This disclosure relates to a three-dimensional throwing game target apparatus.
Leisure games date back to ancient times, are integral to all cultures, and encourage social interaction. Common features of games include uncertainty of outcome, agreed upon rules, elements of chance, the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat. Sporting games are typically played on a field, track, ice rink, or court. Table games, as the name implies, are smaller and only require a table or some other suitable surface. Board games often include a board or panel that may be folded up or disassembled for storage.
Beer pong is one example of a popular table game (often played among college students). Beer pong involves arranging twenty cups, ten on each side of the table, in two triangular formations. Players take turns throwing a ping pong ball into any one of the cups arranged on the opposite side of the table. Placing the cups on the table surface limits the configuration of the cups to a two-dimensional layout. Moreover, the cups may inadvertently slide across or off the table during play.
This disclosure is directed to solving the above problems and other problems as summarized below.
According to one aspect of this disclosure a three-dimensional throwing game target apparatus is provided. The game target apparatus may include a plurality of platforms, at least one bridge member, and a plurality of stanchions. Each of the platforms may include an outer wall and at least one platform-supported receptacle ring that is adapted to receive a cup. Each of the bridge members may include at least one bridge-supported receptacle ring and a plurality of elongated girders that outwardly extend from the bridge-supported receptacle ring. The bridge member and the platforms may be detachably connected to one another in a horizontal array. The plurality of stanchions may be assembled to the platforms to support the platforms at a plurality of heights. The platforms, bridge members and stanchions may be assembled together to extend in a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a vertical direction.
According to another aspect of this disclosure, a three-dimensional throwing game target apparatus is provided. The game target apparatus may include a plurality of platforms, at least one connection link for connecting two platforms together, and a plurality of stanchions. The plurality of platforms may each include an outer wall and at least one platform-supported receptacle ring that may be adapted to receive a cup. The plurality of stanchions and the at least one connection link may be detachably connected in a horizontal array. The plurality of stanchions may be assembled between the plurality of platforms to support the platforms at a plurality of heights. The platforms, connection link, and stanchions may be assembled together to extend in a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a vertical direction.
According to yet another aspect of this disclosure, a kit for a cup supporting target is provided. The kit may include a plurality of platforms, a plurality of platform connectors, and a plurality of stanchions. The plurality of platforms may each define a first set of cup receptacles and a plurality of recesses. Each of the platforms may have a first set of engagement features. The plurality of platform connectors may include a second set of engagement features that are connectable to the first set of engagement features that hold the platforms in a horizontal plane. The plurality of stanchions may have ends that are each receivable in one of the recesses. The platforms may be adapted to be assembled together in a vertically or horizontally spaced array with the stanchions.
The three-dimensional throwing game target apparatus and the kit for a cup supporting target as generally described above, may include one or more of the following additional aspects.
The game target apparatus may further include a first connection feature that may be provided on each of the platforms and a second connection feature that may be provided on each of the bridge members. The second connection feature may be attached to the first connection feature to secure the bridge member to the platform.
The first and second connection features may be attached to one another by a press-fit condition.
The outer wall of each of the platforms may define a plurality of notches that are adjacent to each of the first connection features. Each of the notches may define a width that corresponds to a width of each of the second connection features.
Each of the platforms may include a plurality of tabs that extend inwardly from an inner periphery of the outer wall and one of the connection features may be provided on one of the tabs.
At least one of the second connection features may be on each one of the elongated girders. At least one of the second connection features may be disposed on a distal end of each of the elongated girders.
A connection link may be provided. The connection link may include two second engagement features that engage one of the first engagement features of a first platform and one of the first engagement features of a second platform to detachably connect the first platform and the second platform.
Each of the plurality of platforms may define a plurality of stanchion receptacles that may be adapted to receive one of the stanchions when assembled to the platform. The stanchion receptacles may be disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface of each of the platforms. The stanchion receptacles and the stanchions may be provided in corners of the plurality of platforms.
Each of the platforms may further include at least one connecting rib that extends between the outer wall and the receptacle ring.
The bridge member may include one or more spaced apart receptacle rings that are connected to one another by at least one intermediate girder.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
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The three-dimensional throwing game target apparatus 100 includes a first assembly 100a, positioned closest to the near end of the table 200 and a second assembly 100b, positioned towards the far end. In some variations, the game may also be played on only one end of a table with all players playing toward the same end. The three-dimensional throwing game target apparatus is played by opposing players or opposing teams of one or more players. Each opponent has one of the assemblies 100a or 100b. The assemblies include one or more platforms 102 that hold or receive one or more cups 110. The assemblies further include one or more single bridge members 104 or double bridge members 106, or both. The single bridge member 104 holds or receives one cup 110 and the double bridge member 106 holds or receives two cups 110. The platforms 102 and the bridge members 104 and 106 are supported by stanchions 108. The stanchions 108 may be detachably connected to the platforms 102, or the bridge members 104 and 106, or both.
The platforms 102 and the bridge members 104 and 106, may be connected to one another in a horizontal array that extends in the x-direction, or a longitudinal array that extends in the y-direction, or both. Employing the stanchions 108 allows stacking of or elevating of one or more platforms 102, in the z-direction, so that one or more of the platforms 102 is positioned above other platforms 102 or bridge members 104 and 106. As will be described in greater detail below, the platforms 102, bridge members 104 and 106, and stanchions 108 may be detachably connected to one another when assembled. The detachable connection facilitates a relatively easy assembly and disassembly of the assemblies 100a 100b. The ease of putting together and taking apart the assemblies 100a 100b enables building various configurations quickly.
The three-dimensional throwing game target apparatus 100 may include one more balls 202 that are shown between the first assembly 100a and the second assembly 100b. The opposing teams or players may alternate turns throwing the balls 202 into the cups 110. As one example, the opponents alternate turns attempting to land one or more of the balls 202 into one of their opponent's cups 110. The opponents may throw at least one of the balls 202 towards a specified cup 110 or towards the remaining cups 110 in general, with the goal of landing one of the balls 202 into any of their opponent's cups 110. When one of the opponents lands at least one of the balls 202 into the other opponent's cups 110, that opponent removes the cup. The first opponent forced to remove all their cups 110 loses and the team with remaining cups wins. The game target apparatus 100 may also include dice 204 that are rolled to specify a certain action based on the rules of the game. The color of the cups may correspond to the color on each side rolled on a die or dice 204. In another embodiment, the dice or die 204 may indicate how many cups 110 may be removed if the subsequent shot lands into one of the cups 110. In another embodiment, the dice may have six sides, each side having a symbol (e.g., 1× (as in 1 times), 2×, 3×, and “WAR PONG”). The other die may include the words, “Add Cup,” “Remove Cup,” “Extra Shot,” “Lose Shot,” “Multiplier,” and “WAR PONG.” The stanchions 106 may be cylindrical dowels, as illustrated. The stanchions 108 have an elongated cylindrical shape with a circular outer surface. But the stanchions 108 may have another shape, e.g., rectangular, square, polygonal, etc. The stanchions 108 may vary in length so that the platforms 102 and bridge members 104 and 106, are positioned at various heights.
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In another embodiment, the first and second connection features 118 and 124 may be attached to one another by press-fit condition, or other suitable fastening method. Alternatively, the first connection features and the second connection features may be in the form a dovetail joint. A dovetail joint typically includes one or more tapered protrusions that engage one or more tapered notches. In another example, the first connection feature may be a clip or similar device that engages the second set of connection features. As another example, the first connection features may be a pocket, slot, or channel that defines an inner periphery that engages second connection features, such as a protrusion or tab. The terms first and second are interchangeable and are not meant to be limiting.
The outer wall 112 of the platform 102 may further define a set of notches 120 that are aligned with the protrusions 118. A set of tabs 119 may be aligned with each of the notches 120 to extend inwardly from the outer wall 112. The protrusions 118 may extend from each of the tabs 119. The outer wall 112 may further define a set of stanchion apertures 122 (or receptacles) that receive one of the stanchions 108. The stanchions 108 may engage an inner periphery of the stanchion apertures 122 so that they are detachably connected to one another. The size of the stanchion apertures 122 and the size of the stanchions correspond to one another to form a press-fit condition when assembled. The stanchion apertures 122 may be disposed within the corners of the outer wall 112 as well as on a top surface (illustrated) and bottom surface (not illustrated) of the platform 102.
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The elongated girders 126 may be integrally formed with the bridge-supported receptacle rings 115. Alternatively, the girders may be detachably connected to the bridge-supported receptacle rings 115 with a press-fit connection, fasteners, or other suitable methods. The elongated girders 126 define a first set of connection features, such as connecting apertures 124, that engage the second set of connection features, such as the protrusions 118, defined by the platform 104 (
In an alternative embodiment, the bridge members 104 and 106 may be supported by one or more stanchions 108 as previously described with reference to the platform 102.
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The platforms 102, the bridge members 104 and 106, and stanchions 118 may be comprised of a plastic or polymeric material that is produced by injection molding, additive manufacturing (e.g., three-dimensional printing), or other suitable methods.
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While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/629,324 filed Feb. 12, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62629324 | Feb 2018 | US |