SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLAYING A GAME

Abstract

The present invention is a method of playing a game including providing at least three cups, whereby said cups are constructed and arranged to have an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an interior cavity; at least one releasing ridge within said interior cavity; a grasping ridge formed about the circumferal lip of the outer surface said cup; and a finger grip positioned on an exterior surface of said cup next to said grasping ridge; providing a receiving cup to each player, said receiving cups included in the at least three cups; designating one of said three cups as a launching cup; placing a quantity of water in the interior cavity of said launching cup; placing said launching cup in a single receiving cup; launching said water cup from said receiving cup; catching said launching cup.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor games and activities at picnics, pool parties, beaches, and the like are very popular. There is always a need to keep persons entertained with new and different games. The present invention provides for particularly configured cups and rules for one such activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment the present invention includes a method of playing a game and cups configured for the method, said method comprising the steps of: providing at least three cups, whereby said cups are constructed and arranged to have an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an interior cavity; at least one releasing ridge within said interior cavity; a grasping ridge formed about the circumferal lip of the outer surface of said cup; and a finger grip positioned on an exterior surface of said cup next to said grasping ridge; providing a receiving cup to each player, said receiving cups included in the at least three cups; designating one of said three cups as a launching cup; placing a quantity of water in the interior cavity of said launching cup; placing said launching cup in a single receiving cup; launching said water cup from said receiving cup; catching said launching cup.

The cup has at least one indicia marking a desired water level.

The indicia can be on the interior, exterior, or both.

The water cup nests within the interior cavity of said receiving cup in a configuration whereby the releasing ridge within said interior cavity contacts the outer surface of the water cup.

In one embodiment, the water cup nests within the interior cavity of said receiving cup in a configuration whereby the releasing ridge within said interior cavity contacts the outer surface of the water cup and the outer surface of the water cup is blocked from contacting the inner surface of the receiving cup by the releasing ridge. The blocking of surface contact in the nesting configuration allows cups to easily be separated when water cup is launched.

In one embodiment, the water cup further includes a weighted bottom.

In one embodiment, the method is also is including launching the launching cup from a first player to a second player; attempting to catch the launching cup by the second player; tabulating a score based on a successful or unsuccessful catch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view demonstrative of a launch cup aimed at a receiving cup according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a cup according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a cup according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a cup from FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is demonstrative of nesting of two cups according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view demonstrating liquid fill lines according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is demonstrative of the handling and subsequent launch of a cup according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is demonstrative of a cup in motion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is demonstrative of a launch cup being received by a receiving cup according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As generally understood, the present invention involves a novel cup 10 having a finger grip 12 formed thereon. Cup 10 is formed with a grasping ridge 14 and releasing ridge 16. Cup 10 further includes in its central interior cavity at least one releasing ridge 16 associated with a bottoming ledge 18. Contact ridge 20 is constructed and arranged to interact with finger grip 12 when cups are nested as demonstrated in FIG. 5. An amount of liquid 22 is placed in the interior of cup 10, and in a preferred embodiment, a liquid fill line 24 shows the user a preferred level in which to add liquid. Liquid fill line can be one or more lines visible on the exterior, the interior, or both interior or exterior of the cup.

When conventional cups nest, typically various physical forces hold the cups one to another and require an exertion force in order to separate. The present invention has addressed this in configuring a cup constructed and arranged for playing the game described and enclosed herein. When two cups are in a nesting position, as demonstrated in FIG. 5, one or more of releasing ridges 16 prevent the nested cup from fully contacting the interior of the receiving cup. Because there is this space that limits the contact, the cups are more easily separated.

It is contemplated that each player will have a single cup. One player who is to start the game has a second cup nested within their receiving cup. An amount of water is placed in the nesting cup and the user launches the cup containing water from the receiving cup towards an opposing player. The opposing player must catch the water-containing cup without spilling the water. It is further contemplated that sufficient water be placed in the water-containing cup such that, when launched, the cup remains substantially upright while in flight. As shown in FIG. 1, a cup 10 with water 26 is caught by a cup 10 held by a player (directional arrows showing motion of flying cup to be caught by hand-held cup).

FIG. 4 shows the releasing ridge 16 associated with a bottoming ledge 18 that will contact the outer surface of a cup nested within a hand held cup. The releasing ridge 16 associated with a bottoming ledge 18 prevent the outer surface of the nesting cup from contacting the inner surface of the hand-held cup and provides a configuration that allows for release when the nesting cup is launched outward from the hand-held cup (nesting demonstrated in FIG. 5).

In one embodiment, not shown in the figures, the liquid level of the cup is transparent or translucent. In another embodiment, the entire cup is either transparent or translucent.

Further contemplated in playing the game of the present invention would be a cup is launched and a person who catches a cup receives a certain number of points. If the person attempting to catch the cup drops the cup and/or spills the water, points are subtracted.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of playing a game, said method comprising the steps of: providing at least three cups, whereby said cups are constructed and arranged to have an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an interior cavity; at least one releasing ridge within said interior cavity; a grasping ridge formed about the circumferal lip of the outer surface said cup; and a finger grip positioned on an exterior surface of said cup next to said grasping ridge; providing a receiving cup to each player, said receiving cups included in the at least three cups; designating one of said three cups as a launching cup; placing a quantity of water in the interior cavity of said launching cup; placing said launching cup in a single receiving cup; launching said water cup from said receiving cup; catching said launching cup.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said cup has at least one indicia marking a water level.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said water cup nests within the interior cavity of said receiving cup in a configuration whereby the releasing ridge within said interior cavity contacts the outer surface of the water cup.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said water cup nests within the interior cavity of said receiving cup in a configuration whereby the releasing ridge within said interior cavity contacts the outer surface of the water cup and the outer surface of the water cup is blocked from contacting the inner surface of the receiving cup by the releasing ridge.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said water cup further includes a weighted bottom.

6. The method of claim 1 including launching the launching cup from a first player to a second player; attempting to catch the launching cup by the second player; tabulating a score based on a successful or unsuccessful catch.