Patent Application
20220032145
The embodiments generally relate to target-type games and, more particularly, relate to a target toss game having one or more target platforms to receive a projectile.
During a social gathering, games are often used for enjoyment and as a way to stimulate conversation and competitive spirit. Specifically, outdoor games often include target toss games, such as lawn darts, cornhole (also known as bag toss, and bags among others), ring toss, and the like, which include the general objective of tossing a projectile towards a target.
Perhaps the most popular target toss game is cornhole wherein players take turns tossing a bag filled with dried corn kernels, dried beans, sand, or other filling towards a target having a raised platform incorporating a hole at the far end. In such, a bag in the hole scores 3 points, while a bag stopping on the platform scores 1 point. Play continues until a team or player reaches or exceeds a predetermined score limit (often 21) by means of cancellation scoring.
Various iterations of cornhole have been created, wherein the raised platform comprises more than one hole or wherein the raised platform includes defined regions, which correspond to greater or fewer points being scored. In the current arts, most platforms are static and do not include a mobile component which adjusts the difficulty of gameplay throughout a match.
This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The embodiments described herein provide a target assembly for a target toss game, comprising a frame including a first support member extending between a first base and a crossmember, and a second support member extending between a second base and the crossmember. A plurality of seesaws pivotally mounted via a pivot to the crossmember, each seesaw comprising a central portion extending between a first target platform and a second target platform, each dimensioned to receive a projectile.
The target assembly may be utilized for various games such as, for example, wherein each player (team) is provided with four projectiles. Each player aims for the target platform on the opposing side of the target assembly. The seesaws start in a neutral position due to the bias of the pivot. Players will then alternate tossing a single projectile towards their designated target platform. In one aspect, each of the player's three target platforms are provided with varied dimensions such that the largest and easiest corresponds to 1 point, the intermediate corresponds to 2 points, and the smallest and most difficult corresponds to 3 points. Once a projectile lands and is retained on a target platform, it will pivot to a lowered position due to the weight of the projectile. Players gain points each round through cumulative or cancelation scoring until one player reaches a predetermined score limit (e.g., 21 points).
In one aspect, the frame comprises a first support member extending between a first base and a crossmember, and a second support member extending between a second base and the crossmember.
In one aspect, the first target platform and the second target platform comprise a target surface.
In one aspect, the first target platform and the second target platform each include a barrier to retain the projectile thereon.
In one aspect, the pivot permits the seesaw to pivot from a neutral position to a raised position and a lowered position.
In one aspect, the pivot is comprised of a first spring and a second spring.
In one aspect, the crossmember is pivotally connected to at least three seesaws.
A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described apparatus. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.
Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components and procedures related to the apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation or inferences are to be understood therefrom. Furthermore, as used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship, or order between such entities or elements.
In general, the embodiments provided herein relate to bag toss game target assembly (hereinafter “assembly” or “the assembly”), which comprises a plurality of target platforms provided on a series of seesaws pivotally mounted on a crossmember. The seesaws include target platforms on each side of the seesaw. Players (i.e., the users) stand on opposing sides of the assembly and alternate turns throwing a projectile at the target platforms on the far side of the assembly. Each assembly includes a plurality of seesaws which may have target platforms of various sizes to provide variable difficulty to each target platform. This provides dynamic difficulty throughout gameplay, allowing for various scoring schemes depending on which target platform is hit by the player.
As used herein, the term “projectile(s)” relates to an object thrown, tossed, etc. by each player. The projectiles may include a bag or sack (hereinafter “bag”) filled with a material such as dried beans, dried corn kernels, sand, rocks, or similar materials to add weight to the bag or sack to make the projectile easier to accurately throw towards the target platform, or any other suitable weighted projectile known in the arts.
In further reference to
In some embodiments, the central portion 224 of each seesaw 210,212,214 may be of equal length. Alternatively, the length of each central portion 224 may change for each seesaw 210,212,214 to add variability to the gameplay.
One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the number of seesaws may be increased or decreased with the length of the crossmember 208. In such, the gameplay may be altered based on the number of seesaws that are targeted by the player.
In some embodiments, the dimensions of the target platforms may change for each seesaw 210,212,214, such that the first seesaw has the largest target platform while the subsequent seesaws have smaller target platform dimensions to add variability to the gameplay.
In some embodiments, the pivot 400 may be comprised of one or more elastic components, including elasticized rubber or the like. The pivot 400 is tensioned to allow for the pivoting motion of the seesaw 210 under the weight of at least one projectile 107. In such, the tension of the pivot 400 may be changed depending on the weight of the projectiles 107, length of the central portion 224 of the seesaw 210, materials used in the various components of the seesaw 210, and size of the target platform.
The target assembly 105 may be utilized for various games. In one example, each player (or in some embodiments, each team) is provided with four projectiles 107. Each player is aiming for the target platform on the opposing side of the target assembly 105. Each seesaw 210,212,214 starts in a neutral position due to the bias of the pivot. Players alternate tossing a single projectile 107 towards their designated target platform. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.
