Box structure systems and play methods

Abstract

Structures made from boxes, items made from boxes, play systems using such structures and/or items, play methods employing such structures and systems and/or items; and designs for such structures and items, methods for game playing, and to designs for such boxes. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention and this application claim the benefits under the Patent Laws, including the benefit of priority, from U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/388,712 filed Feb. 6, 2016. The present invention and this application claim the benefits under the Patent Laws, including the benefit of priority, from U.S. application Ser. No. 29/505,778 filed Feb. 6, 2016. This application is a continuation-in-part relative to U.S. application Ser. No. 29/505,778 filed Feb. 6, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to: structures made from boxes, play systems using such structures, and play methods employing such structures and systems. The present invention is also directed to designs for such structures and to designs for such boxes.

Description of Related Art

There are a wide variety of known structures made from boxes; play systems and game apparatuses made from boxes; and play methods using such structures, systems and game apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in certain aspects, provides a structure, made from a box or from boxes, which is usable as a goal or a target in a game involving physically directing a game piece or game pieces at the goal or target. In certain embodiments, the structure provides an upright goal or target formed from part of a box; and in some particular embodiments, the goal or target is held in position by a member or members connected to, or formed integrally of, a box to stabilize the goal or target in a desired position for play. In some aspects, the goal or target and the stabilizing member(s) are all formed of one box. Any suitable box or boxes may be used for embodiments of the present invention; and, in some embodiments, the box is a box used to contain a pizza.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide items made from a box or boxes for use in a game in which the items are directed to, placed on, thrown at, or projected at a goal or target. Such items, for example, can include the triangle pieces used in what is commonly known as “finger ball,” which is also known by the names “flick football,” “paper football,” “finger football,” “table football.”

Such items, according to the present invention, may also include an item or times of any desired shape useful in any play method and/or in a game or play method using a structure according to the present invention. For example, and not by way of limitation, such items can include circular items used as a miniature soccer ball, football, or basketball. Such items may be one-piece, generally flat items, made, e.g. of a chosen-size part of a box; or such an item can be more three dimensional, either due to folding of an originally flat item or made with multiple connected pieces to form a desired shape.

In certain aspects, there is one item made for engaging in a play activity and/or for playing a game. In other aspects, there are multiple items. In additional aspects, multiple players each have an item or items for their play efforts, e.g., marked with particular identifying indicia and/or of a particular shape to identify a particular player.

In certain aspects, the identifying indicia on an item indicates a score or point amount correlated with that particular item for scoring or accumulating points in a particular game or play activity.

In certain aspects, a scoring panel or piece is made from a box or boxes and is used to indicate a player or players scores or points in a game or play activity. Such a panel or piece may simply be a part of a box on which a player or players write or otherwise mark to indicate a score or point(s). In other aspects, such a piece can be used with movable or emplaceable indicators or markers to indicate a score or point(s). In certain particular aspects, score-indicating markers can be made from a box itself, and, in one aspect, from the piece itself used for the panel.

In certain embodiments, a box is provided with a hole in one side or both sides, a hole or holes through which an item is to be directed to score or receive a point in a game or play method, including a game or play method according to the present invention. In one aspect, a hole or opening is made in one side of a box only and an item or items are directed at the one hole or opening, so that an item going through that hole or opening is captured within the box. In another aspect, holes or openings are made in two sides of a box so that an item or item passing through one hole can also pass through the other hole, i.e., so that such an item or items are not captured by the box and pass through it. Optionally, a box may have multiple holes or openings and one or some of them may be on a single side only, or there may be multiple aligned holes, or both, to provide both for the capturing of item(s) within a box and the passing through of item(s) which are not captured within a box, all in a single box structure.

In certain aspects, the present invention provides box structures useful in activities that include one person at a time directing an item or items at a goal or target. In other aspects, multiple persons simultaneously direct an item or items at a goal or target, or at multiple goals or targets. In one particular aspect, a second person is allowed to direct an item or items to interfere with the path or trajectory of an item or items sent, flicked, directed, thrown, projected, or otherwise moved by a first person to prevent the first person from scoring or from being awarded a point or points.

It is within the present invention to provide a box, e.g. but not limited to, a pizza box, from which both a game board and game piece(s) are removed torn out, or cut out. In certain aspects, such a game may be a tic-tac-toe game, a checkers game, or a chess game, which may, in one aspect, be played with the board in an upright, angled, or vertical position.

Accordingly, the present invention includes features and advantages believed to enable it to advance box structure technology and play methods. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings.

What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. In addition to the specific objects stated below for at least certain preferred embodiments of the invention, there are other objects and purposes which will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art who has the benefit of this invention's teachings and disclosures.

It is, therefore, an object of at least certain embodiments of the present invention to provide: New, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious structures and systems with a target or goal and, optionally, with an item or item to be moved toward the target or goal, the structure made from a box, such structures useful in play methods for a person or persons.

It is, therefore, an object of at least certain embodiments of the present invention to provide such new, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious structures in which a member or members stabilize a goal or target part of the structure in place, the member or members made from the same box as the target or structure, or from another box.

To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this invention's teachings, other purposes will be appreciated from the descriptions herein when taken in conjunction with the drawings. The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claim this invention no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form, changes, or additions of further improvements.

It will be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention may include one, some, or any possible combination of the disclosed, described, and/or enumerated features, aspects, and/or improvements and/or technical advantages and/or elements in claims to this invention. For example, and not by way of limitation, any desired target or goal disclosed herein may have one or more stabilizing members as described and/or shown in any embodiment. For example, and not by way of limitation, any desired item or items disclosed herein may be made from any box, from any box described and/or shown herein, or from any part of any box described and/or shown in any embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of embodiments of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification. These drawings illustrate embodiments preferred at the time of filing for this patent and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have other equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a box according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of a structure according to the present invention made from the box of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a top perspective view of the box of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a top perspective view showing the box of FIG. 1A with the lid raised and a pizza inside.

FIG. 1E is a top perspective view showing removal of part of the box of FIG. 1E to form items according to the present invention.

FIG. 1F is a top perspective view showing items formed from the piece removed in FIG. 1E.

FIG. 1G is a top perspective view showing removal of a box piece to form a goal from the box of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1H is a top perspective view showing the piece shown in FIG. 1G removed and the formation of a goal in the box of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1I is a top perspective view showing the disconnection of a stabilizing member according to the present invention from the box as shown in FIG. 1H.

FIG. 1J is a top perspective view showing the releasable connection of two stabilizing members between the goal part of the box as shown in FIG. 1H and the base of the box.

FIG. 1K is a top perspective view showing multiple children engaged in a play method according to the present invention using a structure as in FIG. 1J and items as in FIG. 1F.

FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of a box according to the present invention. schematic view showing use of the system of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 2B is a top perspective view showing the box of FIG. 2A open with a pizza in it.

FIG. 2C is a top perspective view showing a goal made from the box of FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2D is a top view showing items for use with structures according to the present invention and/or for use in play methods according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a top rear perspective view of a structure according to the present invention made from a box according to the present invention. FIG. 3B is a front view of the structure of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a score-indicating member according to the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of a box according to the present invention with a single opening according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a top perspective view of a box according to the present invention with a single opening according to the present invention.

FIG. 5C is a top perspective view of a box according to the present invention with two openings according to the present invention, one opening only through the box top, and a pair of aligned openings, one through the box top and one through the box bottom.

FIG. 5D is a top perspective view of a box according to the present invention with multiple openings through a top of the box according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a stabilizing member according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a top view of a box according to the present invention with a game board printed thereon, e.g. for playing checkers or chess.

FIG. 7B is a top of a part of a box according to the present invention with removal chess game pieces printed thereon.

FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of a box according to the present invention with a grid thereon for playing tic-tac-toe, with removable game pieces on sides of the box.

FIG. 8B is a top perspective view of a top of the box of FIG. 8A separated for game play, and showing the removed game pieces.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a box structure design according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9B is a front view thereof;

FIG. 9C is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 9D is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 9E is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 9F is a top view thereof; and

FIG. 9G is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a box structure design according to the present invention; and

FIG. 10B is a front view thereof;

FIG. 10C is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 10D is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 10E is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 10F is a top view thereof; and

FIG. 10G is a bottom view thereof.

Certain embodiments of the invention are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. Various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention are described below. Any combination of aspects and/or features described below can be used except where such aspects and/or features are mutually exclusive. It should be understood that the appended drawings and description herein are of certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In showing and describing these embodiments, like or identical reference numerals are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness. As used herein the various portions (and headings), the terms “invention”, “present invention” and variations thereof mean one or more embodiments, and are not intended to mean the claimed invention of any particular embodiment. So long as they are not mutually exclusive or contradictory, any aspect or, or features of any embodiment disclosed herein may be used in any other embodiment disclosed herein. The present invention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. This description should further be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various possible permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A shows a box 10 according to the present invention which has a base 11, sides 12a and 12b, a front 13a, a rear 13b, a top 14, and a removable piece 15. FIG. 1B shows the piece 15 removed to form a structure 16 according to the present invention. Upon removal of the piece 15, an open area 17 is made through which items 18 are directed in a play method according to the present invention.

FIGS. 1C and 1D show scoring 13c on a front member 19c of the box 10. As shown in FIG. 1D, the top 14 has the front member 19c and side members 19a and 19b. A pizza PZ is shown in the box in FIG. 1D. The front member 19c is removable from the box, as shown in FIG. 1E and items 18 are removable from the front member 19c.

FIG. 1G shows removal of the piece 15, shown removed in FIG. 1H with the open area 17 formed in the top of the box 14.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 1I and 1J, the side members 19a and 19b have slots 19c and 19d, respectively. The side members are folded down so that the slots 19c, 19d, formed and sized as desired, receive a part of the box sides 12a and 12b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1J.

As shown in FIG. 1K, a child is directing an item 18 at the structure 16 at the open area 17. Previously-flicked items 18 are both in the structure 16 and outside of it. The dotted line from the item 18 being held by the child to the interior of the structure 16 indicates a desired path for the item 18 to follow once it is flicked at the structure 16 so that it will both pass through the area 17 and into the structure 16. An item 18 can be flicked so that it goes through the area 17 but does not land within the structure 16.

FIG. 2A shows a box 20 according to the present invention which is like the box 10, FIG. 1A; but which has a removable piece 25 whose removal results in the formation of an open area 27 (FIG. 2C) and a resulting structure 26 according to the present invention (FIG. 2C). The open area 27 is enclosed on four sides by portions of a box top 24. Optionally, a score or an enhanced score can be achieved by directing an item, e.g. an item 28, through the open area 27; either into the structure 20 (item 28a) or not (item 28b).

As shown in FIG. 2B, perforations or indentations 29 can be provided on a portion of the box 20 so that items 28 can be formed by removal from the box 20.

It is within the scope of the present invention to form items of any desired shape and size from a box and/or from a box used to make a structure useful as a target or a goal according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2D, multiple items 28c, 28d, and 28e have been made from a box by removal of them from a portion of a box. In one aspect, all of the items shown in FIG. 2D are made from one box. In one particular aspect, all of the items shown in FIG. 2D (or a similar set of items) are made from one box such as the boxes shown in FIG. 1A or 2A.

Optionally, multiple sets of items are made from a box or boxes, each set having on each item indicia or marking indicating it as a member of that set of items. For example, each of the set of items 28c has a square symbol; each of the items 28d has a triangle symbol; and each of the items 28e has a star symbol. Optionally, a particular item or set of items is provided for each player, whether there are multiple players playing, a single player playing, or multiple players playing simultaneously.

It is within the scope of the present invention to make a structure according to the present invention with an open area in a part of box (a top of a box or any suitable box part) and to then fold or manipulate that part with the open area so that it is located in a desired position for a play method according to the present invention, with or without stabilizing member(s) according to the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a structure 30 according to the present invention in which a piece has been removed from a top of a box to form an open area 37 (e.g. like the open area 17, FIG. 1B). The part with the open area 37 is positioned in any desired position for play; including, but not limited to, in the position as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Optionally, there are no stabilizing members connected between the part with the open area 37 and the remainder of the structure, (in this case, no connection between sides 32a, 32b) other than the part that initially connected the box top to a base 31. The structure 30 has a rear portion 33b.

FIG. 4, shows a scoring panel 40 which initially is part of a box, e.g., but not limited to, a part like the part 15 of the box 10 or the part 25 of the box. 20. The panel 40 can be used to keep track of scores or points accumulated by a player or players using a structure, system, and/or play method according to the present invention. In certain aspects, a panel according to the present invention has areas or columns designated for each player in which notations can be made and/or markers can be placed to indicate scoring and/or points won. Optionally, markers or pieces for use in indicating scoring or points can be parts of a box and/or parts of the panel itself. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, markers 41 are parts removed from the panel 40 and are then placed in the appropriate column when a particular player achieves a score or makes a point or points.

As indicated in ?FIG. 40, the player whose symbol is a star has four markers 41; the player whose symbol is a square has no markers; and the player whose symbol is a triangle has two markers 41. Optionally, the markers have numbers on them indicating points or number of scores.

It is within the scope of the present invention for a structure or a box according to the present invention to have one, two, three, or more openings in a part of the structure or box which provide specific targets, holes, or areas at which an item may be directed to score or to win. Such an opening may be in only one part (side, top, or bottom) of a box so that an item that successfully goes to and through the opening falls into the structure or box and is captured therein; or the opening can include a pair of openings (or multiple openings) so that an item directed successfully at a first opening then exits the box via a nearby and/or an adjacent second opening, for example, a first opening in a box top aligned with a second opening in a box bottom, and a first opening in a box side opposite a second opening in an opposed box side.

FIG. 5A shows a box 50 according to the present invention with a hole 50a through a top 50b of the box. An item 50c directed at the box which goes through the hole ends up within the box resting on a box bottom 50d (e.g. as shown by an item 50e).

FIG. 5B shows a box 51 according to the present invention with a hole 51a through a top 51b of the box and a hole 51f through a bottom 51d of the box. An item 51c directed at the hole 51a passes through the hole 51a, through the hole 51f, and then exits from the box.

FIG. 5C shows a box 52 according to the present invention with a hole 52a through a top 52b of the box. An item 52c directed at the box which goes through the hole 52a and ends up within the box resting on a box bottom 52d (e.g. as shown by an item 52e). The box 52 also has a hole 52g through the top 52b of the box and a hole 52h through a bottom 52d of the box. An item 52j directed at the hole 52g passes through the hole 52g, through the hole 52h, and then exits from the box.

It is within the scope of the present invention to have multiple holes in a structure or in a box (in any suitable portion or part thereof) at which an item is directed to score, to achieve a point or points, or to win a play method according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5D, a box 55 according to the present invention has a top 56 with multiple openings 57a, 57b, and 57c therethrough. A player can direct an item at any chosen hole. Scoring, the awarding of points, and/or winning a play method or game can be based on one or any combination of: directing an item through a certain opening or openings; directing multiple items through a specified opening or openings; and/or directing multiple items in sequence through multiple openings.

It is within the scope of the present invention for an opening or hole, or openings or holes, in a structure or box according to the present invention to have markings or indicia to identify the opening or hole and/or to assign a value (score or points) to a particular opening or hole. As shown in FIG. 5D, the openings are labeled, on the reverse side of the top 56, with “A” (opening 57a), “B” (opening 57b), and “C” (opening 57c) (“A,” “B,” and “C” shown in dotted lines)

FIG. 6 shows a stabilizing member 60 according to the present invention which, in certain aspects, is made from a box; and in one aspect may be made from a box from which a structure according to the present invention is also made and/or from which item(s) according to the present invention are also made. The member 60 has a slot 61 for receiving and releasably holding a portion of a part of a box (e.g. like the slot 19d, FIG. 1I) and a slot 62 for receiving and holding a part of box which provides an area, opening, or hole through which or at which item(s) are directed in a game or in a play method, e.g. a top of a box as in the box 10 or the box 20 with an area like, e.g., the area 17 or the area 27.

Any box herein may be made, in whole or in part, from any suitable paper of a suitable thickness, cardboard, kraft board, plastic, paperboard, any material known for use in boxes, or other suitable material.

FIG. 7A shows a top 70 of a box according to the present invention (e.g., but not limited to, a box as in any of FIGS. 1A, 2A, 5B) which has a game board printed thereon. The game board may be removed by cutting or tearing or by any method disclosed herein, with or without perforations, indentations, slits, slots, or scoring. FIG. 7B shows a part 71 of a box, e.g., but not limited to, a bottom of the box of FIG. 7A, with chess game pieces printed thereon (white indicated by the numeral 72 and black by the numeral 74) for use with the board of FIG. 7A. Optionally other game pieces of any desired number may be printed on a box, e.g. checkers 76 and 77. The game pieces may be removed by cutting or tearing or by any method disclosed herein, with or without facilitation with perforations, indentations, slits, slots, or scoring.

FIG. 8A shows a box 80 according to the present invention (e.g., but not limited to, a box as in any of FIGS. 1A, 2A, 5B) which has a top 81 and a bottom 85. A tic-tac-toe game grid 82 is printed on the top 81. Game pieces 83 and 84 (“Xs” and “Os”) are printed on sides 86, 87 of the bottom 85. The game pieces may be removed by cutting or tearing or by any method disclosed herein, with or without facilitation with perforations, indentations, slits, slots, or scoring.

FIG. 9A-9G present various views of a design 90 of a box structure according to the present invention, e.g., but not limited to, a structure as in FIG. 1K.

FIG. 10A-10G present various views of a design 100 of a box structure according to the present invention, e.g., but not limited to, a structure as in FIG. 2C.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the aspects, concepts and elements of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both structures, method steps, and techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate ends.

Techniques and method steps according to the present invention are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices and structures and described and as steps which for utilization of the devices and structures as intended and described.

In addition, while some devices and structures are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the present invention. As to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood as encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion herein is intended to serve as a basic description. The specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit and are within the scope of the present invention.

Where the invention is described in device-oriented or apparatus-oriented terminology, each element of the device or apparatus implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device or apparatus described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes within the scope of the invention, and the like, are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application.

It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected.

This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms-even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action.

Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element effects or facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “support” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “supporting”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there is effectively the disclosure of the act of “supporting”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “support”. Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.

Any acts of law, statutes, regulations, or rules mentioned in this application for patent; or patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated fully and for all purposes by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms are hereby incorporated by reference.

The inventors should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the systems and new parts thereof as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these systems, parts, and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each aspect, feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying embodiments and examples, xi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, and xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the inventors may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies, to systems only, to methods only, or to both. Support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available.

To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the inventors did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, they should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually waived or relinquished such coverage.

If or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.

A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

Any claims set forth at any time during the pendency of the application for this patent or offspring of it are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the inventors expressly reserve the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the inventors further expressly reserve the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.

A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

Any claims set forth at any time during the pendency of the application for this patent or offspring of it are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the inventors expressly reserve the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the inventors further expressly reserve the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the n fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It is realized that changes are possible within the scope of this invention and it is further intended that each element or step recited herein is to be understood as referring to the step literally and/or to all equivalent elements or steps. It is intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may be utilized.

The invention described herein is new and novel in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §102. The invention described herein is not obvious in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §103. The inventors may rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of the invention.

All patents and applications identified herein are incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. A system for playing a finger ball game, the system comprising

a box, the box having a base a first base side and a second base side, a front, a rear, a top, and an open area formed by removing a removable piece from the top,

the top positioned with the open area positioned for the passage of an item through the open area onto the base.

22. The system of claim 21 the top further comprising

the top including two spaced-apart side members and a bottom member,

wherein the two side members and the bottom member define the open area.

23. The system of claim 21 the top further comprising

the top including two spaced-apart side members, an upper member, and a lower member,

wherein the two side members, the upper member and the lower member define the open area.

24. The system of claim 21 further comprising

the top comprising a first top side and a second top side,

the first top side including a first side member,

the second top side including a second side member,

the first side member engaging the first base side, and

the second side member engaging the second base side.

25. The system of claim 21 further comprising

at least one item formed of a piece removed from the box, the at least one item sized for passage through the open area.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one item is a plurality of items.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the plurality of items comprises a plurality of sets of items, each set having its own distinctive marking to identify each item of the set as a part of the set.

28. The system of claim 27 further comprising

a panel formed of the box for noting scores associated with each item that has passed through the open area.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the panel has panel marking corresponding to the distinctive marking of each set of items.

30. The system of claim 21 wherein the top is not parallel to the base so that the open area is at an angle to the base and positioned for the passage of an item through the open area down onto the base.

31. The system of claim 21 wherein the top is parallel to the base so that the open area is parallel to the base and is positioned for the passage of an item through the open area down into the base.

32. The system of claim 21 further comprising

the base having a base hole therethrough, the base hole positioned so that an item is passable through the open area and then through the base hole to exit the box.

33. The system of claim 21 further comprising

the top of the box at a non-parallel angle to the base of the box,

a stabilizing member engaging the base of the box and the top of the box.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the stabilizing member is made from the box.

35. The system of claim 21 wherein the open area comprises a plurality of openings.

36. The system of claim 21 further comprising

the open area including a first opening and a second opening,

the base having a base hole therethrough, the base hole positioned so that an item is passable through the first opening and then through the base hole to exit the box.

37. The system of claim 21 wherein the box is a pizza box.

38. The system of claim 21 wherein the top is connected to the base and selectively positionable with respect to the base.

39. A system for playing a finger ball game, the system comprising

a box, the box having a base a first base side and a second base side, a front, a rear, a top, and an open area formed by removing a removable piece from the top,

the top positioned with the open area positioned for the passage of an item through the open area onto the base,

the top comprising a first top side and a second top side, the first top side including a first side member, the second top side including a second side member, the first side member engaging the first base side, and the second side member engaging the second base side,

wherein the top is positioned with respect to the base in one of a first position and a second position,

the first position not parallel to the base so that the open area is at an angle to the base and positioned for the passage of an item through the open area down onto the base, and

the second position parallel to the base so that the open area is parallel to the base and is positioned for the passage of an item through the open area down into the base.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein the box is a pizza box.