FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a transportable target game apparatus with improved structural support members specifically providing for quick and sturdy erection and collapse of the apparatus.
BACKGROUND
A wide variety of projectile target games are played under circumstances from recreational backyard and beach play to family picnics to competitive events having hundreds of competitors. In such games, a projectile (ball, dart, beanbag, etc.) is thrown, shot or launched from a distance by a player toward a target. The construction of an adequately rigid structural assembly of adequate mass (per the American Cornhole Association, mass of at least 25 pounds is required) provides a target at which competitors will launch or throw projectiles from a distance. A well-known beanbag toss version of such a target game, colloquially referred to as “cornhole”, is a very popular target game in which a set of two target assemblies are placed 27 feet apart and competing teams throw to the remote target from a distance. The projectile beanbag is thrown toward the target assembly, the assembly having a target face with a hole formed therein which is the ultimate target for the projectile. Scoring is done by throwing the projectile beanbag into the hole. Most scoring occurs as a result of landing the bag short of the hole and having the projectile land on the face and slide into the hole. The success of “cornhole” has spawned dozens of competitors with different targets and projectiles, all with the common feature of presenting an erected target assembly toward which projectiles are launched. Such assemblies generally include provisions for portability insofar as such game sets are not typically intended to be permanently installed at a location. It is a motivation of such target games to be as easily transported as possible while still providing the necessary structural integrity and rigidity for the target assembly to withstand the forces of being repeatedly struck by the launched projectiles. Placement of carrying handles and reduction of mass for transport are important considerations for transportability.
While the principles discussed herein generally refer to the game of “cornhole” and the dual sets associated therewith, the advantages of the provisions of the present invention are not limited thereto. Specifically, the principles of the present invention contemplate that any transportable target game having a collapsible and erectable target would benefit from the principles disclosed herein. In addition, many of the innovative features set forth herein are also adaptable to other collapsible and transportable structures, furniture, tables and other structures that comprise collapsible or foldable members between which structural support devices are inserted, erected, collapsed and removed.
The major difficulty in making a target game transportable is presented by countervailing objectives to make the target set of sufficient mass and rigidity for gameplay to withstand the weight of the projectiles (beanbags) repetitively landing thereon, while also being lightweight enough and having storage provisions incorporated therein for transporting the bags/projectiles. Prior art attempts have addressed one or the other of these issues but, as set forth in more detail herein, the design of target sets that are lightweight and portable is contrary to the motivation to provide a sturdy, stable apparatus.
The present invention is distinguishable by the inclusion of a lightweight multi layer composite target face, one layer being a source of illumination that works with a translucent display layer and laterally extending support wedges secured by disappearing hinges to the target faceplate. In addition, the present invention provides a novel quick erect and collapse strut providing rigidity between the support wedges and the target face. Significant design innovations have been applied to provide target assemblies that are highly portable, lightweight, multi layer planar surfaces with a rigid support structure interposed between them.
As will be set forth in more detail herein, a robust target game is provided with rigid collapsible support structures between planar surfaces, while still being lightweight enough, even with the projectiles/beanbags stored therein, to be easily carried by a single person from convenient handles formed in the structural surfaces of the assembly. Innovative struts, described in more detail herein, with novel affixation provisions provide rigid structural support between erected members of the target assembly.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight target game apparatus having upper and lower handles for portability.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable target apparatus having means for quick erection and collapse.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a target game apparatus having a rigid structure and adequate mass to withstand projectiles launched from a distance repetitively landing thereon.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple layer target face plate having reinforcement as well as a layer for custom graphic display on the face plate and a protective layer to protect the graphic layer from scuffing.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a target game apparatus having a cavity with a peripheral protective lip for receiving and retaining additional layers and to prevent scuffing.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a target apparatus displaying customizable graphics and indicia under the transparent face layer.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a target assembly having a jointless strut providing for quick erection and collapse of the target assembly.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a spring steel strut providing rigid structural support for the target assembly.
It is another object of the present invention to provide properly positioned cavities in the target game assembly to receive the collapsed spring steel strut.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a target assembly wherein individual layers of a multiple layer strut are free to independently move in the longitudinal direction to prevent binding up during collapse of the target assembly.
It is yet another object of a present invention to provide a target game assembly having rounded corners for durability and to resist damage during transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a portable target assembly for a target game wherein a target face is provided with means for receiving and withstanding projectiles launched towards it from a distance. A support structure for the target face is provided with sufficient rigidity and mass to withstand repeatedly being struck by projectiles launched from a distance. It is necessary that the target face and the support structure are adequate to support the loads and forces applied during ordinary gameplay.
The portable target assembly of the present invention, particularly the target face and the support structures, specifically comprise lightweight materials for ease of transport. In the most preferred embodiment of this invention, the target face and support elements comprise polymeric composition, although the apparatus is specifically and expressly not limited to such composition and other alternative compositions and materials are specifically contemplated such that their use does not depart from the principles of the present invention.
The support structure of the inventive apparatus comprises at least one supporting wedge affixed to the target face in a manner that allows the at least supporting wedge to collapse for transport. In a significant aspect of the present invention, the supporting wedge supports the weight of the target face substantially along at least one lateral side of the target face.
The present invention is distinguishable by its use of a collapsible supporting strut, interposed between the supporting wedges and the target face when the target face and the support structure are erected for gameplay. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible supporting strut comprises a flexible joint with strut and the target face comprises a top side and a bottom side, such that the supporting strut is permanently affixed between the supportive wedges and the bottom side of the target face. The bottom side of the target face and the inner side of the support wedges comprise at least one void located to receive the supporting struts when the supporting structure is collapsed. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the supporting structure comprises at least two support wedges, however more or less number of support wedges are contemplated such that the use of more or less does not depart from the principles of the present invention.
The present invention portable target assembly for a target game specifically comprises a target face plate of a moldable material and supportive wedges supporting the target face plate along lateral edges wherein the supportive wedges collapse for transport to provide a slim profile assembly. The portable target assembly in the most preferred embodiment of the invention comprises multiple layers of materials provided and retained within a peripheral lip formed in a moldable skeleton constructed through any of additive manufacturing, form casting and machining.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the composite target assembly of the present invention depicting the supportive articulating wedges.
FIG. 2 is a detail view of the underside of the target assembly depicting the folding lateral composite support wedges to collapse the target assembly.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective view and a front view of the target assembly schematically representing the direction of collapse of the articulating composite support wedges under the composite face plate.
FIG. 2C is a detailed representation of the stabilizing strut of the present invention providing structural support between the composite supportive wedge and the composite target faceplate.
FIG. 3 is a detail illustration of the multiple layers of spring steel constituting the strut.
FIG. 3A is a detailed depiction of the strut of the present invention having means for securing two hinged end plates with provisions for independent longitudinal movement of the strut layers.
FIG. 3B is a detail depiction of the disappearing hinge and collapsing strut of the present invention within the voids in the support wedges and the bottom side of the faceplate.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the strut termination hinge assembly having cooperating clamp plates for receiving a distal end of the strut.
FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of the strut with termination hinges at distal ends.
FIG. 4B is an elevation view of the support of hinge and strut of the present invention depicting the multi layer strut retained within the termination hinges.
FIG. 4C is a schematic representation of the multi layer strut in the collapsed position.
FIG. 4D is the detail schematic representation of the disappearing hinge and folding strut wherein the strut is secured at distal ends clamped between two end hinge plates and the two sides of the hinge are mounted within the bottom side of the face plate and support wedges.
FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B and 5C depict a strut assembly wherein multiple layers of spring steel are provided side-by-side.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the underside of the target assembly in the erected condition, illustrating the location of the struts between the composite game face plate and composite support wedges.
FIG. 7 is an exploded schematic representation of the target face assembly depicting a skeleton having a peripheral lip therein to receive and retain multiple layers of sheet components.
FIG. 8 is an exploded side view depicting the multiple layers of sheet components on the top and the bottom of the target assembly skeleton.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention provides for an erect target assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 1 having a target faceplate 14 with a target hole 16 formed therein. The target faceplate 14 comprises a target face top 18 and a target face bottom 22. The target face 14 is supported by left lateral support wedge 26 and right lateral support wedge 30. The support wedge 26 is secured to the target face 14 by a segmented hinge 34 and the support wedge 30 is secured to the target face 14 by a segmented disappearing hinge 36.
The target face plate 14 is a multiple layer assembly having a structural skeleton 15 that is rigidly erected upon and supported by the support wedges 26, 30 with interposed support struts 38, 40 between them as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 2C. Each strut 38, 40 is secured at its distal ends 44, 46 to the underside of the skeleton 15 and one of the support wedges 26, 30. To collapse the assembly 10, the lateral support wedges 26, 30 are folded up under the game face plate 14 and skeleton 15 by rotating around segmented hinges 34, 36 as depicted in FIG. 2, 2A, 2B, 2C. Collapse of the support wedges 26, 30 is easily accomplished by pushing near the middle of the interposed struts 38, 40 and rotating the wedges 26, 30 as shown. To erect the target assembly 10, the support wedges 26, 30 are rotated outwardly until interposed struts 38, 40 snap into an erect position. It is a significant aspect of the present invention that the struts 38, 40 are jointless and bend during collapse of the assembly 10 and snap into a rigid linear position upon erection. No other locking provisions are necessary to make the struts 38, 40 rigid.
The present invention is distinguishable as set forth in more detail herein, by the shallowness and lightweight nature of the target assembly 10 when collapsed for portability. The shallowness is accomplished by providing hinges 34, 36 that mechanically secure the target faceplate 14 and skeleton 15 to the supporting wedges 26, 30. The disappearing hinges 34, 36 comprise a rotatably locking hinge 200 that is embedded and affixed to the faceplate 14 and support wedges 26, 30 as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4D to disappear upon erection. The embedded affixation of hinge 200 makes it possible to provide a very thin profile for the collapsed assembly 10, essentially comprising just the thickness of the face plate 14 and support wedges 26, 30. Further, the inclusion of extensive cut outs in the underside of the skeleton 15 and of the support wedges 26, 30 greatly reduce the weight of the skeleton and the assembly 10 to improve portability. Further, the inclusion of extensive cut outs in the underside of the game face plate and of the support wedges 26, 30 greatly reduces the weight of the skeleton 15 and the assembly 10 to improve portability. As depicted in FIGS. 3B and 4D, the struts 38, 40 bend into the 180° opposed orientation depicted, without a joint or additional locking mechanism. The target face bottom 22 and skeleton 15 is provided with voids 48A and 48B to accommodate the struts 38, 40 when bent. In addition, the support wedges 26, 30 are designed with voids 49A, 49B to accommodate the collapsed struts 38, 40 to provide for the thin profile of the assembly 10 when collapsed.
The interposed struts 38, 40 comprise one or more layers 42A, 42B of spring steel. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the struts 38, 40 comprise two layers 42A,42B of spring steel, but it is specifically contemplated that more or less layers of alternative gauges and strengths of spring steel may be employed for struts 38, 40 without departing from the principles of the present invention. This arrangement is necessary for strength and flexibility, and the multiple layers 42A, 42B are secured together in a first embodiment of the present invention using rivets 50, 52 (FIG. 3A). In this embodiment, to allow the bending of the struts 38, 40 during collapse of the support wedges 26, 30, it is necessary to provide for relative longitudinal movement of the layers 42A, 42B to prevent binding up of the struts 38, 40 during bending to collapse the assembly 10.
In this preferred embodiment, the struts 38, 40 are secured at the distal ends 44, 46 to terminal end tabs 58, 60 (FIG. 3A). As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A, the struts 38, 40 each comprise multiple layers 42A, 42B of spring steel. In this embodiment, the spring steel layers 42A, 42B comprise metal lengths formed in an arcuate shape so that they exist in a straight condition unless a force is applied to flatten the arcuate shape to bend them. It is the kind of spring steel that is commonly found in measuring tapes. In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, multiple layers 42A, 42B are combined to form a single strut 38, 40 that provides the necessary structural support between the target plate 14 and the support wedges 26, 30 when assembly 10 is erected. As depicted in FIG. 3A, the two layers of the strut 38, 40 are secured to each other and to end tabs 58, 60 with rivets 50, 52, the end tabs comprising articulating plates 58a, 58b, 60a, 60b connected at hinges 59, 61. Upon the folding of the support wedges 26, 30 under the faceplate 14, the struts 38, 40 bend near the midpoint and are received in the voids 48A, 48B, 49A, 49B as shown in FIG. 3B. As depicted in FIG. 3B, the layers 42A, 42B are not secured together but may move differently longitudinally so that each layer freely bends and they do not bind up. The movement of the layers 42A, 42B in this embodiment is the result of elongated slots 54, 56 that allow the strut layers 42A, 42B to move longitudinally relative to one another. As shown in FIG. 3B, the struts 38, 40 are secured to the target face 14 and support wedges 26, 30 by affixing the end tabs 58, 60 as shown with threaded bolts 66, 68, and it is contemplated that other mechanical fasteners such as rivets may be used without departing from the principles of the present invention.
An alternate preferred embodiment of the multi layer strut 38, 40 is provided as shown in FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B, 4C. In this embodiment, multiple layers 42A, 42B of spring steel material are provided with terminal connections provided by cooperating strut hinges 70. At the distal ends of the strut layers 42A, 42B, strut hinges 70 are provided, with each strut hinge 70 comprising a hinge base 72, secured to the top target face plate 14 and a rotating hinge element 73 secured to the support wedge 26 (see FIG. 4D). A lower cooperative clamp plate 74 extending from rotating hinge element 73 has a concave section 76 and flat lateral extensions 78, 80. A top clamp plate 82 has cooperating flat lateral extensions 84, 86 and a concave shape section 88 such that, with top clamp plate 82 is positioned and secured to lower clamp plate 74, a structure retention void formed between the lower concave section 76 and upper concave section 88 is provided as void 90 in this embodiment (FIG. 4). The multiple layers 42A, 42B of struts 38, 40 are secured within the void 90 as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. The struts 38, 40 are not mechanically secured to the terminal hinges 70 such that limited longitudinal movement of the layers 42A, 42B is provided so that the layers 42A, 42B can move differently longitudinally relative to each other such that, as a result of the different longitudinal movement of layers 42A, 42B within terminal hinges 70, the struts 38, 40 do not bind up during the collapse of the support wedges 26, 30 up under faceplate 14 and skeleton 15.
Another preferred embodiment of the strut hinges 100 for the strut layers 42A, 42B is provided as shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, a hinge base 102 is secured within the underside of face plate 14 and skeleton 15 and a rotating hinge element 103 is secured within the support wedges 26, 30. In this embodiment the layers 150A, 150 B comprise interposing struts 38, 40 positioned side-by-side as shown in FIG. 5A. The two layers 150A, 150 B are secured between a lower clamp played 100 for extending from rotary hinge element 103 and a top clamp plate 112 (FIG. 5). The lower clamp plate 104 comprises two concave sections 106, 107 and lateral extensions 108, 110 as shown in FIG. 5. The top clamp plate 112 comprises concave and convex sections 114, 116 and lateral extensions 118, 120 such that top clamp plate 112 cooperates with lower clamp plate 104 to define voids 130, 132 as shown in FIG. 5. The struts 38, 40 comprise side-by-side layers 150A, 150B retained in void 130, 132 as shown in FIG. 5A. As the support wedge 26 is rotated up under face plate 14 at disappearing hinge 70, during collapse of the assembly 10, the struts 38, 40 bend within the allowed voids 48A, 48B in the face plate and support wedges 26, 30. The layers 150A, 150B of the struts 38, 40 are positioned side-by-side and are secured to the strut hinge 100.
In addition to the construction of the interposing struts 38, 40, the principles of the present invention provide further provisions to effect a highly portable target assembly 10 constructed to be lightweight with a thin profile for easy portability. A layered construction of the target assembly is provided for that motivation, including, as shown in FIG. 6, a bottom target face 22 and skeleton 15 having extensive cut outs to reduce weight. Voids 260, 262, 264, 266 are provided on the underside 22 to receive the game play beanbags used during gameplay, while additional voids 268, 270 are cut out to reduce overall weight and provide clearance for fingers when the board is carried by a user by picking it up at the handles 27, 29 formed in support wedges 26, 30. The provision of handles 27, 29 in the support wedge is 26, 30, along with the voids 268, 270 in the underside of the skeleton 15, allows the target assembly tend to be carried from the top handle, similar to a briefcase, but it may also be picked up at the bottom and carried under the arm which is particularly convenient when it is being carried while going up or down stairs. When support wedges 26, 30 rotate up under faceplate 14, the support wedges 26, 30 retain the beanbags within the voids 260, 262, 264, 266. The underside 22 of the target face also includes strut retention voids 48A, 48B and the support wedges 26, 30 include strut retention voids 49A, 49B to allow bending of the struts 38, 40 while also allowing complete rotation of the support which is 26, 30 into substantially face-to-face orientation with the underside 22 of the target plate 14. These provisions provide the means for collapsing the target assembly 10 into a thin profile for portability.
The skeleton 15 may be made even more lightweight for transport by providing the cut outs as described above, and by removing a large cut out 267.
In addition to the collapse provisions provided by the struts 38, 40 and receptive voids 48A, 48B, 49A, 49B in the target plate 14 and skeleton 15 and support wedges 26, 30, the target assembly 10 is also novel in its multi layer construction as indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Specifically, the target face plate 14 comprises multiple layers to create a thin profile while still providing the necessary rigidity, strength, aesthetics and proper slide characteristics for the erected target assembly 10. To that end, the skeleton 15 is provided as the base material of the target plate 14. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skeleton 15 comprises a polymer skeleton formed with a protective peripheral lip 310 and rounded corners 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, although other materials and compositions may be employed without departing from the principles of the present invention. The rounded corners 306A, 306B, 306C,306D are an advantage of using a molded material for the skeleton 15 and eliminate sharp corners and edges to provide a softer assembly with lesser exposure to damage during transport. The peripheral lip 310 formed in the skeleton 300 is also possible as a result of constructing the skeleton 15 from a moldable polymer, the peripheral lip 310 further providing the opportunity for the inclusion and retention of multiple layers of additional structural materials. Specifically, a stiffener plate layer 301 is provided as shown in FIG. 7 and retained within the peripheral lip 310. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention the stiffener plate 301 comprises a stiff layer of Alucobond or similar lightweight material. Also within the peripheral lip 310, a custom printed display layer 303 is provided upon which logo indicia 303A may be printed. In a significant aspect of the present invention, a thin profile illuminating layer 302 is provided beneath the display layer 303, and the display layer 303 is constructed from a translucent material such that the illuminating layer 302 provides the pleasant aesthetic effect of backlighting the indicia provided by the display layer 303. A particularly beneficial feature of the target assembly 14 is that it may be customized for team logos, family names, phrases, clichés or images to individualize the target assembly for each user by creating a unique printed display layer 303A while the rest of the structure of the target assembly 10 remains unchanged. Next, a clear protective sheet 304 is provided on top of the printed display layer 303, the protective sheet 304 being clear to allow display of the printed display layer 303. The protective layer 304 also provides the slide surface for the projectiles that are launched toward the target assembly 10. In the most preferred embodiment of this invention, the protective material is provided by a thin sheet of mylar, although other materials are contemplated and do not depart from the principles of this invention.
On the underside of the skeleton 15, a stiffener plate 312 is also provided that is received in the extensive cut outs of the underside 22 of the target face 14 as defined by the construction of the skeleton 15.
Notably, by providing the stiffener plate 312 to enclose the large cut out 267 in the underside of the skeleton 15, a fillable void is created. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an access means comprising a threaded cap 350 (C FIG. 6) providing access thereto. To add mass to the target assembly pin, a weighted substance, such as sand, maybe added through cap 350 and sealed to add ballast for stability of the target assembly 10.
The foregoing represents preferred embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention, but the use of other materials and devices is contemplated that do not depart from the principles of the present invention, specifically those of providing a highly portable, lightweight and slim profile for a target assembly as set forth herein.
Patent Application
20240075364
