Disc Tossing Game Apparatus and Method

A disc tossing game with a goal and a disc. Each player possesses a goal comprising of a plurality of goal openings each backed with the goal net. The plurality of goal openings are positioned vertically in succession separated by rungs and formed by a left side bar and a right side bar. A player tosses the disc towards the other player's goal in attempts to land the disc into the goal net to be awarded points. Points can also be awarded by hitting the plurality of rungs, the left side bar, or right side bar.

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Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/252,776 filed on Oct. 19, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a disc tossing game in which points are awarded for tossing a disc into an opposing player's goal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a game that comprises of two goals for two opposing players. The goal of the game is for the players to take turns tossing a disc into the opposing player's goal. The goals have a plurality of goal openings with a goal net, each corresponding to a point value. Points are awarded to players when a disc is thrown into the goal openings or the corresponding borders to each goal opening. The goal openings are arranged in a stacked fashion and take a form of a ladder. The objective of the game is for a player to cumulatively score a number of points to win.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the disc tossing game apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a left-side view of the disc tossing game apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a right-side view of a disc tossing game apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a disc tossing game apparatus, showing the foul line.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the disc tossing game apparatus, showing two goals and, a player, and the disc in motion.

 DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is a game comprising of a goal 1 and a disc 20. The goal comprises of a left side bar 3, a right side bar 4, a left support leg 5, a right support leg 6, a plurality of rungs 2, a plurality of fasteners 11, a top goal frame 10, a plurality of goal openings 12, and a goal net 9. The plurality of rungs 2 being fastened to the left side bar 3 and the right side bar 4 by means of the plurality of fasteners 11. The left side bar 3, the right side bar 4, and the plurality of rungs 2 are connected in a fashion that takes the form of a ladder. The plurality of rungs 2 are positioned perpendicular to the left side bar 3 and the right side bar 4. The top goal frame 10 is positioned at the top most point of the left side bar 3 and the right side bar 4, fastened by a fastener of the plurality of fasteners 11. The goal 1 formed by the left side bar 3, the right side bar 4, the plurality of rungs 2, and the top goal frame 10 has a height of five feet. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the goal in upright position has a height of five feet. The plurality of goal openings 12 are defined by the plurality of rungs 2, the left side bar 3, and the right side bar 4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of rungs 2 comprises of a quantity of 4 rungs. The plurality of rungs 2 and the top goal frame 10 create a total of five goal openings 12. The bottom four goal openings 12 have a height of ten inches. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, for each goal opening of the plurality of goal openings 12, the width of the goal opening decreases as it is positioned closer to the top of the goal 1. To correspond with the decreasing width of the plurality of goal openings 12 as they get closer to the top of the goal 1 and top goal frame 10, the plurality of rungs 2 decreases in length correspondingly. The left side bar 3 and right side bar 4 are positioned at an angle so that they tilt towards each other at the top of the goal 1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left side bar 3 and right side bar 4 are not positioned parallel to each other but rather positioned at an angle towards the other. However, in other embodiment of the invention, the left side bar 3 and right side bar 4 can be positioned to be parallel to each other with the plurality of goal openings 12 decreasing in height towards the top of the goal 1. With the rungs 2 decreasing in length towards the top, the left side bar 3 and the right side bar 4 are angled to have a distance between each other of two feet at the base and one foot at the top. The top goal frame 10 positioned on the top of the present invention is one foot wide and three inches in height. The result is a plurality of goal openings 12 wherein the bottommost opening is the largest and each subsequent opening positioned closer to the top of the goal 1 is smaller than the previous goal. The goal net 9 is connected to each of the plurality of goal openings 12 by means of the plurality of fasteners 11. The plurality of fasteners 11 fastens the goal net 9 to be pinched to the plurality of rungs 2 to form individual sacks for each goal opening. The goal net 9 is connected on the rear side of the goal 1 and hang freely from the plurality of goal openings 12. When users toss the disc 20 into the plurality of goal openings 12, the goal net 9 is able to catch and hold the disc 20. The size of the disc 20 being fixed creates more difficulty for the disc 20 to be tossed into a higher positioned opening of the plurality of goal openings 12 than a lower positioned opening of the plurality of goal openings 12 as higher positioned opening has a narrower opening for the disc 20 to pass through. There is a greater chance for the disc 20 to hit the plurality of rungs 2, the left side bar 3, the right side bar 4, or the top goal frame 10 and not land in goal net 9.

When playing the game, the users are required to stand the goal 1 up to receive thrown discs 20. The present invention makes use of the left support leg 5 and the right support leg 6 for standing support. The left support leg 5 and the right support leg 6 are manufactured to be the same length. The left support leg 5 is jointly fastened to the left side bar 3 by the plurality of fasteners 11. The right support leg 6 is jointly fastened to the right side bar 4 by the plurality of fasteners 11. The left support leg 5 and the right support leg 6 pivot to a stored position parallel to the left side bar 3 and the right side bar 4, respectively. To retract the left support leg 5 and the right support leg 6 for propping the goal 1, the user is able to pull and pivot the left support leg 5 and the right support leg 6 from the rear of the goal. For users to play the game, at least two of the goals 1 are required and comprise of at least two players 31. Each player 31 has possession of one goal 1, allowing one player 31 to toss the disc 20 into the goal 1 of the other player 31. To ensure that all goals 1 of the game in play are propped at the same upright angle, the left support chain 7 and the right support chain 8 are used to connect the left support leg 5 and the right support leg 6 to the left side bar 3 and the right side bar 4, respectively. The left support chain 5 and the right support chain 6 are of equal lengths of fourteen inches. The left support chain 5 connects the left side bar 3 and the left support leg 5 together in a fashion making the left support chain 5 parallel to the ground when the goal 1 is in the propped position. The left support chain 7 connects to the left side bar 3 at a height of one-third the length of the left side bar 3. The right support chain 6 connects the right side bar 4 and the right support leg 6 together in a fashion making the right support chain 6 parallel to the ground when the goal 1 is in the propped position. The right support chain 6 connects to the right side bar 4 at a height of one-third the length of the right side bar 4. The left support chain 5 and the right support chain 6 hold the goal 1 in an upright position at a fixed height and angle.

The plurality of goal openings 12 of the goal 1 each has a predetermined point value 13. The plurality of goal openings 12 towards the bottom of the goal 1 have a lower point value 13 and the plurality of goal opening 12 towards the top of the goal 1 have a higher point value 13. The sizes of the plurality of goal opening 12 directly correlate with the amount of points awarded for having the disc 20 thrown into the corresponding goal opening 12. The opening formed by the top goal frame 10, being significantly smaller than the remainder of the plurality of goal openings 12, is valued to automatically win the game. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is a two player game that makes use of two separate goals 1. The first goal 1 represents the goal 1 of a first player 31 and a second goal 1 represents the goal 1 of a second player 31. The first goal 1 and the second goal 1 are placed at a distance from each other. A first foul line 30 is defined for the first player 31 by the front of the first goal 1. A second foul line 30 is defined for the second player 31 by the front of the second goal 1. The foul line 30 is an imaginary line which exists right in front of the goal 1 and the plurality of goal openings 12. The first player 31 and the second player 31 stand beside or behind their corresponding goal 1 and take turns tossing the disc 20 into the goal 1 of the opposing player 31. The first player 31 is automatically awarded points by tossing the disc 20 into the goal net 9 corresponding to each of the goal openings 12 on the second goal 1. The second player 31 is automatically awarded points by tossing the disc 20 into the goal net 9 corresponding to each of the plurality of goal openings 12 on the first goal 1. Another method for the first player 31 and the second player 31 is to toss the disc 20 and deflect it off of the left side bar 3, the right side bars 4, the rungs 2, or the top goal frame 10. When the first player 31 deflects the tossed disc 20 off any of the plurality of rungs 2, left side bar 3, right side bar 4, or the top goal frame 10 of the second goal 31, they are awarded a single point. However, the second player 31 is allowed to nullify these points awarded to the first player 31 by catching the deflected disc 20 off the left side bar 3, the right side bar 4, the plurality of rungs 2, or top goal frame 10 of the second goal 1 before the disc 20 falls onto the ground. The second player 31 is awarded a point when the disc 20 is deflected off the left side bar 3, right side bar 4, the plurality of rungs 2, or the top goal frame 10 of the first goal 1. However, the first player 31 is allowed to nullify points awarded to the second player 31 by catching the deflected disc 20 off of the first goal 1 before the disc 20 falls onto the ground. When a step is taken past the first foul line 30 by the first player 31 as the disc 20 is being tossed, any points earned by the first player 31 during the turn is automatically nullified. When a step is taken past the second foul line 30 by the second player 31 as the disc 20 is being tossed, any points earned by the second player 31 during the turn is automatically nullified.

The players 31 of the game can customize the point values to their own desires. The conditions to win the game can also be determined by the players 31. For example, the rungs 2 can be valued from 2 to 5 from the bottom goal opening of the plurality of goal openings 12 to the top goal opening of the plurality of goal openings 12. The players can take turns tossing the disc 20 into the opposing player's goal 1 until one of the players 31 accumulates 21 points. Should any player 31 toss the disc 20 into the top goal frame 10 at any time during the game, the player 31 who tossed the disc 20 wins the game. Another variation of the point system for the present invention can value each of the plurality of goal openings 12 with a negative value. The players 31 can start with an agreed upon number of points and toss the disc 20 until one player 31 reaches 0. The player 31 that reaches 0 points first is the winner. In another variation of the rules for the present invention, the players 31 must achieve tossing the disc 20 into the plurality of goal openings 12 in a certain sequence. In any scoring variations of the present invention, a player 31 automatically wins if the disc 20 is tossed into the top goal frame 10.

The difficulty of the present invention can also be customized by the players 31. This can be achieved by increasing the distance at which the first goal 1 and the second goal 1 are placed away from each other. The distance can be adjusted according to the skill of the players 31. Younger and less experienced players 31 could set the goals at 50 feet apart. For even younger players 31, the goals 1 can be set just 20 feet apart. More experienced players 31 may decide to set the two goals 1 apart at a distance of 100 feet or more. The more experienced players 31 may also choose to angle the direction that the goals 1 are facing. This requires players 31 to curve the disc 20 into the goal openings 12.

The disc 20 used for the present invention can also be of different types for different players 31. Younger players 31 can use a soft and floppy type of disc 20 for safety reasons. Players 31 who often play disc golf may choose to use putter discs or mid-ranger discs. Free-stylists or ultimate Frisbee players may decide to use a disc that is regularly use for their respective sport.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A game comprises,

a goal;
a disc;
the goal comprises of a left side bar, a right side bar, a right support leg, a left support leg, rungs, fasteners, a top goal frame, goal openings, a left support chain, a right support chain, and a goal net;
the goal having a rear side and a front side;
the rungs being connected to the left side bar by the fasteners;
the rungs being connected to the right side bar by the fasteners;
the top goal frame being connected to the left side bar and the right side bar;
the goal net being positioned on the rear side of the goal;
the goal net being connected to the top goal frame and each of the goal openings having a predetermined point value; and
the goal net being able to contain the disc falling thereon.

2. The game as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

the goal openings being defined by the left side bar, the right side bar, and rungs.

3. The game as claimed in claim 2 comprises,

wherein each said rung having a predetermined point value.

4. The game as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

wherein a distance on the left side bar and the right side bar between the rungs having a predetermined point value consistent with the goal opening.

5. The game as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

the left support leg being jointly fastened to the left side bar by the fasteners;
the right support leg being jointly fastened to the right side bar by the fasteners; and
the left support leg being the same length as the right support leg.

6. The game as claimed in claim 5 comprises,

the right support chain being connected to the right side bar and the right support leg; and
the left support chain being connected to the left side bar and the left support leg.

7. A game comprises,

a goal;
a disc;
the goal comprises of a left side bar, a right side bar, a right support leg, a left support leg, rungs, fasteners, a top goal frame, goal openings, and a goal net;
the goal having a rear side and a front side;
the rungs being connected to the left side bar by the fasteners;
the rungs being connected to the right side bar by the fasteners;
the top goal frame being connected to the left side bar and the right side bar;
the goal openings being defined by the left side bar, the right side bar, and rungs;
the goal net being positioned on the rear side of the goal;
wherein a distance on the left side bar and the right side bar between the rungs having a predetermined point value consistent with the goal opening.
the goal net being connected to each of the goal openings having the predetermined point value; and
the goal net being able to contain the disc falling thereon.

8. The game as claimed in claim 7 comprises,

wherein each said rung having the predetermined point value.

9. The game as claimed in claim 7 comprises,

the left support leg being jointly fastened to the left side bar by the fasteners;
the right support leg being jointly fastened to the right side bar by the fasteners; and
the left support leg being the same length as the right support leg.

10. A method of playing the game comprises, providing a first goal and a second goal both including goal openings with a goal net, each goal opening having a predetermined point value;

wherein the goal openings are defined by rungs, a top goal frame, a right side bar, and a left side bar;
wherein each rung having the predetermined point value;
wherein the side bars having the predetermined point value;
wherein the top goal frame having a predetermined point value;
wherein the goal opening of the top goal frame having a game winning value;
placing the first goal and the second goal at a distance from each other;
arranging the first goal and the second goal to face each other;
providing a first player and a second player standing beside or behind a first goal and a second goal;
providing a first foul line defined by the front of the first goal;
providing a second foul line defined by the front of the second goal; and
taking turns by the first player and the second player to toss the disc.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10 comprises,

wherein the first player wins the game by tossing the disc into the goal opening corresponding to the top goal of the second goal; and
wherein the second player wins the game by tossing the disc into the goal opening corresponding the top goal of the first goal.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10 comprises,

awarding of points to the first player by tossing a disc into the goal net corresponding to each of the goal openings of the second goal; and
awarding of points to the second player by tossing the disc into the goal net corresponding to each of the goal openings of the first goal.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 comprises,

nullifying of points awarded to first player by the first player stepping past the foul line when tossing the disc; and
nullifying of points awarded to second player by the second player stepping past the foul line when tossing the disc.

14. The method as claimed in claim 10 comprises,

awarding of a point to the first player by tossing at and deflecting the disc off of the rungs, the left side bar, and the right side bar of the second goal; and
awarding of a point to the second player by tossing at and deflecting the disc off of the rungs, the left side bar, and the right side bar of the first goal.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 comprises,

nullifying the awarded points to the first player by the second player catching the deflected disc off the second goal before falling to the ground; and
nullifying the awarded points to the second player by the first player catching the deflected disc off the first goal before falling to the ground.

16. The method as claimed in claim 10 comprises,

wherein each of the goal openings differ in size with smaller sized goal openings having a higher point value than larger goal openings.
Patent History
Publication number: 20110092319
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 19, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 21, 2011
Inventors: Michael Paul GURGUL (East Berlin, PA), Jeremy Jason BURCHAM (Lincoln Park, MI)
Application Number: 12/907,270
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: For Game In Which Goal Or Target Is Peripherally Located Aperture Or Pocket (e.g., Hockey, Soccer, Lacrosse, Polo, Etc.) (473/471)
International Classification: A63B 67/00 (20060101);