Sliding Disc Game

Abstract

In a sliding disc game, a plurality of rigid discs is provided. The rigid discs having low friction with a sliding board surface. The sliding board surface is elongated, having a first end with a marked foul line, a short distance from the edge, and a second end which supports a plurality of rigid arch structures that form goals of varying point values. The players must slide the discs into the goals to score points. The apparatus may be made of finished wood in a first embodiment having a classic feel, or in a second embodiment having a more modern feel of rigid plastic, with embedded electronic sensors and an electronic display to provide automated scorekeeping.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

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

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to table games and in particular to a sliding disc game. Millions of people have played various types of disc table games. However, a new and different variety of disc table game is generally well received by these players, and existing game designs have lost their novelty. Disc table game enthusiasts are looking for a new game to play, and a sliding disc game would satisfy this demand. A plurality of rigid discs are provided, having low friction with a sliding board surface. The sliding board surface is elongated, having a first end with a marked foul line, a short distance from the edge, and a second end which supports a plurality of rigid arch structures that form goals of varying point values. The players must slide the discs into the goals to score points. The apparatus may be made of finished wood in a first embodiment having a classic feel, or in a second embodiment having a more modern feel of rigid plastic, with embedded electronic sensors and an electronic display to provide automated scorekeeping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a sliding disc game. A plurality of rigid discs is provided having low friction with a sliding board surface. The sliding board surface is elongated, having a first end with a marked foul line, a short distance from the edge, and a second end which supports a plurality of rigid arch structures that form goals of varying point values. The players must slide the discs into the goals to score points. The apparatus may be made of finished wood in a first embodiment having a classic feel, or in a second embodiment having a more modern feel of rigid plastic, with embedded electronic sensors and an electronic display to provide automated scorekeeping.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment, displaying the display 10, the scoreboard 10A, the dividers 10B, the openings 11, the sliding board surface 12, the player button 12A, the foul line 13, the discs 14, and the edge 15.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sliding board component of the second exemplary embodiment, displaying the display 10, the dividers 10B, the goals 11A, the sliding board surface 12, the first end 12A of the board surface, the second end 12B of the board surface, the foul line 13, the edge 15, the infrared electric eyes 16, and the foul line infrared electric eye 17.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the sliding board component of the second exemplary embodiment, displaying the display 10, the sliding board surface 12, and the edge 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a sliding disc game. A plurality of rigid discs 14 are provided, having low friction with a sliding board surface 12. The sliding board surface 12 is elongated, having a first end 12A with a marked foul line 13, a short distance from the edge 15, and a second end 12B which supports the display 10. The board surface 12 is preferably surrounded by an edge 15, which is rigid and taller than the discs 14 such that the discs 14 are bounded in their motion by the edge 15. Embedded electronic sensors and display devices may be embedded in a display 10. In addition to housing electronic components, the display 10 is preferably a mechanically rigid structure mounted upright relative to the board surface 12. Piercing the display 10 is a plurality of openings 11 separated by dividers 10B that provide access to the goals 11A of varying point values (in the claims “goal regions”). The players must slide the discs 14 into the goals 11 to score points. The apparatus may be made of finished wood in a first exemplary embodiment having a classic feel, or in a second exemplary embodiment having a more modern feel of rigid plastic. The apparatus is preferably a table top game, however it may include legs to make it free standing.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the display 10 is preferably battery powered, using replaceable batteries. An alternate embodiment, powered by standard house current, is also contemplated. Electronic components of the display 10 include a microprocessor, a memory device, one or more batteries, a plurality of infrared electric eyes 16, the digital scoreboard 10A, and data entry keypad and player button 12A described below.

The display 10 of the second exemplary embodiment preferably features an on/off button and a keypad, located on the side surface. The upper portion of the front surface of the display 10 features a scoreboard 10A. The lower portion of the display 10 provides a plurality of arch-shaped openings 11. The rectangular area of the sliding board surface 12 behind each of the openings 11 is a goal 11A. In all embodiments of the apparatus, the surfaces of the goals 11 may provide a high friction backstop in addition the edge 15, to cause the discs 14 to come to a stop within the goal 11 after they have passed through the corresponding opening. The goals 11 are separated by L-shaped dividers 10B. One arm of each divider 10B is horizontal, and attached to the sliding board surface 12. The other arm of each divider 10B is vertical, and attached to the rear surface of the display 10. The edge of the first end 12A of the sliding board surface 12 features a player button 12A.

When each player is finished with a turn, the player button 12A is pressed to cause the scoreboard 10A to recognize the next player as active. At the top of each opening is an infrared electric eye 16, of a design well known to the art, which detects the passage of a disc 14 through the opening (in the claims, an “optical sensor”, as a variety of suitable bands of electromagnetic radiation and techniques are known that may be used for sensing the passage of the disc). This signals the microprocessor, which assigns the number of points corresponding to the goal 11 to the active player. The foul line 13 also features a foul line infrared electric eye 17 (in the claims, a “foul line optical sensor”). The electric eye 16′s line of sight is just high enough to allow a disc 14 to pass beneath it without breaking the infrared beam. If the beam is broken, the active player has fouled; the player forfeits the next turn and if the disc 14 passes through an opening, the goal will not be counted.

The display 10 and scoreboard 10A are illuminated by light emitting diodes (LEDs). The foul line 13 may also be illuminated by LEDs. The scoreboard 10A may accommodate several modes of play, such as only discs that enter into a specific slot will score a goal, or the player with the highest score wins.

In the first exemplary embodiment all electronic components, such as the scoreboard 10A, the infrared electric eyes 16, and the LEDs illuminating the foul line 13, are omitted. The first exemplary embodiment is intended to provide a non-electronic gaming experience and users are encouraged to keep score with paper and pencil. Alternatively, wood and other classic materials may be combined with the electronic components of the second exemplary embodiment.

To use the second exemplary embodiment, players use the keypad to enter any score on the display 10 between 100 and 500, in increments of 100, which they have agreed to be required for victory. The players also use the keypad to enter the names of two to four players.

To begin the game with either of the exemplary embodiments, the players then stand at the first end of the sliding board surface 12 and take turns attempting to slide the discs 14 through the openings and into the goals 11. For the second exemplary embodiment, when a player's turn is completed, the player button is pressed to move on to the next player, and when one of the players has achieved the agreed-upon score for victory, that player's portion of the scoreboard 10A flashes to signal victory.

The display 10 and dividers 10B are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as high-impact plastic, steel, aluminum, wood, and acrylic polymers. In the second exemplary embodiment, the scoreboard 10A and the foul line 13 are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable, transparent or translucent materials such as plastic or methacrylate.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the sliding board surface 12 is preferably manufactured from polished wood and the foul line 13 is preferably painted on the sliding board surface 12. In the second exemplary embodiment, the sliding board surface 12 is preferably manufactured from high-impact plastic. The discs 14 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as wood or high-impact plastic, weighted with an internal centerweight preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable metal such as lead or steel. In the second exemplary embodiment, the keypad and the player button are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material, such as silicone or rubber.

All other electronic components are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as steel, aluminum, and copper alloys.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A sliding disc game apparatus comprising a board surface; said board surface being elongated; said board surface having a first end and a second end; a display; said display being rigid; said display being affixed to said board surface near said second end so as to be about upright relative thereto; a plurality of openings in said display; a plurality of goal regions; each of said openings defining one of said plurality of goal regions; embedded in said display above each of said openings an optical sensor; a plurality of discs; said discs being of low friction with said board surface; and said optical sensor being configured so as to detect the motion of one of said plurality of discs though that of said plurality of openings above which said optical sensor is embedded.

2. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a foul line; said foul line being applied to said first end of said board surface; a foul line optical sensor; said foul line optical sensor being configured to detect motion across said foul line at a height above said board surface that is larger than the height of any of said plurality of discs.

3. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said board surface is surrounded by an edge affixed thereto.

4. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 2 wherein said board surface is surrounded by an edge affixed thereto.

5. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said goal regions are divided by a plurality of dividers affixed to said board surface.

6. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 2 wherein said goal regions are divided by a plurality of dividers affixed to said board surface.

7. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 3 wherein said goal regions are divided by a plurality of dividers affixed to said board surface.

8. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 4 wherein said goal regions are divided by a plurality of dividers affixed to said board surface.

9. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button.

10. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button.

11. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button.

12. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button.

13. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button.

14. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button.

15. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button.

16. The sliding disc game apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button.