DICE TOSS GAME

Abstract

A dice toss game includes a pair of spaced apart table units, and a cube-shaped die. Each table unit may include a frame having an opening extending therethrough, legs coupled to the frame, and a net to be stretched across the opening of the frame to form a die bouncing surface having openings extending therethough. Hooks are used to secure the stretched net to the frame. The cube-shaped die is to be tossed by a player for bouncing off the die bouncing surface on one of the table units. The openings in the die bouncing surface may cause the cube-shaped die to bounce in a random direction.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/416,423 filed Oct. 14, 2022, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to recreational throwing games, and, more particularly, to a dice toss game.

BACKGROUND

Over the years numerous recreational throwing games have been invented. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,568 is directed to a ball toss game that has a flexible surface which allows balls to bounce. The flexible surface resembles a trampoline, and is parallel to the ground. A player stands on solid ground outside a perimeter of the flexible surface, and bounces the ball off the flexible surface toward another player also standing on solid ground outside a perimeter of the flexible surface. The other player is to catch the ball, and then bounce the ball off the flexible surface back towards the player that initially threw the ball.

Another recreational throwing game is cornhole, also known as sack toss or bag toss. Cornhole is a lawn game in which players or teams take turns throwing fabric bean bags at a raised, angled board with a hole in its far end. The goal of the game is to score points by either landing a bag on the board (one point) or putting a bag through the hole (three points).

Yet another recreational throwing game is beer pong. Beer pong is a drinking game in which players throw a ping pong ball across a table with the intent of landing the ball in a cup of beer on the other end. The game typically consists of opposing teams of two or more players per side with 6 or 10 cups set up in a triangle formation on each side. Each team then takes turns attempting to throw ping-pong balls into the opponent's cups. If a team lands a ping-pong ball in one of the cups, the contents of the cup are consumed by the other team and the cup is removed from the table. The first team to eliminate all of the opponent's cups is the winner.

Even in view of the above games, there is still a demand for other types of recreational throwing games.

SUMMARY

A dice toss game includes a pair of spaced apart table units, and at least one cube-shaped die. Each table unit may include a frame having an opening extending therethrough, a plurality of legs coupled to the frame, and a net to be stretched across the opening of the frame to form a die bouncing surface having openings extending therethough. Hooks may be used to secure the stretched net to the frame. The cube-shaped die is to be tossed by a player for bouncing off the die bouncing surface on one of the table units. The openings in the die bouncing surface may cause the cube-shaped die to bounce in a random direction. The cube-shaped die comprises a silicone rubber.

The plurality pf legs may be detachable from the frame for transporting the dice toss game. The frame and the frame opening may be rectangular-shaped.

Each leg may be adjustable in height. In one embodiment, each leg is tubular and may include an upper leg section and a lower leg section that is separate from the upper leg section. A diameter of the upper leg section is larger than a diameter of the lower leg section so that the lower leg section is adjustably positioned within the upper leg section. In another embodiment, each leg is tubular and may include an upper leg section, a lower leg section that is separate from the upper leg section, and a coupler to couple the upper and lower leg sections together. The lower leg section and coupler are removable to lower the height of each leg.

The plurality of legs may include a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs. The dice toss game may include a first leg cross support coupled between the first pair of legs, and a second leg cross support coupled between the second pair of legs. The first leg cross support may be coupled to bottom ends of the first pair of legs, and the second leg cross support may be coupled to bottom ends of the second pair of legs.

The frame may include a plurality of frame sections. The dice toss game may include a plurality of 3-way elbow fittings, with each 3-way elbow fitting coupled to a pair of adjacent frame sections and to one of the legs.

Each hook has a first hook end coupled to the frame, and a second hook end coupled to the stretched net. The frame and legs may be plastic. At least one cup holder may be carried by the frame.

Yet another aspect is directed to a method for making a dice toss game as described above. The method may include forming a pair of spaced apart table units. Each table unit may include a frame having an opening extending therethrough, a plurality of legs coupled to the frame, and a net to be stretched across the opening of the frame to form a die bouncing surface having openings extending therethough. Hooks may be used to secure the stretched net to the frame. The method includes forming at least one cube-shaped die to be tossed by a player for bouncing off the die bouncing surface on one of the table units. The openings in the die bouncing surface may cause the cube-shaped die to bounce in a random direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a dice toss game being played in which various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is an upper back-side perspective view of a table unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an upper front-side perspective view of a table unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a table unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a table unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view of one of the legs for the table unit illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view of a leg cap positioned over an end of one of the legs illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cube-shaped die illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. However, many different embodiments may be used, and thus the description should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notations may be used to indicate similar elements in different embodiments.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a dice toss game 20 will be described. The dice toss game 20 includes a pair of table units 30(1), 30(2) each having a die bouncing surface 62. The table units 30(1), 30(2) are spaced-apart about 6 to 10 feet, for example. A first player 70 stands behind table unit 30(1), and a second player 72 stands behind the other table unit 30(2).

The first player 70 tosses a cube-shaped die 80 toward the die bouncing surface 62 of table unit 30(2) so that it bounces off of the die bouncing surface 62. The second player 72 tries to catch the cube-shaped die 80 after it bounces. If the second player 72 fails to catch the cube-shaped die 80, then the first player 70 scores a point. If the second player 72 catches the cube-shaped die 80, the second player 72 then tosses the cube-shaped die 80 so that it bounces off of the die bouncing surface 62 of table unit 30(1) in an attempt to score a point against the first player 70. The game continues until one of the players scores a predetermined number of points.

The dice toss game 20 may be played indoors or outdoors, and is light-weight and easy to transport. The dice toss game 20 combines athleticism, leisure, and competition for all ages and skill levels. The dice toss game 20 may be played one on one, or by teams of players. The table units 30(1), 30(2) may be easily disassembled for travel, and then easily assembled to play the dice toss game 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, the table units 30(1), 30(2) will be discussed. The table units 30(1), 30(2) may be generally referred to as a table unit 30. Each table unit 30 includes a frame 40 having an opening extending therethrough. The frame 40 and the frame opening are rectangular-shaped.

Legs 50 are coupled to the frame 40. A net 60 is stretched across the opening of the frame 40 to form the die bouncing surface 62 having a plurality of openings extending therethrough. Hooks 70 are used to secure the stretched net 60 to the frame 40. The openings in the die bouncing surface 62 may cause the cube-shaped die 80 to bounce in a random direction to make the dice toss game 20 more challenging.

An exploded view of the table unit 30 will now be discussed in reference to FIG. 4. The frame 40 is formed by frame sections 42, 44, 46, 48 coupled together using 3-way couplers 49. The frame sections 42, 44, 46, 48 may be tubular. Frame sections 44, 48 may be 24 inches in length to form a long side of the frame 40, and frame sections 42, 46 may be 18 inches in length to form a short side of the frame 40.

The frame sections 42, 44, 46, 48 and the 3-way couplers 49 may be formed out of plastic. An example plastic is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as used in PVC pipes and PVC couplers.

The legs 50 are coupled to the frame 40 using the 3-way couplers 49. Each leg 50 may be tubular and includes an upper leg section 50(1) and a lower leg section 50(2) joined together by a coupler 52. The upper leg section 50(1) may be 15 inches in length, and the lower leg section 50(2) may be 15 inches in length.

The height of the legs 50 allows the players to stand while playing the dice toss game 20. If the players wanted to sit while playing the dice toss game 20, then the lower leg sections 50(2) and the couplers 52 are not used when assembling the table units 30.

The table unit 30 further includes a pair of leg cross supports 54. Each leg cross support 54 is coupled to bottom ends of a respective pair of the lower leg sections 50(2) using a pair of 90 degree couplers 56. Each leg cross support 54 may also be tubular, and may be 18 inches in length to match the short side of the frame 40.

At least one cup holder 90 may be coupled to one of the long sides of the frame 40, such as frame section 48. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of cup holders 90 are coupled to the frame section 48. Each cup holder 90 includes a flexible attachment point 92 that snap-fits onto the frame section 48. In other embodiments, the attachment point 92 of each cup holder 90 may be configured as adjustable clamps for securing to the frame section 48.

The net 60 is to be positioned across the opening of the frame 40. Hooks 70 are used to secure the net 60 to the frame 40. As an example, there are 4 hooks on each long side of the frame 40, and 3 hooks on each short side of the frame 40. The net 60 may be placed on an underside of the frame 40. Tension of the net 60 determines an elasticity of the die bouncing surface 62 and can be adjusted via the hooks 70.

A first end of each hook 70 connects to one of the frame sections, and a second end of each hook 70 connects to the net 60. The first end of each hook 70 may be configured open-ended and curved to snap onto a frame section. In other embodiments, the first end may be configured closed-ended with a frame opening extending therethrough in order to slide onto a fame section. The second end of each hook 70 may be open-ended and curved to connect with the net 60 through one of the openings in the net 60.

An exploded view of another embodiment of the table unit 30′ will now be discussed in reference to FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the legs 50′ and leg cross members 54′ are configured differently.

Each leg 50′ is tubular, and still includes an upper leg section 50(1)′ and a lower leg section 50(2)′. However, a diameter of the upper leg section 50(1)′ is larger than a diameter of the lower leg section 50(2)′. This allows the lower leg section 50(2)′ to be adjustably positioned within the upper leg section 50(1)′. The upper leg section 50(1)′ includes a series of spaced apart openings 53′, as shown in FIG. 6. The lower leg section 50(2)′ includes a detent pin 55′ that is released within one of the openings 53′ in the upper leg section 50(1)′ for a desired leg height. The ends of the lower leg section 50(2)′ are covered by a leg cap 58′, as shown in FIG. 7.

The leg cross supports 54′ are coupled between a respective pair of legs 50′. The ends of leg cross supports 54′ may snap fit, for example, onto the lower leg sections 50(2)′. Alternatively, the ends of leg cross supports 54′ may snap fit, for example, onto the upper leg sections 50(1)′.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the cube-shaped die 80 will be discussed. Numbers one through six are on respective sides of the cube-shaped die 80. The cube-shaped die 80 may be formed out of a silicon rubber. As an example, the silicon rubber may be Smooth-Sil™ 950 as provided by Smooth-On, Inc. Smooth-Sil™ 950 cures at room temperature, with different hardnesses available. The size of the cube-shaped die 80 is large enough so that it does not fall through an opening in the die bouncing surface 62. An example size is 1 inch for the length, 1 inch for the width and 1 inch for the height.

To play the dice toss game 20, teams are formed. The teams may be one-on-one or two-on-two, for example. Alternatively, the dice toss game 20 may be played while rotating a larger number of players. Each team could rotate up to five players, for example.

The dice toss game 20 is played until one of the teams scores a predetermined number of points. For example, the dice toss game 20 may be played until a team scores 11 points or 21 points.

Each team rolls the cube-shaped die 80 to determine who goes first based on the number rolled. Alternatively, one team rolls the cube-shaped die 80 and the other team calls high or low. The winner is based on the number rolled and what was called.

Prior to throwing the cube-shaped die 80, a player must announce that they are going to throw the cube-shaped die 80. The cube-shaped die 80 is to be thrown in an upward underhand trajectory. The cube-shaped die 80 is not to be thrown overhanded. Each player should stand behind the cups 90 on their table unit 30 prior to throwing the cube-shaped die 80.

If playing the dice toss game 20 outside, the cube-shaped die 80 should be tossed to reach a vertical height higher than the tallest person's hand extended. If playing inside, then the players will have to use their judgment on how high the cube-shaped die 80 should be thrown. If playing sitting down, then the cube-shaped die 80 should be thrown higher than the tallest person's hand extended.

A player on the team that is to go first will throw one cube-shaped die 80 to start the game. The player throwing the cube-shaped die 80 is considered as an offensive team. Scoring may be 1 point, 2 points or 3 points by the offensive team.

If the cube-shaped die 80 hits the net 60 or an edge of the frame 40 and the opposing player fails to catch it, then the offensive team is rewarded with one point. The offensive team will then throw another cube-shaped die 80. If the opposing player or team catches the cube-shaped die 80, then they become the offensive team.

If the cube-shaped die 80 hits one of the cups 90 and the opposing team fails to catch it, then the offensive team is rewarded two points. If the cube-shaped die 80 lands in one of the cups 90, then the offensive team is rewarded with three points. This may be referred to as “making a splash”. A player or team can only score on offense and must win by 2.

Additionally, in order to catch the cube-shaped die 80 to prevent a point from being scored for the offensive team, one hand is to be used. The cube-shaped die 80 is not to be trapped against the player's body. The cube-shaped die 80 is to be caught only using one hand, i.e., no two hand catches. A player can use any part of their body to keep the cube-shaped die 80 alive prior to catching it.

For players 21 or older, they can play with an alcoholic drink in their hand. If a player lands the cube-shaped die 80 in one of the cups 90 carried by the table unit 30, then the player on the opposing team is to drink their drink. Any rule disputes may be resolved by rolling the cube-shaped die 80 and calling high or low. The team who calls high or low correctly is either rewarded with a rethrow or point.

Another aspect is directed to a method for making the dice toss game 20 as described above. The method includes forming a pair of spaced apart table units 30. Each table unit 30 includes a frame 40 having an opening extending therethrough, a plurality of legs 50 coupled to the frame 40, and a net to be stretched across the opening of the frame 40 to form a die bouncing surface 62 having a plurality of openings extending therethough. Hooks 70 are used to secure the stretched net 60 to the frame 40. The method further includes forming at least one cube-shaped die 80 to be tossed by a player for bouncing off the die bouncing surface 62 on one of the table units 30. The openings in the die bouncing surface 60 may cause the cube-shaped die 80 to bounce in a random direction.

Many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the foregoing is not to be limited to the example embodiments, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dice toss game comprising:

a pair of spaced apart table units, each table unit comprising: a frame having an opening extending therethrough, a plurality of legs coupled to the frame, a net to be stretched across the opening of the frame to form a die bouncing surface having a plurality of openings extending therethough, and a plurality of hooks to secure the stretched net to the frame; and

at least one cube-shaped die to be tossed by a player for bouncing off the die bouncing surface on one of the table units, with the plurality of openings in the die bouncing surface causing the at least one cube-shaped die to bounce in a random direction.

2. The dice toss game according to claim 1, wherein the cube-shaped die comprises a silicone rubber.

3. The dice toss game according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs are detachable from the frame for transporting the dice toss game.

4. The dice toss game according to claim 1, wherein the frame and the frame opening are rectangular-shaped.

5. The dice toss game according to claim 1, wherein each leg is adjustable in height.

6. The dice toss game according to claim 5, wherein each leg is tubular and comprises an upper leg section and a lower leg section that is separate from the upper leg section, with a diameter of the upper leg section being larger than a diameter of the lower leg section so that the lower leg section is adjustably positioned within the upper leg section.

7. The dice toss game according to claim 5, wherein each leg is tubular and comprises an upper leg section, a lower leg section that is separate from the upper leg section, and a coupler to couple the upper and lower leg sections together, with the lower leg section and coupler being removable to lower the height of each leg.

8. The dice toss game according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs comprise a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, the dice toss game comprising:

a first leg cross support coupled between the first pair of legs; and

a second leg cross support coupled between the second pair of legs.

9. The dice toss game according to claim 8, wherein the first leg cross support is coupled to bottom ends of the first pair of legs, and the second leg cross support is coupled to bottom ends of the second pair of legs.

10. The dice toss game according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame sections, the dice toss game comprising a plurality of 3-way elbow fittings, with each 3-way elbow fitting coupled to a pair of adjacent frame sections and to one of the legs.

11. The dice toss game according to claim 1, wherein each hook has a first hook end coupled to the frame, and a second hook end coupled to the stretched net.

12. The dice toss game according to claim 1, wherein the frame and plurality of legs comprise plastic.

13. The dice toss game according to claim 1, comprising at least one cup holder to be carried by the frame.

14. A method for making a dice toss game comprising:

forming a pair of spaced apart table units, each table unit comprising: a frame having an opening extending therethrough, a plurality of legs coupled to the frame, a net to be stretched across the opening of the frame to form a die bouncing surface having a plurality of openings extending therethough, and a plurality of hooks to secure the stretched net to the frame; and

forming at least one cube-shaped die to be tossed by a player for bouncing off the die bouncing surface on one of the table units, with the plurality of openings in the die bouncing surface causing the at least one cube-shaped die to bounce in a random direction.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the cube-shaped die is formed with a silicone rubber.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of legs are detachable from the frame for transporting the dice toss game.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the frame and the frame opening are rectangular-shaped.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein each leg is adjustable in height.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of legs comprise a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, the method comprising:

coupling a first leg cross support between the first pair of legs; and

coupling a second leg cross support between the second pair of legs.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame sections, the method comprising coupling a 3-way elbow fitting to a pair of adjacent frame sections and to one of the legs.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the frame and plurality of legs comprise plastic.

22. The method according to claim 14, comprising attaching at least one cup holder to the frame.