Patent Application
20190184271
This patent disclosure contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves any and all copyright rights.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for entertainment and amusement that can be configured for either a single player or multiple players and methods of use, thereof. Specifically, the apparatus utilizes a striking means, such as a striker block, to propel a projectile along a target surface toward a target.
“Backyard games” such as corn hole and washers are now commonly found on restaurant patios and frequently played outside of bars, during festivals, and at other social events. These types of games typically involve tossing a projectile such as a ball, disk, or bean bag at a target, which is normally located several feet from the players. In addition to providing a source of amusement, these games present opportunities to bond and further develop relationships. Moreover, these games are all fairly intuitive and extremely easy to comprehend, requiring little, if any, guidance before a player can participate in the game. Most backyard games can be enjoyed for either a relatively short period of time or played for several hours. Backyard games also employ an element of excitement and anticipation as the projectile travels toward the target—making the game enjoyable for both spectators and players. Such qualities explain why these types of games are growing in popularity. However, these activities require a large, open area such as a yard or patio and are not suitable for indoor play or for play in a confined area. These limitations restrict the ability to participate in these activities when socializing indoors or when the weather is unpleasant. Furthermore, these outdoor games are fairly cumbersome, may require several minutes to set up, and are not easy to move from place to place.
Most board games, although suitable for indoor amusement and conducive to developing relationships, lack many of the popular aspects of “backyard games.” Fist, indoor board games often involve fairly complex rules, requiring investment of significant time before the players are equipped to participate in the activity. Potential players may be intimidated by the complex instructions or lack adequate time to learn the rules of play, making it difficult to engage those who are unfamiliar with the game. In addition, due to the complex rules and the coordinated effort required to complete the game, it is difficult to play many board games in a loud environment such as at social gatherings, restaurants, or bars. Furthermore, few indoor board games involve throwing or launching projectiles such as bags, balls, or disks into targets. This lack of a physically observable component makes the game less engaging for spectators and often isolates the players from socializing with those not directly involved in the game.
Hence, what is needed is a game that can be readily adapted for indoor play, takes up a minimal amount of space, is easily transportable, can be learned with little or no effort, is capable of being played in a noisy environment such as a bar or restaurant, and is versatile enough to be completed within either a few minutes or enjoyed for several hours.
An apparatus for amusement and entertainment is provided herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a target surface comprising a top face and a target region; one or more launching zones, wherein each launching zone is configured to support a projectile; and a striking means associated with each launching zone.
The apparatus can further include a striking means support structure associated with each striking means. In embodiments, the striking means support structure comprises two side supports and a top support that continues horizontally from one side support to an opposite side support.
The striking means can comprise a striker block pivotally attached to the top support of the striking means support structure. The striking means is configured to strike the projectile and propel the projectile from the launching zone toward the target region.
In exemplary embodiments, the target surface further comprises two ends with a launching zone at each end. The target surface can comprise a plurality of arms and launching zones. Specific embodiments comprise up to four arms and up to four launching zones. Still other embodiments comprise up to six arms and up to six launching zones.
The target region can be disposed near the center of the target surface. Alternatively, the target region can be disposed near an end of the target surface. In embodiments, the target surface includes one or more targets. The one or more targets can further comprise one or more holes, gaps, notches, or combinations thereof in the top face of the target surface. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the one or more targets is between about ½ inch to about 1½ inches, inclusive. In other embodiments, the diameter of the target can be large enough to allow a standard U.S. currency to be received within the target. The diameter of the target surface can be (1) slightly larger than the diameter of a U.S. dime, (2) slightly larger than the diameter of a U.S. fifty cent piece, or (3) any diameter size between (1) and (2).
In certain embodiments, the target surface extends upward from the launching zone at an angle from about 1° to about 45°. Alternatively, the angle of the target surface can be adjustable. The target surface comprises outer edges and can further comprise walls extending along the outer edges. The walls have an interior face and an exterior face. In embodiments, a transverse supporting member extends horizontally from the interior face of one wall to the interior face of an opposite wall.
The apparatus can further include a base on which the target surface is mounted. The base of embodiments can be one continuous piece or can comprise a notch, hole, slot, or gap, wherein the notch, hole, slot, or gap extends longitudinally across a portion of the base.
The apparatus can additionally include a projectile return mechanism configured to catch a projectile that falls through the targets and allow the projectile to be returned to the front of the apparatus. The projectile return mechanism can be disposed underneath the target surface and extend from under the target region to an area below the launching zone.
The apparatus can offer a ramp with a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the ramp is disposed toward the launching zone, and the proximal end of the ramp is disposed toward the target region. In certain embodiments, the launching zone is disposed upon the distal end of the ramp.
A method of playing an entertainment apparatus is also disclosed herein. The method employs an entertainment apparatus that has a target surface, one or more launching zones, a striking means support structure associated with each launching zone, and a striking means coupled to each striking means support structure. The target surface further includes a target region.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises an apparatus for amusement and entertainment that is capable of being played indoors in a relatively confined space such as a table or desk top. The invention is also suitable for outdoor play. The present invention comprises a target surface, one or more launching zones, and a striking means. The striking means is configured to strike a projectile in the launching zone and propel the projectile down the target surface toward a target region. Using this apparatus players engage in competition with the goal of sending the projectile down the target surface to land on or in a target within the target region. The invention can be adapted into either single player or multiplayer embodiments and is conducive to being played in crowded, noisy environments such as restaurants, parties, and bars.
Certain illustrations are appended hereto to promote a better understanding of the present invention. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only selected exemplary embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of scope, for the inventions can admit to other equally effective embodiments and applications.
Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate manner.
The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification can mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.”
Wherever any of the phrases “for example,” “such as,” “including” and the like are used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood to follow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly “an example,” “exemplary” and the like are understood to be nonlimiting.
The term “substantially” allows for deviations from the descriptor that do not negatively impact the intended purpose. Descriptive terms are understood to be modified by the term “substantially” even if the word “substantially” is not explicitly recited. Therefore, for example, the phrase “wherein the lever extends vertically” means “wherein the lever extends substantially vertically” so long as a precise vertical arrangement is not necessary for the lever to perform its function.
The terms “comprising” and “including” and “having” and “involving” (and similarly “comprises,” “includes,” “has,” and “involves”) and the like are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Specifically, each of the terms is defined consistent with the common United States patent law definition of “comprising” and is therefore interpreted to be an open term meaning “at least the following,” and is also interpreted not to exclude additional features, limitations, aspects, etc. Thus, for example, “a process involving steps a, b, and c” means that the process includes at least steps a, b and c. Wherever the terms “a” or “an” are used, “one or more” is understood, unless such interpretation is nonsensical in context.
As used herein the term “about” can mean “approximately,” “roughly,” “around,” or “in the region of.” When the term “about” is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of twenty percent up or down (higher or lower).
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention relates generally to an apparatus for amusement and entertainment comprising a target surface 1, one or more launching zones 5, and a striking means 10.
The targets surface 1 comprises a target region 30. In the embodiments shown in
In the embodiments of
The angles disclosed below are in relation to the surface on which the embodiment sits including but not limited to a tabletop, a floor, the ground, or any other surface on which a game of this type can be played. In embodiments, the target surface 1 extends upward, starting from the launching zone 5 at an angle of between 1° and 85°. The angle can be between 10° and 60°, between 10° and 30°, or between 10° and 15°. Alternatively, the angle of the target surface 1 can be between 1° and 10°. The angle can be about 2°, about 3°, about 4°, about 5°, about 6°, about 7°, about 8°, about 9°, or about 10°. As shown in
The target region 30 comprises one or more targets 35.
Embodiments also comprise a striking means support structure 15 associated with each striking means 10. In a non-limiting example of
In various exemplary embodiments, the striking means 10 comprises a hammer, a club, a striker block, a bat, or any other striking means that can be suitable for use in the game apparatus. As show in
In the
The embodiments of
In certain embodiments, the walls 40-42 extend vertically beyond the target surface. The walls 40-42 can extend up to about two times higher than the highest point of the target surface 1. Alternatively the walls 40-42 can extend up to about one and half times the highest point of the target surface 1. Embodiments comprise walls 40-42 that are substantially the same height as the highest point of the target surface 1. In still other embodiments, the highest point of the target surface 1 extends vertically above the walls 40-42.
In embodiments with walls the striking means support structure 15 can be either attached to the target surface 1 as previously described or, as shown in
Embodiments with walls can also comprise a transverse supporting member 45 that extends horizontally from the interior face of one side wall 40 to the interior face of an opposite side wall 41. This supporting member 45 provides additional support to the side walls 40, 41. In the
As seen in
In embodiments with a base 50, the target surface 1 can be mounted directly to the base 50 or mounted on supports 60 that elevate the target surface 1 above the base 50.
A base 50 is particularly useful in embodiments wherein the angle of the target surface 1 is adjustable. In these embodiments, a hinging mechanism (not shown) can be utilized wherein the hinging mechanism is attached to or integrated with bottom face of the launching zone 5. The target surface 1 can be angled along this hinging mechanism and one or more target surface support mechanisms 60 of varying thickness can be placed under the target surface 1 at multiple locations along the bottom face of the target surface 1 to adjust the angle. Alternatively, the aforementioned walls 40-42 of the apparatus can comprise notches within each wall (not shown). These notches can provide support for the target surface 1 at varying angles and allow for adjustment of the angle. The support notches can be used alone or in combination with the hinging mechanism previously mentioned. Alternative methods for providing an adjustable angle will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art.
Embodiments can also comprise a projectile return mechanism (not shown), which is particularly useful for embodiments wherein the targets 35 comprise one or more holes, gaps, notches, or combinations thereof. The projectile return mechanism can be disposed underneath the target surface 1 and extends from under the target region 30 to the launching zone 5. The projectile return mechanism is configured to catch a projectile 20 that falls through the targets 35 and return the projectile to the front 150 of the apparatus. Alternatively, the projectile return mechanism can extend to a region just below the launching zone 5. In embodiments with a base 50, the projectile return mechanism can be configured to fit within a notch, hole, slot, or gap 55 that extends longitudinally across a portion of the base 50. In certain embodiments, the projectile return mechanism is angled downward in relation to the target surface 1 such that the projectile 20 slides gravitationally along the return mechanism and back to the launching zone 5. The projectile return mechanism can also comprise a conveyor belt or other means for carrying the projectile 20 back to the launching zone 5. The downward angle or conveyor belt can be used alone or in combination to enable the projectile return mechanism to function properly.
Embodiments of the apparatus can be configured for a single player or for two or more players. In the single player embodiments of
Exemplary embodiments, such as the
A sound-insulating material can be applied to various surfaces of the entertainment apparatus to reduce the noise associated with use of the entertainment apparatus. The sound-insulating material can be in the form of a coating or layer of sound-insulating material along the surfaces of the apparatus. The sound insulating material can be placed along the entire surface of the entertainment apparatus. Alternatively, the sound insulating material can only partially cover the apparatus or portions of the apparatus. In one aspect, sound insulating material is placed around or on regions of increased impact. Such regions include but are not limited to the target region, targets, the target surface, the portion of the base disposed beneath the target region, the walls, or the striking means. Sound insulation is particularly useful in embodiments that comprise a ramp as described above. The sound-insulating material can be comprised of carpeting, polypropolene, silicon, rubber, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material that would be apparent to one skilled in the art of soundproofing.
It will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that the apparatus described herein can be readily modified to any size suitable for indoor play or enlarged for outdoor game play. The apparatus can be constructed of metal, plastic, cardboard, wood, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material currently known or later developed or combinations of material that would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art.
Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific substances and procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention, and are covered by the following claims.
