Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-11
2001-10-09
Chiu, Raleigh W. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
C273SDIG003
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299172
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates in general to a game with throw pieces and more particularly to a game having a variable target and throw pieces which can adhere to each other upon contact.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art has a host of games which involve projectiles of one form or another and a target For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,902 issued to Foster et al, shows an action game in which balls covered with hook and loop material are thrown at discs having the same material on the outside. If the ball strikes the disc in a flush manner, the disc sticks to the ball and a game can be played using the discs as points. It may be useful to contrast this patent with the present invention. The present invention, unlike Foster et al, allows for the players to determine boundary zones on a target surface and assign those zones point values. This variable target element allows a degree of creativity from the players in shaping the boundaries of the game which is not present in the known prior art. In an alternative embodiment, the target includes an upright member and base member which can result in the target tipping over on being struck by a throw piece. The degree of sensitivity to tipping over is controlled by the player. In summary, as will become clear in the following description, a challenging, safe, and fun game is provided which is distinct from the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The game of the present invention has a throw piece or panel covered at least partially with a hook and loop material which is thrown at a compatible target also having a hook and loop covering. More than one throw piece can be provided. The throw pieces can be of any shape and may be relatively flat (two dimensional) or more three dimensional such as a cube, star or sphere. The throw pieces can adhere to each other so that an individual throw piece or a plurality of connected pieces can be thrown toward the target. In addition to the throw pieces, a plurality of boundary pieces are also provided. The boundary pieces have hook and loop material or hook and loop tape on their surface and can be arranged on the target to produce a boundary zone which is assigned a point value for the players. The players, therefore, can create varied boundary or target zones on the target surface, each assigned a given point value by mutual agreement. A set of point marker. pieces is also provided which can be used to identify the value of the boundary zones created by placing the marker piece (also having a hook and loop material on its surface) within or adjacent to the boundary zone. When a throw piece lands in a boundary zone on the target surface the point value credited to that player is determined by the marker piece. The marker pieces can be negative in value so that a throw piece landing on a boundary zone with a marker piece having a negative point value results in a deduction of points from the throwing player's total score. The players can typically use up to ten throw pieces in a single game. After all the pieces are thrown in turn by each player, the points awarded for the tossed pieces landing in the boundary zones are tabulated and the player with the most points is the winner. The throw pieces can also be combined so that two or more throw pieces can be tossed at the target at one time. Also, as a variation the marker pieces can be thrown at the target by the players to determine the point value of a target zone after all throw pieces are tossed.
The target surface is adapted to be positioned either horizontally or vertically. The construction of the target is such that it can be collapsed and used as a carrying tote with the throw pieces, boundary pieces, and marker pieces contained within. Alternatively, the target can be made flexible for folding or rolling thereby providing a versatile one-piece storage. Handles can be provided at appropriate places on the target which facilitates transportation of the game without losing any of the various pieces.
In an alternative embodiment of the game, an upright structural member which preferably can vary in length is provided. This upright structural member supports the target surface which adheres thereto or forms a target surface itself. Boundary zones then can be created on the target surface as described previously. The upright structural member is mounted in a base member which contains a material that is relatively heavy, thereby serving as a counter weight to the upright structural member. The target can be varied in height by lengthening or shortening the structural member. Given this configuration, it is obvious that a “taller” target will be able to tip over more easily due to its higher center of gravity. Additional rules using the “tip over” target can be provided. For example, if the target tips over or touches the ground, the game ends with players forfeiting any remaining throw pieces. The scores are added up at this point and a winner determined. As another example, a tipped over target can result in forfeiture of the throw of the offending player. The entire variable target assembly can be placed on the ground or it can be made with buoyant materials and floated in a pool of water.
In each of the above described embodiments (static target or variable target assembly) a great latitude is provided for the players to agree on the rules of the game. As a further example, the players can throw pieces at an unmarked target surface having no boundary zones with the intention of grouping a plurality of throw pieces in a given area. The marker pieces can then be thrown by the players after all of the throw pieces are on the target surface. For instance, the player with the most pieces in a given area can throw a marker piece which will give a point value to those pieces if it hits that target area. If the marker piece misses the target area, the next player can throw the marker piece to identify the scores of the throw pieces.
The object of the present invention is to provide a challenging, creative throw game as described above which is a safe indoor or outdoor game. The game can be easily kept clean or sanitized and used around sand or water without damage to the various pieces or the surrounding environment.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4055343 (1977-10-01), Stuart
patent: 5358742 (1994-10-01), Ziff
patent: 6116605 (2000-09-01), Davey, III
Chiu Raleigh W.
Zovko Mark
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