½″ from each other. According to an additional embodiment, game surface 202 can also comprise additional football marking indicia such as punt lines 205 and center field dashes 207. In one embodiment, the lines boarding the edge of game board 200 are punt lines 207. In a preferred embodiment, punt lines 207 are ⅜″ wide. In an alternative embodiment, game surface 202 can also comprise center field dashes 207. Center field dashes are 3/16″ wide. In a preferred embodiment, game surface 202 comprises two vertical rows of center field dashes 207. According to this embodiment, both first vertical rows begin at proximal end 216 and run length wise to distal end 218. The first row is positioned 7¼″ from the left edge of game board 200 and the second row is positioned 7¼″ from the right edge of game board 200. The distance between the two center field dashes 207 is preferably 7½″.
Game surface 202 can also comprise spaces that correspond to penalties. In a preferred embodiment, game surface 202 has three penalty areas. In alternative embodiment more than three penalty areas are contemplated. In a yet alternative embodiment less than three penalty areas are contemplated. In the preferred embodiment, penalty areas 206 are circular and are spaced on game surface 202 to increase difficulty of play. For example, in a preferred embodiment, one penalty area 206 is located on the left side of game surface 202 in the “3 yard run” space. This penalty area represents “off sides” and corresponds with a loss of 5 points. A second penalty area 206 is located on game surface 202 on the right side of the board in the “2 yard pass” space. This penalty area represents “holding” and corresponds with a loss of 10 points. A third penalty area 206 is located on the left side of game surface 202 in the “15 yard pass” space. This penalty represents a “personal foul” and corresponds to a loss of 15 points.
According to embodiments and as depicted in
The disclosed embodiment of game positioning board 300 is preferably 3′ by 7″ and ¾″ high. Center field indicator 308 is preferably a 30″ by 4″ area and is a centered print on the game positioning board 300. Lines and hash marks are used to accurately represent game surface 202 on center field indicator 308. According to embodiments, the perimeter of center field indicator 308 is preferably ⅜″ thick. Yard lines running horizontally from the perimeter lines of center field indicator are ¼″ thick, and hash marks around the perimeter are preferably ⅛″ thick. According to embodiments, game positioning board 300 also can comprise a hinge 314 preferably located 18″ from each end of the board.
The disclosed embodiment of first down indicator 400 is preferably 3″ long and 1″ wide. As depicted in
The game positioning board 300 can also comprise sliding ball indicator 500. As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
In use the game pieces as described herein are used to play a game that emulates American Football but in a novel context, such as on a lawn or at a tailgating event, wherein distinct actions are transposed into events that may occur during an American Football game. To begin the game, as depicted in
Multiple different approaches are contemplated that can be used to measure appropriate toss distance. In a first embodiment, a player places one foot at the base of game board 200 so that the foot heel is directly against the proximal end 216 of game board 200. The player then takes five long strides away from the game board 200 and on the last stride line of scrimmage stick 600 is placed to create a marked spot—this is the tossing line for that player. This process of marking a starting position is repeated for each player. In such embodiments, each player has a unique scrimmage stick 600. In such embodiments, scrimmage stick 600 can be customized, for example with different colors, shapes, or sizes corresponding to each player. In a second embodiment, all players can throw from the same line. In various alternative embodiments, different numbers of steps can be taken, or the winner of a previous round can be required to take an extra step from the board 200, for example.
The game itself is broken into four 15 minute quarters, two 30 minutes halves. Projectile position on the field is important. Where the projectile lands on game surface 202 determines how that toss is scored. The lines on game surface 202 determine field position for each toss. The projectile touching the most distal line or positioned over the most distal line is scored according to the marking on the space more distal to the landed projectile. For example, if a projectile lands on a yard line that separates a “3 yard run” and a “2 yard run” the projectile is scored as a 2 yard run. Alternatively, is a projectile is touching a yardage line separating a “15 yard pass” and a “personal foul” penalty, the projectile is scored as a personal foul penalty and the player loses 15 yards. A projectile that is partially off game board 200 is still in play as long as more than half the projectile is on the board. Points are determined as follows—a touchdown is 6 points; extra point is 1 point; field goal is 3 points; and touch back is 2 points. The game concludes after all 15 minutes quarters have been played. The winner is the player with the highest score at the end of the game.
One possible method of use of these systems is described below. Play begins with a randomizing event such as a coin toss, the winner of which can decide whether he wishes to be the kicker or receiver. The kicker takes his or her position at the toss line and a timer is set for 15 minutes. Kickoff is the first play of the game and is also done at half time. One projectile 700 is used for kickoff. The projectile 700 must stay on game surface 202. If projectile 700 goes off the side of the board it is an off sides penalty and a loss of 5 yards (5 yards is added to the resultant kickoff yardage). Landing a projectile 700 on the first or last spaces of game surface 202, or throwing a projectile that results in sliding off of game board 200, results in an automatic 25 yard line field position. Punt yardage marker line 207 on the side of game surface 202 indicates how much of a return there is from the end zone after the initial toss or “kick.”
For kickoff, the “kicker” tosses projectile 700 on to game board 200. When the bag lands on the board, the yardage is determined by the punt yardage marker line 207 on the side of game surface 202 and that bag indicates represents the yardage returned. This yardage should be marked on field position board 300. First down indicator 304 and ball locator 302 as depicted in
Player two then takes control of all four projectiles 700 and begins his or her turn. Player two then tosses the first projectile 700 onto game surface 202 and marks the new ball location on field position indicator 300 using sliding ball indicator 302. The first projectile should then be placed beside game board 200 to show use of down. The same process is then repeated for bag two and three. The red projectile or forth down projectile should be used last. Before using the red projectile, the player must announce his or her intention for the bag or 5 yards is automatically lost. To increase strategic play, the opposing side can call the five yard penalty or take what is on the field after the bag has been tossed.
When using the red projectile, the player can state that they are going to punt a field goal or “go for it.” In the case of a punt, the player tosses the last projectile and then adds the yardage that is indicated on the punt marked sides of game surface 202, then marks the location on field position board 300. Then, the next player takes over and takes control of the four projectiles. In the case of a field goal, the player must pass the projectile between the two goal posts 208 and have the projectile slide off the board. The projectile must land on the board before going through goal posts 208. If the field goal is made for three points, the player must toss one more bag for the kickoff. If the field goal is missed the player must hand over the four projectiles. The new player starts from the old player's field position. In the case of a “go for it” the player tosses their last bag if they make the needed yards they can continue playing. If they miss the needed yardage they must turn over the four projectiles. The new player starts from the old player's field positions. The outcome then should be marked on field position board 300.
Additional opportunities for scoring include kicking an extra point and a touch back. For kicking an extra point, a player positioned at the line of scrimmage stick 600 takes two steps toward game board 200 and tosses the bean bag through goal posts 208. The projectiles must land on game board 200 and go through the goal posts 208 to get the point. Then the player must take one projectile and toss it from the line of scrimmage for the kick off. For a touch back, when a player loses more yards than there are left on the field and goes into the end zone. The player then gives up 2 points and then must tosses a projectile to kick a kick off to the other teams. There are three penalty locations 206 on the field that have circles around them, if the projectile touches the circle the loss of yardage is what is played on that down. As play continues there are four quarters. At the beginning of the third quarter the player that played second kicks off to the first player. Then the game proceeds as before until the end of the forth quarter and the game ends. If at the end of the forth quarter, the score is tied, the game can go into over time and the players can play one more quarter that is started the same way the game is started.
Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.
Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.
Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.
Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.
For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.
