FLOATING RECEPTACLE AND BAG TOSS GAME

Abstract

A sturdy, transportable bean bag toss game intended for play in a shallow body of water. Floating receptacles are used as the targets and bags are tossed into the receptacles to score points. Game utilizes some of the principles of traditional corn hole bean bag toss game, with the intention to have a game that can be played in shallow bodies of water, including swimming pools, lakes, and rivers. Construction materials are lightweight, durable, easily transported, waterproof, and quick drying.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The field of invention is related to recreational games and specifically to bag toss games. Traditionally the games are played utilizing boards primarily on land; this new and improved bag toss game is designed to be played using floating receptacles in a shallow body of water. Construction materials are lightweight, durable, easily transported, waterproof, and quick drying.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Bag toss games continue to gain in popularity as new generations are introduced to the game. These games are well known in prior art with opponents attempting to toss bean bags into target receptacles. There have been many improvements of the bean bag toss game related to games designed for play on land.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,216 (Sparacino) describes a bean bag toss game with platforms, and for use of play on land. The game requires assembly and disassembly of the platforms.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,957 (James, Sr.) describes a disc tossing game with a plurality of moveable targets constructed as a horizontal tube or similar shape. The target is inflatable for portability and floatation.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,907 (Keller) describes a floating target and disc game. The game is played by throwing discs at a receptacle that is partially submersed underwater. The diagram demonstrates a player tossing the disc from the deck of a pool into the floating receptacle. The singular receptacle is used by all opponents for tossing discs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,185 (Robertson) describes a disk game for use on land or water. Players attempt to have discs land on circular flanges attached to a mat.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,915,498 (Hynds) describes a cornhole game difficulty modification to the traditional corn hole bag toss game played with boards on land. Modification allows players to change the configuration of the game board's aperture without permanently modifying the game board.

The prior art demonstrates the need for continued improvements of this beloved game beyond the traditional. Prior art also highlights the need for a variation that can be played in many types of bodies of water with ease, by all ages. The floating receptacle and has toss game invention herein described adds value to the bag toss games having certain advantages over games described in the prior art. The prior art does not disclose a sturdy, transportable, ready to play bean bag toss game for use in bodies of water with opponents tossing bean bags into multiple receptacles, with varying sizes of receptacles to increase level of difficulty and enhance entertainment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is a unique bag toss game that is played in shallow bodies of water. The game apparatus of this invention includes (8) tossing bags and (6) receptacles, which were previously described in the Claims section of this patent application. In the game rules of play provided below, receptacles are referred to as “rings” for simplicity of a familiar term for consumers. As detailed in the Claims section of this patent application, receptacles could take several shapes and forms, and are not required to be shaped as rings to be covered under this patent.

The object of this invention is to bring a new and exciting variation to the traditional bag toss game that can be enjoyed by all in water. This game is easy to set up, easy to use, and has no age restrictions enabling plenty of family fun. This game will be affordable for the average household, and easily transported and cared for.

Rules of play are provided and intended as a suggested course for play and scoring. Variations and modifications of rules of play are common in all types of recreational games among experienced and novice players. Variations or modifications of rules of play can be made by anyone and do not constitute a material change from the claimed invention.

Rules of Play

Recommended to play in knee deep water, 4″ to 18″ for best results. Rings are anchored, but will naturally drift slightly with the movement of the water, which will give any competitor a challenge. Children should never be left unattended to play the game in any body of water.

The game can be played with either 2 or 4 players. 4 players play as teams.

The object of the game is to outscore your opponents by being the first player or team to reach 21 points.

Largest rings should be placed approximately 20′ apart from front to front of the largest rings. Medium ring should be spaced 1′ further away from the large rings outer diameter. The small ring should be spaced 1′ behind the medium ring with small ring outer diameter furthest away.

If playing with 4—then teammates should face each other from opposite ends of the rings. Each team plays with a set of 4 tossing bags of the same color.

Play starts at one end with all 8 tossing bags. Opponents alternate tosses until all 8 bags are thrown. The round is scored after all bags have been thrown.

Repeat play from the other end. The team that scored last throws first. Players must throw at or behind the largest ring. If player throws from in front of largest ring then toss is invalid.

Scoring

Points are earned based on degree of difficulty of the toss. The smallest rings are also furthest away, and are worth more points than the medium or large rings.

Each bag in large ring is scored 1 point.

Each bag in medium ring is scored 2 points.

Each bag in small ring is scored 3 points.

No points are lost for missed throws that do not go into a ring.

After all bags have been counted, the score of the lowest scoring player is deducted from the highest scoring player for that round. The points earned are the difference remaining. Please see examples below.

Player 1 makes 1 bag in large ring and 2 bags in small ring. Points are 7. 1 point for large, and 3 points each for the 2 bags in small.

Player 2 makes 3 bags in small ring. Points are 9. 3 points for each of the 3 bags in small. Player 2 scored 2 points. Their points of 9, minus Player 1's points of 7.

Variations

To increase the level of difficulty try requiring the winning throw to equal exact points needed. If player exceeds 21, then reduce that player's score to 15 and continue play.

If you are pairing experienced players against new or young players consider giving the other player a head start by spotting them an agreed number of points towards the goal of 21.

Remove the anchor from the bottom of one or all of the rings. This will allow the rings to free float, making them a moving target.

Space the rings further than 20′ apart to make the throws more difficult.

Space rings closer than 20′ to make the game more enjoyable for young and new players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The game components of the invention are depicted in the provided drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a elevation view of figure one

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the bag toss game consists of receptacles 1 and tossing bags 5. The object of the game is to toss the bags 5 into the varied sizes of receptacles 1. Each receptacle 1 size correlates to a different point scoring based on the degree of difficulty.

In the preferred embodiment the receptacles 1 are shaped as octagons as illustrated in FIG. 1. Although the preferred embodiment is octagon, any geometric shape could easily be utilized to provide a slight variation, as referenced in CLAIMS above.

In FIG. 1 the receptacle 1 is formed utilizing ½″ I.D. (¾″ O.D.) schedule 40 pvc pipe 2 that is joined together with 45 deg schedule 40 pvc couplers 3. Placed over the pvc pipe 2 and couplers 3 are cylindrical pieces of polyethylene foam 4, which allows the receptacles to float.

In FIG. 2 elevation view, the receptacle 1 is displayed as if it was set up to play. The 1″ nylon square mesh barrier netting 6 is attached to the formed receptacle 1 to capture bags tossed into the receptacle 1.

In FIG. 2 the barrier netting 6 is displayed with the leader 8 attached to the netting by a snap clip 7. The snap clip 7 serves to attach the leader 8 and anchor 9 to the netting. The snap clip 7 can be either permanent or removable. With a removable snap clip 7 the game can be played with or without the anchor.

The anchor 9 seen in FIG. 2 serves to keep the receptacles 1 stationary in the body of water. Without the anchor 9 the receptacles 1 could move, perhaps significantly, and may be prone to flipping if a bag toss hits the receptacle I. In the preferred embodiment, the anchor 9 will be affixed via the leader 8 and snap clip 7 to keep the receptacles 1 stationary and prevent flipping of receptacles.

Claims

1. A transportable bag toss game for use in a shallow body of water comprising:

a. at least one tossing bag, and

b. a plurality of floating receptacles that tossing bag is thrown towards with the goal being to toss into the receptacle, and

c. bags are used as projectiles to be tossed at the floating receptacles

2. Bags

a. can be compromised of any type of material construction, and rot proof filling, and are not required to be waterproof

b. current design in prototype stage utilizes 4″ mini bean bags of canvas material and filled with recycled plastic pellets

c. tossing bags are commonly referred to as “bean bags”; however, rot proof filling must be used for this application and bean filling is not recommended

3. Floating receptacles

a. floating receptacle can be made of any material that is lightweight and able to float, although construction material for receptacle is not required to have ability to float, if additional material is added to receptacle to enable floatation

b. current design in prototype stage is constructed of ½″ I.D. (¾″ O.D.), schedule 40 pvc pipe that has been cut and joined together with 45 deg, schedule 40 pvc couplers secured with pvc glue

c. current design in prototype stage has attached to each receptacle 4 cylindrical pieces of polyethylene foam, with a ¾″ I.D. (2.25″ O.D.) to provide floatation

d. polyethylene foam is secured at 90 degree intervals, i.e. 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees

e. current design in prototype stage has the shape of floating receptacles as flat octagonal, but could take any geometric shape, as long as materials can be equipped to specifications allowing bags to be tossed into them.

f. Current design in prototype stage is comprised of rigid materials; however, any type of material composite can be utilized which could make the device flexible

g. Current design in prototype stage is not adjustable; however, there is potential to make the receptacles adjustable to allow consumers to change the shape or even the size of each or all of the receptacles

h. game consists of 2 each small receptacles with an approximate pvc inside diameter of 7.5″, with 4 cylindrical pieces of polyethylene foam that are 3″ in length

i. game consists of 2 each medium receptacles with an approximate pvc inside diameter of 12″ with 4 cylindrical pieces of polyethylene foam that are 5″ in length

j. game consists of 2 each large receptacles with an approximate pvc inside diameter of 17″ with 4 cylindrical pieces of polyethylene foam that are 7″ in length

k. 1″ nylon square mesh barrier netting is attached to pvc pipe which is used to catch bags tossed into the receptacles

l. Netting could have varying sizes of holes and function properly, as long as the holes are smaller than the bags being tossed

m. current design in prototype stage is constructed using 1″ nylon square mesh barrier netting, but other materials could be utilized for the net as well

n. Netting depth ranges from 12″ to 14″ and is sewn closed to form an enclosure to catch the bags

o. anchors are attached to the netting on each receptacle, allowing the receptacle to remain stationary in the water

p. current design in prototype stage utilizes a 10 ounce lead bank sinker as the anchor

q. any material could be used as the anchor, as long as the material is resistant to rust, and of proper weight to secure the receptacle without damaging the netting and can be secured to the leader

r. a ⅛″ nylon rope (leader), is attached to the bottom of the netting by a removable snap clip to secure the anchor

s. Rope leader distances anchor from netting by approximately 7″

t. floating receptacles and bag toss game is constructed and can be played with or without an anchor

u. utilizing game without an anchor would be a more challenging version for experienced players

v. game components can be manufactured in a variety of colors, prints and designs, including glow-in-the dark materials

w. current design in prototype stage does not include any lighting capabilities, but lights could be added in future designs, to allow for night play

x. if added, lights would need to be of waterproof material, preferably solar powered, and could be affixed as either one, or a multiple, to the receptacles or any component of the receptacles

y. all dimensions provided are approximate, and final product may vary slightly due to changes in material, and improvement of current prototype

4. Game packaging

a. The receptacles are designed to nest to minimize packaging materials required and be environmentally friendly. Tossing bags are placed within the receptacles. Packaging could be as small as 22″ square×4″ deep.

5. Because this product is still in prototype stage, we claim under this patent any modification that does not result in a significant change to the concept of the game that we have invented. We further expand the definition of modification to be any change that does not substantially change the game, including the use of different construction materials, altering shapes, sizes, depth, width, or length, and changes to rules of play. For a change of concept to be valid, a new, novel, or non-obvious addition to the current invention must be proven.

6. As this prototype moves to mass production to market and sell, the materials used may be updated to be more cost effective and/or accommodate mass production assembly lines. The concept of the floating receptacle bag toss game is the most important component of this patent, with less emphasis on the specific materials, shapes, sizes, and measurements to construct the game.