Ball Tossing Skills Game and Methods of Playing Same
A method of playing a ball tossing or throwing game for multiple players comprises providing at least one receptacle into which each player attempts to toss or throw a ball, and positioning at least one band configured and sized to define a perimeter of an enclosed playing area along a playing surface into which each player attempts to toss or throw a ball and within which the receptacle is located. The method includes determining a total number of points as a winning score of the game and assigning each player a predetermined number of ball tosses or throws in a game set. Each game set allows each player or team of multiple players to earn a game set score of zero or more points the player or team earns as a result of sinking balls in the receptacle or placing balls in the playing area from the player's or team's position at a defined distance from the receptacle and the playing area. The method also includes totaling points each player or team earns from the predetermined number of ball tosses or throws made in the game set, and scoring each game set by subtracting points the lower scoring player or team earns in a game set from the points the higher scoring player or team earns in the game set to determine the game set score. The player or team who earns the total number of points of the winning score first wins the game.
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This application is a nonprovisional patent application which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/373,329, filed on Aug. 13, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a multi-player skills game, and more particularly to a multi-player game in which ball tossing or throwing skills earn and accumulate scoring points for an individual player or a team of players based on each player's tossing or throwing skills performance.
BACKGROUNDGames that involve physical skills or player performance can be challenging and provide satisfaction and enjoyment as players' skills and performance are tested consistently or with increasing intensity during gameplay. In particular, game designs that involve throwing or tossing skills help to exercise players, improve player hand-eye coordination, and practice and improve tossing or throwing skills. However, many designs of throwing or tossing games do not permit gameplay on any surface and do not provide portability or allow game pieces to be easily changed or modified to alter the level of gameplay difficulty or skills required.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a ball throwing or tossing skills game including game pieces that permit gameplay along any of a variety of playing surfaces. In addition, it is desirable that such a ball throwing or tossing skills game allow players to readily modify game pieces or a gameplay lay out to adapt the level of gameplay difficulty in order to accommodate a variety of players of different ages and different tossing or throwing skills. Further, it is desirable that a ball throwing or tossing skills game is constructed and arranged to permit multiple game pieces to consolidate or integrate with one another to provide a compact play set configuration that enables easy transport and storage of the game. It is also desirable that a ball throwing or tossing skills game include scoring schemes or rules that may be modified or changed to adapt the level of gameplay difficulty and performance challenges in order to accommodate a variety of players of different ages and ball tossing or throwing skills.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, the invention provides a game method for a tossing or throwing skills game that requires one or more players to toss or throw a plurality of balls into one or more receptacles and/or within one or more playing areas. The game method comprises positioning at least two receptacles opposite one another, such that, a predetermined distance extends between the receptacles. Positioning the receptacles also includes locating each receptacle within an enclosed band. The band can have a size and shape to define a predetermined playing area within its perimeter and which surrounds each receptacle. The game method includes two or more players for individual-based or a team-based gameplay. In one configuration of the game method according to the invention, the players of an individual-based method or a team-based method are divided on each side of the receptacles with, in some cases, the same number of players positioning adjacent and typically behind each receptacle. For an individual-based game method including, for instance, four players, two players may position adjacent and behind each receptacle. For a team-based game method including, for instance, two players per team, one teammate may position at a first receptacle and the other teammate may position at the second opposing receptacle. The object of the game method is for players to take turns to attempt to toss or throw one or more balls into the opposing receptacle or playing area to earn scoring points.
The game method includes accumulating points as a result of each player tossing or throwing a predetermined number of balls for each of a predetermined number of turns. The game method further includes defining a game set as including a predetermined number of turns for each player, wherein an entire game includes a given number of game sets until a predetermined total winning number of points are earned. The game methods include scoring after completion of each game set. In one configuration of the game method according to the invention, scoring, e.g., of a game set, includes reducing the number of points earned by the highest-scoring player or team in a game set with the number of points earned by the lowest-scoring player or team in the game set. Playing continues for any number of game sets until one player or one team earns the predetermined total winning number of points.
In another aspect, the invention provides a ball tossing or throwing skills game play set including at least two receptacles, at least two bands with each band configured to define a playing area within which one receptacle is positioned, and a plurality of balls configured for gameplay according to the game methods described above. The receptacles may include any of a variety of configurations. In addition, the receptacles may be designed and constructed such that one receptacle receives the other receptacle in order to stack the receptacles. Each band may be designed and constructed as an enclosed tubular member that, when placed along a playing surface, defines a playing area within its perimeter. The tubular member may have any shape and size, such that, the playing area may have a range of playing area shapes and sizes. The tubular member may be designed and constructed as a hoop or band having multiple sections, wherein sections are configured to connect detachably to one another to construct or dismantle the hoop or band, or to reconfigure the playing area0.
The invention will be further described in detail below in relation to the drawings and the detailed description of the invention.
Referring to
As used to disclose the inventions, the terms “toss”, “throw”, “tossing” and “throwing” refer to any and all manner with which an individual player launches the ball 16 toward the receiving receptacle 16 and/or the playing area 13, including, for instance, overhand throwing, underhand tossing, overhand pitching, lobbing, and any other style of tossing/throwing the ball 16. For a particular level of difficulty of the game method 100 and 200 according to the invention, one or more tossing and/or throwing styles may be allowed or disallowed during gameplay.
As shown in
One object of the game method 100 is for each player A and B to toss or throw a playing ball 16 across the predetermined distance or length L1, as shown by dashed line 24 in
The game method 100 includes scoring the predetermined number of points each player A and B earns during each of a predetermined number of turns. For instance, each player A and B may toss or throw one ball 16 per turn, with each player A and B earning points depending on the outcome of their toss or throw. A predetermined number of points are earned by each player A and B when they successfully sink the ball 16 into the receptacle 12 or place the ball 16 within the playing area 13. The number of points the players A and B earn for sinking the ball 16 into the receptacle 16 may be different from , e.g., greater than, the number of points the players A and B earn for placing the ball 16 within the playing area 13. For instance, if greater tossing or throwing skill is required to sink the ball 16 into the receptacle 12 than placing the ball 16 within the playing area 13, then more points may be earned by the player A and B who sinks the ball 16 into the receptacle 12, or vice versa. As described below, earning points may be varied based on modifying or adjusting the level of difficulty of sinking the ball 16 into the receptacle or placing the ball 16 within the playing area 13.
The game method 100 further includes determining a score for each game set wherein a game set includes one or more turns for each player A and B. Each player A and B takes a predetermined number of turns with each turn involving tossing or throwing a predetermined number of balls 16, e.g., one turn includes tossing or throwing one ball 16, and earns points toward a game set score. The predetermined number of turns may constitute one game set and the score is calculated after completion of each game set. After each player A and B has taken the predetermined number of turns of the game set, the total points each player A and B earns is used to calculate the game set score. The calculation involves subtracting the points earned by the lower scoring player during the game set from the points earned by the higher scoring player during the game set to determine the game set score. For instance, players A and B may earn 3 points for sinking the ball 16 into the receptacle 12 and may earn 1 point for placing the ball 16 within the playing area 13. The predetermined number of turns for each game set may include 2 turns for each player A and B with each turn involving tossing or throwing one ball 16. Therefore, after player A and player B have each taken 2 turns in the game set, the game set score is determined. The points earned by the higher scoring player are lowered by the points earned by the lower scoring player. Where player A earns 6 points after two turns and player B earns 4 points after two turns, player A would have a score of 2 points and player B would have a score of zero (6 player A points−4 player B points=2 player A points). Player A in this case would win the game set with 2 points.
The predetermined number of turns each player A and B takes in a game set is not limited, nor is the predetermined number of balls 16 each player tosses or throws per turn limited, such that, each player A and B can earn any number of points in a given game set based on their tossing or throwing performance.
One object of the game method 100 is for each player A and B to attempt to outscore the other player A and B during each game set either by playing offensively and/or defensively in response to the points the other player is earning. Additional scoring rules of the game method 100 according to the invention are envisions and examples of such scoring rules are described in detail below for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit or to narrow the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLES OF INDIVIDUAL-BASED GAME METHODAs described above, for the individual-based game method 100, a game set may include each of the players A and B taking a predetermined number of turns with each turn allowing each player to toss or throw a predetermined number of balls 16. In one configuration of the game method 100 according to the invention, one game set may include each player A and B taking two turns that require the player A or B to throw one ball 16 per turn. Each game set in this case, therefore, includes a total of four ball tosses or throws with each player A and B making two ball tosses or throws. Each player A and B may take their two turns sequentially or each player A and B may take their turns alternately with the other player's turn. Scoring involves each player A and B earning a predetermined number of points, e.g., 3 points, for sinking the ball 16 in the receptacle 12, and a predetermined number of points, e.g., 1 point, for placing the ball 16 within the playing area 13. After each game set, e.g., after four ball tosses, the points earned by the lower scoring player are subtracted from the points earned by the higher scoring player to calculate the total points awarded to the higher scoring player of the game set.
The invention, however, is not limited in this respect and envisions that any number of ball tosses or throws may comprise each player turn. The invention also envisions any number of player turns may comprise a game set and any number of points may be earned for sinking or placing the ball 16, as well as any total number of points may be earned to win the game.
For instance, Player A takes a turn and throws the ball 16, placing the ball 16 within the playing area 13 to earn 1 point. Player B takes a turn and throws the ball 16, and does not sink the ball 16 in the receptacle 12 or place the ball 16 within the playing area 13, thereby not earning any points. Player A takes their final turn in the game set and places the ball 16 within the playing area 13, earning 1 point. Player A has earned a total of 2 points in the game set. Player B takes their final turn in the game set and sinks the ball 16 into the receptacle 12 earning 3 points. Player B has thereby earned a total of 3 points in the game set. Player A, therefore, does not score any points in the game set and player B scores 1 point. Player B's score effectively reduces player A's score to zero (3 player B points−2 player A points=1 player B point) and player B wins the game set with a game set score of 1 point. Thus, the lower scoring player may not score any points in the game set. The game continues for a number of game sets until one of the players A and B scores a predetermined game-winning number of points, e.g., 21 points.
Continuing with the above example, in the next game set, if player A tosses or throws two balls 16—sinking both balls 16 into the receptacle 12—then player A earns 6 points. If player B in the same set tosses or throws two balls 16—placing both balls 16 within the playing area 13—then player B earns 2 points. As a result, player A scores 4 points in the game set and player B does not score any points because player B's points are effectively cancelled by player A's points (6 player A points−2 player B points=4 player A points) and player A wins the game set with a game set score of 4 points. At this point in the game 100, player A has a score of 4 points and player B has a score of 1 point that player B earned in the prior game set.
In the next game set, if player A tosses or throws two balls 16—sinking one ball 16 into the receptacle 12 and placing one ball 16 within the playing area 13—then player A earns 4 points. If player B in this same set tosses or throws two balls—sinking one ball 16 into the receptacle 12 and placing one ball 16 within the playing area 13—then player B earns 4 points. Neither player A nor B scores points in this game set because their earned points cancel each other out (4 player A points−4 player B points=0 points) and there is no winner of the game set. The scores of the players A and B at this point have not changed since the last game set.
As the game method 100 proceeds from game set to game set, the players A and B may strategize their gameplay and choose to play defensively and/or offensively in any given game set. For instance, if after player A has taken two turns in a game set and has not earned any points, player B may choose to play defensively against player A. Player B may attempt to perform an easier toss or throw, e.g., to place the ball 16 within the playing area 13, to earn at least 1 point to win the game set rather than attempt to perform a more difficult toss or throw, e.g., to sink the ball 16 in the receptacle 12. Alternatively, if player A has taken two turns and has earned a low number of points, such as 2 points, then player B may choose to play offensively in two turns. Player B may attempt the more difficult toss or throw, e.g., to sink the ball 16 in the receptacle 12, to attempt to earn at least 3 points to ensure that player B will earn more points than player A in the game set.
Other scoring rules of the method 100 may include allowing the player A and B, who scores highest or lowest in the game set, to take the first turn or toss in the next game set. The players continue to play the game until one of the players A and B scores the predetermined total number of points to win, e.g., 21 points. Optionally, the winning player A and B must win by a predetermined number of points, e.g., 2 points.
EXAMPLES OF TEAM-BASED GAME METHODThe team-based game method 200 according to the invention may include one or more of the features, scoring rules, and other aspects of gameplay as described above with reference to the individual-based game method 100. As shown in
The game method 200 similarly proceeds as described above with reference to the individual-based method 100. One player A or C of Team 1 may alternately take his/her turn with one player B or D of Team 2 until each player A, B, C and D has taken the predetermined number of turns to toss or throw a predetermined number of balls 16, e.g., one ball 16 per player turn, required for each game set. The points earned by the players A and C on Team 1 would be totaled together and the points earned by the players B and D of Team 2 would be totaled together to calculate the score of the game set as described above. The points earned by the lower scoring team during the game set are subtracted from the points earned by the higher scoring team during the game set to determine the score of the winning team for that game set. For instance, if player A sinks the ball 16 in the receptacle 12 and misses in the next turn, player A earns 3 points. If player C misses in the first turn, and places the ball 16 within the playing area 13 in the second turn, player C earns 1 point. Team 1 thereby earns 4 points in the game set. If player B sinks the ball 16 in the receptacle 12 and then places the ball 16 within the playing area 13, player B earns 4 points. If player D has a similar performance, player D earns 4 points and Team 2 thereby earns 8 points. Team 2 wins the game set with a game set score of 4 points (8 Team 2 points−4 Team 1 points=4 Team 2 points).
Similar to the individual-based game method 100, other game rules of the team-based game method 200 may include allowing the team that scores highest or lowest in the game set to take the first turn or toss in the next game set. The teams continue to play the game until one of the teams scores the predetermined total number of points to win, e.g., 21 points. Optionally, the winning team must win by a predetermined number of points, e.g., 2 points.
EXAMPLES OF ADDITIONAL SCORING RULESThe design of the game methods 100 and 200 according to the invention permit players to apply other scoring rules for the individual-based game and the team-based game that affect the points earned and/or the scores awarded.
Extra Point Scoring: For example, if one player A or B of the individual-based game method 100, or one Team 1 or 2 of the team-based game method 200, sinks a predetermined number of balls 16, e.g., two balls, in a game set into the receptacle 12 to earn a “double sink,” then that player A or B or that Team 1 or 2 may be awarded a predetermined number of extra points, e.g., 1 extra point, if the other player or Team has not earned any points in the game set. In this case, the extra points may also be awarded only if sinking each of the predetermined number of balls occurs consecutively. For instance, in the individual-based game 100, if player A sinks two balls 16 into the receptacle 12 for a “double sink” and earns a total of 6 points in a game set, and player B earns no points in the game set, then player A receives 1 extra point for a total of 7 points for the game set due to the “double sink” (6 player A points−0 player B points+1 point for “double sink”=7 player A points).
For the team-based game method 200, the extra point scoring may be applied if one player on a team scores a “double sink,” or may be applied if at least two players on the team sink two balls 16 in the receptacle 12 so that the team collectively scores a “double sink.”
In addition, in either game method 100 and 200, the “double sink” extra point(s) may be awarded regardless if the opposing player or team scores points.
Point Scoring Off The Rim: For example, in the individual-based game method 100 or the team-based game method 200, if a tossed or thrown ball hits a rim of the receptacle 12, which was intended to receive the ball, and the ball bounces from the rim, any player can catch the bounced ball for one or more extra points. Alternatively, if an opposing individual player or a player on an opposing team catches the ball 16, the catching player or team may earn one or more extra points or the non-catching player or team may lose one or more points.
In addition, other point scoring off the rim may include any player that tips the ball 16 bounced from the rim of the receptacle 12 into that receptacle 12 may score one or more extra points for him/her or for his/her team. Optionally, in this scenario, only the player that bounced the ball off the rim or his/her team mate may score extra points for tipping the bounced ball into that receptacle 12.
The extra scoring rules are flexible such that players may alter scoring rules according to the number of players per game, the number of players per team, the skill level of individual players, players of a time, or a team a whole, and/or the level of gameplay difficulty required or desired.
Scoring on Non-Throwing Side: As another example of extra or additional scoring, for the team-based game 200, a team mate positioned at the receiving receptacle 12 that is serving as the non-throwing side during gameplay may catch the ball 16 that their team mate tosses or throws toward the receiving receptacle 12 to score automatically a predetermined number of extra points, e.g., 1 point, if the ball 16 hits the rim 12A of the receiving receptacle 12 and the team mate positioned near or at the receiving receptacle 12 catches the ball 16 in the air. For instance, as shown in
As another example, for the team-based game 200, if a player A or C on Team 1 takes their turn and throws the ball 16 toward the receiving receptacle 12, and a player B or D on Team 2, positioned near or at the receiving receptacle 12, catches in the air the ball 16 that is thrown by a player A or C on Team 1, then Team 1 automatically loses a predetermined number of points, e.g., 1 point. This lose of a predetermined number of points may or may not be included within the total scoring of the game set.
Alternate Scoring for Individual-Based One-on-One Game: For the individual-based game 100, the game set scoring described above that includes calculating the difference between the higher points earned and the lower points earned for each game set to determine the winning score of the game set may be eliminated. In this context, each individual player A and B essentially plays one-on-one and scores points based on the outcome of their individual tosses or throws irrespective of the points that the other player A and B scores, and is awarded whatever points they earn. Any of the additional scoring rules described above can also be applied to the individual-based one-on-one game.
Two-Point Option at 21 Points: In either the individual-based game 100 or the team-based game 200, when one player or team scores the predetermined number of game-winning points, e.g., 21 points, the opposing player or team may be given the opportunity for one or more extra turns including a predetermined number of ball tosses or throws to attempt to get within the range of points, e.g., within 2 points, required to win the game in order to attempt to keep the game going. For example, if one player or team scores 21 points and is ahead by 2 points, then the other player or team may be given one or more turns to toss or throw one or more balls 16 to attempt to score within the 2-point range in order to keep the gameplay in progress.
The invention is not limited to the objects and the gameplay rules described above and envisions that the objects of the game methods 100 and 200 and the respective gameplay rules may be altered, e.g., by adding features or rules, by removing features or rules, or rearranging features or rules. In particular, the objects of the game methods 100 and 200 and the gameplay rules may be modified in terms of, for instance, the level of tossing or throwing skill and/or the level of difficulty in earning points that is required or desired.
Now turning to
Referring to
In addition, each receptacle 12 may be disposed substantially at the center of the playing area 13 defined by the band 14. Alternatively, each receptacle 12 may be disposed offset from the center of the playing area 13, depending on the surface on which the game 100 and 200 is laid out, the level of skill of players, and/or the level of difficulty of gameplay required or desired.
Referring to
With the configuration of the receptacle 12 shown in
The receptacles 12 may further define any of various heights H1, such that the receptacle 12 may have a range of depths. The receptacles 12 may be constructed of various materials that would render the receptacles 12 lightweight and portable for transporting the play set 300 to various gameplay surfaces 22. In one configuration, each lightweight and portable receptacle 12 may require a device or a method to weigh the receptacle 12 down to the gameplay surface 22 to help to prevent the receptacle 12 from collapsing or falling over during gameplay. In one configuration, each receptacle 12 may have a height H1 to define a depth suitable to contain a volume of water 20, as shown in
In one configuration of the receptacles 12 according to the invention, the play set 300 may include the receptacles 12 shown in
In one configuration of the receptacle 12 according to the invention, the bucket 12 may include a diameter D1 of from about 10 to about 14 inches, a diameter D2 of from about 12 to about 17 inches, and a diameter D3 of from about 8.5 to about 12.5 inches. In addition, as also shown in
As shown in
Referring to
In addition, as shown in
Further, as shown in
As shown in
The receptacles 12 may be constructed of one or more materials suitable for receiving a volume of water to weight down the receptacles 12 and/or may be constructed of one or more lightweight and economical materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, wood, cardboard, recycled materials and combinations thereof.
Referring to
As shown in
Where the band or member 14 defines a square, rectangle, octagon or other angled member as shown in
In one configuration of the game methods 100 and 200, where the bands 14 are configured as circular hoops 14, each hoop 14 may define a diameter of from about 20 inches to about 40 inches. In another configuration of the game methods 100 and 200, where the bands are configured as squares or rectangles, each band 14 may define an area of from about 28 inches by 28 inches to about 36 inches by 36 inches. The invention is not so limited and anticipates the band 14 may include any dimensions to define variously the playing area 13.
The band 14 may be constructed of one or more materials suitable for playing and storing and may comprise one or more durable materials, including, but are not limited to, PVC, plastic, metal, wood, cardboard, recycled materials, and combinations thereof.
In addition, the configuration of the bands 14 using the segments 23 and 27 enables the bands 14 to be broken down into their segment 23 and 27 pieces. Such configurations would help to make these game pieces readily portable and to provide flexibility and ease in transporting and storing the play set 300, such as, for instance, in a receptacle 12 or in stacked receptacles 12.
The game methods 100 and 200 according to the invention are highly flexible and may be modified or adapted via manipulation of the sizes and/or shapes of the receptacles 12 and/or the bands 14, at least as described above, in order the game methods 100 and 200 may be tailored to age-specific, skill-specific and difficulty-specific levels. One play set 300 of game pieces including at least two receptacles 12, at least two bands 14, and the plurality of balls 16 may be used to configure the game methods 100 and 200 for children, adults, high-skilled players and/or low-skilled players.
As shown in
With reference to
The plurality of balls 16 in a given play set 300 may include balls 16 having the same size, e.g., about 8 to 14 inches in circumference, and the same weight, e.g., about 5 to 8 ounces. Additionally, or alternatively, a given play set 300 may include a plurality of balls 16 having different sizes and weights. The size and the weight of the balls 16 may be selected based upon the level of difficulty of gameplay required or desired, player or team skill level, player age, and/or the type of toss or throw, e.g., overhand and underhand, required or desired for a game. For instance, the play set 300 may include, and optionally the game methods 100 and 200 may require, balls 16 having the same size and weight that are conducive to underhand tossing or overhand throwing. In another instance, the play set 300 may include, and optionally the game method 100 and 200 may require, balls 16 having different sizes and weights. In this case, the balls 16 used in the early stages of the game methods 100 and 200 e.g., for a predetermined number of game sets or until a predetermined number of points are scored, may have a relatively greater size and/or weight than balls 16 used in the later stages of the game methods 100 and 200. In the later stages, the balls 16 may be relatively smaller and/or lower in weight, e.g., to provide a greater challenge or difficulty in sinking or placing the ball 16 in the receptacle 12. For instance, the balls 16 used in the early stages of the game methods 100 and 200 may be similar to, for instance, baseballs in size and weight, while the balls 16 used in the later stages of the game methods 100 and 200 may be similar to or include lightweight foam or sponge balls. Presumably, players would score more easily with the larger and/or heavier balls 16 resembling baseballs because players can handle and toss/throw such balls 16 more easily than the smaller and/or lightweight balls 16 resembling Nerf® balls. In this manner, the level of difficulty of gameplay can be progressively increased or decreased as the game method 100 and 200 proceeds by using balls 16 with different sizes and weights. In this configuration of the game methods 100 and 200, the plurality of balls 16 used sequentially in a game may be progressively different with respect to their size and weight of the balls 16.
Thus, the receptacles 12, the diameter D1 of the receptacles 12, the width W1 of the rim 12A, the bands 14, the size of the playing areas 13, the predetermined length L1 between the receptacles 12 and/or the size and/or weight of the balls 16 according to the invention may be variously modified, such that, a given play set 300 and/or a given game method 100 and 200 is/are highly flexible with respect to being modified or adapted based on at least the players' tossing or throwing skills, the players' ages, the type of tossing or throwing required or desired in the game method 100 and 200, the level of difficulty required or desired in the game method 100 and 200, and/or the location of gameplay. Optionally, the inclusion of the game default line 18, as described above, may be used to modify the game methods 100 and 200 in this manner.
The game methods 100 and 200 according to the invention envision other features, modifications and configurations of the play set 300, game pieces and/or the nature of gameplay. For example, as shown in
As another example, also shown in
As a further example, as shown in
Further, as also shown in
The band 14 may include one or more sensors 36 that help to detect when a tossed or thrown ball 16 lands within the playing area 13. The sensors 36 may be positioned on opposite sides of the band 14 and may be configured to send a signal 37 between the opposing sensors 36. If the tossed or thrown ball 16 breaks the signal 37 as it is tossed or thrown into the playing area 13, the sensors 36 detect the break in the signal 37 and emit a visual and/or audio signal and/or transmit a signal to an electronic score or record-keeping device that may be used in conjunction with the game 100 and 200 for, e.g., scoring purposes.
Referring to
Having thus described at least one illustrative aspect of the invention, various alterations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended as limiting. The invention's limit is defined only in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.
Claims
1. A method of playing a ball tossing or throwing game for multiple players, the method comprising:
- providing at least one open receptacle into which each player attempts to toss or throw a ball;
- positioning at least one band configured and sized to define a perimeter of an enclosed playing area along a playing surface into which each player attempts to toss or throw a ball and within which the receptacle is located and;
- determining a total number of points as a winning score of the game;
- assigning each player a predetermined number of ball tosses or throws in a game set, wherein each game set allows each player to earn a game set score of zero or more points when the player sinks one or more balls in the receptacle or places one or more balls in the playing area from a distance from the receptacle;
- totaling points each player earns from the results of the predetermined number of ball tosses or throws the player makes in the game set; and
- scoring each game set by subtracting points the lower scoring player earns in a game set from the points the higher scoring player earns in the game set to determine the winning score of the game set,
- wherein a player who earns the total number of points of the winning score first wins the game.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein scoring includes assigning a first given number of points for sinking a ball in the receptacle and assigning a second given number of points for placing a ball in the playing area.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first given number of points is greater than the second given number of points.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein scoring includes totaling points earned by each player of a team of multiple players to calculate a game set score of the one team and totaling points earned by each player of an other opposing team of multiple players to calculate a game set score of the other team, and subtracting points the lower scoring team earns from the points the higher scoring team earns to determine the winning score of the game set.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the team that earns the total number of points of the winning score first wins the game.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein scoring includes awarding a given number of extra points in a game set to an individual player or to the team of multiple players where the individual player sinks or a given number of team players sink a predetermined number of balls into the receptacle in the game set.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein scoring includes awarding the given number of extra points in the game set to the individual player or the team of multiple players only if an opposing player or an opposing team has not scored in the game set.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein scoring includes awarding the given number of extra points in the game set to the individual player or the team of multiple players only if the individual player or a given number of team players sink consecutively a predetermined number of balls.
9. The method of claim 4 wherein scoring includes awarding a given number of extra points in a game set to an individual player or to the team of multiple players where the individual player catches or a given number of team players catch a ball tossed or thrown by an opposing player or an opposing team that bounces from a rim of one of the receptacle.
10. The method of claim 4 wherein scoring includes awarding a given number of extra points in a game set to the team of multiple players where a given number of team players catch a ball tossed or thrown by another team player that bounces from a rim of the receptacle.
11. The method of claim 4 wherein scoring includes awarding a given number of extra points in a game set to an individual player or to the team of multiple players where the individual player tips or a given number of team players tip into the receptacle a ball tossed or thrown by an opposing player or an opposing team that bounces from a rim of the receptacle.
12. The method of claim 4 including:
- providing a second open receptacle into which each player attempts to toss or throw a ball and positioning the second receptacle at a predetermined distance or length from the one receptacle; and
- positioning a second band configured and sized to define a perimeter of a second enclosed playing area along the playing surface into which each player attempts to toss or throw a ball and within which the second receptacle is located,
- wherein each player alters his/her position from one game set to the next game set relative to the one receptacle and the second receptacle.
13. A method of playing a ball tossing or throwing skills game, the method comprising:
- tossing or throwing a predetermined number of balls into a playing surface from a predetermined distance from the playing surface, the playing surface including: (a) at least one open receptacle having an interior volume sufficient to receive a ball; (b) at least one band configured to define a playing area within its perimeter and within which the receptacle is disposed; (c) wherein the predetermined distance from the playing surface includes the length from each player's position, from which each player tosses or throws the predetermined number of balls, to a rim of the receptacle or to an edge of the band;
- accumulating scoring points toward a predetermined game winning score by: (a) earning a first given number of points for each ball deposited in the receptacle; (b) earning a second given number of points for each ball deposited in the playing area; and (c) winning a plurality of game sets;
- scoring each game set to determine a winner of the game set, wherein each game set includes each player performing a given number of ball tosses or throws, by: (a) subtracting, for a pair of opposing players, the number of points the lower scoring player earns in a game set from the number of points the higher scoring player earns in the game set to determine the winner of the game set; or (b) for a pair of opposing teams of multiple players, totaling the number of points each player of a team earns to determine the number of points each team earns in a game set, and subtracting the number of points the lower scoring team earns in the game set from the number of points the higher scoring team earns in the game set to determine the winner of the game set;
- wherein the first player or the first team to earn a predetermined number of points in a predetermined number of game sets wins the game.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein accumulating scoring points includes awarding a given number of extra points in a game set to an individual player or to the team of multiple players where the individual player sinks or a given number of team players sink a predetermined number of balls into the receptacle in the game set.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein awarding the given number of extra points in the game set to the individual player or the team of players only if an opposing player(s) or an opposing team have not scored in the game set.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein awarding the given number of extra points in the game set to the individual player or the team of multiple players only if the individual player or a given number of team players sink consecutively the predetermined number of balls.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein accumulating scoring points includes awarding the given number of extra points in a game set to an individual player or to a team of players where the individual player catches or a given number of team players catch a ball tossed or thrown by an opposing player or an opposing team that bounces from a rim of one of the receptacles.
18. A ball tossing or throwing skills game comprising:
- at least two open receptacles, each receptacle having an interior volume sufficient to receive a ball and sufficient to receive the other receptacle so that the receptacles may be stacked when not in use;
- at least two bands, each band configured to define a playing area within its perimeter, the playing area having a size and area so that when each receptacle is positioned within the band perimeter for gameplay, the playing area is sufficient to receive a ball;
- each band including multiple detachably connected segments, each segment being designed and constructed at each terminal end to detachably connect to a terminal end of another segment, wherein a given number of segments when connected define the playing area with a given shape and a given size; and
- a plurality of balls configured for tossing or throwing into the receptacles and the playing areas.
19. The game of claim 18 including a rim defined around an opening of each receptacle, the rim defining opposing holes sufficient to receive a person's hand for carrying the receptacle and sufficient to receive a strap configured to connect to one or both of the receptacles.
20. The game of claim 19 including a lid configured to attach to the rim of each receptacle and, when the receptacles are stacked and the lid is attached to one receptacle, the lid and receptacles define an enclosed container, the lid further defining opposing holes that align with the opposing holes the rim defines when the lid is attached to one of the receptacles so that the holes receive the strap to connect to one of the receptacles, wherein the combination of the stacked receptacles with the lid attached to one receptacle and the strap connected to another receptacle defines a compact and portable game.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 12, 2011
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2012
Applicant: (Boston, MA)
Inventor: Jesse R. Blackwell (Boston, MA)
Application Number: 13/209,193
International Classification: A63B 63/00 (20060101);