Patent Grant
11938388
The present invention relates to a game assembly, and more particularly, to a modular game assembly including a central platform and a plurality of peripheral boards that may be removably attached to the central platform to facilitate a tossing game between two or more players.
Outdoor lawn games have become a common weekend pastime for people of all ages, both in the U.S. and abroad. One such lawn game, commonly referred to as “cornhole” in the U.S., requires players to take turns tossing small bags at a pair of inclined platforms to score points by either tossing a bag onto a respective platform or into a hole that is formed therethrough.
In particular, cornhole requires two inclined platforms to be set up and spaced from each other at a predetermined distance according to game rules. However, game setup is often imprecise since players generally do not take the time to space the platforms relative to each, or because players space the platforms via arbitrary forms of measure, e.g., the number of footsteps taken therebetween. Furthermore, games like cornhole can often become tedious after subsequent round play. For example, cornhole requires players to take turns tossing bags at a single platform until a scoring threshold is attained or exceeded. This may become uninteresting after successive rounds. Moreover, such lawn games require an even number of participants, e.g., 2, 4, 6, which may not always be feasible depending on a particular social gathering. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a modular game assembly for a new tossing game that is both entertaining and flexible with respect to the number of players that desire to participate in the tossing game.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of the embodiments described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview nor is it intended to identify key or critical elements. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
According to one embodiment, a modular game assembly for a tossing game is provided. The modular game assembly includes: a central platform including a planar surface that is elevated relative to a support surface supporting the central platform; and a plurality of peripheral boards, wherein each peripheral board is removably attached to the central platform and in an abutting arrangement therewith, and wherein each peripheral board is in an abutting arrangement with respect to an adjacent peripheral board.
According to another embodiment, a modular game assembly for a tossing game is provided. The modular game assembly includes: a hexagonal shaped central platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein a central opening extends between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the lower surface is elevated relative to a support surface supporting the central platform via a plurality of legs removably attached thereto, and wherein the upper surface is substantially horizontal when supported upon the support surface; and six edges, The modular game assembly further includes six hexagonal shaped, peripheral boards, wherein each peripheral board includes: an upper surface, a lower surface, and a central opening extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein each peripheral board includes six edges, said six edges comprising a front edge, a pair of abutting edges, a pair of exposed edges, and a rear edge, wherein each front edge is removably attached a corresponding one of said six edges of said central platform, and wherein said abutting edges of each peripheral board are shaped and dimensioned such that said peripheral boards are in abutting arrangement with respect to one another along a longitudinal length thereof.
According to another embodiment, a method of game play for a tossing game is provided. The method includes: providing a modular game assembly including: a central platform, a plurality of peripheral boards removably attached to the central platform, and, a plurality of game bag sets corresponding to the respective peripheral boards; assigning an initial point value; selecting a plurality of players and assigning each of said plurality of players to a respective peripheral board; distributing said game bag sets to said respective players; commencing a tossing game whereby each player, in order, tosses a game bag from their respective game bag set at the modular game assembly according to rules, comprising: deducting points from a player's score when an opposing player tosses a game bag from their respective game bag set on said player's assigned peripheral board or through a scoring hole formed in said player's assigned peripheral board; adding points to said player's score when said player tosses a game bag from their respective game bag set on said player's assigned peripheral board or through a scoring hole formed in said player's assigned peripheral board; and determining a score after each toss, eliminating players from the game when their respective score is zero, and determining a winner when two of said players remain and, wherein the winner is one of said two players with a score equal to said initial point value or with points greater than zero.
Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.
Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals can be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and drawings set forth herein.
Referring now to the drawings,
As shown in
In some embodiments, the legs 36 may be furnished separately as a part of the kit for packaging purposes prior to a point of sale. In such embodiments, the legs 36 may be secured to the lower surface 31b by inserting upper ends 36a (
Referring to
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Furthermore, the upper surface 51 of each peripheral board 50 comprises a planar surface that is preferably a low friction surface. e.g., smooth plastic, sanded wood with a low friction coating. In particular, the upper surface 51 of each peripheral board 50 is designed with a suitable friction coefficient that enables game bags 70 landing on the upper surface 51 to slide thereon for facilitating a method of game play (discussed below), but without slipping to the support surface (e.g., a lawn, concrete surface, table) when the peripheral boards 50 are secured to the central platform 30 and inclined relative to the support surface. Yet, in other embodiments, it is contemplated that the upper surface 51 of each peripheral board 50 may include an impediment surface (e.g., rubber inlays, notched surfaces or grooves, and the like) for providing a frictional interface such that game bags 70 thrown on the upper surface 51 do not slide thereon, or slide to a lesser extent than without the impediment surface.
As shown in
In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the peripheral boards may be removably attached to adjacent peripheral boards using attachment means, for example, hinges, resilient snaps/tabs, clasps, hooks, keys and slots, tongue and grooves, resilient clips, removable fasteners (screws, nuts, bolts), and the like.
In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the central platform and the peripheral boards may comprise a monolithic structure, whereby the peripheral boards and the central platform are integrally formed during a plastic injection molding or wood working operation such that the peripheral boards and the central platform are permanently joined together, e.g., thereby obviating the need to removably attach the peripheral boards to the central platform via pegs or any other examples of attachment means described herein. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the entire game board assembly may rest on a support surface (with no legs) or be elevated therefrom via legs attached to a lower surface thereof.
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The upper surface 151 of each peripheral board 150 comprises a planar surface that is preferably a low friction surface. e.g., smooth plastic, sanded wood with a low friction coating. In particular, the upper surface 151 of each peripheral board 150 is designed with a suitable friction coefficient that enables game bags 70 landing on the upper surface 151 to slide thereon for facilitating a method of game play (discussed below), but without slipping to the support surface (e.g., a lawn, concrete surface, table) when the peripheral boards 150 are secured to the central platform 130 and inclined relative to the support surface. Yet, in other embodiments, it is contemplated that the upper surface 151 of each peripheral board 150 may include an impediment surface (e.g., rubber inlays, notched surfaces or grooves, and the like) for providing a frictional interface such that game bags 70 thrown on the upper surface 151 do not slide thereon, or slide to a lesser extent than without the impediment surface.
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When the modular game assembly 20 is assembled as described above, it may facilitate game play between two to six players. For instance, six players may be associated or assigned to the peripheral boards 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, respectively. Yet, the modular game assembly 20 may also accommodate a fewer number of players. For instance, in one embodiment, two players may be associated with opposing peripheral boards 50a and 50d. In another embodiment, three players may be associated with boards spaced apart relative to each other, for example, peripheral boards 50a, 50c, and 50e, respectively. In a further embodiment, four players may be associated with peripheral boards 50b, 50c, 50e, and 50f, respectively. In yet a further embodiment, five players may be associated with five peripheral boards 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, respectively. Facilitating game play between two to six players in the manner described above is particularly beneficial for accommodating social gatherings wherein certain players may need to leave the social gathering, or wherein new players desire to participate in the game. This aspect of the modular game assembly 20 is especially advantageous for accommodating an even or odd number of players, in distinction to conventional lawn games that always require an even number of players. In some examples, it is contemplated that the modular game assembly 20 may be preassembled such that only certain peripheral boards 50 are attached to the central platform 30 as needed, for example, peripheral boards 50a, 50c, and 50e corresponding to players A, C, and E.
Preferably, and as described above, each peripheral board 50 comprises a distinct color or surface indicia (e.g., a pattern, surface marking, and the like) to distinguish a player's peripheral board relative to the other player's peripheral boards. Similarly, and referring to
Furthermore, each player may be provided with one additional bonus game bag 70g (
During game setup, each player may also be provided a respective score counter 90 for keeping score, as described in detail below. For example, six players may be provided with score counters 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f, respectively. As described above. it should be understood that game setup could alternatively accommodate a fewer number of players, e.g., three players with three score counters 90a, 90b, and 90c, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, each score counter 90 embodies a score card board that is vertically supported by a rearwardly extending leg 91. Numerical score cards are pivotally attached to the score board via binder rings such that the score cards may be flipped to correspond to an appropriate score. Although it should be appreciated that other score counters are also contemplated, for example, digital score counters, dry-erase score boards provided with erasable markers, etc.
A line element 100 may be attached to each score counter 90. In some embodiments, the line element 100 may embody a piece of string. However, it is also contemplated that the line element 100 may embody a rope, twine, cable, cord, link chain, and the like. The line element 100 may be attached to the score counter 90 during game setup, or may be preassembled to the score counter 90 prior to the point of sale via any suitable attachment means, for example, by tying the line element 100 to the score counter 90 via a hole formed therethrough or via a hook, clip, or other suitable fastener. The line element 100 is formed such that it has a predetermined length L when fully extended, and preferably 10′ in length.
In this manner, the line elements 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, and 100f, may be radially extended such that the score counters 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f are spaced relative to rear edge portions 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e, and 56f of the peripheral boards. In some embodiments, an end of each line element 100 proximate the rear edge portion 56 of a respective peripheral board 50 may be attached thereto via any suitable attachment means described herein, for example via a hook, a clip, or other suitable fastener. Yet, in other embodiments, it is contemplated that a single line element 100 may be provided for spacing the score counters 90a, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f relative to rear edge portions 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e, and 56f of the peripheral boards, for example, in such embodiments wherein the line element 100 is provided as a measuring device to facilitate game setup, e.g., measuring tape, line, etc.
When the score counters 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f are positioned as described above, they will be spaced relative to the respective peripheral boards 50a, 50b, 50c, 50e, and 50f corresponding to the fully extended length of the respective line elements 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, and 100f. In this manner, the positions of the score counters 90a, 90b, 90d, 90e, and 90f define player standing/sitting positions (and tossing distances) relative to the modular game assembly 20. This feature of the present disclosure is especially beneficial for alleviating the need to measure or estimate a standing position or tossing distance relative to the modular game assembly 20. Preferably, and as shown in
In some embodiments, the game setup includes determining a player tossing order. For instance, the tossing order may be determined by having participating players A, B, C, D, E, and F toss their respective game bags 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, and 70f at their respective holes 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d, 54e, 54f, whereby the first player to successfully toss their game bag into their hole wins a decision process, and may elect to become the first player to toss their game bag during a first round of game play. In such embodiments, the remainder of the tossing order may be determined clockwise relative to the first player. For instance, if player B is the first player to toss their game bag 70b into their scoring hole 54b, player B may opt to become the first player to toss their game bag 70b during a first round of game play. Moving clockwise therefrom, player C becomes the second player, player D becomes the third player, and so on. In the event that multiple players simultaneously toss their game bags 70 into their respective scoring holes 54, the process may be repeated as between those players to determine the first player. Alternatively, the first player who successfully tosses their game bag 70 into their scoring hole 54 may also choose to start in a subsequent position, for example, third in the tossing order. In this example, the first player to begin a round may be determined counterclockwise therefrom. For instance, and assuming that player B is the first to successfully toss their game bag 70b into their respective scoring hole 54b, player B may opt to become the third player in the tossing order, whereby the first player in the tossing order is determined counterclockwise therefrom, e.g., player F, i.e., two spots preceding player B.
Referring to
In general, the method of game play includes having players take turns tossing their respective game bags 70 at their respective peripheral boards 50 to accumulate points, or optionally at another player's peripheral board 50 to deduct points from that player.
The following description is based on a preferred example of game rules (Table 1) with six players A, B, C, D, E, and F participating in the game. Yet, it should be understood that the preferred example of game rules described herein may be modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, initial point totals and scoring point values (e.g., points accumulated, deducted) may be different than the disclosed examples described herein.
To begin, each player is accredited an initial point total that is uniformly set for all players. In the present example, each player is accredited 21 points corresponding to the rules for a three-six player game. Yet, it is contemplated that the rules may define a different initial point total. For instance, and according to the rules for a two-player game, each player is accredited 15 points.
Next, each player adjusts their respective score counter 90 (
To begin, each player is provided with a game bag set 70 corresponding to their respective peripheral board 50. In this example, players A, B, C, D, E, and F are provided game bag sets 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, and 70f (
Then, a first round according to the example method of game play begins. For the purposes of this example, player A will be presumed to be the first player in the tossing order. Since player A cannot exceed their initial point total according to the game rules, player A will have to move to another player's score counter 90 to attempt to deduct points from that player by tossing their game bag 70a onto that player's peripheral board 50 or through the scoring hole 54 thereof. For example, player A may attempt to deduct points from any of players B-F. This aspect of the method of game play induces competitive tactics, based on a player's respective (or perceived) strengths and/or weaknesses. For example, player A may prefer to deduct points from player B, who player A perceives is an experienced player that is difficult to beat in subsequent rounds.
Accordingly, player A would have to move to player B's score counter 90b to attempt to toss their game bag 70a at player B's peripheral board 50b. According to the rules, if player A tosses their game bag 70a such that it lands on the upper surface 51 of player B's peripheral board 50b, one point will be deducted from player B's score. If player A tosses their game bag 70a into the scoring hole 54b of player B's peripheral board, three points will be deducted from player B's score.
Assuming that player A has successfully deducted points from player B's point total, player A or player B should update the score on player B's score counter 90b to reflect player B's score after the points deduction. Preferably, each player should adjust the score on their respective score counter 90 after each successful bag toss such that a player's current score is visually apparent to the other players throughout the game. This aspect of the method of game play helps players to contemplate strategies (for deducting, accumulating points, etc.), since each player's score will be visually apparent throughout the game.
Returning to the example, if player A deducted points from player B, for example, by tossing their game bag 70a through player B's scoring hole 54b, player B (the next player in the tossing order) may attempt to accumulate points since player B's score is now below their respective point total. In particular, player B may move to their score counter 90b and attempt to accumulate points by tossing their first game bag 70b at their peripheral board 50b. If player B lands their game bag 70b on the upper surface 51 of their peripheral board 50b, player B will accumulate one point. If player B tosses their game bag 70b through the hole 54b of their peripheral board 50b, player B will accumulate three points. Alternatively, and in distinction to conventional lawn games, player B may elect to move to another player's score counter 90 to attempt to deduct points from that player. For example, player B may move to player E's score counter and attempt to toss their game bag 70b at player E's peripheral board 50e.
After all of the players have tossed their first game bag moving clockwise from player A, player A may attempt to toss their second game bag 70a. In other words, the process repeats itself until all remaining players have taken turns tossing all four of their respective game bags 70.
When all of the players have taken turns tossing all of their game bags 70 (
If a player's score reaches zero during the game (e.g., based on the point deductions described above), and if that player is unable to add points to their points total (for example, by tossing a game bag at their own peripheral board), that player will be eliminated such that the game will continue without that player. Moreover, a player's score cannot be negative throughout the game. In this manner, and when only two players remain, the game is over when one of the players' scores is zero, such that the player with points remaining is declared the winner. Alternatively, the first of the remaining two players to attain a score corresponding to the initial point total (e.g., 21 points) is declared the winner.
In some examples, the rules may limit a player from the number of times that player may attempt to deduct points from another player during a round. Similarly, the game rules may limit a player from the number of times that player may attempt to accumulate points during a round. For instance, and according to a preferred example for a three-six player game, each player may only toss two of their respective game bags 70 at another single player's peripheral board 50 during a round of game play to attempt to deduct points from that player. Conversely, each player may only toss one of their respective game bags 70 at their own peripheral board to attempt to accumulate points during a round of game play. According to some examples, and when only two players remain, each player may toss up to three bags at an opposing player's peripheral board, and only one at their own peripheral board.
In further examples, the rules may enable players to exceed the aforementioned limits by sliding their game bags onto another player's peripheral board. For example, if player A has already tossed two of their respective game bags 70a at player B's peripheral board 50b, then player A would be unable to toss a third game bag 70a at player B's board during that round. However, player A may attempt to toss their game bag such that it slides onto player B's peripheral board, for example, by tossing it at another player's peripheral board (or the central platform) and then sliding it onto player B's peripheral board. Sliding game bags can also be beneficial for attempting to dislodge another player's own game bags from that player's peripheral board to deduct points from that player. In addition, or alternatively, it is contemplated that a player may attempt to dislodge another player's game bags from their own peripheral board to add points to their point total, e.g., to regain points previously deducted by an opposing player's game bag thrown onto or resting on that player's own peripheral board.
In some examples, if a player facing elimination (with a score of zero) is unable to add points, for example, because they have tossed more than one game bag at their own peripheral board in a game with limits (discussed above), that player may toss their next game bag at another player's peripheral board to attempt to deduct points from that player, whereby all remaining game bags belonging to that player are forfeited, except for that player's bonus game bag. If the player facing elimination is unable to add points during the bonus toss with their bonus game bag, then that player will be eliminated.
It is contemplated that in some scenarios, a player's game bag may land on two peripheral boards. In such scenarios, points are accumulated or deducted based on the board that the respective game bag makes more contact with, e.g., more than 50% contact with. This determination may be made by unbiased players. In some examples, it is contemplated that a determination cannot be made as to which peripheral board a game bag makes more contact with, for example when unbiased players believe that a game bag is equally resting on adjacent peripheral boards. For instance, if a player's own game bag is partially resting on that player's own peripheral board and on an opposing player's peripheral board, it is contemplated that the rules may deduct points from each player. Similarly, if a player's own game bag is partially resting on two opposing player's peripheral boards, it is contemplated that the rules may deduct points from both players' respective scores. In some examples, it is contemplated that a player's game bag may partially contact an upper surface of the central platform and an upper surface of a peripheral board. In such instances, it is contemplated that the rules may award zero points if a regular game bag (i.e., not the bonus game bag) makes more contact with the central platform during a regular round of game play. Similarly, it is contemplated that a bonus game bag may partially contact a peripheral board and the central platform. In such instance, the rules may award zero points to a player if the bonus game bag makes more contact with a peripheral board. Conversely, it is contemplated that the rules may award points to that player if their bonus game bag makes more contact with the central platform. In a preferred example, the rules may stipulate that game bags thrown on the ground or support surface have no influence on a respective player's point total. Furthermore, the rules may stipulate that game bags making partial contact with the ground or support surface are immediately considered out of the field of play, and thus do not influence any player's respective score.
Illustrative embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It should be appreciated that features of the embodiments described herein may be combined. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the specific details and representations shown and described. For example, it should be appreciated that the modular game assemblies and methods described herein may be adapted. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above game assemblies, methods, and rules may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited to particular details of the disclosed embodiments, but rather encompasses the spirit and the scope thereof as embodied in the appended claims.
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