There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application.
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards games. More particularly the subject invention is directed to an illuminated electronic beanbag toss game.
Older people often remember with great fondness the games of their youth. Neighborhood children would often play tag, board games, baseball, bad mitten, horseshoes, and darts. While some of those games are still popular they are not as popular as they once were.
One (1) reason for the decline in popularity of older games is that today's children are influenced by fast action computer games, movies, and other such activities that incorporate sound and light effects. However, some of the older games combined elements of both competition and skill that are difficult to replicate on a computer. One (1) such game is the much loved game of beanbag toss. In beanbag toss, a bag filled with a material such as beans, corn kernels, shells, or other filler material is tossed from a toss line toward one or more targets, usually a hole in a board. A successful toss, when the bag passes through the hole, results in a score. By placing multiple different sized scoring holes through the board, different points can be awarded. Then, like in the game of darts, different ways to determine who won a game can be implemented: high score, first to a score, or the first to accumulate a given score are all possible.
The challenge of simply tossing a bag through a hole in a board should not be underrated. It can be remarkably challenging, and if it becomes too easy the challenge can be increased simply by moving the line further from the board. Since beanbag toss can be played in teams, using two (2) boards makes team play easier and the game overall faster.
In view of the foregoing a more modern version of the old bean bag toss game that incorporates lights and sounds would be beneficial.
The principles of the present invention provide for a modern version of the beanbag toss game and which incorporates lights and sounds to make the game more interesting and player friendly.
A toss game that is in accord with the principles of the present invention includes a target board having a flat surface with a target opening. The target board is illuminated by a plurality of board perimeter illumination lamps, while the target opening is illuminated by target perimeter illumination lamps. The target board is supported by a hinged rear support leg and by a hinged front support frame that fold under the target board. The toss game also includes a speaker, a game piece (preferably illuminated), and a detector that senses when the game piece enters the target opening. The first target perimeter illumination lamp signals when the game piece enters that target opening.
Beneficially, the target board includes a centerline hinge and a carrying handle, and the flat surface further includes a second target opening illuminated by a second target perimeter illumination lamp. Also beneficially, the first target perimeter illumination lamp and the second target perimeter illumination lamp have different colors.
In practice, the target board is supplied with a battery storage compartment that houses a first replaceable battery that selectively powers the board perimeter illumination lamps, and a first ON/OFF switch that controls the application of power from the first replaceable battery. Additionally, the toss game includes an audio ON/OFF switch that controls a signal that is applied to the speaker. The first target perimeter illumination lamp lights and/or flashes whenever a game piece passes through the first target opening while the board perimeter illumination lamps are lit during game play.
Detecting when a game piece enters the target opening is performed by a detector having an emitter and a receiver, beneficially photoelectric that form a detection field that spans the target opening. The detector provides an electric signal whenever a game piece passes through the target opening.
As noted, the game piece is beneficially illuminated. If so, the game piece includes an internal battery, a battery switch, and a fill media.
The toss game further includes a software operated controller module that controls the board perimeter illumination lamps and the target perimeter illumination lamps in response to the electric signal from the detector. The controller module can also drive an audio processor that is connected to the speaker and can control the board perimeter illumination lamps to illuminate and/or flash.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which:
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
The principles of the present invention are presented in terms of a beanbag toss game 10 embodiment depicted in
Still referring to
The target board 15 is provided with two (2) rear support legs 45 (only one (1) of which is shown due to limitations of illustration) which are supported by first hinge mechanisms 50. The target board 15 is also provided with a front support frame 55 which is supported by a second hinge mechanism 60. The rear support legs 45 and the front support frame 55 fold inward as depicted by travel path arrows 65.
The front support frame 55 is provided with a series of speakers 70 which emit pre-recorded verbal announcements that are intended to enhance game enjoyment, such as during initial activation of power, as well as each scoring success. Additional details on the functionality of the speakers 70 are provided below. The target board 15 is also provided with a plurality of board perimeter illumination lamps 75 such as incandescent lamps, LED lamps, Neon lamps or the like. Additionally, the target board 15 is provided with target perimeter illumination lamps 80 around each of the target openings 30. As before, the target perimeter illumination lamps 80 can be from incandescent lamps, LED lamps, neon lamps or the like. It is envisioned that each target opening 30 is provided with a unique color perimeter illumination such as green, blue, red, or the like, so as to communicate which target opening 30 a user has scored through.
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Referring now to both
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Referring now to both
Referring now to
Inputs to the controller module 165 include the detector 100 and its emitter 105 and the receiver 110. The number of detectors 100 correspond to the number of target openings 30 (see
Another output from the controller module 165 powers a perimeter illumination driver 180 which drives the board perimeter illumination lamps 75. The perimeter illumination driver 180 provides steady state illumination, random flashing, steady state flashing, sequential flashing and the like. The controller module 165 also provides outputs to a series of target illumination drivers 185 for each of the target openings 30 (see
Referring now to
It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention. While only one particular configuration is shown and described, such is for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the bean bag game 10 would be constructed in general accordance with
During actual use of the bean bag game 10, teams of player(s) would take turns trying to throw the game pieces 20 through the target openings 30. Various points are awarded for successful attempts. Scoring continues for a predetermined number of rounds or until a predetermined point level is reached thus determining a winner or winning team. During such play, the bean bag game 10 provides illumination via the board perimeter illumination lamps 75 and the target perimeter illumination lamps 80 while also provided special scoring illumination via the detector 100 and target perimeter illumination lamps 80 and audible sounds via the speakers 70. When finished with play, the target board 15 and the game pieces 20 are deactivated. The rear support legs 45 and the front support frame 55 are folded inward and the target board 15 is folded in half and transported via the carrying handle 40 to a suitable storage location.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
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