Amusement devices: games – Surface projectile game; game element – Disk or ring games
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-19
2001-10-02
Rimell, Sam (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Surface projectile game; game element
Disk or ring games
C273S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296249
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to games composed of a target apparatus and discs tossed onto the target apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number of disc tossing games are known in the prior art. One prior art version is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 2,126,245, which issued to W. A. Darby on Aug. 9, 1938, and describes tossing a disc through the air directly into a target bag mounted on a framework . This patent shows the disc is intentionally modified to a design that makes it sensitive to air currents and increases the element of chance in the game.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,256 to D. Falloon shows a tossing game wherein annular disks or rings are thrown toward a target device located on a ground or floor surface. The target device comprises a relatively large upstanding box or tray. Three relatively small upright tubes of graduated height are arranged within the box. The object of the game is to land a disk in the tallest cup, or in the alternative, the other cups or box area surrounding the cups from a point approximately 15 feet away. One disadvantage of the game shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,256 is that when the disk strikes the edge of a cup or the upper edge of the box it is apt to rebound away from the target device. The game tends to reward the lucky player, not the player with the most skill. Errant bounces also increase the potential for damage from playing the game.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,797 discloses a tossing game where the surface of the target apparatus is cushioned and angled toward the player in order to provide a game having a target surface tending to cause a disk to stay on, or at least close to, its initial landing point on the target surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,139 discloses a tossing game where assembly is required for the target apparatus. This adds expense and complication to the game.
It is immediately apparent from entirety of the discs and target apparatus in these games how the discs can make their way into the scoring areas. The preferred method is for the disc to enter the scoring area directly from the toss without touching the target surface. This too is as disadvantage and reduces the challenge and interest of these games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, comprises a target apparatus, a plurality of discs, and playing instructions. The target apparatus and discs are designed in such a way that the interaction between the target apparatus and discs are unexpected and varied.
The design of the target apparatus must take into account its structural strength, resistance to weathering elements, resistance to damage when played, and the impact of the design on the interaction between the target apparatus and the discs.
The design of the discs must take into account the structural strength of the discs, resistance to weathering elements, resistance to damage when played, the interaction of the discs with the player, the interaction of the discs with the elements, and the interaction of the discs with the target apparatus.
It is therefore the objective of the present invention to provide a challenging game of skill and strategy while eliminating the standard methods and creating new methods for successfully putting playing pieces into scoring areas. The ability to eliminate the old methods and create the new depends on many variables such as the geometric layout of the playing surface, pockets, vertical flange, and horizontal flange; the geometric layout of the discs and inserts; and the materials and surface textures used for both the target apparatus and the discs.
For example, it is nearly impossible to toss the discs directly into the pockets of the planar surface of the present invention because of the selection of the configuration of variables listed hereinabove for the target apparatus and the discs. Games in the prior art depend exclusively on this method of successfully placing the playing pieces into the scoring areas. The current invention requires more interesting and challenging means of successfully placing the discs into scoring positions.
Errant bounces of the discs experienced with past games are nearly eliminated by the current invention. This greatly increases the importance of skill and reduces the component of chance involved in scoring points. The lack of errant bounces also eliminates the chance of causing damage from playing the game.
Due to the selection of the configuration of variables listed hereinabove for the target apparatus and the discs, the discs are tossed approximately six feet from the target apparatus. Prior art games are played from much greater distances. This distance reduction improves safety and causes skill to be more important than luck when playing the game.
No assembly is required for either the discs or the target apparatus. This creates a game that is easy and simple to use, but is also economical to manufacture.
Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art of disc tossing/target receiving games when the accompanying description of one example of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 248901 (1881-11-01), Wetherill
patent: 1167452 (1916-01-01), Ward
patent: 2126245 (1938-08-01), Darby
patent: 3386737 (1968-06-01), Burgess
patent: 4204682 (1980-05-01), Brown
patent: 4877256 (1989-10-01), Falloon
patent: 4974858 (1990-12-01), Knowlton
patent: 5056797 (1991-10-01), Hockert et al.
patent: 5110139 (1992-05-01), Baumgartner
patent: 5575480 (1996-11-01), Wehr
Allied Development Corporation
Rimell Sam
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