Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-12
2001-06-12
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244598
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to tossing games wherein one or more players toss bags at apertured, inclined targets. More particularly, this invention relates to tossing games comprising corrugated boards that can be foldably transformed between flat, shipping or storage modes and fully-deployed, playing modes. The closest prior art game patents known to me are found in Class 273, Subclasses 398, and 400, 401, and 402.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number of prior art tossing games involving projectiles thrown at inclined targets exist. Relevant prior art tossing games comprise target structures with inclined and apertured front surfaces towards which projectiles, including bean bags, may be thrown.
Prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,796 owned by the same assignee as in this case discloses a tossing game for use by one or more players. The plastic, blow-molded target pieces can be quickly transformed between a convenient transportable mode and a playing mode. In the transport mode they are coupled together, forming a parallelepiped. In the playing mode they are detached, separated, and then deployed by the players in spaced-apart relation. Each of the wedge-shaped, modular targets comprises an inclined, apertured surface towards which beanbags are thrown to generate points in accordance with rules. During deployment, each target board is inclined by unfolding elevator trays that are pivotally coupled to the target underside. The beanbags are stored within interior compartments.
Prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,586, also owned by the same assignee as in this case, discloses a similar tossing game. A pair of molded plastic targets can be coupled together for storage and transportation. In the playing mode, the modular, wedge-shaped targets are separated from one another. Each of the wedge-shaped, and inclined targets presents an apertured playing board towards which bean bags are thrown. Each target comprises a separate, removable, elevator tray that is snap fitted to the boards to incline them for play. The trays also prevent bags dropping through the target hole from escaping the board underside. A brace extending from the board underside reinforces the trays during play.
Earlier versions of inclined target games comprising apertured, inclined planes abound. U.S. Pat. No. 2,021,989 discloses an inclined, wooden surface having an aperture functioning as a target. Balls tossed by a player towards the target may be collected within a pocket if they penetrate the target orifice.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,793, issued Dec. 21, 1971, and entitled Sandbag and Target Apparatus, discloses a pair of fixed. wedge-shaped half sections, each including an apertured and inclined plane functioning as a target. Bags are tossed toward each target, and separate rules determine point scoring by the players. Points are awarded when bags penetrate the target, or when they remain on the target surface after a round. The individual wedge-shaped sections may be deployed separately in a tossing game configuration, or they may be clamped together in the form of a parallelepiped for storage or transportation. The target sections are relatively cumbersome and heavy, making convenient transportation and deployment difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,929 issued Dec. 1, 1987 discloses a pair of apertured game boards that function as targets. They can be separated for play or coupled together for transportation or storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,650 discloses a bag vice having a pair of hinged panels that can be deployed in an inclined target mode. As before, the target surface has a hole towards which bags are thrown. Similar devices are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,291,104, issued Jul. 28, 1942, U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,229 issued Jan. 6, 1981, and U.S. Pat, No. 4,565,375, issued Jan. 21, 1986. All of the latter patents disclose toss games comprising a target orifice.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,280, issued Nov. 25, 1969 discloses a bean bag design for a projectile suitable for in bag tossing games.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,650 issued Sep. 24, 1974, comprises a foldable, reinforced wooden tossing game, in which
U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,653 issued Sep. 24, 1974, comprises a game in which a slightly inclined plane forms a target for a golf ball.
Other tossing games involving inclined target surfaces are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,554,550; 4,186,925; 4,116,443; 4,943,065, 5,165,695 and U.S. Pat. Des. No. 252,047.
Despite the fact that tossing games constructed as described above are fun to play, no known bag-tossing game has been particularly successful on the market. Older wooden games are simply too heavy. Their weight and bulk makes shipping and inventory costs prohibitive for modern retailers. Wooden games are expensive and time consuming to produce. Even modern, lightweight, plastic designs with modular components can be relatively expensive. Despite the fact that modern, streamlined plastic designs employ low-profile targets that are easily stored or transported, they have too much weight and bulk. When deployed for storage, they are generally cubicle rather than flat. As a result, packaging and shipping costs are prohibitive, as shipping volume cannot be minimized. Even though robust plastic designs that are reinforced with only minimal components are relatively lightweight, their weight and bulk are significant, when compared to paper and cardboard games. On the other hand, it has hitherto been the case that paper and cardboard designs do not function well as impact-absorbing devices. Their use as targets for bean bag tossing games of the type discussed above has thus been suspect. Unless properly designed, cardboard or corrugated tossing targets are easily worn out. For one thing, acceptable reinforcement structures have not been integrated into an acceptable folding design. Secondly, edge portions of typical folding devices have open flutes that are exposed to the ground and moisture; as a result, wetness is drawn into the unit, degrading its strength and inviting rotting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My new bag-tossing game is formed from lightweight, corrugated material. It can be quickly folded between a flat, very low profile shipping or storage orientation, and a fully-deployed game position. When unfolded for storage, game target units are less that one half inch thick, so multiple units can be stacked together for efficient, bulk shipping. Thus attainable storage volume is extremely low. Despite the fact that the volume and weight of the target assemblies are significantly reduced, strength and unit integrity are preserved. Through the use of critical reinforcement folds as disclosed hereinafter, the erected target assemblies are relatively vigorous, and they withstand repeated impacts from multiple plays.
The preferred game comprises a pair of spaced-apart, generally wedge-shaped target assemblies. Each has an inclined surface with a round target aperture. Preferably each target assembly is assembled by appropriately folding a flat, corrugated blank. The preferred blank is configured with numerous fold lines that generally separate what will become three-dimensional structural portions of the target assembly. The blank is clearly labeled with numbered assembly instructions. When the blank portions are folded together, the composite unit that results forms a wedge-shaped, game-toss target that is profiled similarly to the prior art plastic and wooden designs discussed above.
Resiliency is insured in part by the corrugated ribbing that prevents impact-related bouncing. The reinforcement ribs are made from separate blanks that fold together in a user-friendly fashion. They are fitted beneath the target assembly, mating with coupling structure defined in the target blank. They touch the ground at their folded bottoms to give added structural support.
The corrugated material is treated with water-repellent material, and no open flutes touch the ground when the target assembly is created. A ring-shaped plastic insert reinforces the target orifice to minimize wear and water damage. With the afores
Carver Stephen D.
Conlab Inc.
Graham Mark S.
LandOfFree
Folding corrugated bag tossing game does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Folding corrugated bag tossing game, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Folding corrugated bag tossing game will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2478482