BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to the field of games of existing art and more specifically relates to outdoor game kits.
RELATED ART
Ring toss games are a popular backyard activity. Typically, the games are very portable and may be deployed in a matter of seconds. This portability and easy setup make ring toss games a top choice in backyard entertainment. Ring toss games generally comprise of stationary targets that may be inserted into the ground. Players may then be split into teams. Each team is given the chance to toss a ring toward one of the targets. The point system may be predetermined prior to initiating the game. Generally, the rings must attach to a target for a team to receive points.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,635 to Richard H. Harrington relates to a flying disc with weighted outer ring. The described flying disc with weighted outer ring includes a molded flying disc with most of the weight concentrated in an outer annular ring and the central area in the ring covered by a thin lightweight sheet of material different from the molded material of the same thickness and diameter. The ring has a locking structure to hold an interlocking weight ring that may include another locking structure to hold an additional weight ring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known outdoor game kit art, the present disclosure provides a novel ring toss game kit and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a ring toss game kit and method.
A game kit is disclosed herein. The game kit is useful for playing a ring toss game. The game kit includes a first-stake, a second-stake, and a plurality of game-pieces. The first-stake is defined by a first-diameter and a first-length, while the second-stake is likewise defined by a second-diameter and a second-length. Both the first-stake and the second-stake are cylindrically shaped and can be driven into the ground in an upright position to provide targets for the game in use. Each of the plurality of game-pieces are defined by a two-dimensional shape along a plane. Each game piece includes an aperture having a diameter greater than either the first-stake or the second-stake, so that each game piece may pass over the stake when accurately thrown at the stake.
According to another embodiment, a method for playing a ring toss game using a game kit is also disclosed herein. The method for playing a ring toss game using a game kit includes providing the above-described game kit, dividing at least two players into a first team and a second team, inserting the first-stake and the second-stake into the ground, such that the first-stake and the second-stake are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the ground, throwing the plurality of game pieces toward either the first-stake and alternatively the second-stake, with the goal of passing the aperture of each of the plurality of game pieces over the first-stake and alternatively the second-stake, and optionally, tallying points based from predetermined point values of interaction of the game pieces with the stakes.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a ring toss game kit and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game kit during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the game kit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game kit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the game kit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for playing a ring toss game using a game kit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an outdoor game kit and more particularly to a ring toss game kit and method as used to improve the playing of a ring toss game using a game kit.
Generally, the presented game kit is a conventional game of ring toss having variously shaped game pieces. The game kit is highly portable and easily deployable. The game may include targets in the form of elongated stakes that maybe placed in a perpendicular orientation to the surface of the ground. The stake may be hammered into the ground. Alternatively, the game kit may include weights that allow the stakes to be positioned perpendicularly to the ground without the need for a soft surface. The game pieces may be throwable shapes having an aperture therethrough. The shapes may include: oval, triangle, semi-circle, polygon, circle and square. Further shapes are considered.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a game kit 100.
FIG. 1 shows a game kit during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the game kit may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to play a ring toss game using a game kit. As illustrated, the game kit 100 may include said first-stake, said second-stake, and said plurality of game-pieces. Game kit 100 may be useful for playing a ring toss game. First-stake 110 may have first-diameter 112 and first-length 114. Likewise, second-stake 120 may have second-diameter 122 and second-length 124. Each of first-stake 110 and second-stake 120 may be configured to be inserted into the ground 5, particularly in an upright position. Preferably, each of first-stake 110 and second-stake 120 are cylindrical in shape. Each of first-stake 110 and second-stake 120 may be constructed of steel or an alloy thereof, aluminum or an alloy thereof, wood, plastic, or another material. Preferably, each of first-stake 110 and second-stake 120 are constructed of a material sufficiently durable and rigid to be impacted by a blunt instrument when each of first-stake 110 and second-stake 120 are forcibly inserted into the ground 5. In a preferred embodiment, both first-length 114 and second-length 124 measure thirty inches in length. However, in various alternative embodiments the dimension of first-stake 110 and second-stake 120 may vary. Plurality of game-pieces 130 may each be defined by a two-dimensional shape 132 along a plane 134. Each of plurality of game-pieces 130 may be suitably sized and weighted to be easily thrown during the ring toss game. Shape 132 may vary in various embodiments. Shape 132 may alter a flight characteristic of plurality of game-pieces 130, offering varying levels of challenge while playing the ring toss game. Each of plurality of game-pieces 130 may include an aperture 136. Aperture 136 may pass through plane 134, such that aperture 136 is located substantially centrally to shape 132. Aperture 136 may have an aperture-diameter 138. Aperture-diameter 138 may be larger than either first-diameter 112 of first-stake 110 or second-diameter 122 of second-stake 120, such that aperture 136 may be passed over either first-stake 110 or second-stake 120 during the ring-toss game. In some embodiments, the game kit may further include at least one scorecard 140. At least one scorecard 140 may have chart 142 configured to be written upon, particularly to record game scores. Preferably, at least one scorecard 100 is constructed of paper. Multiples of at least one scorecard 142 may be included in game kit 100.
According to one embodiment, the game kit 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the game kit 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the game kit 100 such that the game kit 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.
FIG. 2 shows the game kit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the game kit 100 may include said first-stake, said second-stake, and said plurality of game-pieces. First-stake 110 may include first-terminus 116. First-terminus 116 may be tapered, such that first-terminus 116 may be easily inserted into ground 5. Likewise, second-stake 120 may include second-terminus 126. Second-terminus 126 may be tapered, such that second-terminus 126 may be easily inserted into ground 5. First-stake 110 may further include first-end 118. First-end 118 may be blunt and may be disposed distally to first-terminus 116, first-end 118 being configured to be struck by blunt instrument 15 in order to drive first-terminus into ground 5. Second-stake 120 may further include second-end. Second-end 128 may be blunt and may be disposed distally to second-terminus 126, second-end 128 First-weighted base 119 and second-weighted base 129 may help provide inertia to first-stake 110 and second-stake 120 when being driven into the ground and may add stability to first-stake 110 and second-stake 120 while in use.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game kit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, each of plurality of game-pieces 130 may comprise a plurality of different shapes 132. Each shape may be a two-dimensional shape defined along plane 134. In various embodiments, shape 132 may include a circle, an oval, a triangle, a polygon, a star, or a semi-circle. Other shapes may be used. Preferably, game-kit 100 may, in a single embodiment, include multiples of plurality of game-pieces 130 having multiple different shapes 132.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the game kit of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Game kit 100 may further include case 150. Case 150 may have plurality of receptacles, said plurality of receptacles 152. Plurality of receptacles 152 may be structured and arranged to receive first-stake 110, second-stake 120, and plurality of game-pieces 130. Plurality of receptacles may be structured and arranged to receive plurality of game-pieces 130 according to their shape 132. In some embodiments, case 150 may include hinged lid 154 and clasp 156.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for playing a ring toss game using a game kit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for playing a ring toss game using a game kit 500 may include one or more components or features of the playing a ring toss game using a game kit 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for playing a ring toss game using a game kit 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a game kit comprising a first-stake, said first-stake having a first-diameter and a first-length, said first-stake configured to be oriented perpendicularly to a substantially planar surface, a second-stake, said second-stake having a second-diameter and a second-length, said second-stake configured to be oriented perpendicularly to said substantially planar surface, and a plurality of game-pieces, each of said plurality of game-pieces having a shape along a plane, said shape including an aperture having a diameter greater than each of said first-diameter and of said second-diameter; step two 502, dividing players into a first team and a second team; step three 503, inserting said first-stake and said second-stake into the ground, such that said first-stake and said-second stake are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the ground; step four 504, throwing said plurality of game pieces toward either said first-stake and alternatively said second-stake; and step five 505, tallying points based from predetermined point values of interaction of said game pieces with said stakes.
It should be noted that step 505 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for playing a ring toss game using a game kit, are taught herein.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
Patent Application
20190070474
