Patent Application
20210275902
This disclosure relates generally to game games requiring manual dexterity, and more particularly, games involving tossing or projectiles at targets.
Several projectile tossing games have enjoyed continued popularity over the years as games of skill and dexterity. Such games include, for example, beanbags, horseshoes, boche ball, lawn bowling, darts, and more recently corn hole. One particularly popular projectile tossing game known as lawn darts, involved tossing of large darts with metal ends that would stick in the lawn upon landing. The tip of the traditional lawn dart is sufficiently pointed to penetrate the ground upon landing. Players sought to have their lawn darts closest to or within specified targets areas. Lawn darts, however, were taken off the market in the United States due to the danger posed by accidental striking of participants or bystanders with the dart tips. Safety lawn darts were created to be a safer version of traditional lawn darts. Safety lawn dart are similar to traditional lawn darts but have blunt tips in lieu of the metal spike. However, safety lawn darts bounce or roll beyond the point of impact, making game play more difficult. Safety lawn dart also fall over after striking the ground making it difficult to tell the position where previous projectile had landed.
Therefore, for all the reasons stated above, and the reasons stated below, there is a need in the art for an improved projectile dart game system that improves upon the state of the art. These and other objects, features, or advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the specification, figures, and claims.
In one or more embodiments, for example, a magnetic projectile game system is provided. The system includes a platform having a panel with an inclined target surface and including one or more ferrous materials. The game system also includes one or more magnetic projectiles. The magnetic projectiles have a head member and a respective tail member. The head member includes a magnetic component and a shock absorbing member configured and arranged to prevent the magnetic component from directly contacting the target surface when head member contacts the target surface. During gameplay, when the head member of the magnetic projectile makes contact with the target surface, magnetic attraction between the projectile magnet and ferrous materials of the target platform hold the magnetic projectile in place on the target surface of the platform. In various implementations the shock absorbing material may help to prevent damage from the impact, assist in adhesion of the magnetic projectile to the target surface, and/or reduce noise from the impact.
In one or more embodiments, a magnetic projectile includes a shaft, a head member connected to the shaft, and a tail member connected to the shaft. In one or more arrangements, the head member includes a magnetic component and a shock absorbent member. The shock absorbing member is connected to the magnetic component and is configured and arranged to prevent the magnetic component from directly contacting the target surface when the head member makes contact with the target surface. In one or more embodiments, the shock absorbing member is configured and arranged to reduce an impact from the head member contacting with the target surface. In some implementations, the magnetic component is encased by the shock absorbing member. In some implementations, wherein the shock absorbing member includes padding surrounded by flexible material. In some implementations, wherein the shock absorbing member is rubber and is shaped to hold the magnetic component.
In one or more embodiments, the tail member of the magnetic projectile includes a slide. The shaft passes through the slide. The slide is configured and arranged with the shaft to permit the tail section to slide up and down the shaft.
In one or more embodiments, the platform of the game system includes one or more support members configured and arranged to hold the platform in the inclined position.
In one or more embodiments, the target surface and the support members are formed from a contiguous rectangular sheet of metal.
In one or more embodiments, support members of the platform are adjustable to adjust the incline of the target surface of the platform.
In one or more embodiments, the support members are configured and arranged to be repositioned to adjust inclination of the target surface
In one or more embodiments, the support members hold the target surface in the incline position in a set-up arrangement. The support members and the target surface are collapsible into a compact arrangement. The compact arrangement is smaller than the set-up arrangement.
In one or more embodiment, the platform includes a set of markings on the target surface of the panel. In some implementations, the set of markings define a plurality of target zones. In some implementations, the target zones including at least a larger zone having a lower point value and a smaller zone having a higher point value.
In one or more embodiments, the game system includes a magnetic sheet configured and arranged to overlay and magnetically hold to the target area. In one or more implementations, the magnetic sheet is configured and arranged to overlay and magnetically hold to the target area. In one or more implementations, the magnetic sheet includes a second set of markings that differ from the set of markings on the target platform.
In one or more embodiments, the platform of the game system includes sound dampening material on the inclined target surface.
In one or more embodiments, the platform of the game system includes sound dampening material on back-side surface of the panel.
In one or more embodiments, one or more rubber pads are attached to a bottom surface of the platform.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the principles and scope of the invention. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures. For instance, although aspects and features may be illustrated in or described with reference to certain figures or embodiments, it will be appreciated that features from one figure or embodiment may be combined with features of another figure or embodiment even though the combination is not explicitly shown or explicitly described as a combination. In the depicted embodiments, like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various drawings.
It should be understood that any advantages and/or improvements discussed herein may not be provided by various disclosed embodiments, or implementations thereof. The contemplated embodiments are not so limited and should not be interpreted as being restricted to embodiments which provide such advantages or improvements. Similarly, it should be understood that various embodiments may not address all or any objects of the disclosure or objects of the invention that may be described herein. The contemplated embodiments are not so limited and should not be interpreted as being restricted to embodiments which address such objects of the disclosure or invention. Furthermore, although some disclosed embodiments may be described relative to specific materials, embodiments are not limited to the specific materials or apparatuses but only to their specific characteristics and capabilities and other materials and apparatuses can be substituted as is well understood by those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure. Moreover, although the disclosed embodiments are primarily described in the context of dart type games, the embodiments are not so limited. In is appreciated that the embodiments may be adapted for use in other projectile games, which may be improved by the disclosed structures, arrangements and/or methods.
It is to be understood that the terms such as “left, right, top, bottom, front, back, side, height, length, width, upper, lower, interior, exterior, inner, outer, and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.
As used herein, the term “or” includes one or more of the associated listed items, such that “A or B” means “A but not B,” and “B but not A.” As used herein, the term “and” includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, such that “A and B” means “A as well as B.” The use of “and/or” includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, such that “A and/or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A as well as B,” unless it is clearly indicated that only a single item, subgroup of items, or all items are present. The use of “etc.” is defined as “et cetera” and indicates the inclusion of all other elements belonging to the same group of the preceding items, in any “and/or” combination(s).
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include both the singular and plural forms, unless the language explicitly indicates otherwise. Indefinite articles like “a” and “an” introduce or refer to any modified term, both previously-introduced and not, while definite articles like “the” refer to a same previously-introduced term; as such, it is understood that “a” or “an” modify items that are permitted to be previously-introduced or new, while definite articles modify an item that is the same as immediately previously presented. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, characteristics, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not themselves preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, characteristics, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “mated,” “attached,” “fixed,” etc. to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” “directly coupled,” etc. to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). Similarly, a term such as “communicatively connected” includes all variations of information exchange and routing between two electronic devices, including intermediary devices, networks, etc., connected wirelessly or not.
It will be understood that, although the ordinal terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited to any order by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another; where there are “second” or higher ordinals, there merely must be that many number of elements, without necessarily any difference or other relationship. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments or methods.
Similarly, the structures and operations discussed below may occur out of the order described and/or noted in the figures. For example, two operations and/or figures shown in succession may in fact be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Similarly, individual operations within example methods described below may be executed repetitively, individually, or sequentially, to provide looping or other series of operations aside from single operations described below. It should be presumed that any embodiment or method having features and functionality described below, in any workable combination, falls within the scope of example embodiments.
In one or more embodiments, a game system is provided that includes a platform having a panel with an inclined target surface. Platform includes one or more ferrous materials. The game system also includes a set of magnetic projectiles. The magnetic projectiles have a head member and a respective tail member. The head member includes a magnetic component and a shock absorbing member configured and arranged to prevent the magnet from directly contacting the target surface when head member contacts the target surface. During gameplay, when the head member of the magnetic projectile makes contact with the target surface, magnetic attraction between the magnetic projectile and ferrous materials of the target platform hold the magnetic projectile in place on the target surface of the platform.
System 100:
The figures show one or more arrangements of a magnetic projectile game system 100. In one arrangement, for example, a magnetic projectile game system 100 (or system 100) is provided that includes a target platform 200 providing a target surface 210 and a set of magnetic projectiles 300 for use by players during gameplay, among other components.
Operation/Gameplay
Various embodiments may be applicable to various different games and rules or play. Generally for most games, target platform 200 is setup at one end of an area designated for play. Players stand at an opposite end of the designated area, some distance away from target platform 200. In most games, players generally take turns throwing magnetic projectiles 300 at target platform 200. When magnetic projectiles 300 strike target surface 210 of target platform 200 at a suitable angle and speed, magnetic attraction between the magnetic projectiles 300 and the ferrous materials of target platform 200 will hold the magnetic projectiles 300 in place on target surface 210 at the point of impact. In various games, points may be given to players and/or teams, for example, based on the number and/or placement of their magnetic projectiles 300 remaining on target surface 210 at the end of a round or game. For example, in some games more points may be given to magnetic projectiles 300 that strike a particular area of target surface 210. In some embodiments, magnetic projectiles 300 used by each player or team may be designated by a respective color to facilitate tracking of magnetic projectiles 300 and assigning of points.
Magnetic Projectiles 300:
In one or more embodiments, game system 100 includes a set of magnetic projectiles 300 for use in game play. In various embodiments and arrangements, magnetic projectiles 300 are formed of any suitable size, shape, or design and are configured to facilitate game play and magnetic attraction with target platform 200. In one arrangement shown, for example, a magnetic projectile 300 includes a shaft 340, a head member 310 connected to one end of the shaft 340.
Shaft 340:
Shaft 340 is formed of suitable size, shape, or design and is configured to operably connect with head member and facilitate handling by a player during gameplay. In the arrangement shown, as one example, shaft 340 has a generally elongated cylindrical shape extending between opposing ends. However, embodiments are not so limited. Rather, it is contemplated that shaft may have any shaped cross section including but not limited to, for example, a triangle, square, rectangle, rhombus, pentagon, hexagon, or any other shape.
Head Member 310:
The head member 310 is formed of suitable size, shape, or design and is configured to magnetically attract with and hold magnetic projectile 300 to target surface 210 upon contact. In an arrangement shown, as one example, head member 310 includes a shock absorbing member 330 configured and arranged to prevent the magnetic component 320 from directly contacting the target surface 210 upon impact.
Shock Absorbing Member 330:
Shock absorbing member 330 is formed of any suitable size, shape, or design and is configured to reduce shock when magnetic projectiles 300 impact surfaces during game play. For example, in one or more arrangements, the shock absorbing member 330 includes a padding material 334 (e.g., foam, fiber padding, rubber, and/or loose granules of material) held in position around the magnetic component 320 by a flexible material 332 (e.g., fabric, leather, sheeting, and/or film). As shown in
In another arrangement, for example, the shock absorbing member 330 may include main body 336 made of rubber, foam, or other flexible material. In this example arrangement, main body 336 is attached to the shaft 340 and has a recess 338 configured to receive and hold the magnetic component 320 in place. As shown in
Additionally or alternatively, in one or more embodiments, shock absorbing member 330 may be shaped to help orient the magnetic projectile 300 upon impact to a position placing magnetic component 320 in closer proximity, thereby making it easier for magnetic projectile 300 to stick to target surface 210. Conversely, in one or more embodiments, shock absorbing member 330 may be shaped to orient magnetic projectile 300 to a position that makes it more difficult for magnetic projectile 300 to stick to the target surface 210, thereby making for more challenging gameplay. In some embodiments, head member 310 of magnetic projectile 300 may be removed and replaced by players with a different head member 310, for example, to adjust difficulty.
Tail Member 350:
In one or more arrangements, for example, magnetic projectile 300 also includes a tail member 350 connected to shaft 340 of magnetic projectile 300. Tail member 350 may include, for example, a flight 360 or tail fins to provide aerodynamic stability during flight. In some embodiments, tail member 350 may be attached in a fixed position to the shaft 340. In some other embodiments, the tail member 350 may include a slide 360 configured to permit the tail member 350 to slide up and down the shaft 340. Sliding of the tail member 350 may assist to lessen the initial impact when the magnetic projectile 300 strikes target surface 210.
In one or more implementations, the shaft may include a stop 370, configured to prevent tail member 350 from sliding off of the shaft 340. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the stop 370 may serve as a hand grip to facilitate throwing of the magnetic projectile 300 during gameplay.
In one or more implementations, tail member 350 may include a lock feature 382 (not shown), configured to secure tail member 350 in place at a desired position along the length of shaft 340. In an example arrangement, lock feature 382 is a set screw extending through a threaded hole of slide 380 into a hollow interior of slide 380. When tightened, lock feature 382 engages shaft 340 to secure tail member 350 in place. A user may loosen lock feature 382 and move stop member 210 to a desired position along shaft 340. Once in position, the lock feature 382 may be tightened to again secure tail member 350 in place. However, embodiments are not so limited. Rather, it is contemplated that lock feature 382 may use various methods and means to secure tail member in position including but not limited to, for example, screws, bolts, threading, interlocks, clips, pins, or any other coupling devices.
Target Platform 200:
Target platform 200 is formed of any suitable size, shape, or design and is configured to operate as a target for magnetic projectiles 300 during gameplay. In an arrangement shown, as one example, target platform 200 includes a panel 202 and one or more support members 220. In one or more arrangements, the target platform 200 provides a target surface 210 and includes one or more ferrous or magnetic materials proximate to the target surface 210 to attract and hold magnetic projectiles 300 upon contact with the target surface 210.
Support Members 220:
Support members 220 are formed of any suitable size, shape, or design and are configured to hold the panel 202 in the inclined position. In various embodiments and arrangements, the support members 220 may be any suitable materials (e.g., wood, metal, plastic, and composites) sufficient to hold the target surface 210 in place during gameplay.
In the arrangement shown, as one example, target platform 200 includes two side walls which act as support members 220 for panel 202 and target surface 210. Top edges of the support members 220 are connected to sides of the panel 202. In one or more implementations, top edges of the support members 220 are connected to sides of the panel 202 in a fixed position. For example, in some implementations, target surface 210 and support members 220 may be formed from a contiguous sheet of material (e.g., sheet metal). Conversely, in some implementations, support members 220 may be connected to panel 202 with a connector that permits the support member(s) 220 to move relative to panel 202. For example, in some implementation, support members 220 may be connected to panel 202 by hinges (not shown) so as to permit support members 220 and panel 202 to be folded up or otherwise collapsed into a compact form.
In some embodiments, support members 220 are configured to be repositioned to change the angle at which target surface 210 of the panel 202 is inclined. Such capability may be desired, for example, to increase or decrease difficulty of the gameplay. In an example implementation, top edges of support members 220 may be connected to panel 202 by hinges. The bottom edges of support members 220 may be connected to opposite ends of a length adjustable connection member 390 (not shown). Length adjustable connection member 390 is formed of any suitable size, shape, or design, and is configured to connect with lower edges of side support members 220 and increase and decrease in length to facilitate adjustment of the distance between lower edges of side support members 220. By adjusting length of the connection member, distance between the bottom edges of the panels may be adjusted, thereby permits angle of the support members 220 and height of the support members 220 to be adjusted. In this manner, the angle at which panel 202 is inclined may be adjusted.
Panel 202:
Panel 202 is formed of any suitable size, shape, or design and is configured to provide a target surface 210 for magnetic projectiles 300 during gameplay. In the arrangement shown, as one example, a panel 202 is has a generally planar shape oriented at an inclined position. In this example arrangement, panel 210 has a trapezoidal shape with a narrower upper portion a wider lower end. However, embodiments are not so limited. Rather, it is contemplated that in various different arrangements panel 202 may be any shape including but not limited to, for example, a triangle, square, rectangle, rhombus, pentagon, hexagon, or any other shape.
In one or more embodiments, the panel 202 of target platform 200 includes one or more ferrous materials sufficient to hold magnetic projectile 300 in place on the target surface upon impact during gameplay. Additionally or alternatively, in one or more embodiments, target platform 200 may include one or more magnetic materials. The magnetic materials may be configured, for example, to provide a stronger magnetic attraction with the magnetic projectiles 300. In one or more embodiments, such magnetic materials may be configured in the panel 202 to provide a uniform magnetic field across the target surface 210.
In some embodiments, the panel may include one or magnetic components configured to provide variations in the magnetic field across the target surface 210. Such variation may be desirable, for example, to provide a more complex and challenging gameplay. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the panel 202 may be configured to permit magnetic components 206 to be inserted into recesses 204 (not shown) of the panel 202 and/or placed on the backside of the panel 202. Such magnetic components 206 could be oriented to provide a stronger attractive force to magnetic projectiles 300, or conversely, to provide a repulsive magnetic force.
As an illustrative example, a repulsive oriented magnetic component 206 may be placed under a high scoring area defined on target surface 210. Conversely, an attractive oriented magnetic component 206 may be placed in a low scoring area defined on target surface 210. In some embodiments, the magnets may be hidden, for example, on the backside of panel 202 or by a target overlay 260—thereby permitting the game to be setup by a third party without players knowing the location and/or orientation of magnetic components 206.
Overlays 260:
In one or more embodiments, game system 100 may further include one or more overlays 260 for target surface 210. Overlays 260 are formed of any suitable size, shape, or design and are configured to be secured in place and removed from target surface 210. In one or more arrangements, for example, overlays may be formed of a flexible magnetic sheet configured to magnetically hold overlays 260 in place on target surface 210 during gameplay. However, embodiments are not so limited, rather it is contemplated that overlays may be formed of any material and held in place over target surface using various means or methods including but not limited to, for example, magnetic materials, adhesives, and/or mechanical attachment means such as screws, bolts, threading, interlocks, clips, pins, or other coupling devices.
In some arrangements, overlays 260 may include markings, for example, that define different target area layouts and/or scoring. For example, different overlays 260 may be configured for scoring and rules of various different games. As another example, overlays may include themed decoration for various events or holidays. Additionally or alternatively, in one or more embodiments, overlays 260 may be configured to provide topography that is different from that of target surface 210. For instance, in one or more embodiments, an overlay 260 may provide topography with hills or angles on an outward facing surface. Such topography may be formed, for example, by recesses and/or protrusions in the outward facing surface of overlay 260. Ability to adjust topography of target surface 210 may be desirable, for example, to provide a more complex and challenging gameplay.
Padding 240:
In one or more embodiments, the target platform 200 may include padding 240 on a bottom surface of the target platform 200. For example, in some embodiments, rubber feet may be attached to the bottom of support members 220 to prevent target platform 200 from sliding and/or from scratching a surface on which target platform 200 is placed during gameplay. In various embodiments, the padding 240 may be implemented using various materials known in the art (e.g., rubber, plastic, felts). In some embodiments, target platform 200 may include one or more height adjustable feet, for example, to facilitate leveling of the target platform 200 and/or preventing wobbling of the target platform 200 on uneven surfaces.
Several potential variations of the construction and/or use of the game are disclosed. Dimensions of the magnetic projectiles 300 may be altered for use on various sizes of target platform. For instance, a larger version may be preferred for use in an outdoor setting. A somewhat smaller version may be preferred for indoor use, for example, as a tabletop dart game.
Sound Dampening Material 230:
In one or more embodiments, the target platform 200 may include one or more sound dampening materials 230. In various embodiments and arrangements, the sound dampening material 230 may be any suitable size, shape, design and/or materials (e.g., rubber sheeting and/or foam padding) configured to reduce vibrations cause by the magnetic projectiles 300 impacting the target surface 210 of the panel 202. In some embodiments, for example, sound dampening material 230 may be attached to a back side of panel 202 to reduce vibrations. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, sound dampening material 230 may be attached to a front side of panel 202.
Magnetic Components 206/320:
Magnetic components 206/320 may be formed of any suitable, size shape, and design and are configured to provide a magnetic field to facilitate magnetic attraction and/or repulsion between magnetic projectiles 300 and target platform 200. Magnetic components 206/320 may be any type of permanent magnets, electromagnets, or any other material or device configured to generate a magnetic field. Although some arrangements may be primarily described with reference to magnetic projectiles 300 including magnetic components that are magnetically attracted to ferrous materials of target platform 200, the embodiments are not so limited. Rather, it is contemplated that, in one or more arrangements, magnetic projectiles 300 may include ferrous materials that are magnetically attracted to magnetic components of target platform 200. Furthermore, it is contemplated that, in one or more arrangements, magnetic projectiles 300 and target platform 200 may both include magnetic components. As used herein, “magnetic attractive” components or materials may be used to refer to components or materials that are either magnetic or ferrous.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/987,159 titled MAGNETIC PROJECTILE GAME SYSTEM, and filed on Mar. 9, 2020, the entirety of which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62987159 | Mar 2020 | US |
