Magnetic Segmented Ring and Pad Toss Game

Abstract

A tossing game wherein a projectile is tossed toward a target. The projectile adheres to the target using magnetic attraction. The projectile is configured as a segmented ring that contains a plurality of segments. Each of the segments is interconnected to two adjacent segments at flexible joints, wherein the plurality of segments and flexible joints form a continuous ring. Magnets are affixed to at least some of the segments. The magnets enable the segmented ring to attach to a magnetic surface on the target when thrown against the target. When the projectile is thrown and impacts the target, the structure of the segmented ring bends along the various flexible joints. The bending of the projectile absorbs much of the rebounding force at impact.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to games that include a projectile that is tossed into flight and is caught using a catch pad or paddle. More particularly, the present invention relates to toss games where a tossed projectile connects to a catch pad using magnetic attraction.

2. Prior Art Description

There are many toss games that use a projectile and a catch pad. The one problem that is shared by all such toss games is that when the projectile contacts the catch pad, there is an opposite rebounding force that acts to bounce the projectile away from the catch pad. Consequently, to prevent the projectile from bouncing off the catch pad, there must be some mechanism on the pad or on the projectile that can absorb the energy of impact to help keep the projectile in contact with the catch pad.

Often the catch pad is cupped, like a lacrosse stick, to dissipate the energy of a projectile's impact. If the catch pad is flat, it must contain a strong adhesion mechanism, such as Velcro®, to counteract the rebound force. Weak adhesion mechanisms, such as magnetic adhesion mechanisms, have proven unreliable, wherein adhesion depends largely upon the orientation of the projectile at the time of impact. Projectiles with magnetic adhesion mechanisms typically have a small contact surface that is completely magnetic. This design concept is used by magnetic dart boards where the entire head of the dart is a magnet. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,693 to Felsher as an example. It is also used in magnetic projectile games, wherein most of the projectile is magnetic, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,965 to Perry. When the entire contact surface of a projectile is a magnet, there is always direct contact between the magnet and the target surface at impact. This usually ensures magnetic adhesion between the projectile and the target surface. However, the magnets must be strong because magnets are typically hard and ferro-magnetic surfaces are typically hard. As such, at impact there is a significant rebound force that acts to bounce the projectile away from the target.

A problem is created when a toss game utilizes a large projectile. Magnets are relatively expensive as compared to the ordinary plastic that is used to create most toys. When the size of a projectile is increased, it is not economically sensible to make most of the projectile magnetic. Rather, it makes more sense to place small inexpensive magnets at different points on the projectile or projectile head. The issue that prevents this approach is that when the projectile contacts the target, there is a significant probability that one of the smaller magnets will not directly contact the target. Absent some direct contact at impact between a magnet and the magnetic target, the rebounding force is not immediately countered, and the projectile has the ability to rebound away from the target before some magnetic adhesion can occur.

A need therefore exists for a toss and catch system where the odds of adhesion between a partially magnetic projectile and a ferro-magnetic target are greatly increased. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a tossing game wherein a projectile is tossed toward a target. The projectile adheres to the target using magnetic attraction.

The projectile is configured as a segmented ring that contains a plurality of segments. Each of the segments is interconnected to two adjacent segments at flexible joints, wherein the plurality of segments and flexible joints form a continuous ring.

Magnets are affixed to at least some of the segments. The magnets enable the segment ring to attach to a magnetic surface on the target when thrown against the target. When the projectile is thrown and impacts the target, the structure of the segmented ring bends along the various flexible joints. The bending of the projectile absorbs much of the rebounding force at impact. This enables the segmented ring of the projectile to at least partially flatten against the target, wherein the magnets carried within the projectile adhere the projectile to the target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a toss and catch game system;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the projectile used in the toss and catch game system;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the projectile used in the toss and catch game system;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the projectile used in the toss and catch game system;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a projectile approaching a target in the play of the toss and catch game system; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing alternate embodiments of the projectile and target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention toss and catch game system can be embodied in many ways, the embodiments illustrated only show two preferred embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are selected in order to set forth some of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered limitations when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, elements of a toss and catch game system 10 are shown that include a projectile 12 and a target 14. During play, the projectile 12 is thrown at the target 14. The target 14 can be stationary or can be held by a person and manipulated in an attempt to catch the projectile 12. The projectile 12 contains a plurality of magnets 16. The target 14 has a catch pad 18 that is either magnetic or is ferro-magnetic so as to attract to a magnet. When the projectile 12 contacts the catch pad 18 of the target 14, the projectile 12 attaches to the catch pad 18 via magnetic attraction.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 1, it can be seen that the projectile 12 is shaped as a segmented ring 20. More specifically, the projectile 12 illustrated is shaped as an octagonal ring having eight straight segments 22 that are joined together in a continuous ring 20. It will be understood that the use of a segmented ring 20 with an octagonal shape is merely arbitrary and that other segmented ring shapes can be used.

Each of the straight segments 22 of the segmented ring 20 have a top surface 23, a bottom surface 24, and a body thickness T1 therebetween. The bottom surfaces of all the straight segments 22 terminate in a common plane. In this manner, each of the straight segments 22 can lay flush against the catch pad 18 of the target 14 when in contact with the target 14. All of the straight segments 22 in the segmented ring 20 are molded together as a single molded unit. The segmented ring 20 is preferably molded from a soft plastic or a synthetic rubber to ensure the segmented ring 20 does not cause harm should it inadvertently contact a person when thrown. The straight segments 22 that comprise the segmented ring 20 are separated by thinned areas 26 in the molding. The thinned areas 26 have less material than do the segments 20. As such, the thinned areas 26 bend far easier than do the segments 20. The thinned areas 26 can be slotted to reduce material or can be formed with a thickness that is at least half the thickness T1 of the straight segments 22. The thinned areas 26 are oriented along lines that radially extend from the geometric center C1 of the segmented ring 20. The thinned areas 26 create flexible joints, that are often referred to as living hinges in the plastics molding industry. The thinned areas 26 enable each of the straight segments 22 to orient into planes that differ from one or more of the other straight segments 22. In other words, the segmented ring 20 can bend and flex along the lines of the thinned areas 26. The purpose of having the segmented ring 20 being able to bend at the thinned areas 26 is later explained.

To ensure that the thinned areas 26 between the various segments 22 are more bendable that the segments 22 themselves, the segments 22 can be reinforced. Reinforcement ribs 31 can be molded onto the bottom of each of the segments 22. The reinforcement ribs 31 stiffen the various segments 20 without adding significant weight to the segments 20.

Magnets 16 are mounted into at least some of the straight segments 22 of the segmented ring 20. In the shown embodiment, the magnets 16 are attached to every other straight segment 22 in the segmented ring 20. The magnets 16 are preferably rare-earth magnets with a high strength-to-weight ratio. The magnets 16 can be set into straight segments 22 of the segmented ring 20 in a variety of ways. For example, the magnets 16 can be molded into the structure of the straight segments 22 or the magnets 16 can be affixed to the straight segments 22 with adhesive. In the shown embodiment, a receptacle 28 is molded into the center of each straight segment 22 that holds a magnet 16. Retention panels 30 are separately molded. The retention panels 30 are molded from the same material as is the segmented ring 20. The retention panels 30 are placed over the magnets 16, wherein the magnets 16 become entrapped between the straight segments 22 and the retention panels 30. The retention panels 30 are anchored in place via adhesive, and/or melt-welding the material of the retention panels 30 to the material of the straight segments 22.

The target 14 has a peripheral frame 32 that supports the catch pad 18. The peripheral frame 32 can be mounted to a wall or some other surface. Alternatively, the target 14 can be provided with a handle or strapping that enables the target 14 to be easily held in one hand. The flat catch pad 18 is either magnetic or is ferro-magnetic so as to attract to magnets. In the shown embodiment, the catch pad 18 is a thin sheet of a magnetic polymer. As such, the catch pad 18 itself is magnetic. Cross-framing 34 can be provided behind the flat catch pad 18 to prevent the catch pad 18 from deforming and acting as a rebounding trampoline when impacted by the projectile 12.

Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, it can be seen that when the projectile 12 is thrown toward the target 14, the segmented ring 20 flies in the manner of a flying disc. That is, the segmented ring 20 spins in flight at a slightly inclined angle. Accordingly, if thrown properly, the projectile 12 will impact the target 14 at a slight angle of inclination above the horizontal plane. With this impact geometry, it will be understood that none of the magnets 16 within the segmented ring 20 are going to directly impact the target 14.

When the segmented ring 20 does contact the target 14, the thinned areas 26 between the straight segments 22 enable the segmented ring 20 to easily bend. The segmented ring 20 begins to bend at the instant of contact with the target 14. The bending of the segmented ring 20 absorbs much of the impact energy. With most of the impact energy being absorbed, there is very little rebound energy that acts to bounce the segmented ring 20 away from the target 14. Furthermore, the bending of the segmented ring 20 orients the bottom surfaces 24 of the segmented ring 20 toward the target 14. The momentum of the incoming segmented ring 20 then acts to flatten the bottom surfaces 24 of the segmented ring 20 against the catch pad 18 of the target 14.

As the bottom surfaces 24 of the segmented ring 20 flattens against the catch pad 18 of the target 14, the magnets 16 carried by the segmented ring 20 come into close proximity with the catch pad 18. In this close proximity, the magnets 16 magnetically attract to the target 14 with enough force to hold the segmented ring 20 in place on the target 14.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of a toss and catch game system 40 in shown. In this embodiment, the projectile 42 is configured as a segmented ring 44 that is round, rather than octagonal. However, the segmented ring 44 still has segments 46 and magnets 48 in at least some of the segments 46.

The target 50 shows a shaped contact pad 52 that is ferro-magnetic. The contact pad 52 is not solid. Rather, the contact pad 52 is configured into a fanciful pattern that contains numerous open areas 54. This reduces material costs. However, there still exists enough surface area on the contact pad 52 to enable the segmented ring 44 to attach to the contact pad 52 after impact.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A game projectile for tossing against a magnetic surface, comprising: a segmented ring containing a plurality of segments, wherein each of said plurality of segments is joined to two other of said plurality of segments at flexible joints to form a continuous ring;magnets affixed to at least some of said plurality of segments, wherein said magnets enable said segmented ring to attach to said magnetic surface when thrown against said magnetic surface.

2. The game projectile according to claim 1, wherein all of said plurality of segments and said flexible joints in said segmented ring are molded together as a single molded unit.

3. The game projectile according to claim 1, wherein said segmented ring is symmetrically disposed around a central point.

4. The game projectile according to claim 3, wherein said flexible joints are aligned along symmetric lines that radially extend from said central point.

5. The game projectile according to claim 1, wherein said magnets are affixed to alternating segments within said plurality of segments.

6. The game projectile according to claim 1, further including receptacles molded into at least some of said plurality of segments, wherein said receptacles receive said magnets therein.

7. The game projectile according to claim 1, further including a retention plate that attaches to at least some of said plurality of segments, therein locking said magnets into said receptacles.

8. The game projectile according to claim 1, wherein each of said segments in said segmented ring has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first thickness between said top surface and said bottom surface.

9. The game projectile according to claim 8, wherein each of said flexible joints between said plurality of segments has a second thickness that is less than half said first thickness of said plurality of segments.

10. A tossing game, comprising: a magnetic target;a projectile for tossing at said magnetic target, wherein said projectile is configured as a segmented ring that contains a plurality of segments, wherein each of said plurality of segments is joined to two other of said plurality of segments at flexible joints to form a continuous ring; andmagnets affixed to at least some of said plurality of segments, wherein said magnets enable said segmented ring to attach to said magnetic target when thrown against said magnetic target.

11. The tossing game according to claim 10, wherein said magnetic target has a solid flat contact pad to which said magnets in said projectile can magnetically attach.

12. The tossing game according to claim 10, wherein said magnetic target has a scrolled contact pad that contains a plurality of open areas.

13. The tossing game according to claim 10, wherein all of said plurality of segments and said flexible joints in said segmented ring are molded together as a single molded unit.

14. The tossing game according to claim 10, wherein said segmented ring is symmetrically disposed around a central point.

15. The tossing game according to claim 14, wherein said flexible joints are aligned along symmetric lines that radially extend from said central point.

16. The tossing game according to claim 10, wherein said magnets are affixed to alternating segments within said plurality of segments.

17. The tossing game according to claim 10, further including receptacles molded into at least some of said plurality of segments, wherein said receptacles receive said magnets therein.

18. The tossing game according to claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of segments in said segmented ring has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first thickness between said top surface and said bottom surface.

19. The tossing game according to claim 18, wherein each of said flexible joints between each of said plurality of segments has a second thickness that is less than half said first thickness of said plurality of segments.