Bag tossing game

Abstract

A gaming apparatus for a bag tossing game. Particularly, a gaming apparatus employing a board member and a base which provide a chamber to carry tossing bags. Moreover, a bag tossing game having at least two gaming apparatus and an engaging means to link together the two corresponding gaming apparatuses.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a gaming apparatus for a bag tossing game. In one embodiment, the gaming apparatus employs a board member and a base which provide a chamber to carry the bags. In another embodiment, the gaming apparatus includes an engaging means to link together two corresponding gaming apparatuses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bag tossing games have been used for years. They provide entertainment to people of all ages. Traditional bag tossing games include two targets and a number of bags filled with dried sand, beans or corn for players to throw at the targets. Scoring for the games differs depending on players' experience and locale. Today, bag tossing games, such as cornhole, have become widely popular. People play at home, on vacation, and many areas have seen an explosion of tournaments for such games. Many of the traditional bag tossing games have targets that are hand-made or carved from wood. While such sets are fun to play, they have inherent problems, mainly, weight, durability and consistency issues. For example, many of the wooden games are very heavy and are difficult to carry, particularly for children. These wooden sets also have durability issues, particularly when exposed to inclement weather conditions, such as rain. Moreover, because many of these traditional sets are hand-carved, inconsistent play occurs from one set to the next. Because of these issues and due to the increased interest in such games (i.e., tournaments), there exists a need for bag tossing games that are durable as well as lightweight and compact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming apparatus for a bag tossing game. It is a further object to provide a bag tossing game having at least two gaming apparatus which can be linked together.

In one exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a gaming apparatus comprising a board member and a base. The board member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a chamber configured to contain gaming articles. The base is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member. The base is pivotal to a storage position to substantially close the chamber.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a bag tossing game comprising a first gaming apparatus and a second gaming apparatus. The first gaming apparatus has a board member and a base. The board member includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a first side portion engaging member, and a second side portion receiving member. The base is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member. The second gaming apparatus has a board member and a base. The board member includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a first side portion engaging member, and a second side portion receiving member. The base is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member. The engaging member of the first gaming apparatus operably engages the receiving member of the second gaming apparatus and the engaging member of the second gaming apparatus operably engages the receiving member of the first gaming apparatus when the two lower portions are substantially aligned.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a gaming apparatus comprising a board member and a base. The board member has an upper portion, a lower portion, a first side portion engaging member and a second side portion receiving member. The lower portion includes a chamber configured to contain gaming articles. The base is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member. The base is pivotal to a storage position to substantially close the chamber.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a gaming apparatus consisting essentially of a board member and a base. The board member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a chamber configured to contain gaming articles. The base is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member. The base is pivotal to a storage position to substantially close the chamber.

The present bag tossing game and gaming apparatus provide a lightweight, durable and consistent structure that solves many of the issues concerning traditional bag tossing games. Particularly, the present gaming apparatus utilizes a chamber to contain the gaming articles (e.g., tossing bags) while the gaming is being stored or transported. Moreover, the bag tossing game includes two gaming apparatus which are configured to be linked together for purposes of storage or transport, maintaining a compact structure, thus saving space in the process. Finally, the gaming apparatus can be formed of a plastic material which provides more durability, particularly with regard to breakage or exposure to weather, and provides better consistent game play for the players. These and additional advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent in view of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a gaming apparatus in a playing position;

FIG. 1B depicts a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a gaming apparatus in a playing position;

FIG. 2 illustrates an orthogonal view of an exemplary embodiment of a lower portion of a gaming apparatus having a base in a playing position, with tossing bags therein;

FIG. 3 depicts an orthogonal view of an exemplary embodiment of a lower portion of a gaming apparatus having a base in a storage position;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bag tossing game with two gaming apparatuses aligned prior to being linked together at opposing ends; and

FIG. 5 depicts an orthogonal view of an exemplary embodiment of a bag tossing game with two corresponding apparatuses linked together at opposing ends.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention and its operation are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views and examples of FIGS. 1-5, wherein like numbers indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout the views. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a bag tossing game 10 includes at least one gaming apparatus 12. The gaming apparatus 12 includes a board member 14 and a base 16. The board member 14 has an upper portion 18 and a lower portion 20. The upper portion 18 provides a playing surface 22 for the bag tossing game 10. The board member 14 has an opening 24 which passes from the upper portion 18 to the lower portion 20. The opening 24 can include a number of shapes, so long as tossing bags effectively pass through the opening 24 when the bag tossing game 10 is being played. As depicted in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A, the opening 24 is substantially circular in shape. As shown in FIG. 1B, the gaming apparatus 12 is in a playing (open) position. The playing position is the position that the base 16 is placed in order for a player to use the gaming apparatus 12 to play the bag tossing game 10. When in the playing position, the base 16 orients the playing surface 22 of the board member 14 at a predetermined angle (θ) relative to an underlying surface 26. In one exemplary embodiment, the base 16 has at least one stopper 28 that contacts and end of the board member 14 to limit the predetermined angle (θ) when the base 16 is pivoted to the playing position. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the stoppers 28 can be integral with the base.

FIG. 2 illustrates the lower portion 20 of the board member 14 having the base 16 pivoted to the playing position. The base 16 is pivotally attached to the lower portion 20 of the gaming apparatus 12. This pivotal attachment allows the base 16 to rotate between the playing position and a storage (closed) position. In one exemplary embodiment, integral pivotal extensions (e.g., pins 23) (shown in phantom) extend from the base 16 into respective recesses 25 (shown in phantom) in the lower portion 20 of the board member 14 providing the pivotal attachment. These integral pivotal extensions are inserted into the recesses 25 in the lower portion 20 of the board member 14, and such design eliminates the need for any additional or external fasteners or connectors. Therefore, a gaming apparatus consisting essentially of a board member and a base means having integral pivotal extensions without having any fasteners or connectors. Also shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 is the lower portion 20 having a chamber 30. The chamber 30 is configured to contain gaming articles. The gaming articles include tossing bags 32 and any associated accessories used with the bag tossing game 10.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the base 16 is pivoted to in the storage position, which illustrates the chamber 30 in the lower portion 20 of the board member 14 being substantially closed. The base 16 may be configured to lockably engage the lower portion 20 of the board member 14 when the base 16 is in the stored position. In one exemplary embodiment, protrusion members 34 on each side of the base 16 provide a means to substantially lock the base 16 into the storage position, for example by their engagement with ridges 33 on the side edges 35 of the chamber 30, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The lockable engagement of the chamber 30 prevents the gaming articles from falling out of the chamber 30 when the gaming apparatus 12 is being transported.

In another exemplary embodiment, the lower portion 20 may contain structural recesses (not shown) along the surface of the lower portion 20 to provide additional rigidity to the surface of the upper portion 18 of the board member 14. This additional rigidity is beneficial when the gaming apparatus 12 is formed from a deformable material, such as plastic, because the additional support provides a more rigid playing surface 22 for the bag tossing game 10.

The bag tossing game includes at least two gaming apparatuses. Although there are multiple ways and/or rules associated with playing various bag tossing games, most require that the two gaming apparatuses (or targets) be spaced apart at predefined distance. In order to calculate the distance, a distance measuring device (not shown) can be further included with at least one gaming apparatus. In one exemplary embodiment, the distance measuring device can be integrated with the board member. One such distance measuring device could include a measuring tape reel attached at one end of the board member. The measuring tape reel would allow a player to extend the measuring tape on the reel the appropriate distance in order to place the second corresponding gaming apparatus at the proper distance from the first gaming apparatus. In another exemplary embodiment, the distance measuring device could be one of the accessories stored in the chamber and which may be removed from the chamber when the game is played to mark off the appropriate distance between the two gaming apparatuses.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the bag tossing game 110 having a first gaming apparatus 112 and a second gaming apparatus 113. The first gaming apparatus 112 has a board member 114 and a base 116 pivotally attached to the board member 114. The board member 114 includes an upper portion 118, a lower portion 120, a first side portion engaging member 121 and a second side portion receiving member 123. The base 116 of the first gaming apparatus 112 is pivotally attached to the lower portion 120 of the board member 114. The second gaming apparatus 113 also has a board member 144 and base 146, wherein the board member 144 has an upper portion 148, a lower portion 150, a first side portion engaging member 151 and a second side portion receiving member 153. As further illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the lower portions 120, 150 of the first and second gaming apparatuses 112, 113 are substantially aligned prior to the engagement of the gaming apparatuses 112, 113. The lower portions 120, 150 of the both the first and second gaming apparatuses 112, 113 can include alignment members 160 in one exemplary embodiment. In one exemplary embodiment, the alignment members include tabs 161 and recesses 162. As shown in FIG. 4, the tabs 161 of the first gaming apparatus 112 generally insert into the recesses 162 of the second gaming apparatus 113, while the tabs 161 of the second gaming apparatus 113 generally insert into the recesses 162 of the first gaming apparatus 112, thus providing the substantial alignment of the two gaming apparatuses 112, 113. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the alignment members can have a wide variety of shapes, sizes and positions, as desired.

Once the first and second gaming apparatuses 112, 113 are aligned and the bases 116, 146 are in their storage positions, the two corresponding apparatuses 112, 113 can be linked together, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The engaging member 121 of the first gaming apparatus 112 operably engages the receiving member 153 of the second gaming apparatus 113. The engaging member 151 of the second gaming apparatus 113 operably engages the receiving member 123 of the first gaming apparatus 112. In one exemplary embodiment, the engaging members 121, 151 comprise flaps 125 integrally formed with the board members 114, 144 to provide a mechanism by which to link together the two corresponding gaming apparatuses 112, 113. The flaps 125 include extensions 127 which engage the receiving members 123, 153. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiving members 123, 153 include ridges 129 which extend from the second side portion of the associated board members to engage with the corresponding engaging member 121, 151. In one exemplary embodiment, no external fasteners are utilized to link together the two corresponding gaming apparatuses.

Once the player engages the engaging members 121, 151 of each gaming apparatus 112, 113 to link the board members 114, 144 together, as depicted in FIG. 5, the player can lift the bag tossing game 110 to transport or store the game 110. In one exemplary embodiment, at least one of the board members 114, 144 of one of the gaming apparatuses 112, 113 includes a handle 170 to allow the user to more easily lift and carry the game 110. The handles 170 can be integrally formed with the board members 114, 144, as shown in FIG. 5, or the handle 170 can be attached in another manner as one skilled in the art can appreciate.

The gaming apparatus can be manufactured from a number of different materials. In one exemplary embodiment, the gaming apparatus is formed from a material including a polymer. The polymer material can include one or more polymers. In one exemplary embodiment, the polymer material is a plastic. A plastic gaming apparatus provides the user with a lightweight alternative to traditional wooden bag tossing games. In addition, additives may be added to the material having a polymer to provide various benefits or advantages to the structure of the gaming apparatus. One such additive can be a fluorescent additive. The fluorescent additive provides the capability of configuring the gaming apparatus to glow in the dark. Moreover, a color dye additive could also be added the polymer to provide different colored gaming apparatuses. These additives provide players additional options over traditional wooden bag tossing games.

In one exemplary embodiment, the gaming apparatus is formed through a plastic molding process. While a number of plastic molding processes could be used to form the gaming apparatus, one exemplary embodiment includes the process of blow molding. Once the mold for the gaming apparatus is formed, the board member and base are assembled such that the base is pivotally attached to the board member. Moreover, by utilizing a plastic molding process, the gaming apparatus provides more consistent results for players then the traditional wooden bag tossing games, particularly compared to hand-carved games. In addition, through the plastic molding process the playing surface of the gaming apparatus can be textured to prevent a slick surface and give more consistent gaming results.

While the invention has been so described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus comprising:

a board member having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion comprises a chamber configured to contain gaming articles; and

a base pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member, wherein the base is pivotal to a storage position to substantially close the chamber.

2. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the board member its provided with an opening which passes from the upper portion through to the lower portion.

3. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the gaming apparatus is made of a material comprising a polymer.

4. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the material comprises a fluorescent additive.

5. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the gaming apparatus is blow molded.

6. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the gaming apparatus further comprises gaming articles.

7. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the gaming articles comprise tossing bags.

8. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the gaming apparatus further comprises a distance measuring device.

9. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the base is pivotal to a playing position.

10. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the base comprises at least one stopper, wherein the at least one stopper defines the playing position of the base.

11. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the playing position of the base orients the board member at a predetermined angle relative to an underlying surface.

12. A bag tossing game comprising:

at least two of the gaming apparatus of claim 1; and

a plurality of tossing bags.

13. A bag tossing game comprising:

a first gaming apparatus comprising a board member having an upper portion, a lower portion, a first side portion engaging member and a second side portion receiving member; and a base pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member; and

a second gaming apparatus comprising a board member having an upper portion, a lower portion, a first side portion engaging member and a second side portion receiving member; and a base pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member; and

wherein the engaging member of the first gaming apparatus operably engages the receiving member of the second gaming apparatus and the engaging member of the second gaming apparatus operably engages the receiving member of the first gaming apparatus when the lower portions are substantially aligned.

14. The bag tossing game as recited in claim 13, wherein at least one board member comprises a handle.

15. The bag tossing game as recited in claim 13, wherein the lower portions comprise alignment members.

16. The bag tossing game as recited in claim 15, wherein the alignment members comprise tabs and recesses.

17. A gaming apparatus comprising:

a board member having an upper portion, a lower portion, a first side portion engaging member and a second side portion receiving member, wherein the lower portion comprises a chamber configured to contain gaming articles; and

a base pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member, wherein the base is pivotal to a storage position to substantially close the chamber.

18. A gaming apparatus consisting essentially of:

a board member having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion comprises a chamber configured to contain gaming articles; and

a base pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member, wherein the base is pivotal to a storage position to substantially close the chamber.

19. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the base comprises integral pivotal extensions which attach to the lower portion of the board member.

20. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the gaming apparatus is blow molded.