Toss game apparatus

Abstract

A toss game apparatus is disclosed. The toss game apparatus includes first and second target platforms, each first and second target platform including a top portion, two end portions and two lateral portions, and a means for joining the first and second target platforms at variable distances one from the other.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to toss games and more particularly to a toss game apparatus having a means for joining a pair of apertured target platforms at variable distances one from the other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toss games are well known in the art and generally comprise a pair of rectangular target platforms having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. The rectangular target platforms are placed a distance apart and players attempt to toss rings or other objects through the apertures in order to score points.

One such toss game is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,161. The game consists of two platforms with three circular holes in each platform. These platforms are joined together with a chain or other linkage at a fixed distance. A player stands on top the platform at the end where the linkage is fastened. This player will toss, pitch or lob a disc towards the other platform trying to hit one of the holes. Each hole is worth a particular number of points. Generally a player who scores the first 21 points wins the game. The linkage is of a fixed ten foot chain or other linkage. No provision for storing the linkage is shown or suggested.

A pitch game is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,590 and includes two multi apertured rectangular platforms. Colored apertured disc projectiles are supplied in sets of six, one set for each player. A player stands on the edge of one platform and tosses discs in an attempt to drop them through one of the apertures in the second platform. The apertures are scored one, two, three according to a distance away from the thrower. Separable hinges and latches are included for attaching the two rectangular platforms together into a storage or carrying case. The two rectangular platforms are not nestably stackable.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,480 discloses a toss game apparatus for alternate use as a target for thrown projectiles or as a support for supporting an individual playing the toss game and includes a frame and a top panel mounted on the frame and deflectable relative to the frame. Interior support member attached to the top panel limit the degree of deflection of the top panel. Carpeting is positioned on the top panel having an upper layer of upwardly projecting fabric fibers angles toward one of the frame ends. The frames are not nestably stackable.

A tossing game and method of play is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0108658. Two or more players compete by tossing rings toward a target structure whereby points are accumulated. Each target structure is elongate and has a first upper surface portion upon which a player may stand while tossing rings toward an opposing structure, and a second upper surface portion defining a plurality of longitudinally aligned ring-receiving bores. The target structures are not nestably stackable.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0227284 discloses a disk tossing game including a target surface, a plurality of tossing disks, and a scoring peg. In a preferred method of play, each player tosses three rings onto the target surface. The toss is scored according to the landing position of the rings and the scoring position of the scoring peg. The target surfaces are not nest-able stackable.

The prior art toss game apparatus suffer the disadvantage of not providing a means for joining the apertured platforms at variable distances one from the other. Additionally, the prior art toss game apparatus provide for generally rectangular target platforms having horizontal upper surfaces which limit a player's view of the apertures when the target platforms are spaced far apart. Prior art toss games apparatus further are not conveniently stackable.

What is needed is a toss game apparatus that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. What is further needed is a toss game apparatus including a means for joining the apertured target platforms at variable distances one from the other. What is also needed is a toss game apparatus having an inclined upper surface. What is also needed is a toss game apparatus that is nestably stackable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a toss game apparatus including a means for joining a pair of target platforms at variable distances one from the other. A first target platform may include a locking device for locking a rope at variable positions along a rope attached to a second target platform. The target platforms may include a top portion defining an inclined top surface. The top portion may be supported by a pair of lateral portions and a pair of end portions. The end portions may be of different heights to thereby provide for the inclined top surface.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a toss game apparatus includes first and second target platforms, each first and second target platform comprising a top portion, first and second end portions and two lateral portions depending from the top portion, and a means for joining the first and second target platforms at variable distances one from the other.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a toss game apparatus having an inclined top portion includes first and second target platforms, each first and second target platform comprising a top portion having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, first and second end portions and two lateral portions depending from the top portion, the first and second end portions being of unequal heights to provide the inclined top portion, and a means for joining the first and second target platforms at variable distances one from the other.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a toss game apparatus includes first and second target platforms, each first and second target platform comprising a top portion, first and second end portions and two lateral portions depending from the top portion, the first and second end portions being of unequal heights to provide an inclination to the top portion, and a locking device disposed on the first target platform, the locking device lockingly engaging a linkage between the first and second target platforms.

There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended herein.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood and its numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a target platform in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a pair of target platforms in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a first target platform in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a second target platform in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the target platforms in a stacked configuration in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the first target platform in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The toss game apparatus of the present invention by providing a toss game apparatus including a means for joining the apertured target platforms at variable distances one from the other. Additionally the toss game apparatus of the present invention includes an inclined upper surface. Furthermore the toss game apparatus of the present invention is nestably stackable.

To achieve these purposes, a first target platform may include a locking device for locking a rope, cable or other linkage at variable positions along the rope, cable or other linkage. An end of the rope, cable or other linkage may be attached to a second target platform. The target platforms may include a top portion defining an inclined top surface. The top portion may be supported by a pair of lateral portions and a pair of end portions depending therefrom. The pair of lateral portions may be of quadrilateral configuration. The pair of end portions may be of trapezoidal configuration. This configuration provides for an open bottom portion of greater area than the top portion to thereby provide for the nest-ability of the target platforms. The end portions may be of different heights to thereby provide for the inclined top surface.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a toss game apparatus generally designated 100 may include first and second target platforms 105 and 110 respectively. First and second target platforms 105 and 110 may be identical in all respects with the exception that first target platform 105 may include a locking device 115 whereas second target platform 110 does not include the locking device 115.

Each of first and second target platforms 105 and 110 may include a top portion 120 having formed therethrough a plurality of apertures 125 (FIG. 1). Apertures 125 may be sized and configured to receive conventional game pieces (not shown) which may be received therethrough. Such game pieces may include washers, bean bags and the like. Top portion 120 may include a top surface 127 which may be inclined relative to a surface upon which the first and second target platforms 105 and 110 are disposed such as the ground (not shown). Top surface 127 may be covered by a surface such as a Astroturf, carpet, foam or plastic sheeting. Top surface 127 may be inclined by virtue of a first end portion 130, which may be of trapezoidal shape, having a lesser height than a second end portion 135, which may be of trapezoidal shape.

Lateral portions 140 may depend from the top portion 120 and, together with first and second end portions 130 and 135, form an enclosure 150 for accommodating cups 185 formed below the apertures 125. First and second end portions 130 and 135 respectively may depend from the top portion 120 at an angle of between 10 to 15 degrees relative to vertical (FIG. 3B). Lateral portions 140 depend from the top portion 120 at an angle dependent upon the angles defining the trapezoidal shape of the first and second end portion 130 and 135 which may include an obtuse angle of between 10 to 15 degrees.

A means for joining the first and second target platforms 105 and 110 at variable distances one from the other may include a linkage 160 which may extend between the first and second target platforms 105 and 110. Preferably linkage 160 includes a rope or cable having markings 170 disposed along a length thereof. Markings 170 may be color coded to indicate a plurality of levels of play. Linkage 160 may be attached to the second target platform 110 in a conventional manner such as by inserting the linkage 160 through a hole 165 formed in the first end portion 130 of the second target platform 110 and securing the linkage in the enclosure 150.

The locking device 115 may be disposed in a hole 167 formed in the first end 130 of the first target platform 105. Locking device 115 may be operable to lock the linkage 160 in place at variable locations along the length of the linkage 160 such as at markings 170. In this manner, the distance between the first and second target platforms 105 and 110 may be variably set. The locking device 115 may include a locking collar such as locking collar CD13NA-FE available from Sealcon USA.

With particular reference to FIG. 4, the first and second target platforms 105 and 110 may be nestably stacked for easy transport and storage and a shortened linkage 160 may be conveniently used as a handle. A tube 180 (FIG. 5) may be disposed within target platform 105 in communication with locking device 115 to receive a length of the linkage 160 when the toss game apparatus 100 is stored as shown in FIG. 4.

In use, the toss game apparatus may be used to play an exemplary washer toss game. The target platforms 105 and 110 may be disposed at a spaced apart distance one from the other depending upon the skill level of the game players. The locking device 115 may be used to lock the linkage 160 at the desired distance to ensure continuity of the game. Such distance may be indicated by markings 170. Game pieces may be tossed at the apertures 125 by the players. Cups 185 may be disposed beneath the apertures 125 in enclosure 150 to receive any game pieces thrown through the apertures 125. Cups may be of conventional design including mesh material cups. Scoring may be kept in a conventional manner.

The toss game apparatus of the present invention provides a toss game apparatus having a means for joining the apertured target platforms at variable distances one from the other. Additionally the toss game apparatus of the present invention includes an inclined upper surface providing a more visible target to the game players. Furthermore the toss game apparatus of the present invention is nestably stackable for easy transportation and storage.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A toss game apparatus comprising:

first and second target platforms, each first and second target platform comprising a top portion, first and second end portions and two lateral portions depending from the top portion; and

a means for joining the first and second target platforms at variable distances one from the other.

2. The toss game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for joining the first and second target platforms at variable distances one from the other comprise a locking device disposed on the first target platform, the locking device lockingly engaging a linkage between the first and second target platforms.

3. The toss game apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a tube in communication with the locking device, the tube being sized and configured to receive the linkage.

4. The toss game apparatus of claim 2, wherein the linkage comprises a rope.

5. The toss game apparatus of claim 2, wherein the linkage comprises a cable.

6. The toss game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end portion has a smaller height than the second end portion.

7. The toss game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second end portions are trapezoidal in shape.

8. The toss game apparatus of 7, wherein the first and second end portions depend at an obtuse angle from the top portion.

9. The toss game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top portion comprises a plurality of apertures.

10. The toss game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top portion comprises a top surface.

10. The toss game apparatus of claim 10, wherein the top surface comprises Astroturf.

11. A toss game apparatus having an inclined top portion comprising:

first and second target platforms, each first and second target platform comprising a top portion having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, first and second end portions and two lateral portions depending from the top portion, the first and second end portions being of unequal heights to provide the inclined top portion; and

a means for joining the first and second target platforms at variable distances one from the other.

12. The toss game apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for joining the first and second target platforms at variable distances one from the other comprise a locking device disposed on the first target platform, the locking device lockingly engaging a linkage between the first and second target platforms.

13. The toss game apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a tube in communication with the locking device, the tube being sized and configured to receive the linkage.

14. The toss game apparatus of claim 12, wherein the linkage comprises a rope.

15. The toss game apparatus of claim 12, wherein the linkage comprises a cable.

16. A toss game apparatus comprising:

first and second target platforms, each first and second target platform comprising a top portion, first and second end portions and two lateral portions depending from the top portion, the first and second end portions being of unequal heights to provide an inclination to the top portion; and

a locking device disposed on the first target platform, the locking device lockingly engaging a linkage between the first and second target platforms.

17. The toss game apparatus of claim 16, wherein the top portion comprises a plurality of apertures.

18. The toss game apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a tube in communication with the locking device, the tube being sized and configured to receive the linkage.

19. The toss game apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second end portions depend at an obtuse angle from the top portion.

20. The toss game apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second end portions are trapezoidal in shape.