Patent Application
20140070486
This invention relates to outdoor and indoor rolling games, and particular to games, stations, ramps and methods of play where one or more participants physically rolls wheels towards a ramp which leads to a box, and a target area, such as circular hole or rectangular hole where player(s) accumulate points under selected playing rules.
Various types of yard games, activities and sports, such as horseshoes, lawn darts, bowling and toss games have become popular because of the social aspects, the physical activity, and inclusiveness of different age, gender and ability to compete.
For example, beanbag, sandbag and disc tossing type games have been used many times over the years. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 922,717 to Parker; U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,793 to Mudloff; U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,591 to Johnson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,858 to Knowlton; U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,796 to Conville; U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,862 to Konotopsky; U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,268 to Christianson; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,607,666 to Studier.
Other types of games, such a ball rolling games have been proposed. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 607,020 to Dodge; U.S. Pat. No. 742,416 to Hall; U.S. Pat. No. 945,286 to Rumpf; U.S. Pat. No. 1,262,314 to Downey; U.S. Pat. No. 1,545,329 to Johnston Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 1,561,934 to Kennedy; U.S. Pat. No. 1,604,846 to Nelson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,653 to Fox et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,591 to Johnson.
Some games have attempted to use rollable rings and discs. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,662,518 to Luthi; U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,737 to Burgess; U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,708 to Lucas; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,776 to Mateer.
While these games may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not the same and would not be suitable for all the purposes of the present invention as hereto described.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide games, stations, ramps and method of play where one or more participants physically rolls wheels towards a ramp which leads to a box, and a target area, such as circular hole or rectangular hole where player(s) accumulate points under selected playing rules.
A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a self-contained game assembly that can be assembled from a wheeled box, and where one or more participants physically rolls the wheels that are used for the transportable box towards a ramp which leads to a box, and a target area, such as circular hole or rectangular hole.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide a wheeled box that can serve as both a sitting stool for a participant and for a game that can be assembled from a wheeled box, and where participants physically rolls the wheels from the box towards a ramp which leads to a box, and a target area, such as circular hole or rectangular hole.
A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a physical wheel rolling game for one or more participants, intended for a large playing area outside or inside if the room permits, where the participants roll wheels into a target assembly to garner points in competition.
A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a physical wheel rolling game for one or more participants, having a target area that can be interchanged overtime.
The game can be comprised of one or two portable box units, each unit having two wheels that can be removed for play. The box can have a fold down side that can double as a ramp for play, where wheels from the box can be used by players to roll up the ramp and toward a target area such as circular hole or rectangular hole.
The box unit or two box units can be collapsed into components that can be carried in a single suitcase.
Another box version can have extendable handles, and wheels on two lower corners of the box, to allow the box to be moved similar to a hand truck. The wheeled box unit can have a hinged upper lid/cover that can access a space that can be used as cooler. Slots in the handle and/or on the box can be used for scoring. Removable pegs can be inserted and moved along the series of holes to update player scores.
Another version of the game can have a ramp and back panel that are foldable with one another, along with a slot in the ramp. An additional slot can be placed in the rear panel to add difficulty to game play.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
A listing of components will now be described.
Referring to
Notched bottom edges 62 and 72 on the bottom rear corners of sides 60, 70 can be pressed into mating slots 52 on opposite ends of the brace 50 and snapped (or friction fitted) into place. Notched bottom corner edges 84 of rear panel 80 can be pressed into respective slots 54 on brace 50 and also and snapped (or friction fitted) into place. And central notched bottom edge 86 of rear panel 80 can be pressed into mating middle slot 56 of brace 50 and snapped (or friction fitted) into place.
Next, the rear extension pins 22 can be slid down into inwardly facing angled cut-out grooves 65, 75 of the sides 60, 70, so that the ramp 20 can pivot relative to the sides 60, 70.
Finally, the cap cover 30 can be fit over the tops of sides 60, 70 and rear panel 80, and fasteners 90, such as thumb screws, can attach through side hole(s) 31(only one is shown) of the cap 30 into mating fastener holes 61, 71, 81 of the sides 60, 70 and rear panel 80.
Referring to
In
The sizes of the ramp and wheels can vary depending upon difficulty of play. A wheel 340 having a diameter of approximately 6 inches, would cause the ramp portion 270 to have a length (height in closed position) of approximately 7 inches, so that rolling the wheel 340 up the downward positioned ramp 270 reduces the slot opening in the box to less than approximately 7 inches.
An extendable handle 280 having an inverted U shape can be attached to the station 260 by U shaped brackets 290 that are secured to the side walls of the station box 265. Optional columns of holes 310 in the handle 280 can be used for scoring purposes with the use of optional pegs. Additionally, the handle 280 can be raised and lowered when points are achieved by the player(s). The handle 280 can be either raised or lowered to different positions during an actual game where the number of holes visible above or below the U-brackets 290 can indicate the current scores. The extendable handle 280 can be rigidly held in position by fasteners, and can be used to pull the station 260 onto wheels 340 for ease in transport.
On the back of the station 260 can be fixed handle 320 that allows for the mobile station to be moved about similar to a hand truck, where the user pulls back on the handle 260 to move the weight of the station onto the wheels 340 for transport.
Referring to
A hole 420 in the ramp 400 can have a geometrical shape, such as but not limited to a rectangle, a circle, a triangle, and the like. The support panel 410 can have a keyhole shape cut-out 440 which offers extra scoring potential during the game play. Along the edges of the opening 420 can be a ledge 430 which is able to accept inserts that can change the geometry of the opening 440 to add more difficulty during wheel 100 rolling play. The wheel 100 can be rolled along path 460 to the ramp 400 similar to the previous embodiments.
In addition, the ledge 430 around the perimeter of hole 440 can be used to convert the rolling wheel game to the popular corn hole bean bag game.
The insert 470 can also be used with the slot openings in the previous versions described above, to modify levels of skill and play difficulty.
Descriptions of playing the rolling wheel hole games will now be described.
2 or 4 players (Can be played with only 1 player for practice or self-challenge)
Wheel Hole's ramps and assemblies can have identical dimensions to insure consistency and fairness. During play, the assemblies should face each other and be separated by the desired distance. The lowest edge of the inclining ramp is also the edge of the perceived foot foul line.
Distance can be measured between foot foul edges of the Wheel Hole ramps.
Pre-measured string or a measuring tape, along with pegs and/or anchors can be used to keep accurate distance between Wheel Holes. Wheels should stay put where they fall.
The following distances in Table 1 can be used for hard surface play such as asphalt, cement or wood:
The following distances in Table 2 can be used for average yard surfaces such as grass or dirt.
The following distances in Table 3 can be used for play in soft sand or at the beach.
In doubles, team partners face can each other from opposite Wheel Hole assemblies.
Each team can play with 2 wheels. If a wheel rolls at least ½ way back, roll it again.
Opponents can alternate turns until all wheels are rolled.
For example, the round is then scores (See Game Scoring Rules). The team with the highest score rolls first. Also, the team that ties the score, rolls first. The winning team rolls first at the starting of the next game. Opponents may call a foot foul and the call must be honored. Alternate rolling sides and R/L positions after each game
Winner can be the first player or team to acquire 21 points or more
1 point can be scored for the 1st wheel rolled into the Wheel Hole target area.
2 points can be scored for the 2nd wheel rolled in by either team.
3 points can be scored for the 3rd wheel rolled in by either team.
4 points can be scored for the 4th wheel rolled in by either team.
5 points can be scored for a wheel rolled through the Wheel Hole at any times, by it doesn't count as a wheel rolled in for added points.
Playing examples will now be described.
Red Team rolls first wheel in for 1 point
Blue Team rolls in the next wheel (2nd) for 2 points
Red Team misses next roll
Blue Ream rolls in next wheel (3rd) for 3 points
SCORE: Red Team=1, Blue Team=5
Blue Team rolls first, and in for 1 point
Red Team rolls a Wheel Hole through for 5 points
Blue Team rolls next wheel in (2nd) for 2 points
Red Team rolls next wheel in (3rd) for 3 points
SCORE: Red Team=8, Blue Team=3.
If Example 1 and 2 team SCORES are added together, Red Team=9, Blue Team=8, then the Red Team rolls first, starting the next round. If a foot foul is called on either team, that wheel is disqualified from all scoring.
For location, any surface will suffice but a reasonably level playing area should be preferred.
Playing area should be approximately 10 feet wide and 30 feet long. Participants nearest the target Wheel Hole should stop long-rolled wheels with their foot, once they pass the back edge.
If playing in sand, the distance between Wheel Holes should be no more than 10 feet and the forward roll should be used instead of the backspin technique.
Roller—Players/participants
High Roller(s)—the player or team with the highest or tying score, or winner(s) of the previous game. High Roller would roll first in the next round or to begin the next game.
The Dog House—another name for the target area.
Grey Hound—a wheel rolled too fast and/or too far.
Fender Bender—when the wheel is rolled too hard and bounces back off the target.
Blood Hound—a wheel rolled too slow and/or not far enough which makes it land in . . . .
The Bone Yard—the playing area between both ramps where the wheels fall and stop.
The Bone—any wheel blocking the path of a roller
Lucky Dog—when the wheel comes at least ½ way back towards the roller. A re-roll is awarded.
The Dog—any wheel, anywhere on the playing surface where it lands.
Run Over the Dog—any wheel that rolls over another wheel on the playing field.
Prairie Dog—when the wheel doesn't go all the way through the cut-out hole in back.
Wheel Hole—when the wheel drops into the target area and totally out of the cut-out.
Wee Ho! Or Wheel Ho!—shouted out when the player rolls a Wheel Hole.
Players can stand upright and behind or to the side of the game assembly when using the back spin roll. Player(s) can also sit on the station boxes during play or at rest. To start, each player can hold the wheel with their thumb and fore-fingers of one hand and loft it with a forward and up flick of the wrist, to within a few feet from the target area, so it lands and rolls forward and straight at a reasonable speed.
To employ the forward roll, players can cup the bottom section of the wheel in your palm, with your fore-fingers extended along the bottom part of the wheel, pointing forward. Players can stand on either side of the Wheel Hold assembly, slightly bent over at the hips to roll and release the wheel low and forward, off your fingers, similar to bowling.
PROGRESSIVE SCORING or UNDERDOG SCORING—favors the person/team with the lower score.
Whether playing singles or doubles, one round is complete after 4 wheels are rolled.
Each player stands behind, or sits on the opponents target. Each player can start with 2 wheels. The first wheel is always rolled by the winner of the previous game or the defending champion. If no prior game was played and there is not a determined champion to roll, a coin toss is appropriate to get started.
Points cam be accumulated by the progression of wheels successfully rolled into either of the Wheel Hole target areas. First wheel in, regardless of who rolls it or which target it is, garners 1 point, second wheel in garners 2 points. Third wheel in garners 3 points and forth wheel in garners 4 points. If a wheel goes all the way through the cut out in the back, 5 points is awarded to that roller but it doesn't count as a wheel in.
The scoring can be accumulated in the same manner as in singles, but the players are rolling towards the same Wheel Hole target taking alternating turns, beginning with the team that has the highest score or the team that has just tied the score. All four wheels can be rolled to end the round. The wheels will then be rolled back in the other direction starting with the team player that has the highest score or just tied the score from the previous round. Continue back and forth until a team reaches 21 points to win.
After a roll, if the wheel rolls back at least half way towards the original roller, he/she gets to roll that wheel again. Otherwise, the wheels can remain where they fall, even if it is blocking the path or ramp. Wheels that are obviously going to miss the target should be stopped by the closest player's foot so the wheel will not keep rolling past.
Difficulty level can be increased or decreased by changing the distance between Wheel Hole™ station box targets.
*5 point Wheel Hole™ station box (through the back) can be made more easily by changing the width of the cut-out.
The invention components can be formed from various types of materials, such as but not limited to plastic, fiberglass, wood, and the like.
Although the slot described in the back of the box or rear panel is described as keyhole shaped, the slot shape can vary to any geometrical shape or configuration.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.
This invention is a Divisional Patent Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/463,992 filed May 4, 2012, now allowed, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/519,063 filed May 16, 2011. The entire disclosure of each of the applications listed in this paragraph are incorporated herein by specific reference thereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61519063 | May 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13463992 | May 2012 | US |
| Child | 14080371 | US |
