RING TOSS GAME

Abstract

The preferred embodiment of the herein described game is comprised of two wood platforms, wherein seven wood sticks are strategically arranged on each wood platform. The seven wood sticks are disposed vertically on each platform to allow for multiple sticks to be captured by a single ring to effectuate the novel aspects of the game. The game is further comprised of four rope throwing rings, wherein two rope throwing rings are marked by one color (for a first player or team) and the remaining two rings are marked by another color (for a second player or team). The players or teams then toss the rings to capture the vertically disposed sticks of the platform in play. The vertically disposed sticks are allotted 1, 2, or 3 points. As noted above, the unique feature of the herein described game is that multiple sticks can be captured by a single ring resulting fast scoring and necessary strategy that is not present in prior art ring toss games.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention described in this application relates to the field of games namely ring toss games that can be enjoyed any where sufficient space is available to set up the game. A common problem with all existing ring-toss games is that from a reasonable distance it is hard to score because the rings are too small and the targets (targets can include sticks, hooks, bottles, cones, antlers, pins, and more) are spaced apart so that each ring can only capture one target. As such, all existing ring-toss games get frustrating because players rarely score, games take too long, and the game becomes more annoying than fun.

Therefore, there is a need for a novel ring-toss game wherein the rings are large enough to capture more than one target, and wherein different targets would have different values for a logical (not random) reason. The herein described game utilizes a target formation (with the targets here being sticks) wherein three vertically disposed sticks arranged in the middle of a game platform could each be captured along with two other vertically disposed sticks in at least two different ways. In the herein disclosed embodiment, two sticks disposed on or near the front corners of the game platform could only be captured along with two other sticks in one way, and two sticks disposed on or near the back corners could never be captured with two other sticks and limited to being captured with just one other stick. Because of these scoring variations, the middle three sticks are deemed to be worth one point, the two front corner sticks are deemed to be worth two points, and the two back corner sticks are deemed to be worth three points.

The novel arrangement of vertically disposed scoring sticks and novel scoring combinations, along with uncommonly large throwing rings, solves the shortcomings of all ring-toss games in the prior art. Namely, the herein described game allows for faster scoring and necessitates the use of more strategic decision making during play, which provides for a much faster and engaging game. The herein game also, importantly, allows more people to play and enjoy the game, particularly those with less than average athletic skill, while also providing a challenging and exciting game for those who are athletic and competitively inclined.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The herein described game is a unique ring-toss game that differs substantially from all other ring-toss games in the prior art. In every other ring-toss game, each ring can only capture one target (targets in other games include wood sticks, plastic posts, cones, bottles, hooks, artificial deer antlers, inflatable tubes, bowling pins, and more). In the herein described game, the game's rings are able to capture one, two, or three targets, which in the preferred embodiment are comprised of vertically disposed wood sticks arranged on a game platform.

The herein described game comprised of two wood platforms, wherein seven wood sticks are strategically arranged on each wood platform. The seven wood sticks are disposed vertically on each platform to allow for multiple sticks to be captured by a single ring to effectuate the novel aspects of the game. The game is further comprised of four rope throwing rings, wherein two rope throwing rings are marked by one color (for a first player or team) and the remaining two rings are marked by another color (for a second player or team). The players or teams then toss the rings to capture the vertically disposed sticks of the platform in play. The vertically disposed sticks are allotted 1, 2, or 3 points. As noted above, the unique feature of the herein described game is that multiple sticks can be captured by a single ring resulting in fast scoring and necessary strategy that is not present in prior art ring toss games. In the herein described game, the first player or team to score 21 points with a margin of 2 points or more wins the game. This fundamental difference between the herein described game and all other ring toss games makes the herein described game exponentially more competitive, strategic, fun, and accessible than all other ring toss games. A complete description of the herein described game and rules follow with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game platform showing the general arrangement of the seven vertically disposed scoring sticks along with two game throwing rings.

FIG. 2 is an overhead plan view showing the overhead arrangement of the seven vertically disposed scoring sticks, team color indicator, and general position of game platform risers disposed on the bottom surface of said game platform.

FIG. 3 is an overhead plan view showing the overhead arrangement of the seven vertically disposed scoring sticks, with dimension detail provided.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of game scoring stick.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a game throwing ring.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a game platform with game scoring sticks arranged according to the preferred embodiment with a tossed ring demonstrating capture of multiple game scoring sticks.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a player tossing a game ring towards the game platform with game scoring sticks arranged according to the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although only certain embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, the figures and explanations should be understood as illustrations only and are not intended to limit the invention in its scope. Also, in describing the embodiments, specific terminology may be used, but it should be understood that specific terms include all technical equivalents that operate in similar manners to accomplish similar purposes.

Referring now to the figures, the invention is further described in detail below. The herein described is game 1 comprised of one, or two substantially identical game platforms 10. Said platforms are generally in the shape of a rectangle and are comprised of a top surface 11, a bottom surface 12, a front side 13, a back side 14, a first end 15 and a second end 16. Said game platforms 10 are preferably constructed of ½″ thick plywood; however, one familiar with the art would appreciate that said game platforms could be comprised of any material capable of providing a substantially similar structure and rigid playing surface. The dimensions of said game platforms 10 are 22″ in length by 12″ in width. As such, said front side 13 and back side 14 of said game platform measure 22″. And, said first end 15 and said second end 16 measure 12″.

The top surface 11 of said game platform 10 is further comprised of a plurality of holes 20, which accept a bottom end 31 of a game scoring stick 30, wherein said game scoring sticks 30 extend vertically from said game platform 10. Said holes 20 are preferentially ⅝″ in diameter; however one familiar in the art would recognize that said holes 20 could be other diameters and still function according to the specification herein. In the preferred embodiment said game platform 10 is comprised of seven holes 20 preferentially spaced as shown if FIG. 3; however one familiar in the art would recognize that said holes 20 could be spaced at slightly different measurements than the measurements stated below and still function according to the specification herein. The center of hole number one 21 is located 1.5″ inward from said first end 15 and 1.5″ inward from said back side 14. The center of hole number two 22 is located 1.5″ inward from said second end 16 and 1.5″ inward from said back side 14. The center of hole number three 23 is located 7.25″ inward from said first end 15 and 4.5″ inward from said back side 14. The center of hole number four 24 is located 7.25″ inward from said second end 16 and 4.5″ inward from said back side 14. The center of hole number 5 25 is located 11″ inward from said first end 15 and 3.5″ inward from said front side 13. The center of hole number 6 26 is located 3″ inward from said first end 15 and 1.5″ inward from said front side 13. The center of hole number 7 27 is located 3″ inward from said second end 16 and 1.5″ inward from said front side 13.

Each of said game platforms 10 may be further comprised a colored dot 17 located on the top surface 11 in proximity to the game platform 10 corner formed by the intersection of said platform front side 13 and second end 16. Said colored dots 17 are comprised of a color which corresponds to color of a player's 50 or team's throwing rings 40 grips 41. The player or team whose team's throwing rings 40 grips 41 correspond with said colored dot 17, throws first from that game platform 10 and stands on that corresponding side of said game platform 10. One familiar in the art would recognize that said game platform may not be comprised of said colored dot 17. In this embodiment, the player standing to player's left side of said game platform would throw first. As shown in FIG. 2 said bottom surface 12 of said game platform 10 is comprised of four risers 18 disposed on the bottom surface 12 of said game platform 10 to raise said game platform off of the ground and provide a stable base for said game 1.

The herein described game 1 is further comprised of a plurality of scoring sticks 30. Said scoring sticks 30 are accepted by said holes 20 by inserting the bottom end 31 of each scoring stick into a corresponding hole 20. Said scoring sticks 30 are preferentially made of wood and are 16″ long with a ⅝″ diameter. However, one familiar in the art would recognize that said scoring sticks could be constructed of other materials and be comprised of other dimensions and colors, and still function according to the specification herein. Said scoring sticks 30 are comprised of a bottom end 31 and a top end 32. Each scoring stick 30 is further comprised of a colored band 33 in proximity to said top end 32 of each scoring stick, wherein said colored band represents a point value for capturing that scoring stick 30. Each colored band 33 is approximately 2″ in length; however, one familiar in the art would recognize that said colored band 33 could be any color, length or marking, and still function according to the specification herein. In the preferred embodiment three of said scoring sticks 30 are comprised of a white colored band 34a,b,c; two of said scoring sticks 30 are comprised of an orange colored band 35a,b; and two of said scoring sticks 30 are comprised of a black colored band 36a,b as shown on FIG. 6.

Said scoring sticks 30 are arranged by inserting the bottom end 31 of each scoring stick 30 into corresponding holes 20 in the following preferred manner as shown in FIG. 6; however one familiar in the art would recognize that said sticks 20 could be affixed to the platform in other manners and still function according to the specification herein. Said scoring sticks are arranged to allow throwing rings to capture one or a plurality of said scoring sticks 30. Hole number one 21 accepts scoring stick 30 with black colored band 36a, hole number two 22 accepts scoring stick 30 with black colored band 36b, hole number three 23 accepts scoring stick 30 with white colored band 34b, hole number four 24 accepts scoring stick 30 with white colored band 34c, hole number five 25 accepts scoring stick 30 with white colored band 34a, hole number six 26 accepts scoring stick 30 with orange colored band 35a, and hole number seven 27 accepts scoring stick 30 with orange colored band 35b. However one familiar in the art would recognize that said matching color bands could be changed to any matching colors and still function according to the specification herein.

The herein described game 1 is further comprised of two sets of two throwing rings 40. Said throwing rings 40 are preferably comprised of ⅝″ diameter sisal rope; however one familiar in the art would recognize that said throwing rings 40 could be made of other materials and still function according to the specification herein. The overall throwing ring 40 diameter of the preferred embodiment is 10.5″. The preferred diameter of the throwing ring 40 allows for the throwing ring 40 to capture one or multiple scoring sticks within the diameter of said throwing ring 40 as shown in FIG. 6. Said throwing rings 40 are further comprised of a grip 41. Said grip 41 is preferentially comprised of cloth. However, one familiar with the art would recognize that any material capable of indicating a color and providing a hand hold grip of said throwing ring would be able to function accordingly. As shown in FIG. 1, a first set of two of said throwing rings 40 grips 41 are comprised of a first color 42a. The remaining set of two of said throwing rings 40 grips 41 are comprised of a second color 42b. Said game platform 10 colored dots 17 are comprised of a color which corresponds to the colors of a player's 50 or team's throwing rings 40 grips 41.

The herein described is game 1 is comprised of a set of standard rules and a set of competition rules. Describing the preferred embodiment, referring generally to FIG. 7, playing said game 1 according to said standard rules is comprised of the following method. A first game platform 10 is placed 18′ apart from a second game platform 10 using an included measuring tape. Or, players 50 may place the game platforms 10 closer together according to user preference. Said game platforms 10 should face each other so that the respective front sides 13 of said game platforms face each other as shown in FIG. 7. Said game 1 may be played between individual players 50 (1 vs. 1) or between teams (2 vs. 2). Each player 50, or team picks a set of throwing rings 40, wherein a first set of throwing rings 40 is comprised of a first color 42a and a second set of throwing rings 40 is comprised of a second color 42b. In the preferred embodiment, said first color 42a is orange and said second color 42b is black. Each game platform 10 is comprised of a colored dot 17 located on the top surface 11 in proximity to the game platform 10 corner formed by the intersection of said platform front side 13 and second end 16. Said colored dots 17 are comprised of a color which corresponds to the color of a player's 50 or team's throwing rings 40 grips 41. In the preferred embodiment, a first colored dot 17 of said first game platform 10 is comprised of the color orange and a second colored dot 17 of said second game platform is comprised of the color black. The player 50 or team whose throwing rings 40 correspond with the colored dot 17 of said game platform 10 throws first from that platform 10. Players 50 must stand to the side of said game platform 10 with the front of the player's foot 51 even with (or behind) the front side 13 of the game platform 10. Each player 50 or team stands on the game platform 10 side with the colored dot 17 that matches the color of each player's 50 or team's set of throwing rings 40; the opponent stands on the opposite side of said game platform 10.

For individual play, both players 50 start the game 1 at the first game platform 10 for a first round. The players 50 take turns throwing at the second game platform 10. Once the players 50 have each thrown their two rings 40, the players 50 go to the second platform 10 to throw the next round of play back at the first platform 10. Each round consists of each player or team throwing their two rings 40. For team play, teammates stay at opposite platforms 10 the entire game and the respective players on each team alternate throws each round.

There are two different sets of Rules of Play: Standard and Competition, which will be described separately here. In the Standard Rules of Play, scoring during the game 1 is comprised of the following method. In the preferred embodiment three of said scoring sticks 30 are comprised of a white colored band 34a,b,c; two of said scoring sticks 30 are comprised of an orange colored band 35a,b; and two of said scoring sticks 30 are comprised of a black colored band 36a,b as shown on FIG. 6. Said scoring sticks 30 are arranged by inserting the bottom end 31 of each scoring stick 30 into corresponding holes 20 in the following preferred manner as shown in FIG. 6. Hole number one 21 accepts scoring stick 30 with black colored band 36a, hole number two 22 accepts scoring stick 30 with black colored band 36b, hole number three 23 accepts scoring stick 30 with white colored band 34b, hole number four 24 accepts scoring stick 30 with white colored band 34c, hole number five 25 accepts scoring stick 30 with white colored band 34a, hole number six 26 accepts scoring stick 30 with orange colored band 35a, and hole number seven 27 accepts scoring stick 30 with orange colored band 35b. Players 50 score points by throwing their rings 40 and capturing said scoring sticks 30 of the game platform 10 being thrown at. Any ring 40 that captures a white stick is worth one point. Orange sticks are worth two points. And, black sticks are worth three points. The unique arrangement of the scoring sticks 30 and diameter of the throwing rings 40 allows multiple scoring sticks 30 to be captured by a single ring 40 as shown in FIG. 6, which results in fast scoring and necessary strategy that is not present in prior art ring toss games. Any throwing ring 40 that captures three scoring sticks 30 earns one extra point in addition to the points of the captured scoring sticks 30. By way of example, the throwing ring 40a of FIG. 6 has captured scoring stick 34b (white 1 point), 34c (white 1 point) and 35b (orange 2 point), plus one bonus point for capturing three scoring sticks 30 for a total of five points scored that round. Players 50 count the points of all scoring sticks captured each round and keep a running tally from round to round. The first player 50 or team to score 21 points, by a margin of 2 points or more, wins the game 1.

Playing said game 1 according to Competition rules is comprised of the same method as the standard rules with the following variations. Said game platforms 10 are set 22′ apart using said included measuring tape. Each scoring stick 30 can only be scored on once per round. For example, when either player 50 or team captures any scoring stick 30, that captured scoring stick cannot be captured for points again by either player 50 or team for the remainder of that round. A player 50 or team must score 21 points exactly, with a margin of two points or more, to win the game 1. If a player 50 or team goes over 21 points, that player 50 or team is penalized by reducing their score to 15 points to begin the next round of play.

It is understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustrative of the present invention. Certain modifications of the articles and/or methods may be made and still achieve the objectives of the invention. For example, one familiar in the art would know the herein described game 1 could be played with one single game platform 10, wherein players would throw from a designated distance from said platform 10 rather than alternating throwing from said second platform. Such modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A Novel Ring Toss Game comprising: a game platform comprised of a top surface, a bottom surface, a front side, a back side, a first end, and a second end, wherein said top surface is further comprised of a plurality of holes, wherein each of said plurality of holes accepts a bottom end of a scoring stick, wherein a top end of each of said scoring sticks extends vertically from said top surface; and a plurality of throwing rings, wherein each of said throwing rings are comprised of a diameter, which allows one or a plurality of said scoring sticks to be captured within said diameter of said throwing ring.

2. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 1, wherein said Novel Ring Toss Game is comprised of a first game platform and a second game platform, wherein said first and second game platform are comprised of a top surface, a bottom surface, a front side, a back side, a first end, and a second end, wherein said top surface is further comprised of a plurality of holes, wherein each of said plurality of holes accepts a bottom end of a scoring stick, wherein each of said scoring sticks extend vertically from said top surface.

3. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 1, wherein said game platform further comprises the shape of a rectangle.

4. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 1, wherein said plurality of holes comprises seven holes, wherein each of said seven holes accepts the bottom end of seven of said scoring sticks.

5. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 1, wherein each of said scoring sticks are further comprised of a colored marking, wherein each colored marking, wherein said colored marking represents a point value.

6. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 1, wherein said holes are arranged to allow said throwing ring to capture one, two, or three of said scoring sticks within the diameter of said throwing ring.

7. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 1, wherein said plurality of throwing rings comprises a first set of two of said throwing rings and a second set of two of said throwing rings.

8. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 7, wherein the throwing rings of said first set of two throwing rings are further comprised of grips comprising a first color and the throwing rings of said second set of two throwing rings are further comprised of grips comprising a second color.

9. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 4, wherein each of said seven scoring sticks are further comprised of a colored marking, wherein said colored marking represents a point value.

10. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 9, wherein the colored marking of three of said scoring sticks is a first color; the colored marking of two of said scoring sticks is second color different from the first color; and the colored marking of two of said scoring sticks is a third color different from said first color and said second color.

11. The Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 10, wherein the point value of said scoring sticks with said first color is one point, the point value of said scoring sticks with said second color is two points, and the point value of said scoring sticks with said third color is three points.

12. A method of playing the Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 1 comprising the steps of: a. providing at least a first player and a second player;b. providing said game platform at a designated distance from said first and second player;c. providing a first set of said throwing rings to said first player and a second set of said throwing rings to said second player; whereind. said first player throws a ring from their set of said throwing rings, and said second player throws a ring from their set of said throwing rings; wherein the players alternate throwing their rings until they have no further rings to throw in a round of throwing; whereine. points are scored by said first and second player by their respective throwing rings capturing one or a plurality of said scoring sticks; whereinf. said first player or second player is declared a winner of the game when said winner scores a designated amount of points.

13. The method of playing the Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 12, wherein said first player comprises a first team of players and said second player comprises a second team of players.

14. A method of playing the Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 2 comprising the steps of: a. providing at least a first player and a second player;b. providing said first game platform and said second game platform at a designated distance from each other;c. providing a first set of said throwing rings to said first player and a second set of said throwing rings to said second player; whereind. said first player throws a ring from their set of said throwing rings, and said second player throws a ring from their set of said throwing rings; wherein the players alternate throwing their rings until they have no further rings to throw in a round of throwing, wherein said players alternate throwing from said first platform and said second game platform each round;whereine. points are scored by said first and second player by their respective throwing rings capturing one or a plurality of said scoring sticks; whereinf. said first player or second player is declared a winner of the game when said winner scores a designated amount of points.

15. The method of playing the Novel Ring Toss Game of claim 14, wherein said first player comprises a first team of players and said second player comprises a second team of players.