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Embodiments are used as amusement games with players stacking game pieces on or tossing game pieces towards a receptacle target. The game play can be a more hygienic alternative to beer pong with the receptacle target being portable, lightweight, durable, compactly storable, placeable for instance onto a table or a truck tailgate.
People love fun fast paced family friendly party games having elements of skill and luck allowing everyone to get in on the fun. Tossing games involving a receptacle target and game pieces tossed onto the receptacle target requiring skill and hand-eye coordination are popular and are traditionally known into antiquity. Embodiments are used as amusement games with players stacking game pieces on or tossing game pieces towards a receptacle target.
Embodiments are tossing games and stacking games involving a receptacle target and game pieces tossed onto the receptacle target being portable, lightweight, durable, compactly storable, placeable for instance onto a table or a truck tailgate. Embodiments are used as amusement games with players stacking game pieces on or tossing game pieces towards a receptacle target.
Modern minimalist styles are appealing in any home or office and durable enough for outdoor use. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, other will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described but instead is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Embodiments may be used to play a more hygienic alternative to beer pong on a table or the tailgate of a truck or similar.
Embodiments have an interior recess that is slightly larger in size than the magnet to be inserted into the interior recess that protectively encapsulates the magnet. Embodiments can have recesses in the top target surface 18 for receiving a cup or a plurality of cups. Embodiments of the receptacle target can be the shape of a cylinder, polygon disk, elliptical disk, or circular disk. Embodiments of the receptacle target can be the shape of a large bottle cap. Some embodiments of the receptacle target can be 3 inches to 15 inches in diameter, ½ inch to 4 inches in height. Embodiments of the receptacle target can be the shape of a bowl, dish, pyramid, cylinder, cone, cube, tetrahedron, octahedron, icosahedron, dodecahedron, platonic solid, polyhedra, ovoid, triangular prism, pyramid, egg, or sphere. The receptacle target diameter to height ratios might influence the play of game pieces that adhere or bounce off of the receptacle target. Some embodiments of the receptacle target can have diameter to height ratios of 2 to 1 to 8 to 1. The receptacle target thickness protecting the magnet needs to be thick enough to withstand repeated game piece impacts and not so thick as to excessively reduce the magnet field strength at the receptacle target surface. Some embodiments of the receptacle target thickness protecting the magnet have thickness of about 1/32 inch or greater to ¼ inch or less.
Embodiments can use wood or plastic or other materials for the receptacle target 10 material. Embodiments can use plastic or other materials for the receptacle target 10 material molded all around the magnet 16. Embodiments of receptacle targets 10 might be machined or molded and might use glue or ultrasound or chemical welding or any other fastening method, to incorporate a magnetic component or plurality of magnetic components within.
Moisture resistant, water resistant materials that can withstand accidental exposure to water, beverage spills, and changes in humidity, and remain dimensionally stable are often desirable for a receptacle target material. Machineable or moldable, non toxic, environmentally friendly materials are often desirable for a receptacle target material. Thermally treated wood absorbs less moisture resulting in less expansion and contraction than non-thermally treated wood. Heat treatment as a wood modification process is based on chemical degradation of wood polymer by heat transfer improving the resistance of wood to decay and providing better dimensional stability than untreated wood. The heat-treating process consists of placing wood in a kiln; air is evacuated and replaced with steam, kiln temperature slowly raised to 400° F. or more for several hours. The heat and steam cook out sugars and resins, leaving no food source for bacteria and mold. The heat-treating process alters the wood's cell structure, making thermally-treated wood moisture-resistant and dimensionally stable. Thermally-treated wood absorbs less moisture resulting in less expansion and contraction than non-treated wood. Thermally-treated wood started to be commercially available around the year 2000. The receptacle target can be made out of thermally modified wood which may be more dimensionally stable than non-thermally treated wood maintaining intended dimensions in varying temperatures and humidity conditions, and having decay resistance, eco-friendly, non-toxicity while being beautiful natural wood which is often a desirable stylistic look.
The protectively encapsulating cover piece 19 is shaped to fit into either the first interior recess 14 or the second interior recess 21. For example, the protectively encapsulating cover piece 19 can be shaped to be press fit into the second interior recess 21. When the second interior recess 21 is circular shaped disk, the protectively encapsulating cover piece 19 can also be circular shaped disk. In some embodiments, the protectively encapsulating cover piece 19 can be coupled to the receptacle target by a hinge and sliding member that locks the protectively encapsulating cover piece 19 into place protectively encapsulating a magnet 16.
Embodiments can use two pieces that are symmetrical or asymmetrical to form a receptacle target 10 and might use glue or ultrasound or chemical welding or any other fastening means or method, to incorporate a magnetic component or plurality of magnetic components within.
Methods of constructing the game kit include placing a magnetic component in a receptacle target interior recess that protectively encapsulates said magnetic component; affixing a protectively encapsulating cover piece on the receptacle target thus completely covering the magnet component.
Methods of constructing the game kit include placing a magnetic component in a one half of a two piece symmetrical receptacle target interior recess that protectively encapsulates said magnetic component; affixing the other half of a two piece symmetrical receptacle target. Methods of constructing the game kit include ensuring the magnetic component is protectively encapsulated in compliance with ASTM F 963-17 Section 4.38.
Embodiments can have the receptacle target and cover piece protectively encapsulating the magnet having a surface thickness of 1/32 inch or greater. Embodiments can have the magnet protectively encapsulating with plastic, nylon, Teflon, ADS plastic.
Embodiments can have a source of illumination in or on the receptacle target 10, or top target surface 18 can include illuminating features. Embodiments can have a luminescence glowing receptacle target 10. For example, the top target surface 18 can include slots, grooves, recesses that hold an illuminator such as glow stick, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or an illuminating material such as glow-in-the-dark paint, epoxy. In embodiments with LEDs, the receptacle target 10 may include a battery and recess and channels for positioning the battery and routing electrical wires between the LEDs and the battery. Embodiments of a receptacle target 10 can have means to receive a luminescence glowing element such as a glow stick. Embodiments of a receptacle target 10 can have a recess, slot, groove, or other affixing means to receive a luminescence glowing element. Embodiments of a receptacle target 10 can have glow in the dark paint applied on the surface, part of the surface, on the top surface 18, on the top target surface 18, on the sides of the receptacle target 10. Embodiments of a receptacle target 10 can be made of a glow in the dark material such as plastic. Embodiments of a receptacle target 10 can have a powered source of illumination such as a battery powering a light emitting diode (LED), or plurality of LEDs on or within the receptacle target.
Magnetic components 16 can be made of but not limited to alloys containing neodymium, iron and boron commonly known as neodymium magnets, rare earth magnets, or other materials of similar or greater magnetic field strength acting on the ferromagnetic game pieces. Samarium cobalt magnets (SmCo) are composed of samarium, cobalt and iron. Inexpensive neodymium magnets were not readily available to be part of an economically practical utility apparatus before the mid 2000s. Embodiments can use a neodymium permanent magnet or plurality of neodymium permanent magnets for the magnet 16. Embodiments can use an axially magnetized magnet. The magnet diameter to height ratios might influence the play of game pieces that adhere or bounce off of the receptacle target. Some embodiments of the magnet can have diameter to height ratios of 1 to 4 to 4 to 1.
Magnetic components 16 can be made of ceramic magnets or other magnetic materials. In some embodiments, the magnetic component has a surface field strength greater than 0.4 Tesla.
In some embodiments, the magnet components have sufficient magnet field strength to lift a nominal 26 mm diameter ferromagnetic crown bottle cap off a surface when 2 inch away from the nominal 26 mm diameter ferromagnetic crown bottle cap when the nominal 26 mm diameter ferromagnetic crown bottle is subjected to an opposing gravitational force from the gravitational acceleration of a nominal earth sized and density planetary object of approximately 9.81 meters per second̂ −2.
The receptacle target can contain a business logo to advertise a business. Receptacle target logo or logos can be laser engraved, silk screened or logoed by other methods including but not limited to printing, engraving. The logo can be on the second top layer material 30 and or a logo can be on a second bottom layer material 32. Top layer materials and bottom layer materials could be cork, foam, rubber. Targets or points locations can be patterned on or as part of the target indicia.
In some embodiments, ferromagnetic game pieces can be in the shape of a coin, medallion, or disk. In some embodiments, ferromagnetic game pieces can be in the shape of a sphere.
Embodiments of the ferromagnetic game pieces can be the shape of a polygon disk, elliptical disk, or circular disk. Embodiments of the ferromagnetic game pieces can be the shape of a bottle cap.
Embodiments of the ferromagnetic game pieces can be the shape of a bowl, dish, pyramid, cylinder, cone, cube, tetrahedron, octahedron, icosahedron, dodecahedron, platonic solid, polyhedra, egg, or sphere.
Ferromagnetic game pieces can contain a business logo to advertise a business. For instance a beverage company logo could be on the ferromagnetic game pieces to advertise a product. Branded bottle caps can be used as game pieces. Ferromagnetic game pieces can be bottle caps. Logos can be embossed on crown bottle caps.
In some embodiments, ferromagnetic game pieces can be crown bottle caps which might be tinplate and or ferrochrome plated or other ferromagnetic materials with nominal 26 mm diameter often fitting standard beverage bottles. Ferromagnetic nominal 26 mm diameter crown bottle caps have an approximate mass of 1.2 grams. Ferromagnetic bottle caps can be provided in different colors for each player.
Ferromagnetic bottle caps as the ferromagnetic game pieces advantages include: widely available, economical cost, radial symmetry and axial asymmetry, convenient finger size is grippable, holdable, graspable size, wide variety of logoed and colored bottle caps are widely available for unique play, presentation, or collectability of games.
Earth sized and density planetary objects have gravitational forces on masses of approximately the mass being accelerated multiplied by Earth's gravitational acceleration 9.81 meters per second̂ −2. Gravity is a force that can compliment or counter act the magnet forces structuring the stack of ferromagnetic game pieces.
Embodiments can have different materials on the top target surface 18 to change the play of the game pieces for instance a material that has less bounce of the game pieces. The top target surface 18, can be flat or be undulated to change the play of the game pieces.
Embodiments use ferromagnetic materials in the game piece 22 so the ferromagnetic game piece is magnetically attracted to the receptacle target game. Embodiments use ferromagnetic bottle caps as the game piece 22. Embodiments use ferromagnetic coins as the game piece 22. Embodiments have a receptacle target with a business logo to advertise a business or a product logo to advertise a product or a brand logo to advertise a brand.
Embodiments can be used as a game system involving magnetic forces where the magnet or magnets are encapsulating for safety. Encapsulating the magnet or magnets that provide the force to build and maintain the game piece structure within a larger receptacle target improves game safety. Using ferromagnetic stacking pieces, instead of magnets for stacking pieces also improves safety of the game. Federal safety standards compliance with American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM F 963-17 Section 4.38 is needed for an economically practical utility apparatus.
A cup can be placed on the receptacle target surface so only game pieces bounced or tossed that go inside the cup are awarded points. A plurality of cups can be placed on the receptacle target surface so only game pieces bounced or tossed that go inside a cup are awarded points.
The receptacle target 10 and ferromagnetic game pieces 22 can be part of a kit for a game. The game involves throwing or tossing the ferromagnetic game pieces 22 at the receptacle target 10. When the first ferromagnetic game piece 22 is tossed in proximity to the protectively encapsulating a magnet 16, the ferromagnetic game piece 22 is magnetically attracted to the protectively encapsulating magnet 16 and rests on the top target surface 18. When a second ferromagnetic game piece 22 is tossed in proximity to the protectively encapsulating a magnet 16, the second game piece is attracted to the protectively encapsulating magnet 16 and first ferromagnetic game piece 22 and rests on the top target surface 18 and/or rests on the ferromagnetic game piece 22. The protectively encapsulating a magnet 16 magnetic field cause the ferromagnetic game piece 22 to have one or more preferred magnetic directions. The ferromagnetic game pieces 22 magnetically coupled to the protectively encapsulating magnet 16 changing the overall magnetic attraction in a seemingly random manner making the attraction ferromagnetic game pieces 22 tossed in proximity to the receptacle target 10, more complicated, creating a unpredictable mixture of skill and luck that makes the game fun for everyone.
The selection of the size and shape of the receptacle target, in combination with the strength of the permanent magnet and the unique bottle cap configuration acts together to provide unique play experiences. Because of the shape of the crown bottle cap, additional random behavior is exhibited when playing the game, particularly as the pieces accumulate on the receptacle target and get more remote from the permanent magnet. As the game progresses, the orientation of contact of the game piece being tossed influences whether and how the game piece sticks to the stack.
As additional ferromagnetic game pieces 22 are tossed towards the receptacle target 10, the ferromagnetic game pieces accumulate on the receptacle target 10 and on top of other ferromagnetic game pieces. The game pieces may begin to form a tower, pile, or other structure. Example structures of accumulated ferromagnetic game pieces is shown in
Elegance of the apparatus in part is that the maximum number of apparatus elements needed to achieve a working economical game is 4. Elegance of the apparatus in part is that the game rule play can be used but is not needed to enable the amusement apparatus. You can just play without rules.
In some embodiments a player draws a card that indicates a shape or object to be sculpted, player sculpts said shape or object, other plays guess the shape or object sculpted.
Methods of playing a game include with one or a plurality of ferromagnetic game pieces and a receptacle target containing one or more magnetic components incorporated in said receptacle target, said method comprising:
The game, or contest, or other amusement methods can be used for advertising using ferromagnetic game pieces with a brand logo or business logo as the game pieces to advertise a brand or business, and or using a receptacle target with a brand logo or business logo to advertise a brand or business. The game, or contest, or other amusement methods can use ferromagnetic bottle caps with a business logo as the ferromagnetic game pieces.
In some embodiments, instructions for playing a game and or methods of playing a game can include:
Equipment: receptacle target & bottle caps, 3 second rule to prod dawdlers into action if necessary.
Object: Stack the highest bottle cap, get the most bottle caps on or above the receptacle target, create the most artistic sculpture.
To Play: Each player or team takes turns stacking or tossing a bottle cap on the receptacle target. Stacking first bottle cap that falls off the receptacle target ends the round. Highest last stacked bottle cap gets a point most artistic stack get a point, bottle cap falling off receptacle target losses a point. Stalactite Variation: receptacle target facing toward gravity stack longest downward chain of bottle caps. Tossing Variation: highest last tossed bottle cap gets a point most artistic toss get a point, tossed bottle caps falling off receptacle target losses a point.
Bounce Variation: Bounce off table before landing on receptacle target.
Use 48 bottle caps + or −. Stand a respectable distance from the receptacle target 2 or 3 feet based on skill.
Sculpt something cool, reward in it's self.
The game kit can be part of an advertising system using bottle caps and or a receptacle target with logo as part of game or contest such as bottle cap battles, or battle of the brew bottle caps. The tactile nature of the games and competitive or cooperative camaraderie position the brand in a positive customer experience.
This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/710,532, filed Feb. 20, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.