LOW COST GAME BOARD AND GAME

Abstract

A game structure which may be packaged and sold separately or as part of a package for a beverage container, including bottles for water, soda, adult beverages and the like. While the game structure is adaptable for use with bottles of various types, it may be included in packaging for cans, in addition to bottles, so long as an associated bottle is available for use.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/386,289 filed Sep. 24, 2010, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to provide some form of fun competitive sport game, for example, at social events or in gatherings of people in social settings. Preferably, one would desire the game to at least resemble the sport being played. So called sports bars offering food, refreshments and multiple television sets have become popular for socializing and watching sporting events, including, for example, soccer, football, rugby, basketball, hockey and multiple other sports events that come to mind. To capitalize on the sports bar phenomenon and similar social situations, I have developed a low cost game construction that can be distributed to those interested in participating in friendly competition, the game components being essentially disposable after use.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there are a number of games and game devices available which attempt to meet this need. However, there is a general lack of social games devices, which are low cost and widely available, and may be included, for example, as part of the packaging of beverages and the like.

SUMMARY

Briefly stated, the present invention is a disposable game board having a sports theme. A game board is configured for assembly into a simulated sports goal, which can engage with a beverage container. Players shoot game pieces, such as bottle caps, at the simulated goal for scoring. The game board can simulate a plurality of sports, including, but not limited to, basketball, soccer, or hockey.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosure as well as embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1A is a top plan view of a game board for a simulated basketball goal;

FIG. 1B is a bottom plan view of the game board for the simulated basketball goal;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of a game board for a simulated soccer goal;

FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view of the game board for the simulated soccer goal

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of a game board for a simulated football goal;

FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the game board for the simulated football goal;

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of a game board for a simulated hockey goal

FIG. 4B is a bottom plan view of the game board for the simulated hockey goal;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the simulated football goal engaged with a beverage container;

FIG. 5B is another perspective view of an simulated football goal engaged with a beverage container;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the simulated basketball goal engaged with a beverage container;

FIG. 5D is another perspective view of the simulated basketball goal engaged with a beverage container;

FIG. 5E is a perspective view of the simulated soccer goal engaged with a beverage container; and

FIG. 5F is a perspective view of the simulated hockey goal engaged with a beverage container.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5F, an embodiment constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, generally referred to as a disposable game board 10, includes a plurality of foldable sections 12 shaped and sized for assembly into a simulated sport goal 14. The assembled goal 14 detachably engages with a beverage container 16 so that the goal 14 is positioned for gameplay (FIGS. 5A-5F). Players toss or flip game pieces, such as bottle caps, at the goal 14. Players can track scoring using any suitable method.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of the game board 10, which is shaped and sized to simulate a basketball goal. The game board 10 is generally rectangular and defines the following plurality of sections: (A) Engagement portion; (B) rear board face; (C) front board face; (D) hoop face; (E) front hoop face; (F) bottom face; and (G) rear hoop face. Corresponding folding seams 18 are positioned along the junction between each section as indicated by section lines A-B; B-C; C-D; D-E; E-F; F-G. The seams 18 are generally parallel to each other and spaced at a predetermined distance to permit assembly of the game board 10 into a simulated basketball goal 14.

The engagement portion (A) is generally square and defines a generally circular detachable perforated member 20. When the perforated member 20 is removed, the engagement portion (A) defines a generally circular opening 21 sized and shaped to slide over a neck of a beverage container 16 and rest on the top of the lower portion 22 of the beverage container 16.

The rear board face (B) is generally shaped like a basketball backboard and defines a pair of slots 24 positioned along each edge. The front board face (C) is generally shaped like a basketball backboard and defines a pair of tabs 26 that are shaped and sized to secure with slots 24. As shown in FIG. 5A, folding along seam B-C, allows the tabs to secure with slots 24 and form a simulated backboard. Folding along seam A-B until the engagement portion (A) is generally perpendicular to the simulated backboard positions the opening 21 for engagement with the beverage container 16. Sections (D), (E), (F), and (G) are generally rectangular and are formed into a box by folding along seams D-E; E-F; and F-G. Tabs 28 extending from the rear hoop face (G) secure with slots 24 in hoop face (D). A generally circular perforated member 30 in hoop face (D) is detachable to define a goal opening 32.

Appropriate indicia 34 are printed on all faces of the game board 10 to enhance the aesthetics of the simulated goal, including, but not limited to, assembly instructions, advertising, or promotional items.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a second embodiment of the game board 110, which is shaped and sized to simulate a soccer goal. The game board 110 is generally rectangular and defines the following plurality of sections: (A) Engagement portion; (B) rear face; (C) top goal face; (D) goal face; (E) bottom goal face; and (F) rear goal face. Corresponding folding seams 118 are positioned along the junction between each section as indicated by section lines A-B; B-C; C-D; D-E; and E-F. The seams 118 are generally parallel to each other and spaced at a predetermined distance to permit assembly of the game board 10 into a simulated soccer goal 114.

The engagement portion (A) is generally square and defines a generally circular detachable perforated member 120. When the perforated member 120 is removed, the engagement portion (A) defines a generally circular opening 121 sized and shaped to slide over a neck of a beverage container 16 and rest on the top of the lower portion 17 of the beverage container 16.

The rear face (B) is generally rectangular. The top goal face (C) is generally rectangular shaped and simulates the top of a soccer goal. The top goal face (C) defines a pair of slots 124 positioned along each a seam B-C. The goal face (D) is generally rectangular and simulates the shape of a soccer goal. A generally rectangular perforated section 130 is detachable to define a goal opening 132 for receiving game pieces. The bottom goal face (E) is generally rectangular and simulates a bottom of a soccer goal. The rear goal face (F) is generally rectangular and simulates a rear portion of a soccer goal. The rear goal face (F) defines a pair of tabs 128 that are shaped and sized to secure with slots 124. As shown in FIG. 5E, folding along seams C-D, D-E and E-F, to form a box allows the tabs 128 to secure with slots 124 and form a simulated soccer goal. Folding along seam A-B until the engagement portion (A) is generally perpendicular to the rear face (B) positions the opening 121 for engagement with the beverage container 16.

Appropriate indicia 134 are printed on all faces of the game board 110 to enhance the aesthetics of the simulated goal, including, but not limited to, assembly instructions, advertising, or promotional items.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a third embodiment of the game board 210, which is shaped and sized to simulate a football goal. The game board 210 is generally rectangular and defines the following plurality of sections: (A) Engagement portion; (B) rear face; (C) extension face; (D) goal face; (E) front goalpost face; (F) bottom goalpost face; (G) rear goalpost face; and (H) game piece portion. Corresponding folding seams 218 are positioned along the junction between each section as indicated by section lines A-B; B-C; C-D; D-E; E-F; G-H. The seams 218 are generally parallel to each other and spaced at a predetermined distance to permit assembly of the game board 210 into a simulated football goal 214.

The engagement portion (A) is generally square and defines a generally circular detachable perforated member 220. When the perforated member 220 is removed, the engagement portion (A) defines a generally circular opening 221 sized and shaped to slide over a neck of a beverage container 16 and rest on the top of the lower portion 17 of the beverage container 16. Folding along seam A-B until the engagement portion (A) is generally perpendicular to the rear face (B) positions the opening 221 for engagement with the beverage container 16.

The rear face (B) is generally rectangular. The extension face (C) is generally rectangular shaped and spaces the football goal at a predetermined distance from the beverage container 16. The extension face (C) defines a pair of slot 224 positioned generally along the midsection of the extension face (C). The goal face (D) is generally rectangular and simulates the shape of a football goal. A pair of generally rectangular perforated sections 230 is detachable to define a goal opening 232 for receiving game pieces. The front goalpost face (E); bottom goalpost face (F); and rear goalpost face (G) fold along seams D-E, E-F, and F-G to generally form a box. The end of the rear goalpost face (G) section inserts into the slot 224. The game piece portion (H) is generally rectangular and detaches from the rear goalpost face (G). A pair of game pieces 240 detaches from the game piece portion (H) and form generally triangular shaped game pieces.

Appropriate indicia 234 are printed on all faces of the game board 210 to enhance the aesthetics of the simulated goal, including, but not limited to, assembly instructions, advertising, or promotional items.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a fourth embodiment of the game board 310, which is shaped and sized to simulate a hockey goal. The embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2B. The game board 310 is generally rectangular and defines the following plurality of sections: (A) Engagement portion; (B) rear face; (C) top goal face; (D) goal face; (E) bottom goal face; and (F) rear goal face. Corresponding folding seams 318 are positioned along the junction between each section as indicated by section lines A-B; B-C; C-D; D-E; and E-F. The seams 318 are generally parallel to each other and spaced at a predetermined distance to permit assembly of the game board 10 into a simulated soccer goal 314.

The engagement portion (A) is generally square and defines a generally circular detachable perforated member 320. When the perforated member 320 is removed, the engagement portion (A) defines a generally circular opening 321 sized and shaped to slide over a neck of a beverage container 16 and rest on the top of the lower portion 17 of the beverage container 16.

The rear face (B) is generally rectangular. The top goal face (C) is generally rectangular shaped and simulates the top of a soccer goal. The top goal face (C) defines a pair of slots 324 positioned along each a seam B-C. The goal face (D) is generally rectangular and simulates the shape of a soccer goal. A generally rectangular perforated section 330 is detachable to define a goal opening 332 for receiving game pieces. The bottom goal face (E) is generally rectangular and simulates a bottom of a soccer goal. The rear goal face (F) is generally rectangular and simulates a rear portion of a soccer goal. The rear goal face (F) defines a pair of tabs 328 that are shaped and sized to secure with slots 324. As shown in FIG. 5E, folding along seams C-D, D-E and E-F, to form a box allows the tabs 328 to secure with slots 324 and form a simulated hockey goal. Folding along seam A-B until the engagement portion (A) is generally perpendicular to the rear face (B) positions the opening 321 for engagement with the beverage container 16.

Appropriate indicia 34 are printed on all faces of the game board 10 to enhance the aesthetics of the simulated goal, including, but not limited to, assembly instructions, advertising, or promotional items.

A particular feature of the embodiments of this disclosure is that the game board can be included as part of the packaging for the beverage containers. For example, the game board can be included as a separate component included with the packaging of a beverage. Alternatively, the game board can be integrated or formed from the packaging of the beverages. Specifically, the game board can be stamped with perforations in the six pack, twelve pack or case and other packaging or carrier of beverages, and removed from the carrier proper for use.

The game board is preferably made from a low cost disposable material, such as cardboard or card stock, to permit distribution for promotional purposes at either no cost or minimal cost to establishments selling the products which the game construction uses in conjunction with its application.

Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A game structure, comprising:

a foldable mechanism having a portion adapted to receive the neck of a bottle; and

a scoring section integrally formed with the first section, the scoring section being suspended in use by the attachment of the foldable mechanism to the bottle.

2. The game structure of claim 1, where the scoring section is selected from the group comprising:

football goal posts;

basketball goal;

hockey goal; and

soccer goal.

3. The game structure of claim 2 wherein the game board is packaged with a beverage container package.

4. The game structure of claim 3 wherein the package includes a perforated section containing the game structure which is removable from the package along the perforated section.

5. A game board, comprising:

a plurality of foldable sections shaped and sized for assembly into a simulated sports goal;

wherein at least one of the foldable sections defines an opening sized and shaped to engage a neck of a beverage container; and

wherein the simulated sports goal defines an opening for receiving game pieces.

6. The game board of claim 5, where the plurality of foldable sections comprises:

an engagement portion configured for engagement of the beverage container;

a rear board face generally shaped like a basketball backboard and defines a pair of slots;

a front board face generally shaped like a basketball backboard and includes a pair of tabs sized and shaped for securement with the slots;

a hoop face;

a bottom face attached to the hoop face;

a rear hoop face attached to the bottom face; and

wherein the hoop face, bottom face, and rear hoop face are capable of arrangement in to a simulated basketball goal.

7. The game board of claim 5, where the plurality of foldable sections comprises:

an engagement portion configured for engagement of the beverage container;

a rear face;

a top goal face generally shaped like a top portion of a soccer goal, and defining a pair of slots;

a bottom goal face shaped like a bottom portion of a soccer goal; and

a rear goal face shaped like a bottom portion of a soccer goal and defining tabs that secure with the slots;

wherein the top goal face, bottom goal face, and rear goal face are capable of arrangement in to a simulated soccer goal.

8. The game board of claim 5, where the plurality of foldable sections comprises:

an engagement portion configured for engagement of the beverage container;

a rear face;

an extension face attached to the rear face;

a goal face generally shaped like a football goal, and defining a goal opening;

a front goalpost face;

a bottom goalpost face;

a rear goalpost face; and

wherein the front goalpost face, bottom goalpost face, and rear goalpost face are capable of arrangement in to a simulated football goal.

9. A removeable game board integrated as part of a beverage container package, comprising:

a plurality of foldable sections shaped and sized for assembly into a simulated sports goal;

wherein at least one of the foldable sections defines an opening sized and shaped to engage a neck of a beverage container; and

wherein the simulated sports goal defines an opening for receiving game pieces.

10. The game board of claim 9, where the plurality of foldable sections comprises:

an engagement portion configured for engagement of the beverage container;

a rear board face generally shaped like a basketball backboard and defines a pair of slots;

a front board face generally shaped like a basketball backboard and includes a pair of tabs sized and shaped for securement with the slots;

a hoop face;

a bottom face attached to the hoop face;

a rear hoop face attached to the bottom face; and

wherein the hoop face, bottom face, and rear hoop face are capable of arrangement in to a simulated basketball goal.

11. The game board of claim 10, where the plurality of foldable sections comprises:

an engagement portion configured for engagement of the beverage container;

a rear face;

a top goal face generally shaped like a top portion of a soccer goal, and defining a pair of slots;

a bottom goal face shaped like a bottom portion of a soccer goal; and

a rear goal face shaped like a bottom portion of a soccer goal and defining tabs that secure with the slots;

wherein the top goal face, bottom goal face, and rear goal face are capable of arrangement in to a simulated soccer goal.

12. The game board of claim 10, where the plurality of foldable sections comprises:

an engagement portion configured for engagement of the beverage container;

a rear face;

an extension face attached to the rear face;

a goal face generally shaped like a football goal, and defining a goal opening;

a front goalpost face;

a bottom goalpost face;

a rear goalpost face; and

wherein the front goalpost face, bottom goalpost face, and rear goalpost face are capable of arrangement in to a simulated football goal.