Multiplayer Party Gameboard

Abstract

A multiplayer party gameboard having the ability to be assembled and disassembled for traveling while also having the ability to be played with multiple players. A planar member including one or more walls dividing a central portion and a peripheral portion. The central portion includes a plurality of concentric rings and one or more apertures within the plurality of concentric rings. The peripheral portion includes one or more ends and one or more apertures. One or more apertures are for supporting a cup therein.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/307,721 filed on Mar. 14, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to party games. More specifically, the present invention includes a central portion including a plurality of concentric rings and a first set of one or more apertures. A peripheral portion including one or more ends and a second set of one or more apertures. The central portion and the peripheral portion are divided by one or more walls.

People enjoy playing games in a group at a party, picnic, tailgate, or other event. “Beer Pong” is a popular game in which players take turns throwing a ping pong ball across a large rectangular table into one of several cups set up in a triangle position at the opposite end. The game typically consists of a team of two at each end where both players on one team shoot followed by both players on the other team. While beer pong can be entertaining, only a small number of people can play at the same time. This results in other people having to wait for a turn and may cause those people to feel left out or bored. In addition, the large rectangular table consumes substantial space and is not easily transported. Thus, an improved game for entertaining people in a group is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of party games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new multiplayer party gameboard wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when traveling with a party game and having multiple players.

The present system comprises a planar member including one or more walls dividing a central portion and a peripheral portion. The central portion includes a first set of one or more apertures arranged at intervals within the plurality of concentric rings about an origin of the planar member. The peripheral portion includes one or more ends, each of the one or more ends including a second set of one or more apertures. Each aperture of the first set and the second set are configured to support a cup therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the multiplayer party gameboard.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the multiplayer party gameboard.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the multiplayer party gameboard.

FIG. 4A shows a top view of the multiplayer party gameboard without the parts assembled.

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a wall of the multiplayer party gameboard.

FIG. 4C shows a perspective view of a leg of the multiplayer party gameboard.

FIG. 4D shows a perspective view of two arms of the multiplayer party gameboard.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the multiplayer party gameboard.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the multiplayer party gameboard.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the multiplayer party gameboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the multiplayer party game. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front perspective view of the multiplayer party gameboard. The multiplayer party gameboard 11 provides a game that can be utilized by multiple users to play various drinking games. The size of the multiplayer party gameboard 11 can vary such that it can be used on tables or surfaces of various sizes. In one use, two to eight players may participate at one time. However, in alternate embodiments, there can be more than eight players at one time.

The multiplayer party gameboard 11 includes a planar member 12. The planar member 12 includes a first surface 13 and a second surface 14 (as seen in FIG. 3) wherein the first surface 13 and the second surface 14 are parallel to each other thereby creating a thickness to the planar member 12. However, in alternate embodiments, the planar member 12 is tapered from the center to one or more ends 16 or is a different configuration.

The planar member 12 is symmetrical to create equal playing areas for the users, wherein symmetry is defined about a line parallel to the planar member 12 and disposed through an origin, wherein the line bisects the one or more ends 16. The origin referring to the center of an inner most circular region 20. The first surface 13 contains one or more base slots 36 (as seen in FIG. 4A) for receiving one or more walls 32.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a top view of the multiplayer party gameboard. In the illustrated embodiment, the planar member 12 has an octagonal shape 15 with the one or more ends 16 positioned on the eight sides of the octagon creating an octagram with curved vertices, from this point forward referred to as the one or more ends 16. However, in alternate embodiments, the octagonal shape 15 of the planar member 12 is any shape such as oval, circular, polygonal, or any similar shape.

The planar member 12 further includes a central portion 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 17 begins at the inner most circular region 20 and extends to an outer most circular region 21. The central portion 17 is within the one or more walls 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 17 includes a plurality of concentric rings 19. However, in alternate embodiments, the central portion 17 includes a plurality of rows and columns or a single row or column. The central portion 17 includes a first set of one or more apertures 23 arranged within the plurality of concentric rings 19, wherein the first set of one or more apertures 23 are adapted to support a cup therein for adding a liquid such as water.

The first set of one or more apertures 23 are arranged at intervals in the plurality of concentric rings 19 about the origin of the planar member 12. The first set of one or more apertures 23 are equidistantly positioned between adjacent apertures localized to each ring throughout a first zone 24, a second zone 25, a third zone 26, and a fourth zone 27.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first set of one or more apertures 23 in the third zone 26, are staggered and the first set of one or more apertures 23 in the first, the second, the fourth zones 24, 25, 27, respectively, are orderly. However, in alternate embodiments, the first set of one or more apertures 23 in the third zone 26 are orderly and the first set of one or more apertures 23 in the first, the second, the fourth zones 24, 25, 27, respectively, are staggered. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the first zone 24, the second zone 25, the third zone 26, and the fourth zone 27 are staggered or orderly in any combination. In the illustrated embodiment, there is the first zone 24, the second zone 25, the third zone 26, and the fourth zone 27. However, in alternate embodiments, there is the first zone 24, the second zone 25, and the third zone 26 and no fourth zone 27. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there can be multiple zones.

The planar member 12 further includes a peripheral portion 18 includes the one or more ends 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral portion 18 begins at the outer most circular region 21 and extends to the one or more ends 16, wherein the one or more ends 16 begin at the perimeter 22 of the octagonal shape 15 and extend to the curved portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more ends 16 have the curved portion. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more ends 16 are straight, pointed, or any similar feature.

The one or more ends 16 each comprise a second set of one or more apertures 28, wherein the second set of one or more apertures 28 are adapted to support the cup therein for adding a liquid such as alcohol. In the illustrated embodiment, the second set of one or more apertures 28 are disposed adjacent to a vertex 29 of the octagonal shape 15. The one or more ends 16 further include a circular region 30 adapted to bounce a ball thereon into the cup which is in the first set of one or more apertures 23 when one or more arms 31 are not assembled. The circular region 30 is disposed between the one or more walls 32 and an edge of the one or more ends 16, wherein the circular region 30 is closer to the edge of the one or more ends 16. However, in alternate embodiments, the second set of one or more apertures 28 and the circular region 30 are positioned anywhere on the one or more ends 16 except for overlapping each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 17 and the peripheral portion 18 are divided by the one or more walls 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more walls 32 are within the perimeter 22 of the octagonal shape 15. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more walls 32 are disposed on the perimeter 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more walls 32 are upstanding on the planar member 12 and fastened to the one or more base slots 36 (as seen in FIG. 4) to create a barrier to prevent the ball from rolling off the planar member 12. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more walls 32 are perpendicular or angled. In another alternate embodiment, the one or more walls 32 are not fastened to the one or more base slots to create the barrier.

The one or more walls 32 further include the one or more arms 31, wherein the one or more arms 31 protrude from a top slot 38 (as seen in FIG. 4) on the one or more walls 32. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more arms 31 are not placed in the top slot of the one or more walls 32 in order to provide space to bounce the ball onto the circular region 30. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more walls 32 do not have the top slot and the one or more arms 31. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more walls 32 are removable. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more walls 32 are permanently fixed.

The one or more arms 31 include a fixed end 33 and a free end 34 which contains a small disk 37. The fixed end 33 is fastened to the one or more walls 32. The small disk 37 is fastened to the free end 34 in order to hold the ball thereon. The one or more arms 31 extend out above the one or more ends 16 in order for the free end 34 to be plucked. Plucked refers to the action of pulling or pushing down the free end 34 of the one or more arms 31 and releasing, to toss the ball into the cup in the first set of one or more apertures 23.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a bottom view of the multiplayer party gameboard. The second surface 14 includes the one or more base slots 36 for receiving one or more legs 35. The one or more base slots 36 are disposed along the outer most circular region 21.

The one or more legs 35 are fastened to the one or more base slots 36 to elevate the planar member 12, which allows the first and the second set of one or more apertures 23, 28, respectively, to receive the cups. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more legs 35 are perpendicular to the second surface 14. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more legs 35 are angled or any position other than perpendicular. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more legs 35 are removable. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more legs 35 are permanently fixed.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4D, there are shown perspective views of the components of the multiplayer party gameboard. In the illustrated embodiment, the planar member 12, the one or more walls 32, the one or more arms 31 with the small disks 37, and the one or more legs 35 are easily assembled and disassembled for storage, transportation, and allowing the multiplayer party gameboard 11 to be taken to various events. However, in alternate embodiments, the planar member 12, the one or more walls 32, the one or more arms 31 with the small disks 37, and the one or more legs 35 are one whole piece wherein the multiplayer party gameboard 11 is not assembled and disassembled. In the illustrated embodiment, the planar member 12 is a continuous piece of wood with the first and second set of one or more apertures 23, 28, respectively, and the one or more base slots 36 positioned throughout.

In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more walls 32 are rectangular in shape with a convex side including the top slot 38 and a straight side including a tab 39 on the opposite side. The one or more legs 35 are rectangular in shape with a concave section on one side and a straight section including a tab 39 on the opposite side. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more walls 32 and the one or more legs 35 are any shape such as a full rectangle without the convex side or the concave side.

In the illustrated embodiment, referring to the one or more arms 31, the fixed end 33 is rounded and the free end 34 is curved with a point while the adjacent ends are concave and opposite each other. However, in alternate embodiments, the one or more arms 31 are any shape such as rectangular. The one or more arms 31 have a nub 40 disposed on the free end 34 in which the small disk 37 is fastened to. A slot 41 on the fixed end 33 of the one or more arms 31 is then fastened to the top slot 38 on the one or more walls 32.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the multiplayer party gameboard. In the illustrated embodiment, the planar member 12 has a square shape 42 with the one or more ends 16 on the two sides of the square creating an ovular shape 43. The central portion 17 includes the first set of one or more apertures 23 equidistantly positioned between adjacent apertures localized to each ring throughout a first zone 24 and a second zone 25 arranged within the plurality of concentric rings 19. The one or more ends 16 each comprise the second set of one or more apertures 28 adapted to support the cup therein. The one or more ends 16 further include a circular region 30 adapted to bounce a ball thereon into the cup in the first set of one or more apertures 23. The central portion 17 and the peripheral portion 18 are divided by the one or more walls 32 which are fastened to the one or more base slots 36.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the multiplayer party gameboard. In the illustrated embodiment, the planar member 12 has the square shape 42 with the one or more ends 16 on the four sides of the square creating a rosette shape 44. The central portion 17 includes the first set of one or more apertures 23 equidistantly positioned between adjacent apertures localized to each ring throughout the first zone 24 and the second zone 25 arranged within the plurality of concentric rings 19. The one or more ends 16 include the circular region 30 adapted to bounce a ball thereon into the cup in the first set of one or more apertures 23. In an alternate embodiment, the one or more ends 16 each comprise the second set of one or more apertures adapted to support the cup therein. The central portion 17 and the peripheral portion 18 are divided by the one or more walls 32 which are fastened to the one or more base slots 36.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the multiplayer party gameboard. In the illustrated embodiment, the planar member 12 has the square shape 42 with the one or more ends 16 on the four sides of the square creating a larger square shape 45. The central portion 17 includes the first set of one or more apertures 23 equidistantly positioned between adjacent apertures localized to each ring throughout the first zone 24, the second zone 25, and the third zone 26 arranged within the plurality of concentric rings 19 wherein the first set of one or more apertures 23 in the third zone 26 are staggered. The one or more ends 16 include a circular region 30 adapted to bounce a ball thereon into the cup in the first set of one or more apertures 23. In an alternate embodiment, the one or more ends 16 each comprise the second set of one or more apertures adapted to support the cup therein. The central portion 17 and the peripheral portion 18 are divided by the one or more walls 32 which are fastened to the one or more base slots 36.

The multiplayer party gameboard 11 can be easily assembled and disassembled for storage, transportation, and allowing the multiplayer party gameboard 11 to be taken to various events such as picnics and tailgates. In the illustrated embodiment, the multiplayer party gameboard 11 is constructed from wood. However, in alternate embodiments, the multiplayer party gameboard 11 is constructed from plastic, particle-board, metal, or any similar material.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A multiplayer party gameboard, comprising:

a planar member including one or more walls dividing a central portion and a peripheral portion;

wherein the central portion includes a first set of one or more apertures arranged at intervals within a plurality of concentric rings disposed about an origin of the planar member;

the peripheral portion includes one or more ends, each of the one or more ends including a second set of one or more apertures; and

wherein each of the one or more apertures of the first set and the second set are configured to support a cup therein.

2) The multiplayer party gameboard of claim 1, wherein the planar member is symmetrical about a line parallel to the planar member and disposed through the origin, wherein the line bisects the one or more ends.

3) The multiplayer party gameboard of claim 1, wherein the one or more walls are upstanding on the planar member.

4) The multiplayer party gameboard of claim 1, wherein the first set of one or more apertures are equidistantly positioned between adjacent apertures localized to each ring throughout the plurality of concentric rings.

5) The multiplayer party gameboard of claim 1, further including one or more arms, wherein the one or more arms are removably fastened to the one or more walls.

6) The multiplayer party gameboard of claim 1, further comprising one or more legs wherein the one or more legs elevate the planar member.

7) The multiplayer party gameboard of claim 1, wherein the planar member, the one or more walls, and the one or more legs are configured to be assembled and disassembled for storage and transport.